Taizu (太祖) | 24 Histories

Overview

The translated histories identify Taizu as a general, ruler, and tribal leader. This record brings together 191 passages from 36 chapters across 1 history, with names, dates, relationships, offices, and events preserved as source-backed claims.

Names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Personal	Taizu	太祖	Taizu
Personal name	Abaoji	阿保機	Ābǎojī
Title	damo bikh shali	達馬狘沙裏
Title	Emperor Taizu	太祖	Taizu
Temple name	Emperor Taizu	太祖	Tàizǔ
Title	Emperor Taizu	太祖	Tàizǔ
Temple	Emperor Taizu	太祖	Tàizǔ
Title	Emperor Taizu	太祖
Temple	Emperor Taizu	太祖	Taizu
Temple	Emperor Taizu	太祖
Title	Emperor Taizu	太祖皇帝
Title	Emperor Taizu of Liao	遼太祖
Temple name	Emperor Taizu of Liao	遼太祖	Liao Taizu
Title	Emperor Taizu of Liao	遼太祖	Liáo Tàizǔ
Temple	Emperor Taizu of Liao	太祖	Taizu
Temple name	Founding Emperor	太祖	Taizu
Title	Great Sage Heavenly Emperor	大聖天皇	Dàshèng Tiānhuáng
Title	Heaven Emperor	天皇帝	Tiānhuángdì
Title	Heavenly Emperor	天皇帝	Tianhuangdi
Temple	Liao Taizu	遼太祖
Personal name	Liao Taizu	遼太祖	Liáo Tàizǔ
Temple name	sage founder	聖祖	Shèngzǔ
Temple	Taizu	太祖	Tàizǔ
Temple name	Taizu	太祖	Taizu
Temple name	Taizu	太祖	Tàizǔ
Temple	Taizu	太祖	Taizu
Title	Taizu	太祖
Temple	Taizu	太祖
Temple name	Taizu	太祖
Title	Taizu Emperor	太祖
Title	Taizu of Liao	遼太祖	Liáo Tàizǔ
Title	tamag yaglashi	撻馬狘沙裏
Title	the dynastic founder
Title	the Founding Emperor
Title	yilieqin	夷離堇
Title	yilijin of Dielie Prefecture	叠烈府夷離堇
Title	Yuyue	於越	Yúyuè

Identity

Historicity: Historical
Identification: Named
Sex: Male

Roles

General
Ruler
Tribal Leader

Life and dates

Death

Date Context: Source Date: Text: 太祖訃至 · Western Year: AD 926
Explicit · liaoshi:072:s0018
Statement: died on return from Bohai
Explicit · liaoshi:074:s0067

