Yelü Yanxi

Timeline

1. 1101–1110Upper Capital Linhuo Prefecture · ChifengIn Shouchang 7, when Daozong died, Yelü Yanxi succeeded to the throne by imperial edict; the ministers bestowed the title Emperor Tianzuo and the era was changed to Qiantong. After accession he purged the partisans of Yelü Yixin, but misused sycophants such as Xiao Fengxian, and court governance gradually declined.
2. 1111–1113Qingzhou · ChifengAfter the era was changed to Tianqing, Liao governance worsened daily. At the first fish banquet of Tianqing 2, Emperor Tianzuo ordered the Jurchen chieftains to dance; Wanyan Aguda refused. Though the emperor sensed his disloyal intent, he heeded Xiao Fengxian and took no action. The Northeast Route Military Command repeatedly reported that the Jurchens would attack Ningjiang Prefecture, but the emperor was on autumn hunt at Qingzhou and did not treat frontier matters as urgent.
3. 1114–1117Chuhedian · JilinAfter the Jurchens captured Ningjiang Prefecture, Emperor Tianzuo finally perceived the threat and ordered a personal campaign. In 1115 Wanyan Aguda declared himself emperor and founded Jin, while Yelü Zhangnu rebelled within Liao. The emperor led an army of 700,000 but withdrew due to Zhangnu's mutiny, was pursued by the Jurchens and suffered a crushing defeat, fleeing five hundred li on horseback. Thereafter Liaoyang, Chunzhou and other places fell in succession, and Liao's fortunes turned sharply downward.
4. 1118–1120Upper Capital Linhuo Prefecture · ChifengLate in Tianqing, Liao governance was corrupt and army morale dispersed; armies routed at the mere report of defeat. In 1120 Jin forces captured the Upper Capital Linhuo Prefecture, the defender surrendered to Jin, and Liao lost its vital heartland. Emperor Tianzuo still favored Xiao Fengxian and continued to suspect imperial kinsmen and ministers, laying the groundwork for the later establishment of Northern Liao at the Southern Capital and the exile at Jiashan.