From the "fine mother" on the grassland to the "female warrior" of Jingoma Iron.
According to legend, Yan Yan is Xiao Chuo's nickname, so many people like to call her "Xiao Yanyan". Xiao Chuo's father, Xiao Siwen, was the prime minister of the northern government in Liao Dynasty, and his son-in-law Xiao Siwen; Xiao Chuo's mother is princess royal, whose name is Lubugu, and she is Liao's sister.
Xiao Chuo likes reading since he was a child, which he inherited from his parents. Influenced by his mother, Xiao Chuo came into contact with the Central Plains culture since childhood and had a certain understanding of feudal economy and culture. Xiao Chuo's two sisters are plain and untidy. Only Xiao Chuo is not only beautiful and dignified, but also studies and works hard. Once, I swept the floor with my sister, and my father watched it specially. Xiao Siwen found that the two eldest daughters were absent-minded in their work, and only Xiao Chuo swept carefully. Xiao Siwen is very happy and thinks that this daughter will be successful in the future.
In 969 AD, Yelujing hunted in Heishan, Huaizhou. Because he hunted a bear, Yelujing ordered a drink to celebrate. He was drunk. Unexpectedly, I was assassinated by several followers at night. With the help of Xiao, Yeluxian, the second son of Ruan Sejong of Liao Dynasty, arrived in Huaizhou at night and acceded to the throne in front of Jiing's coffin, that is, Liao. As soon as Yeluxian ascended the throne, Xiao Siwen was named as Wang Wei, imperial academy Tang Tang, and Prime Minister of the Northern Government.
At that time, with the growth of age, the beautiful Xiao Chuo was not only more outstanding in study, but also increasingly outstanding in appearance, especially on the grassland. She was called "Jing Niang" by the grassland people-that is, the stunning beauty praised by the Khitans-and Jing Zong Yeluxian soon heard about her beauty. Ye Luxian is a monarch who lacks great ambition. He indulges in debauchery all day. I heard that he can let such a beautiful woman go. He soon made Xiao Chuo the imperial concubine, and later made her the queen. Xiao Chuo became queen at the age of seventeen, but it also provided her with a good opportunity to show her talents. Liao is mediocre in his studies. When he was young, he saw his parents killed by the rebels, and he was very scared. I am old and very ill, but I indulge in debauchery and indulgence, and I don't know how to care for my body at all. As a result, his health is getting weaker and weaker, and he can hardly go to court. At this time, only Xiao Chuo took the place of her husband to handle state affairs. Before 18 years old, Xiao Chuo began to adjudicate all state affairs.
Liao affairs were handled in an orderly way, and Ye realized the queen's talent and promoted her to the same position as himself. Ye Luxian also specially told the ministers that the words should be called "I" or "Yu" when writing the queen, which also shows that Ye Luxian gave the power to be an emperor.
In 97 1 year, that is, in the third year of Baoning, Xiao Huanghou and Yeluxian's eldest son Yelulongxu were born, and the heir of Liao was even more promoted to the throne. Liao has almost become Hou Yaozong's special pet. In their 14 marriage, Hou Yaozong not only almost took over the military and political power of the Jing Zongchao, but also gave birth to four sons and three daughters for Jing Zong.
There have been long-term and fierce contradictions and struggles in Liao country. As time goes by, this contradiction becomes more and more obvious, and North Korea will have a struggle at any time. At the same time, Xixia and Nuzhen were constantly hostile to Liao country, and the Southern Song Dynasty was also a formidable enemy at this time, and the surrounding environment of Liao country was not optimistic. Faced with such a grim situation, Hou Yaozong felt that the burden on his shoulders was heavier.