Attested activity

Source Date: Text: 太祖神冊元年 · Regnal Year: 1 · Western Year: AD 916
Explicit · liaoshi:057:s0063
Source Date: Text: 神冊六年 · Regnal Year: 6 · Western Year: AD 921
Explicit · liaoshi:061:s0057
Source Date: Text: 神冊元年春 · Season: spring · Western Year: AD 916
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:072:s0010, liaoshi:072:s0011
Source Date: Text: AD 916-926 · Western Year: AD 916
Explicit · liaoshi:098:s0105
Source Date: Text: 三年 · Western Year: AD 924
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:034:s0032, liaoshi:034:s0031
Source Date: Text: 丙寅歲 · Western Year: AD 906
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:056:s0017
Source Date: Text: 五年 · Western Year: AD 920
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:034:s0028, liaoshi:034:s0024
Source Date: Text: 六年 · Western Year: AD 921
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:034:s0030, liaoshi:034:s0024
Source Date: Text: 六年春 · Western Year: AD 912
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:034:s0021, liaoshi:034:s0020
Source Date: Text: 十一年 · Western Year: AD 902
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:034:s0017, liaoshi:034:s0015
Source Date: Text: 十五年，遙輦可汗卒，遺命遜位於太祖 · Western Year: AD 906
Explicit · liaoshi:034:s0019, liaoshi:034:s0015
Source Date: Text: 及即位伐河東 · Western Year: AD 916
Explicit · liaoshi:060:s0051
Source Date: Text: 及太祖會李克用於雲中 · Western Interval: Start: AD 901 · End: AD 907
Explicit · liaoshi:034:s0014, liaoshi:034:s0015
Source Date: Text: 四年 · Western Year: AD 919
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:034:s0027, liaoshi:034:s0024
Source Date: Text: 四年 · Western Year: AD 925
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:034:s0033, liaoshi:034:s0031
Source Date: Text: 天慶五年 · Western Year: AD 1115
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:100:s0065
Source Date: Text: 天贊三年 · Western Year: AD 924
Explicit · liaoshi:075:s0040, liaoshi:075:s0042
Source Date: Text: 天贊二年 · Western Year: AD 923
Explicit · liaoshi:033:s0236, liaoshi:033:s0237
Source Date: Text: 天贊元年 · Western Year: AD 922
Explicit · liaoshi:033:s0015, liaoshi:034:s0031
Source Date: Text: 天贊初 · Western Year: AD 922
Strongly inferred · liaoshi:113:s0006, liaoshi:113:s0029
Source Date: Text: 天顯元年 · Western Year: AD 926
Explicit · liaoshi:034:s0034
Source Date: Text: 太祖、太宗經理疆土 · Western Interval: Start: AD 907 · End: AD 926
Explicit · liaoshi:061:s0012
Source Date: Text: 太祖 · Western Interval: Start: AD 907 · End: AD 926
Explicit · liaoshi:033:s0010, liaoshi:033:s0014
Source Date: Text: 太祖 · Western Interval: Start: AD 907 · End: AD 926
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:065:s0015
Source Date: Text: 太祖 · Western Interval: Start: AD 916 · End: AD 926
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:086:s0005
Source Date: Text: 太祖 · Western Interval: Start: AD 916 · End: AD 926
Explicit · liaoshi:089:s0110, liaoshi:110:s0076
Source Date: Text: 太祖 · Western Year: AD 916
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:085:s0044
Source Date: Text: 太祖之興 · Western Interval: Start: AD 907 · End: AD 926
Explicit · liaoshi:032:s0099
Source Date: Text: 太祖以來 · Western Interval: Start: AD 916 · End: AD 926
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:062:s0022
Source Date: Text: 太祖任韓延徽 · Western Interval: Start: AD 907 · End: AD 926
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:059:s0069
Source Date: Text: 太祖其子襲而用之 · Western Interval: Start: AD 907 · End: AD 926
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:060:s0031
Source Date: Text: 太祖分古漢城 · Western Interval: Start: AD 916 · End: AD 926
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:060:s0014
Source Date: Text: 太祖初年 · Western Interval: Start: AD 907 · End: AD 916
Explicit · liaoshi:061:s0043
Source Date: Text: 太祖即位五年 · Western Year: AD 911
Explicit · liaoshi:034:s0020
Source Date: Text: 太祖受命 · Western Year: AD 916
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:057:s0036
