Xiao Yanyan


Xiao Chuo, nickname Yanyan, also known as Empress Dowager Chengtian was a Khitan empress and military leader of imperial China's Liao dynasty. She was regent on behalf of her son from 982.

History

Xiao Yanyan was the 3rd child of Xiao Siwen, Liao's chancellor. Also referred to by the name Xiao Chuo, Xiao's original Khitan family name was Bali. She was the youngest of the Xiao sisters, along with Xiao Hunian and Lady Xiao.
Xiao later married Emperor Jingzong of Liao and would go on to bear the crown Prince Yelü Longxu. Being granted the title of Empress, Xiao was influential during her husband's reign.
She would go on to become regent for her son in 982 when he ascended the Liao throne as Emperor Shengzong at 12 years old after the untimely death of Emperor Jingzong of Liao who died while returning from a hunting trip.
In Khitan culture, it was acceptable for women to take part in military action, and indeed to be military commanders: Xiao became a military commander of great renown. In 986, the Liao Empire was invaded by the Song dynasty to the south under the leadership of Emperor Taizong of Song, but was defeated by Liao forces under Xiao's command; she is said to have commanded the troops herself on the front line of the battle. They routed the Song soldiers and captured thousands, who, as it was her birthday, Xiao pardoned. A further invasion by the Song would ensue in 989 only to be defeated once again by Liao forces resulting in the death of the Song general Yang Ye.
In her personal life, Empress Dowager Chengtian was reported to have an accepted, spouse-like relationship with her advisor - and commander of the Northern Chancellery - Han Derang. Sources speculate that she had sexual relations with Han, whom she had originally been betrothed to before the imperial clan's interference, and had a child with him. According to a Song ambassador named Lu Zhen, Chengtian appeared to be about 50 years old, wore a kingfisher feather cap and jade pendants in her ears, and sat on a stack of cushions on a chair. She had a dozen or so female Khitan attendants tending to her. Lu also saw a boy about 10 years old playing in front of her who resembled Han Derang, who he speculated was their son. The History of the Khitan Kingdom states that while serving as regent, Chengtian asked Han to resume their relationship and the two of them copulated many times, had Han's wife poisoned, and produced a son.
As Empress Dowager Chengtian, Xiao commanded her own army of 10,000 cavalry and would personally lead the Liao army in battle against the Song in 1005, despite being over 50 years old by that point.
Known for her great skills in civil administration, Empress Dowager Chengtian retained great influence until her death at age 57 in 1009. Chinese chronicles, such as The History of the Liao, credit most of the success of Emperor Shengzong's reign to his mother, Chengtian.
She was also instrumental in arranging a marriage between her son and her court lady, Xiao Noujin. However, she had a poor relationship with her two older sisters, and she eventually poisoned or murdered both of them.

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