Background
As he was too young to actually rule, his mother, Empress Dowager Xiao, effectively ruled the kingdom.
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Emperor Shengzong Liao
Edit Profile遼聖宗, 耶律隆緒
Career
He reigned from October 14, 982 to June 25, 1031. The Song leader Emperor Taizong sought to take advantage of the young emperor by launching an invasion on the Liao Southern Capital (Beijing) in the contentious Sixteen Prefectures in 986. Three large forces were sent to three different strategic locations on the approach to the Southern Capital.
While initially successful, the young emperor along with the Empress Dowager led a Khitan cavalry force and defeated the Song forces at the Battle of the Qigou Pass in June.
The Empress Dowager appointed Yelü Xiuge as her senior general continued attacks on the Song in retaliation until the next year. In 1004, the Liao led a large-scale invasion of Song territory, camping out in the town of Shanyuan, about 100 miles north of the capital of Kaifeng.
This resulted in the Treaty of Shanyuan, signed in mid-January, 1005. According to this treaty, the Chinese paid an annual tribute of 200,000 bolts of silk, 100,000 ounces of silver.
This arrangement would remain in place with modifications until the end of the Liao Dynasty, and in fact, the Jurchen could continue this arrangement with the Song with the founding of the Jin dynasty.
Shengzong was also the one to institutionalize state examinations for the selection of Chinese officials, which was done in 988, based on models used by the Tang Dynasty, which had fallen in 907, and the Song Dynasty, which existed concurrently with the Liao. Despite the importance of the return of the examination system, it initially only opened the road for very small numbers, as only three to five were awarded initially, and the number only increased to between thirty and 130 candidates passed the triennial exams by 1014. Most jinshi degree winners were not even appointed to office as Khitan aristocrats were far more likely to receive appointments.
Khitan people receiving appointments were specifically through patronage as they were expressly prohibited from sitting the examinations.
There is evidence to suggest that the Khitan populace maintained their animistic belief systems along with their rituals. During the rule of Emperor Shengzong, the Liao instituted feudal reform, spurring its economy.
Prior to this, it had depended on territorial expansion, slavery, and thievery. The most important parts of the economy from then on were animal husbandry, particularly horse and sheep raising, as well as agriculture, and fishing.
During Shengzong"s reign, the Liao Dynasty enjoyed peace and prosperity, so it is widely praised that Shenzong"s reign is the golden age of Liao Dynasty.
Membership
Under Shengzong"s rule, most slaves were liberated, becoming normal members of society.