Source Date: Text: 太祖始並室韋 · Western Interval: Start: AD 916 · End: AD 926
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:060:s0021
Source Date: Text: 太祖將即位 · Western Year: AD 916
Explicit · liaoshi:112:s0029
Source Date: Text: 太祖帝北方 · Western Interval: Start: AD 907 · End: AD 926
Explicit · liaoshi:056:s0007
Source Date: Text: 太祖平諸弟之亂 · Western Interval: Start: AD 907 · End: AD 926
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:059:s0014
Source Date: Text: 太祖建皇都於臨潢府 · Western Year: AD 918
Explicit · liaoshi:036:s0008
Source Date: Text: 太祖征幽薊師還 · Western Interval: Start: AD 916 · End: AD 926
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:060:s0027
Source Date: Text: 太祖時 · Western Interval: Start: AD 916 · End: AD 926
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:090:s0098, liaoshi:097:s0023
Source Date: Text: 太祖時 · Western Interval: Start: AD 916 · End: AD 926
Explicit · liaoshi:101:s0034
Source Date: Text: 太祖為撻馬狘沙裏時 · Western Interval: Start: AD 900 · End: AD 907
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:061:s0033
Source Date: Text: 太祖破吐谷渾 · Western Interval: Start: AD 916 · End: AD 926
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:108:s0006
Source Date: Text: 太祖置羊城 · Western Interval: Start: AD 916 · End: AD 926
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:060:s0002
Source Date: Text: 太祖西征/即位 · Western Interval: Start: AD 907 · End: AD 926
Explicit · liaoshi:103:s0053, liaoshi:103:s0162
Source Date: Text: 太祖踐阼 · Western Year: AD 916
Explicit · liaoshi:074:s0011
Source Date: Text: 始太祖為叠烈府夷離堇 · Western Year: AD 907
Explicit · liaoshi:060:s0050
Source Date: Text: 征幽薊還次鶴剌濼 · Western Interval: Start: AD 916 · End: AD 926
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:060:s0016
Source Date: Text: 昔太祖南伐 · Western Year: AD 916
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:087:s0140
Source Date: Text: 是時，太祖受位遙輦十年矣 · Western Interval: Start: AD 906 · End: AD 916
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:057:s0064, liaoshi:057:s0063
Source Date: Text: 會同元年 · Western Year: AD 938
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:033:s0016
Source Date: Text: 歲癸酉 · Western Year: AD 913
Explicit · liaoshi:061:s0053
Source Date: Text: 神冊二年 · Western Year: AD 917
Explicit · liaoshi:067:s0012
Source Date: Text: 神冊元年 · Western Year: AD 916
Explicit · liaoshi:034:s0024
Source Date: Text: 神冊六年 · Western Year: AD 921
Explicit · liaoshi:033:s0086, liaoshi:033:s0096
Source Date: Text: 神冊初 · Western Year: AD 916
Explicit · liaoshi:060:s0024
Source Date: Text: 神冊初元 · Western Year: AD 916
Explicit · liaoshi:075:s0128
Source Date: Text: 自太祖及興宗 · Western Interval: Start: AD 916 · End: AD 1055
Explicit · liaoshi:060:s0058
Source Date: Text: 至於遼太祖 · Western Interval: Start: AD 907 · End: AD 926
Explicit · liaoshi:032:s0089
Source Date: Text: 興宗時 · Western Interval: Start: AD 1031 · End: AD 1055
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:083:s0075, liaoshi:083:s0074
Source Date: Text: 詣太祖廟 · Western Interval: Start: AD 907 · End: AD 926
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:049:s0118
Source Date: Text: 遙輦末主遺制…置太祖帳前 · Western Interval: Start: AD 907 · End: AD 926
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:058:s0060
Source Date: Text: 遙輦末至天顯 · Western Interval: Start: AD 907 · End: AD 926
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:073:s0013
Source Date: Text: 遙輦耶瀾可汗十年，歲在辛酉 · Western Year: AD 901
Explicit · liaoshi:034:s0015
Source Date: Text: 遙輦致鼓纛於太祖帳前 · Western Interval: Start: AD 907 · End: AD 926
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:058:s0029
Source Date: Text: 遼太祖 · Western Interval: Start: AD 907 · End: AD 926
Explicit · liaoshi:035:s0004, liaoshi:035:s0011, liaoshi:035:s0012, liaoshi:058:s0011, liaoshi:067:s0006
Source Date: Text: 遼太祖創業 · Western Year: AD 916
Explicit · liaoshi:105:s0003
Source Date: Text: 遼太祖奮自朔方 · Western Interval: Start: AD 916 · End: AD 926
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:055:s0002

