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Life
Yelü Xian succeeded Emperor Muzong in 969 after the latter was murdered by his servants during a hunting trip. He had support from both the Khitan and Han Chinese ruling elites.
Emperor Jingzong made several important contributions to the Liao dynasty. He employed Han Chinese officials in his government, appointing one as the Minister of Southern Affairs and the Duke of Qin. This allowed the government to run more efficiently and sped up the transformation of Khitan society into a feudal society. He cracked down on corruption in the government, firing those who were bribed or incompetent. Emperor Jingzong also accepted criticisms willingly. He stopped hunting frequently after an official made a connection between hunting and Emperor Muzong's death, and Emperor Jingzong began to prepare war against his southern neighbours.
Emperor Jingzong's first conflict with the Northern Song dynasty came with the Song invasion of the Northern Han dynasty. However, the Liao reinforcements were destroyed by a Song army, and Song later destroyed Northern Han. The Song army followed up the victory with an attack on Beijing, the Liao dynasty's southern capital. However, the Liao army completely routed the Song army, with Emperor Taizong of Song fleeing the battlefield. Several battles followed, with a stalemate between the Liao and Song dynasties.
Emperor Jingzong's body is weak, many diseases, sometimes unable to stand up to the court, the great national story is mostly handled by his wife Xiao Yanyan.
On 13 October, 982, Emperor Jingzong died on his way back from a hunting trip. He was succeeded by his son Emperor Shengzong, and his wife Xiao Yanyan served as regent.
Family
Consorts and Issue:
• Empress Xiao Chuo (萧绰; 953–1009), Jingzong's second cousin, honoured as Empress Ruizhi (睿智皇后)
• Eldest daughter Yelü Guanyinnü (耶律观音女; 969–1045), the Princess of Qi (齐国公主)
• Married Xiao Jixian (萧继先), a cousin of Xiao Chuo, and had issue (one son, two daughters)
• Eldest son Yelü Longxu (耶律隆绪; 972–1031), later Emperor Shengzong of Liao
• Second son Yelü Longqing (耶律隆庆; 973–1016), honoured as Crown Prince Xiaozhen (孝贞皇太叔)
• Second daughter Yelü Changshounü (耶律长寿女; 975–1017), the Princess of Wei (卫国公主)
• Married Xiao Paiya (萧排押; d. 1023), and had issue (one daughter)
• Third daughter Yelü Yanshounü (耶律延寿女; 976–996), the Princess of Yue (越国公主)
• Married Xiao Hengde (萧恒德; d. 996) in 983, and had issue (one son)
• Third son Yelü Longyou (耶律隆佑; 979–1012), honoured as Prince Xiaojing of Chu (楚孝靖王)
• Fourth son Yelü Zhengge (耶律郑哥)
• Consort, of Bohai (渤海妃)
• Fourth daughter Yelü Shuge (耶律淑哥)
• Married Lu Jun (卢俊) in 980, divorced in 983
• Married Xiao Shennu (萧神奴) in 983
• Lady Mou (某氏)
• Yelü Yaoshinu (耶律药师奴) – died early
• Hu Nian (胡辇) – disputed.
• She was the concubine of his son, Emperor Shengzong of Liao.
Ancestry
In popular culture
• Portrayed by Jing Chao in the 2020 Chinese TV series The Legend of Xiao Chuo.
Sources
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遼景宗耶律賢（948年9月1日 - 982年），字賢寧，遼朝第五位皇帝（969年3月13日－982年10月13日在位），在位13年，遼世宗的次子，其母為懷節皇后蕭氏。