Yelü Dashi

Timeline

1. 1115–1118Upper Capital Linhuangfu · ChifengYelü Dashi passed the jinshi examination in the fifth year of Tianqing, entered the Hanlin Academy as an responder, and was successively promoted to Hanlin Academician. In Khitan, Hanlin is called Linya, hence he was known as Dashi Linya. At this time the Jurchens rose in arms and the Liao court faced internal and external troubles; Dashi, as imperial clansman and literatus, entered the central administration.
2. 1118–1120Liaoxing Army · LiaoningDashi left the Hanlin Academy to govern locally, serving successively as regional inspector of Taizhou and Xiangzhou, then appointed military commissioner of the Liaoxing Army, beginning to command troops and administer government. At this time the Jin army successively took prefectures and counties in eastern Liao, and the Liao court hastened to deploy imperial clansmen and veteran generals to hold key positions.
3. 1120–1121Southern Capital Xijinfu · BeijingIn 1120 the Song and Jin concluded the Sea Alliance, agreeing to attack Liao from north and south. Dashi had by then returned to court to participate in military affairs, strongly advocating strengthening the army to resist the Jin. After the Liao lost the Upper Capital, the era name was changed to Baoda and the realm collapsed internally and externally; Dashi became an important figure in the subsequent enthronement of Yelü Chun and the westward migration to found a state.