Family

Immediate source-linked family. Drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom, and select a person to open their record.

Kin of Shuluo (述瀾)
Kinship Term: father's younger brother / 仲父 · Subject Role: paternal-uncle · Object Role: brother's-son · Line: paternal · Generation Distance: 1
Kinship Term: paternal uncle / 仲父 · Subject Role: paternal-uncle · Object Role: nephew · Line: paternal · Subject Relative Age: younger
Descendant of Jundeshi (勻德實)
Kinship Term: imperial ancestor / 皇祖 · Parentage: biological · Generation Distance: 2 · Line: paternal
Descendant of Sixth-generation ancestor of Taizu (太祖六世祖)
Kinship Term: sixth-generation ancestor / 六世祖 · Generation Distance: 6 · Line: paternal · Parentage: biological
Parent of Wang Yu (王鬱)
Kinship Term: adopted son / 養子 · Parentage: adoptive · Subject Role: son · Object Role: father
Descendant of Yali (雅裏)
Kinship Term: ancestor / 吾祖
Parent of Crown prince (皇太子)
Kinship Term: crown prince / 皇太子 · Parentage: biological · Subject Role: son · Object Role: father
Parent of Zhigu (質古)
Kinship Term: daughter / 女 · Parentage: biological · Subject Role: parent · Object Role: child · Object Birth Order: 1
Child of Dilu (的魯)
Kinship Term: deceased father / 考 · Parentage: biological · Subject Role: father · Object Role: son · Line: paternal
Child of Dezu (德祖)
Kinship Term: Dezu / 德祖 · Parentage: biological · Subject Role: father · Object Role: son
Parent of Yelü Bei (耶律倍)
Kinship Term: father / 父 · Parentage: biological · Subject Role: father · Object Role: son
Kinship Term: eldest son / 長子 · Parentage: biological · Subject Role: son · Object Role: father · Subject Birth Order: 1
Spouse of Empress Chunqin (淳欽皇后)
Kinship Term: empress / 皇后 · Union Category: marriage · Subject Role: empress · Object Role: emperor
Kinship Term: empress / 皇后 · Union Category: primary-marriage · Parentage: uncertain · Subject Role: wife · Object Role: husband · Relationship State: active
Kinship Term: empress / 皇后 · Union Category: primary-marriage · Subject Role: wife · Object Role: husband
Kinship Term: empress / 皇后 · Union Category: marriage · Subject Role: emperor · Object Role: empress
Kinship Term: empress / 皇后 · Union Category: primary-marriage
Kinship Term: married / 娶 · Union Category: marriage · Relationship State: formed
Spouse of Empress (皇后)
Kinship Term: empress / 皇后 · Union Category: primary-marriage · Subject Role: wife · Object Role: husband
Child of Father of Emperor Taizu (太祖之父)
Kinship Term: father / 父 · Parentage: biological · Subject Role: son · Object Role: father · Line: paternal
Kinship Term: son / 子 · Parentage: biological · Subject Role: son · Object Role: father · Line: paternal
Kinship Term: father / 父 · Parentage: biological · Subject Role: father · Object Role: son · Line: paternal
Parent of Yaogu (堯骨)
Kinship Term: prince / 皇子 · Parentage: biological · Subject Role: son · Object Role: father
Kinship Term: father / 父 · Parentage: biological · Subject Role: father · Object Role: son
Parent of Li Hu (李胡)
Kinship Term: father / 父 · Parentage: biological · Subject Role: father · Object Role: son
Kinship Term: third son / 第三子 · Parentage: biological · Subject Role: son · Object Role: father · Subject Birth Order: 3
Child of Father of Emperor Taizu and Duowen
Kinship Term: father / 父 · Parentage: biological
Parent of Heir Apparent of Liao (皇太子)
Kinship Term: heir apparent / 皇太子 · Parentage: biological · Subject Role: son · Object Role: father
Kin of Shilu (釋魯)
Kinship Term: paternal uncle / 伯父 · Subject Role: paternal-uncle · Object Role: nephew
Child of Saladi (撒剌的)
Kinship Term: son / 子 · Parentage: biological · Subject Role: father · Object Role: son
Kin of Xiadi (轄底)
Kinship Term: uncle / 叔父 · Subject Role: paternal-uncle · Object Role: nephew
Sibling of Lage (剌葛)
Kinship Term: younger brother / 弟 · Shared Parentage: full · Subject Relative Age: younger · Subject Role: younger-brother · Object Role: elder-brother · Line: paternal
Kinship Term: younger brother / 弟 · Shared Parentage: uncertain · Subject Relative Age: younger
Kinship Term: younger brothers / 諸弟 · Subject Relative Age: younger · Shared Parentage: uncertain
Kinship Term: younger brothers / 諸弟 · Subject Relative Age: elder · Shared Parentage: full
Sibling of Yindishi (寅底石)
Kinship Term: younger brother / 弟 · Subject Relative Age: younger
Sibling of Yelü Diela (迭剌)
Kinship Term: younger brother / 弟 · Shared Parentage: uncertain · Subject Relative Age: younger
Kinship Term: younger brother / 弟 · Subject Relative Age: younger
Sibling of Su (蘇)
Kinship Term: younger brother / 弟 · Subject Relative Age: younger · Shared Parentage: uncertain
Sibling of Yelü Su (蘇)
Kinship Term: younger half-brother / 異母弟 · Shared Parentage: half-unspecified · Subject Relative Age: elder · Subject Role: elder-half-brother · Object Role: younger-half-brother
Sibling of Duowen (鐸穩)
Kinship Term: younger half-brother / 異母弟 · Shared Parentage: paternal-half · Subject Relative Age: younger

Kinship Role: daughters · Count: 1
Explicit · liaoshi:065:s0015
Kinship Role: younger-brothers · Count: 2 · Note: 剌哥等; Cige and at least one other
Explicit · liaoshi:058:s0061
Kinship Role: younger-brothers · Label: younger brothers / 諸弟 · Quantity: plural
Explicit · liaoshi:059:s0014, liaoshi:061:s0044
Kinship Role: younger-brothers · Quantity: unspecified
Explicit · liaoshi:112:s0039