Xiao was very influential in North Korea, so Xiao was assassinated. In this regard, Xiao was very sad in the second half of the night, but he still insisted on putting national affairs first. She arranged a candidate to take her father's place-a famous minister, Ye Shi. At the same time, regardless of Han nationality and Qidan nationality, she reused many officials with extraordinary talents and appointed them to important positions, including Ye Lvxie, Ye Lvxiu, Zhen Wu, Li Nv and Han Kuangsi. In addition, Xiao Houyi also wanted to reform the old imperial system to further stabilize internal affairs. With the help of Lu Yeshi and others, in the face of the endless struggle of Liao, Hou Yaozong always held the initiative and was a shoo-in. In governing the country, Hou Yaozong appreciated the excellent system and production plan of Han nationality very much, so she tried to learn from Liao country and spread it. Her strategy is correct. Liao became stronger in military and agriculture, and its relations with neighboring countries gradually improved. Of course, her intention is to wait for opportunities for future progress. Xiao Hou showed more and more extraordinary leadership and excellent ruling ability. All her actions and opinions after implementation gradually persuaded the people and courtiers of Liao State. Hou Yaozong began to gain the recognition of all courtiers. At this time, she was less than twenty years old.
Hou Yaozong is humble and sincere, and there is no doubt about employing people. In terms of the rule of law, Hou Yaozong treats all equally and strictly enforces the law, and there is no so-called woman's mercy. Zhuo Lin and Puge were originally the legacy of Liao Shizong. Because they secretly used witchcraft at home, Hou Yaozong executed them mercilessly regardless of the obstruction of ministers! Later, when she found out that General Xiao Shen was involved in the rebellion plot, she immediately beheaded him. Since then, Hou Yaozong's ruthlessness and selflessness have spread throughout the Liao country, and no one dares to challenge the law. Therefore, the country is more stable.
When Xiao Hou reformed Liao country, Song Taizu and Zhao Kuangyin pointed the finger at Liao country. Zhao Kuangyin, with superior military ability, successively conquered several cities in Liao country, and planned to use these cities to recover Youzhou. But for Liao, Youzhou is a military town and the gateway to the south, and it must not be lost. At that time, Han Derang, the son of Han Kuangsi, had been guarding Youzhou. Song Jun swooped down suddenly. After Xiao knew the value of Youzhou and the seriousness of the situation, he immediately sent someone to rescue him. Yelvxiuge led the elite of the Fifth Academy and arranged Yelvxiezhen to set an ambush. Hou Yaozong's strategy is very effective. After leading Song Jun's main force to leave, an elite Liao army attacked Song Jun's back and Song Jun was defeated.
Later, in order to avoid the unprovoked invasion of the Song Dynasty for a period of time and give the country a rest, Hou Yaozong decided to give it a fatal blow. Therefore, Xiao sent Yelvxiuge as a general and took him to attack Waqiaoguan again. Yelvxiuge led an elite division to fight with Song Jun, and Song Jun was defeated again. Hou Yaozong's military talent was once again vividly reflected in this campaign!
Xiao Chuo's military ability can be seen from the two wars with Song Jun. It can be said that at this point, Xiao Chuo has changed from a "fine mother" on the grassland to a generation of outstanding women.
In 982 AD, that is, in the fourth year of Ganheng, Liao died, and his son Yelulongxu officially ascended the throne, that is, Emperor Sheng of Liao. Xiao Chuo became the Empress Dowager and was honored as "Empress Dowager Chengtian", who was in charge of state affairs and assisted Saint Zong in governing the country. After Xiao was assassinated because of his excessive power, his consorts were greatly weakened and helpless. However, the imperial clan of the emperors of past dynasties tried to control the imperial court by relying on the emperor, which posed a great threat to the authority of Xiao Taihou and Shengzong.
