Shulü Ping facts for kids

Shulü Ping (Chinese: 述律平; born October 19, 879 – died August 1, 953) was a powerful empress of the Liao dynasty. This dynasty was led by the Khitan people, a group from what is now northern China and Mongolia.

Shulü Ping was also known by her nickname Yueliduo (月里朵). She was formally called Empress Yingtian (simplified Chinese: 应天皇后; traditional Chinese: 應天皇后). During her husband's rule, she was known as Empress Di (地皇后).

After her husband, Emperor Taizu of Liao, passed away in 926, she became the empress dowager. This meant she was the mother of the emperor and held great power. She stayed in this role until her own death in 953. Shulü Ping played a big part in choosing two new emperors. She also helped change how widows were seen in Khitan society.

Early Life and Family

Shulü Ping was born in 879. Her family, the Shulü clan, was very important among the Khitan people. Her father was Shulü Pogu. Her mother was related to the family of her future husband, Yelü Abaoji. This made Shulü Ping and Yelü Abaoji cousins.

Shulü Ping married Yelü Abaoji. They had three sons together. Their names were Yelü Bei, Yelü Deguang, and Yelü Lihu. These sons would later play important roles in the Liao dynasty.

Empress of the Liao Dynasty

In 916, Yelü Abaoji brought many Khitan tribes together. He then declared himself the first emperor of a new empire, the Liao dynasty. At this time, Shulü Ping became his empress.

As empress, she was known for being brave and smart. She often helped Emperor Taizu make important military decisions. One time, while Emperor Taizu was away fighting, Empress Shulü was left in charge. Two enemy tribes tried to attack the Khitan headquarters. But Empress Shulü knew their plans. She set up an ambush and defeated them. This made her very famous among the nomadic people.

Empress Shulü was very proud and strong-willed. She famously said, "I only bow to Heaven, not to people." This showed her great confidence and power.

Military and Political Influence

In 921, a general named Lu Wenjin suggested that Emperor Taizu attack a rival state called Jin. Empress Shulü did not agree with this plan. The Khitan army later lost that battle and had to retreat. This showed that even the empress could have strong opinions on military matters.

In 926, Emperor Taizu led a big attack on the Balhae kingdom. They conquered it and renamed it Dongdan. Emperor Taizu made their oldest son, Yelü Bei, the king of this new area. Their second son, Yelü Deguang, was given a military title. It is said that Empress Shulü helped plan this successful campaign.

Empress Dowager and Succession

Soon after conquering Balhae, Emperor Taizu died. Empress Shulü was with her oldest son, Yelü Bei, at the time. She took strong actions to make sure her power was secure. She gathered many important officials and generals. She wanted to make sure they would be loyal to the new emperor. She then returned to the Khitan capital with Yelü Bei and Emperor Taizu's casket.

Once back in the capital, Empress Shulü wanted her second son, Yelü Deguang, to become emperor. She called a meeting of all the tribal leaders and her two sons. She told them she loved both sons and couldn't decide who should be emperor. She asked the leaders to choose by holding the reins of the son they supported. The leaders knew she preferred Yelü Deguang, so they quickly chose him.

After this, Yelü Deguang became Emperor Taizong. Yelü Bei was upset and tried to leave, but Empress Shulü did not punish him. She sent him back to rule Dongdan.

Ruling with Emperor Taizong

Emperor Taizong respected his mother greatly and made her the empress dowager. It was said that she made many of the most important decisions for the country. She also arranged for Emperor Taizong to marry her niece.

Empress Dowager Shulü continued to be very firm in maintaining control. She would often send people she felt were disloyal to Emperor Taizu's tomb. There, she would make sure they could no longer challenge her authority. After many such events, a man named Zhao Siwen was asked to go. He refused, saying that no one was closer to the late emperor than the empress herself. He suggested she go first.

Empress Shulü replied that she could not go because her son, the new emperor, was young. The country still needed her leadership. To show her deep loyalty and sacrifice, she cut off one of her hands. She ordered it to be buried at Emperor Taizu's tomb. After this, Zhao Siwen was spared.

Later Jin Relations

In 936, a general named Shi Jingtang from the Later Tang state asked Emperor Taizong for help. With the Liao army's support, Shi Jingtang overthrew the Later Tang emperor. He then started a new state called Later Jin, which was loyal to the Liao dynasty. Shi Jingtang honored Emperor Taizong as "Father Emperor" and Empress Dowager Shulü as "Mother Empress." He often sent them gifts.

However, after Shi Jingtang died, his nephew Shi Chonggui became the new ruler. Shi Chonggui refused to be a loyal subject to the Liao. He even arrested Liao merchants. This led to a war between the two states. Empress Dowager Shulü did not want this war. Despite her efforts, the war continued.

In 946, Emperor Taizong defeated the Later Jin army and conquered their capital. He claimed to be the emperor of these new lands. Empress Dowager Shulü sent him gifts to celebrate this big victory. Emperor Taizong showed great respect for his mother. He would stand up when drinking wine she sent, saying he would not drink it sitting down.

Soon after, Emperor Taizong became ill and died on his way back north. When Empress Dowager Shulü received his casket, she did not cry. She knew her power might be challenged. She said she would only bury him when all the tribes were peaceful.

Later Years and Legacy

Empress Dowager Shulü wanted her third son, Yelü Lihu, to become the next emperor. However, the Khitan leaders had other ideas. They remembered how strong she had been in the past. They decided to support Yelü Ruan, the son of her oldest son Yelü Bei. Yelü Ruan declared himself emperor (known as Emperor Shizong).

Empress Dowager Shulü sent troops to fight Emperor Shizong. But her troops were defeated. She then had to agree to Emperor Shizong becoming emperor. Emperor Shizong then placed her under house arrest near Emperor Taizu's tomb.

Empress Shulü died there in 953. She was buried with Emperor Taizu. Both Emperor Shizong and the next emperor, Emperor Muzong, did not lift her house arrest. They also did not give her the highest title of grand empress dowager.

Important Contributions

Empress Shulü was very important in the Liao court. She also made big changes to Khitan culture. Most importantly, she changed what was expected of widows. In traditional Khitan society, women were sometimes expected to sacrifice themselves after their husband's death. Empress Shulü did not do this. Instead, she continued to rule. She became an example for other women, especially those in important families.

Differences from Han Culture

In the tenth century, women in Khitan society had a much higher status than women in Han Chinese society. Han empress dowagers usually worked behind the scenes. But Empress Shulü openly used her power. She was a strong leader in her husband's court and later as empress dowager.

Works Referenced

• History of Liao
• Zizhi Tongjian