Origins and identity

Ethnicity: Khitan / 契丹
Explicit · liaoshi:034:s0034
Ethnicity: Khitan / 契丹
Strongly inferred · liaoshi:049:s0118, liaoshi:056:s0005, liaoshi:056:s0006
Label: Khitan / 契丹
Strongly inferred · liaoshi:059:s0002, liaoshi:059:s0014

Career and standing

Label: yilijin of the Dayielie Office / 大叠烈府夷離堇 · Action: appointed · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 遙輦耶瀾可汗十年…十月 · Western Year: AD 901
Explicit · liaoshi:034:s0016, liaoshi:034:s0015
Label: yilijin of Dielie Prefecture / 叠烈府夷離堇 · Action: held · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 始太祖為叠烈府夷離堇也 · Western Year: AD 907
Explicit · liaoshi:060:s0050
Label: damo bikh shali / 達馬狘沙裏 · Action: held
Explicit · liaoshi:033:s0077
Label: yilieqin / 夷離堇 · Action: held
Explicit · liaoshi:033:s0014
Label: lingwen / 令穩 · Action: reformed-title-to
Explicit · liaoshi:033:s0043
Status: throne-holder · Label: held the Yaonian throne / 受位遙輦 · Action: held · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 太祖受位遙輦十年矣 · Western Interval: Start: AD 906 · End: AD 916
Explicit · liaoshi:057:s0064
Status: emperor · Action: held
Explicit · liaoshi:056:s0007, liaoshi:056:s0017
Action: ascended
Explicit · liaoshi:112:s0029
As: emperor / tribal overlord / 即位 · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 太祖即位 · Western Year: AD 907
Explicit · liaoshi:033:s0014, liaoshi:033:s0083
Date Context: Source Date: Text: 十五年…遺命遜位於太祖 · Western Year: AD 906
Explicit · liaoshi:034:s0019
Date Context: Source Date: Text: 及即位 · Western Year: AD 916
Explicit · liaoshi:060:s0051
Expression: took the throne / 即位
Explicit · liaoshi:075:s0035
Source Date: Text: 丙寅歲即皇帝位 · Western Year: AD 906
Explicit · liaoshi:056:s0017

Places and affiliations

Polity Id: liao · Relation: active-in
Explicit · liaoshi:062:s0022
Polity Id: liao · Relation: associated-with
Explicit · liaoshi:072:s0010, liaoshi:072:s0011
Polity Id: liao · Relation: ruled-or-served
Explicit · liaoshi:033:s0010
Polity Id: liao · Relation: ruled
Explicit · liaoshi:032:s0089, liaoshi:034:s0004, liaoshi:034:s0020, liaoshi:034:s0034, liaoshi:035:s0004, liaoshi:036:s0008, liaoshi:049:s0118, liaoshi:055:s0002, liaoshi:056:s0006, liaoshi:056:s0007, liaoshi:057:s0036, liaoshi:057:s0063, liaoshi:057:s0064, liaoshi:059:s0014, liaoshi:060:s0002, liaoshi:061:s0012, liaoshi:065:s0015, liaoshi:086:s0005, liaoshi:087:s0140, liaoshi:089:s0110, liaoshi:100:s0065, liaoshi:101:s0034, liaoshi:108:s0006, liaoshi:110:s0076
Polity Id: liao · Relation: served
Explicit · liaoshi:058:s0011, liaoshi:067:s0006, liaoshi:073:s0067, liaoshi:074:s0011, liaoshi:075:s0010, liaoshi:090:s0098, liaoshi:097:s0023, liaoshi:103:s0002, liaoshi:105:s0003, liaoshi:112:s0029, liaoshi:113:s0029
Place: Linhuang Prefecture / 臨潢府 · Relation: founded-capital-at
Explicit · liaoshi:036:s0008
Place: northern frontier / 朔方 · Relation: associated-with
Strongly inferred · liaoshi:055:s0002
Place: Songmo / 松漠 · Relation: rose-from
Strongly inferred · liaoshi:033:s0002

