Emperor Taizong of Liao - Expansion Into Northern China

Expansion Into Northern China

Emperor Taizong used the intelligence sent by his brother to take advantage of the crumbling Later Tang Dynasty. When Shi Jingtang revolted against the Later Tang, Taizong sent Liao aid. The resulting Later Jin Dynasty was no more than a puppet state of the Liao. Through this action, Taizong was successful in gaining strategic territory that his father coveted, the Sixteen Prefectures and along with them, control of the passes that controlled admittance into China Proper.

Emperor Taizong led another invasion into China in 945 when the Later Jin began to show independence from its Khitan masters. On this first engagement, Taizong barely escaped with his life. However, further pressure the following year led to the collapse of the Later Jin. The Khitan pressed their advantage, and even occupied the Later Jin capital. While much of northern China was occupied by the Khitan, Muzong had second thoughts once facing the challenges of governing a large sedentary population. Khitan forces were forced to pillage, a tactic common among steppe peoples used to intimidate a sedentary enemy. In April, 947, Taizong abandoned the capital and set to return to the Sixteen Prefectures. He fell ill and died on May 18 during the course of this return journey.