Emperor Taizu of Jin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Emperor Taizu of Jin 金太祖
Emperor of the Jin dynasty
Reign	28 January 1115 – 19 September 1123
Successor	Emperor Taizong of Jin
Born	1 August 1068
Died	19 September 1123(1123-09-19) (aged 55)
Spouse	Empress Shengmu Empress Guangyi Empress Qinxian Empress Xuanxian Consort Yuan Consort Chong Dunuke
Issue	Sons: Shengguo Wulie Moliye Woben Wolibu Eluguan Elu Eliduo Eluduo Wuzhu Alu Alubu Xinilie Ningji Yansun Wohu Daughters: Wulu Princess of Bi Pucha Shijianu's wife
Full name Wanyan Min (sinicised name) Aguda (Jurchen name) Era dates Shouguo (收國; 1115–1116) Tianfu (天輔; 1117–1123) Posthumous name Emperor Yingqian Xingyun Zhaode Dinggong Renming Zhuangxiao Dasheng Wuyuan (應乾興運昭德定功仁明莊孝大聖武元皇帝) Temple name Taizu (太祖)
Father	Helibo
Mother	Lady Nalan

Emperor Taizu of Jin (born August 1, 1068 – died September 19, 1123) was a very important leader in ancient China. His personal name was Aguda. He also had a Chinese name, Min. He was the founder and first emperor of the Jin dynasty. This dynasty was led by the Jurchens and ruled northern China from the 12th to the 13th centuries.

Aguda started as the chief of the Wanyan tribe. This was the strongest tribe among the Jurchen people. At that time, the Jurchens were under the rule of the Khitan-led Liao dynasty. In 1114, Aguda brought the Jurchen tribes together. He then led them in a rebellion against the Liao dynasty. Just one year later, he declared himself emperor and started the Jin dynasty. By the time he died, the Jin dynasty had taken over most of the Liao dynasty's lands. It had become a major power in northern China.

The Early Life of Aguda

Aguda was the second son of Helibo, who was the chief of the Wanyan tribe. His mother was the daughter of the chief of the Nalan tribe. He was born in 1068 near the Ashi River. This area is now part of Harbin in Heilongjiang Province, China.

Aguda was known for being very brave. He fought in many battles against other Jurchen tribes. These battles were often ordered by the Khitan-led Liao dynasty. In 1109, there was a big famine. Aguda helped his father bring hungry warriors from other Jurchen tribes into their own tribe. This made their tribe much stronger. Later, he fought more wars and managed to unite all the Jurchen people under the Wanyan tribe's leadership.

Standing Up to the Liao Dynasty

In 1113, Aguda became the leader of his tribe after his older brother, Wuyashu, died. Like many other Jurchens, Aguda disliked how corrupt Liao officials treated his people. He felt they were being unfairly used.

A famous story about Aguda happened in 1112. The Liao ruler, Emperor Tianzuo, went on a fishing trip in Jurchen land. He ordered all the Jurchen chiefs to dance for him. Aguda was the only one who refused to dance. This act of defiance made him very famous and respected among the Jurchens.

Starting the Jin Dynasty

In early 1114, Aguda sent spies into Liao territory. He was getting ready to rebel against the Khitan rulers, whom he thought were weak. His main advisors were Wanyan Zonghan and Wanyan Xiyin.

In September, Aguda gathered about 2,500 of his tribesmen. They met at Liushui, which is near present-day Fuyu in Jilin Province. Here, he openly rebelled against the Liao dynasty. His cavalry quickly captured Ningjiangzhou (present-day Fuyu). In November, they defeated a Liao army of 7,000 soldiers at the Battle of Chuhedian.

Declaring a New Empire

After several military successes, Aguda declared himself emperor in January 1115. He named his new empire the Jin dynasty. He also chose the name "Shouguo" for his reign. In August, his army took over Huanglong Prefecture. This is now Nong'an County in Jilin Province. His small army of 20,000 horsemen defeated a huge Liao army of 700,000 troops at the Battle of Hubudagang. By 1116, Aguda had conquered the entire Liaodong Peninsula. Between 1119 and 1122, his army kept defeating Liao forces. They captured all five of the Liao dynasty's capital cities.