At this time, Xiao Taihou has been in power for many years, but after all, Jing Zong was her patron before. Now there are only orphans and widows here, the little emperor is still young, and Xiao Taihou has no other support. She couldn't help worrying. In addition, in addition to worrying about internal forces, Xiao Taihou also worried that the Song Dynasty would take this opportunity to invade Liao. No matter which one appears, it will be extremely difficult, both at home and abroad. Under such circumstances, Xiao Taihou still calmed down and made several effective Xiao Taihou. Although she had been in power for many years at this time, after all, she had Jing Zong as her backer. Now there are only orphans and widows here, the little emperor is still young, and Xiao Taihou has no other support. She couldn't help worrying. In addition, in addition to worrying about internal forces, Xiao Taihou also worried that the Song Dynasty would take this opportunity to invade Liao. No matter which one appears, it will be extremely difficult, both at home and abroad. Under such circumstances, Xiao Taihou still calmed down and made several effective decisions. She promoted Ye Lvxie and put them in charge of military power, and promoted some talented Han ministers, and gradually formed a political group centered on the court. In addition, Xiao Taihou ordered that kings with military power in their hands should not entertain each other and should not go out at will; Then, she managed to relieve the kings of their military power. With Xiao Taihou's step by step, the status of Xiao Taihou and Sanzong finally stabilized. However, for a family, men are the pillars after all. Although Xiao Taihou and Sanzong are members of the royal family, they are actually no different from ordinary people in this respect. Xiao Taihou is naturally eager for a love and a chest to lean on.
It is said that Xiao Chuo was engaged to Han Derang when he was young. As childhood friends, they could have had a good marriage earlier. However, just before they got married, by chance, Jing Zong learned of Xiao Chuo's good reputation and wanted to establish Xiao Chuo, so Xiao Siwen had to dissolve Xiao Chuo's engagement with Han Derang. The cancellation of the engagement left them with regret, but fortunately, it is likely that the red line between Xiao Chuo and Han Derang has already been tied to death. Even though it turned a corner, it finally brought them together.
After Jing Zong's death, Xiao Taihou thought that Han Derang's political talent was outstanding, and he was still attached to him, so he decided to remarry Han Derang. In fact, after Jing Zong's death, Han Derang began to assist Xiao Taihou in handling government affairs and took care of him in many ways. Whether traveling or staying, they are husband and wife, and they are not afraid to meet foreign envoys. The two of them stood up together. Besides, the Pope respects Han Derang as much as his father. In order to monopolize Han Derang, Xiao Taihou secretly killed his wife Li.
One day in September 1988, Xiao Taihou did not entertain ministers in the palace as in the past, but in a tent in Han Derang. This banquet featuring Han Derang and Xiao Chuo is actually a wedding banquet for Xiao Taihou to remarry Han Derang. Shortly after the wedding banquet, Han Derang worshipped the Prime Minister and made Qi King, becoming the most powerful figure in Liao State.
However, after all, Han Derang, as a Han nationality, now has a high status, and the Khitan nobles are naturally very dissatisfied with this. Some people even asked Xiao Taihou to cut Han Derang's power on the grounds that Han Derang was not a Khitan, and even spread rumors that Han Derang was disloyal to Xiao Taihou. Xiao Taihou was indifferent to these provocations. He was consistent with Han Derang and trusted him, so all the objections disappeared. And Xiao Taihou didn't see the wrong person, Han Derang can be free from vulgarity, handle government affairs conscientiously, and manage Liao well. Although he has many privileges in his hand, he does not abuse power for personal gain, but makes good use of it.
On the other hand, Emperor Yelulongxu of Liao Dynasty not only had no antipathy to his stepfather Han Derang, but respected him very much. Facts have proved that Han Derang is worthy of this respect.
In the feudal dynasty, the love between Empress Dowager Cixi and Miss Etiquette was rare in history, and the belated fate between Xiao Taihou and Han Derang was a kind of happiness.
Xiao Taihou listened to the opinions of all kinds of people, with clear rewards and punishments, and managed the country well. She promoted the ranks and titles of many ministers, or drew a dry mausoleum of Emperor Jing Zong to win the support of ministers and let them work for her. She also did a lot of aftermath work to win the hearts and minds of the people. In order to adjust the relationship between the Khitan nationality and the Han nationality, she changed the previous dispute between the Khitan nationality and the Han nationality into the same crime and the same punishment. At the same time, she also stipulated that the punishment should be lighter and you can't sit together, that is, one person commits a crime and has no relatives he doesn't know. If criminals think they have been wronged, they can also implement the "appeal" system, thus reducing many unjust, false and wrong cases.