Works and attributed material

Kind: speech · Role: speaker · About Person Id: Pide (頗德)
Explicit · liaoshi:073:s0121
Kind: speech · Role: speaker · Addressee Person Id: Yelü Helu (耶律曷魯)
Explicit · liaoshi:073:s0015, liaoshi:073:s0016, liaoshi:073:s0017
Attribution: Received assistance from Yiwen during the founding reign.
Explicit · liaoshi:098:s0105
Kind: edict · Role: author
Explicit · liaoshi:061:s0053, liaoshi:061:s0054
Kind: narrative · Role: subject
Explicit · liaoshi:034:s0016, liaoshi:034:s0017, liaoshi:034:s0021, liaoshi:034:s0022, liaoshi:034:s0023, liaoshi:034:s0024, liaoshi:034:s0025, liaoshi:034:s0026, liaoshi:034:s0027, liaoshi:034:s0028, liaoshi:034:s0029, liaoshi:034:s0030, liaoshi:034:s0031, liaoshi:034:s0032, liaoshi:034:s0033, liaoshi:034:s0034
Kind: speech · Role: speaker · Mode: quotation
Explicit · liaoshi:072:s0011, liaoshi:072:s0012, liaoshi:072:s0014, liaoshi:072:s0120, liaoshi:072:s0122, liaoshi:072:s0050, liaoshi:072:s0055
Kind: speech · Role: speaker · Quoted: true
Explicit · liaoshi:074:s0078
Kind: speech · Role: speaker
Explicit · liaoshi:061:s0057, liaoshi:073:s0153

