Emperor Yizong of Western Xia

Emperor Yizong of Western Xia (1047–1068), sinicized name Li Liangzuo (Chinese: 李諒祚), was the second emperor of the Western Xia dynasty of China, reigning from 1048 to 1067. Yizong was also known by his Tangut name Ningling Liangcha (寧令兩岔). "Ningling" (寧令, Tangut: 𘟙𘜶^[3]) was his Tangut title, which meant "Grand Prince",^[4][5] while "Liangcha" (兩岔) was his personal name.

Emperor Yizong of Western Xia 西夏毅宗
Emperor of the Western Xia dynasty
Reign	1048 – January 1068
Predecessor	Emperor Jingzong
Successor	Emperor Huizong
Born	Liangcha (兩岔) 5 March 1047
Died	January 1068(1068-01-00) (aged 20)
Burial	Anling Mausoleum (安陵, presumptively the No. 4 tomb of Western Xia mausoleums[1])
Spouse	Empress Mozang Empress Liang
Names Weiming Liangzuo (嵬名諒祚)[2] Li Liangzuo (李諒祚) Tangut name: Liangcha (兩岔) Era dates Yansiningguo (延嗣寧國): 1049 Tianyouchuisheng (天祐垂聖): 1050–1052 Fushengchengdao (福聖承道; Tangut: 𗼃𗼕 or 𗣼𗧯): 1053–1056 Duodu (奲都): 1057–1062 Gonghua (拱化): 1063–1067 Posthumous name Emperor Zhaoying (昭英皇帝) Temple name Yizong (毅宗)
Father	Li Yuanhao
Mother	Empress Xuanmu Huiwen

After the death of his father, Li Yuanhao (Emperor Jingzong) in 1048, Yizong assumed the throne at the age of one, but most of the power laid in the hands of his mother the Empress Dowager. In 1049, the Liao dynasty attacked the Western Xia and forced it to become a vassal state. In 1056, the Dowager was killed and Yizong's uncle, Mozang Epang, became the regent. In 1061, Yizong's uncle and cousin plotted against him, so he had them executed and assumed direct control of the Western Xia.

Yizong expanded the central government, adding many offices. He made the armies more efficient and improved his control over faraway states. Yizong began to attack the Northern Song dynasty and raided their villages. He also forced the Turpan leader to surrender. In later years, Yizong began to improve diplomatic relationships with the Northern Song and Liao dynasties. He died suddenly in 1068.

Family

Consorts and issues:

• Empress, of the Mozang clan (皇后沒藏氏, d.1061), daughter of Mozang Epang
• Empress Gongsu, of the Liang clan (恭肅皇后梁氏, d.1085), personal name Luoyao (落瑤)^[6]
  • Li Bingchang, Emperor Huizong (西夏惠宗 李秉常; 1060 – 1086), 1st son
  • Princess Li (李氏), 1st daughter
    • Married son of Dong Zhan (董毡), Dong Tongbi (董通比)^[7]

References

1. "西夏王陵简介" (in Chinese (China)). 宁夏西夏陵. 2012-12-14. Archived from the original on 2014-11-29. Retrieved 2014-11-20.
2. 辞海编辑委员会 [Ci hai bian ji wei yuan hui] (2000). 辞海:1999年版缩印本 [Ci hai: 1999 nian ban suo yin ben]. Shanghai: 上海辞书出版社 [Shanghai ci shu chu ban she]. p. 2543. ISBN 7532608395. OCLC 222462793. 毅宗（嵬名谅祚）
3. Li, Fanwen (2008). 夏漢字典 [Tangut-Chinese Dictionary] (in Chinese) (2nd ed.). Beijing: 中國社會科學出版社 [Zhongguo shehui chubanshe]. p. 711. ISBN 7-5004-2113-3.
4. Zheng, Tianting (2000). 中国历史大辞典 [Zhong guo li shi da ci dian] (in Chinese). Shanghai: 上海辞书出版社 [Shanghai cishu chubanshe]. p. 870. ISBN 9787532604531.
5. Shen Kuo, Dream Pool Essays vol. 25: "寧令者，華言大王也。"
6. 宋史·卷486·夏国传下. Vol. 486.
7. 《西夏书事》. Vol. 23.

The Ageless Chinese by Dun J. Li