It can be said that these regulations in Xiao Taihou are very popular in terms of progressiveness. Therefore, the court officials praised her more and more, and her prestige naturally increased day by day. Xiao Taihou's various measures not only eased the ethnic opposition, but also eased the class opposition, making people's lives more stable.
At that time, in Liao country, ethnic discrimination and oppression were serious and slavery was strong, which led to social stagnation. Xiao Taihou intended to change this situation, so she reorganized the slaves in Liao country into tribes, lived on an equal footing with other nationalities in Liao country, and let them live in the frontier, which not only lifted slavery, but also further improved national security. She opposes the oppression of subordinates or people by powerful people or imperial envoys, and stipulates that anyone who finds similar phenomena can resist or report it, and officials who make such acts will be dismissed immediately. Xiao Taihou attaches great importance to the honesty and self-control of officials, and sets strict standards for officials, especially the principle of honesty. Once officials are found to have taken bribes, hell to pay will be punished. Officials who commit crimes will get the same punishment as those who commit crimes, and will not get some partiality because of their high status. During Xiao Taihou's reign, Liao really achieved the goal of "both the monarch and the people commit crimes". In addition, Han Derang also actively supports and helps Xiao Taihou's reform. For example, his younger brother Han wanted to bully others and immediately dissuaded him, never letting it happen.
Xiao Taihou also attaches great importance to agriculture, and has promulgated dozens of related tax reduction and exemption laws. Influenced by China culture, she knows that agriculture is the foundation of the country and the source of its prosperity. Therefore, under the transformation of Xiao Taihou, the agriculture of Liao country developed and progressed continuously, which laid a good foundation for the prosperity of Liao country.
Xiao Taihou attached importance to talents, stayed away from villains and promoted talented people, which made the Liao Dynasty look brand-new. At the same time, she also imitated the imperial examination system in Song Dynasty, set up examinations to select talents, and let more capable people participate in Liao affairs. It can be said that the development of Liao country under the rule of Xiao Taihou is closely related to the cultural thought of Han nationality.
From the end of 10 to the beginning of10/0, under the influence and promotion of the relatively progressive Han culture at that time, the Khitan nationality became feudal because of Xiao Taihou. As a woman, Xiao Taihou can boldly reform and actively promote cultural development, which shows her rare talent. Due to a series of reforms in Liao country, the national strength of Liao country is booming and gradually reaching its peak. Xiao Taihou can not only follow the Chinese law, but also retain the advantages of its own nation. Is there any reason why Liao is not strong?
Of course, the growing strength of Liao country means that the crisis of Song Dynasty is approaching.
1004, Xiao Taihou led an army of 200,000 and took the initiative to attack the Song Dynasty. After several wars, Song Zhenzong, the then Emperor of the Song Dynasty, reached an agreement with him, stipulating that Song and Liao were brotherly countries, and Song Zhenzong was honored as an aunt, and both sides kept their respective territories. The border people of the two sides did not invade each other, and economic and cultural exchanges increased. For the Song Dynasty, the alliance of one source was a disgrace. In Liao country's view, this agreement naturally means the strength of Liao country and the leap of cultural system.
One of the most influential political figures of that era was Xiao Taihou. As a woman, she not only showed extraordinary talent in the internal governance of the country, but also took her time in dealing with other countries and responded positively, so that she could win one victory after another in the war. She was indeed the most outstanding woman of her time.
Xiao Taihou, as the supreme authority of Liao, has no airs of the Queen Mother. She is more like an elder of a big family, and often holds banquets and races with courtiers' children. She doesn't mind even if someone doesn't salute her at the party.