Events and relationships

Kind: military · Role: conqueror · Action: annexed-Shiwei-began-mining · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 太祖始並室韋 · Western Interval: Start: AD 916 · End: AD 926
Explicit · liaoshi:060:s0021
Kind: administrative · Role: ruler · Action: appointed-boluen-as-xi-king · Other Person Id: Boluen (勃魯恩)
Explicit · liaoshi:033:s0238
Kind: political · Role: ruler · Action: appointed · Other Person Id: Agu Zhi (阿古只) · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 神冊二年 · Western Year: AD 917
Explicit · liaoshi:067:s0012
Kind: military · Role: commander · Action: attacked-xi-who-surrendered
Explicit · liaoshi:033:s0104
Kind: military · Role: commander · Action: attacked · Place: Tiande Army / 天德軍 · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 五年 · Western Year: AD 920 · Outcome: took twelve stockades; relocated inhabitants
Explicit · liaoshi:034:s0029, liaoshi:034:s0028, liaoshi:034:s0024
Kind: military · Role: commander · Action: attacked · Place: northern Dai / 代北 · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 十一年 · Western Year: AD 902 · Outcome: took nine commanderies and counties; ninety-five thousand captives
Explicit · liaoshi:034:s0017, liaoshi:034:s0015
Kind: military · Role: commander · Action: attacked · Place: Zhenwu and five prefectures Wei, Xin, Wu, Gui, Ru / 振武…蔚、新、武、媯、儒 · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 神冊元年 · Western Year: AD 916 · Outcome: beheaded 14,700 who would not submit; took northern Dai region and eight armies
Explicit · liaoshi:034:s0025, liaoshi:034:s0026, liaoshi:034:s0024
Kind: political · Role: ruler · Action: became-emperor-of-the-north
Explicit · liaoshi:056:s0007
Kind: political · Role: issuer · Action: bestowed-seal-on-submitter · Place: Youzhou / 幽州 · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 太祖神冊元年 · Western Year: AD 916
Explicit · liaoshi:057:s0063
Kind: military · Role: commander · Action: campaigned west · Place: Tangut and other states / 党項等國 · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 三年 · Western Year: AD 924 · Outcome: captives beyond counting
Explicit · liaoshi:034:s0032, liaoshi:034:s0031
Kind: military · Role: commander · Action: campaigned · Place: Tangut / 党項 · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 五年 · Western Year: AD 920 · Outcome: 2,600 captives
Explicit · liaoshi:034:s0028, liaoshi:034:s0024
Kind: military · Role: commander · Action: campaigned · Place: Youzhou / 幽州 · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 六年春 · Western Year: AD 912 · Outcome: commanderies submitted; returned in triumph
Explicit · liaoshi:034:s0021, liaoshi:034:s0022, liaoshi:034:s0020
Kind: military · Role: commander · Action: campaigned · Place: Yuguri state / 於骨裏國 · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 四年 · Western Year: AD 919 · Outcome: 14,200 captives
Explicit · liaoshi:034:s0027, liaoshi:034:s0024
Kind: military · Role: commander · Action: campaigned · Place: Bohai / 渤海 · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 四年 · Western Year: AD 925
Explicit · liaoshi:034:s0033, liaoshi:034:s0031
Kind: military · Role: commander · Action: campaigned · Place: Türks, Tuyuhun, Tangut, lesser tribes, and Shatuo / 突厥、吐渾、党項、小蕃、沙陀 · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 神冊元年 · Western Year: AD 916 · Outcome: 15,600 households captured
Explicit · liaoshi:034:s0024
Kind: military · Role: commander · Action: campaigned · Place: Beiyin state / 背陰國 · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 秋 · Western Year: AD 912 · Outcome: tens of thousands of captives
Explicit · liaoshi:034:s0023, liaoshi:034:s0021, liaoshi:034:s0020
Kind: military · Role: commander · Action: campaigned · Detail: Campained on every side / 經營四方
Explicit · liaoshi:035:s0004
Kind: administrative · Role: ruler · Action: changed-yilieqin-to-great-king · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 會同元年 · Western Year: AD 938
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:033:s0016
Kind: military · Role: commander · Action: conquered-Bohai
Explicit · liaoshi:072:s0111, liaoshi:072:s0116
Kind: military · Role: commander · Action: defeated-Tuyuhun · Place: Tuyuhun / 吐谷渾
Explicit · liaoshi:108:s0006
Kind: military · Role: commander · Action: defeated · Place: Shiwei, Yujue, and Xi / 室韋、於厥、奚 · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 遙輦耶瀾可汗十年，歲在辛酉 · Western Year: AD 901 · Outcome: captured tents and households beyond counting
Explicit · liaoshi:034:s0015
Kind: military · Role: commander · Action: destroyed-rebel · Other Person Id: Dongbali Si Husun (東扒裏廝胡損) · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 天贊二年 · Western Year: AD 923
Explicit · liaoshi:033:s0237
Kind: military · Role: commander · Action: destroyed · Place: Bohai / 渤海國 · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 天顯元年 · Western Year: AD 926 · Outcome: took territory 5,000 li and all Bohai peoples; Khitan power increased
Explicit · liaoshi:034:s0034
Kind: scholarly · Role: creator · Action: devised-Khitan-large-script
Explicit · liaoshi:089:s0110
Kind: institutional · Role: actor · Action: divided-dieci-tribe · Detail: Divided the Dieci tribe in two / 分叠剌部為二
Explicit · liaoshi:035:s0004
Kind: political · Role: reorganizer · Action: divided-nine-accounts-and-three-houses-into-twenty-bu · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 至於遼太祖 · Western Interval: Start: AD 907 · End: AD 926
Explicit · liaoshi:032:s0089
Kind: administrative · Role: ruler · Action: divided-northern-Beidanu-set-planting-quotas
Explicit · liaoshi:059:s0015
Kind: political · Role: reorganizer · Action: divided-Yilie-into-Five-and-Six-Courts · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 太祖之興 · Western Interval: Start: AD 907 · End: AD 926