Alliances and New Systems

The Han Chinese-led Northern Song dynasty saw the Jin dynasty as a natural friend. This was because both dynasties were enemies of the Liao dynasty. In 1117, the Song dynasty sent people to the Jin dynasty. They pretended to want to buy horses, but they really wanted to make an alliance against the Liao dynasty.

Between 1117 and 1123, Song delegations visited the Jurchens seven times. Six Jin embassies also went to the Song capital, Bianjing (now Kaifeng). From 1115 to 1123, the Jin and Song dynasties worked together. They formed an agreement called the Alliance Conducted at Sea. Under this agreement, the Song dynasty would attack the Liao dynasty from the south. In return, the Jin dynasty would give control of the Liao dynasty's Sixteen Prefectures to the Song dynasty.

Building the Jin Empire

While fighting the Liao dynasty, Aguda also worked on setting up a new government system. This system was based on Jurchen tribal customs. He also organized farming with a group system called the Miŋgan Moumukə. Aguda also adopted some parts of Han Chinese culture. He even ordered his chancellor, Wanyan Xiyin, to create a special Jurchen writing system.

Death and Legacy

Aguda died in August 1123, when he was 56 years old. His death happened a few months after the Jin and Song dynasties signed a treaty. This treaty said that both dynasties were equal. It also required the Song dynasty to pay the Jin dynasty a yearly payment of 200,000 units of silver and 300,000 rolls of silk.

Aguda was followed by his younger brother, Wuqimai (Emperor Taizong). Wuqimai continued the fight against the Liao dynasty. In 1125, he captured the Liao emperor, Emperor Tianzuo. This ended the Liao dynasty. Soon after conquering the Liao dynasty, the Jin dynasty started a war against the Northern Song dynasty.

Aguda was buried in the Rui Mausoleum at Dafangshan, outside Zhongdu (which is now Beijing). In 1145, his descendant, Emperor Xizong, gave him the special title Taizu to honor him.

Commemoration

Statues of Aguda and his main commander, Wanyan Zonghan, can be seen today. They are located at the Jin Dynasty History Museum. This museum is at the old Jin capital, Shangjing. This area is now near Acheng District in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province.

Family

• Father: Helibo, later honored as Emperor Shizu
• Mother: Lady Nalan, later honored as Empress Yijian
• Wives:
  • Lady Tangkuo, later honored as Empress Shengmu, mother of Shengguo, Wulie and Moliye
  • Lady Peiman, later honored as Empress Guangyi, mother of Woben
  • Lady Heshilie, later honored as Empress Qinxian, mother of Wolibu, Eluguan and Elu
  • Lady Pusan, later honored as Empress Xuanxian, mother of Eliduo and Eluduo
  • Lady Wugulun, Consort Yuan, mother of Wuzhu, Alu and Alubu
  • Lady Xiao, Consort Chong, mother of Xinilie, Ningji and Yansun
  • Dunuke, mother of Wohu
• Sons:
  • Shengguo, Chinese name Wanyan Zongjun, father of Emperor Xizong
  • Wulie, Chinese name Wanyan Zongchao, Prince of Feng
  • Moliye, Chinese name Wanyan Zongjie, Prince of Zhao
  • Woben, Chinese name Wanyan Zonggan, Prince of Liao
  • Wolibu, Chinese name Wanyan Zongwang, Prince Huansu of Song
  • Eluguan, Chinese name Wanyan Zongjun, Prince of Chen
  • Elu, Prince of Shen
  • Eliduo, Chinese name Wanyan Zongyao, later honored as Emperor Ruizong
  • Eluduo, Prince of Bin
  • Wuzhu, Chinese name Wanyan Zongbi, Prince of Liang
  • Alu, Chinese name Wanyan Zongqiang, Prince of Wei
  • Alubu, Chinese name Wanyan Zongmin, Prince of Shu
  • Xinilie, Prince of Ji
  • Ningji, Prince of Xi
  • Yansun, Prince of Ju
  • Wohu, Prince of Ye
• Daughters:
  • Wulu, married Tushan Dingge and later Tushan Gong
  • Princess of Bi, married Wugulun Elun
  • Daughter, name unknown, married Pucha Shijianu (Aguda's nephew)