Xiao Taihou and Jing Zong had four sons and three daughters, and the fourth son, Lu Ye Ge Zheng, died eight months later. This is a pity for Xiao Taihou. She is strict with her children's conduct and discipline, and she is also very kind in daily life. Under such care, her children all grow up healthily, behave politely, and have their own skills, without the dandy performance of powerful children.
Of course, the eldest son Yelulongxu, that is, the holy religion, is Xiao Taihou's greatest concern. After all, he is the orthodox heir of Liao State. Xiao Taihou gave a rich and comprehensive education to Sanzong, including reading, riding and archery, and to a great extent referred to the knowledge of China culture, which laid a good foundation for the later emperors to bring peace and stability to Sanzong's country.
In addition to culture and governing the country, Xiao Taihou also attached great importance to the mastery of the Holy Sect. Almost every time when fighting with neighboring countries, Xiao Taihou asked the Holy Church to practice on the battlefield. Xiao Taihou believes that only in this way can he really sharpen the sacred sects. She never dares to slack off on the sage who succeeded to the throne, and always strictly demands him to study all kinds of government affairs seriously.
Facing the foundation laid by himself, Xiao Taihou certainly hoped that a good emperor would succeed him after his death. Therefore, his teaching of the holy cases is very strict. Xiao Taihou devoted a lot of efforts to Saint Zong, including strict discipline and cordial care, hoping that he would become a wise king in the future. Saint Yelulongxu certainly understood his mother's good intentions. It turns out that he has always respected his mother Xiao Taihou, always remembered her teachings, always followed her mother's instructions meticulously, worked hard, often sought her advice in government affairs, and often adopted the policies suggested by her mother. Later, Shengzong took charge of Liao country alone, and really left another brilliant footprint. Shengzong has been in power for nearly 50 years, and he has rules and laws for the governance of Liao country. He is a famous sage in Liao history. In this regard, Xiao Taihou has indeed made an indelible contribution!
Besides, Xiao Taihou's three daughters have their own needs, but their fates are not exactly the same. Xiao Taihou's eldest daughter, Princess Yan of Qi, married Xiao Jixian. Xiao Jixian lived frugally, was active and intelligent, and made meritorious military service in the war with the Song Dynasty, which was deeply loved by Xiao Taihou. The second daughter, the immortal daughter of Princess Weiguo, married the little white lady who fought against Pan Mei and Yang Jiye many times in the war with the Song Dynasty, and had a good performance. During her administration, she practiced benevolent policies and was deeply loved by the people. The third daughter, Princess Yue Yanshou, married Xiao Hengde. Although he has no outstanding achievements, he is also loved by Xiao Taihou because of his positive performance in all aspects. But later, when his third daughter was ill, Xiao Taihou sent a maid-in-waiting Shi Xian to visit. Unexpectedly, Xiao Hengde had the audacity to have sex with Shi Xian. The princess of Yue was ill. When she heard that, she flew into a rage and died. Xiao Taihou knew the ins and outs and immediately ordered the execution of Xiao Hengde. Xiao Taihou has never been soft on those who offend his dignity, as can be seen from the case of Xiao Hengde.
Xiao Taihou's rewards and punishments are obviously the same. Whether they are children or courtiers, once they make mistakes or betray her, she will deal with them immediately, resolutely and mercilessly; And if they can achieve something, even as long as they can abide by the rules, she will give them love and care.
In the twenty-fourth year of Liao Dynasty (1006), Xiao Taihou was named "Ruide God became the Empress Dowager". Three years later, Xiao Taihou felt that her ability to handle government affairs in three cases was mature and her physical condition was getting worse, so Xiao Taihou returned to politics in three cases. In the same year1February, Xiao Taihou was seriously ill and died at the age of 57. She was posthumously awarded the title of "Queen of the Holy Spirit" and later renamed as "Queen of Wisdom".
It should be said that Xiao Taihou has left a glorious page for history. Her life may not be perfect, but in the history of Liao, she was really great. Her outstanding ability and performance have been perfectly confirmed in history.