Han Derang


Han Derang, known for his Khitan name, Yelü Longyun, Xingning, or Yaoge was a Chinese politician. He served as the prime minister of the Liao dynasty during the reign of Empress Xiao Chuo. He was a native of Hebei Yutian and born into the Shihou family.

Early life

Han Derang was born in 941 as the fourth son of the King of Qin Han Kuangsi and Lady Xiao. However, his father died in southwest Nanjing after he went there to meet an envoy.

Political career

Reign of Emperor Jingzong

Han Derang served as a military officer in 979. He was gradually promoted. He stayed in Nanjing and became the most influential and powerful minister not long after his promotion.
In 979, the first year of Qianheng, Han fought against the Northern Song dynasty's invasion at Youdu, Nanjing, and was awarded the Liaoxing Army not long after his campaign against it. After this, he entered the North Court as the secret envoy from the South Court and become the most powerful person among the Han people. At this time, Han was already 38.

Reign of Emperor Shengzong

When Emperor Jingzong's oldest son, Yelü Longxu, ascended the throne as Emperor Shengzong in 982, Empress Xiao, Jingzong's widow, become his regent because Shengzong was only 11 years old. She ordered Han Derang to take charge of the imperial guards. In 985, Han became a politician and prime minister of Liao. Han took an important role in decision-making and in stabilizing the political situation in Shengzong's early years.
Han led his army to defeat Cao Bin and Mi Xin 's troops in their expedition to the Northern Song dynasty. Han became Duke of Chuguo and then King of Chu. He was later appointed as both Prime Minister of Northern Song and the Secret Envoy of the Privy Council. He was Privy Councilor of Northern Song too. The emperor entrusted him and made him King of Qi.
After the alliance of Chanyuan, Han become Grand King of Jin and was given Liao's imperial name as Yelü Longyun. However, in 1011, he followed Shengzong to Goryeo, where he died and was given the posthumous name of Wénzhōng. His temple was built in Qianling Mausoleum.

Legacy

Han never married and was childless. Knowing this, Shengzong gave Han his brothers, Yelü Longyou's two sons, Yelü Zongye and Yelü Zongfan as Han's heirs. However, neither of them had successors. Therefore, during Emperor Daozong's reign, they took the King of Wei Yelü Zongxi's son as their heir.

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