Explicit · liaoshi:032:s0099
Kind: omen · Role: dreamer · Action: dreamed-white-crane
Explicit · liaoshi:074:s0076, liaoshi:074:s0077
Kind: military · Role: commander · Action: drew-salt-for-army · Place: Hela Marsh / 鶴剌濼 · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 征幽薊還 · Western Interval: Start: AD 916 · End: AD 926
Explicit · liaoshi:060:s0016
Kind: legal · Role: lawgiver · Action: emergency-laws-against-brothers
Explicit · liaoshi:061:s0044, liaoshi:061:s0045, liaoshi:061:s0046, liaoshi:061:s0047, liaoshi:061:s0048, liaoshi:061:s0051
Kind: administrative · Role: ruler · Action: established-divisions-from-captives · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 神冊六年 · Western Year: AD 921
Explicit · liaoshi:033:s0086, liaoshi:033:s0096
Kind: administrative · Role: ruler · Action: established-duigui-division-and-six-division-xi
Explicit · liaoshi:033:s0237
Kind: administrative · Role: founder · Action: established-merchant-taxation · Place: Sheep Market north of Coal Mountain / 炭山北羊城 · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 太祖置羊城 · Western Interval: Start: AD 916 · End: AD 926
Explicit · liaoshi:060:s0002
Kind: institutional · Role: founder · Action: established-orudo-law · Detail: Established the orudo law / 立斡魯朵法
Explicit · liaoshi:035:s0012
Kind: administrative · Role: founder · Action: established-salt-administration · Place: Ancient Han City / 古漢城 · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 太祖 · Western Interval: Start: AD 916 · End: AD 926
Explicit · liaoshi:060:s0014
Kind: administrative · Role: founder · Action: established-smelteries · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 太祖征幽薊師還 · Western Interval: Start: AD 916 · End: AD 926
Explicit · liaoshi:060:s0027
Kind: military · Role: ruler · Action: extended-territory · Place: ten thousand li / 萬里
Explicit · liaoshi:058:s0011
Kind: political · Role: founder · Action: founded-imperial-capital · Place: Linhuang Prefecture / 臨潢府
Explicit · liaoshi:036:s0008
Kind: political · Role: founder · Action: founded-Liao
Explicit · liaoshi:105:s0003
Kind: military · Role: commander · Action: Hedong-campaign-captured-livestock · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 及即位伐河東 · Western Year: AD 916
Explicit · liaoshi:060:s0051
Kind: administrative · Role: ruler · Action: herd-administration-flourished · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 自太祖及興宗 · Western Interval: Start: AD 916 · End: AD 1055
Explicit · liaoshi:060:s0058
Kind: administrative · Role: successor · Action: inherited-coinage-and-founded-dynasty · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 太祖襲而用之 · Western Interval: Start: AD 907 · End: AD 926
Explicit · liaoshi:060:s0031
Kind: legal · Role: investigator · Action: investigated-Shilu-murder · Other Person Id: Shilu (釋魯)
Explicit · liaoshi:061:s0033
Kind: personal · Role: husband · Action: married-Shulü-clan-woman
Explicit · liaoshi:067:s0006
Kind: diplomatic · Role: participant · Action: met · Other Person Id: Li Keyong (李克用) · Place: Yunzhong / 雲中
Explicit · liaoshi:034:s0014
Kind: legal · Role: ruler · Action: ordered-Khitan-laws-and-Bell-Court
Explicit · liaoshi:061:s0058
Kind: military · Role: conqueror · Action: pacified-Bohai-obtained-iron-lands · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 神冊初 · Western Year: AD 916
Explicit · liaoshi:060:s0024
Kind: military · Role: commander · Action: pacified · Place: western and eastern Xi / 西奚、東奚 · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 太祖即位五年 · Western Year: AD 911 · Outcome: held all Xi and Xí peoples
Explicit · liaoshi:034:s0020
Kind: military · Role: suppressor · Action: quelled-brothers-rebellion
Explicit · liaoshi:059:s0014
Kind: military · Role: commander · Action: raided · Place: Tan, Shun, and related prefectures and counties via Juyong Pass / 居庸關…檀、順等州 · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 六年 · Western Year: AD 921 · Outcome: moved captives inland
Explicit · liaoshi:034:s0030, liaoshi:034:s0024
Kind: institutional · Role: actor · Action: received-mandate-through-dieci · Detail: Took the mandate through the Dieci tribe and split it into Five and Six Courts / 以叠剌部受禪，分本部為五院、六院
Explicit · liaoshi:035:s0011
Kind: military · Role: ruler · Action: received-surrender-in-mourning-dress · Other Person Id: Lage (剌葛)
Explicit · liaoshi:056:s0044, liaoshi:056:s0045
Kind: ritual · Role: honoree · Action: received-temple-announcement · Object: Temple Announcement Rite / 告廟儀 · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 詣太祖廟 · Western Interval: Start: AD 916 · End: AD 1125
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:049:s0118
Kind: court · Role: recipient · Action: received-Zhilugu · Other Person Id: Zhilugu (直魯古)
Explicit · liaoshi:108:s0011
Kind: administrative · Role: ruler · Action: reorganized · Place: northern Da Nongwu / 北大濃兀 · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 天贊元年 · Western Year: AD 922 · Outcome: split into two divisions under two military commissioners
Explicit · liaoshi:034:s0031
Kind: institutional · Role: reformer · Action: replaced-wooden-tallies-with-golden-fish · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 太祖受命，易以金魚 · Western Year: AD 916
Explicit · liaoshi:057:s0036
Kind: ritual · Role: recipient · Action: spirit-banners-and-flags-placed-before-tent
Explicit · liaoshi:058:s0060, liaoshi:058:s0029
Kind: administrative · Role: ruler · Action: split-five-and-six-divisions · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 天贊元年 · Western Year: AD 922
Explicit · liaoshi:033:s0015
Kind: administrative · Role: ruler · Action: stilled-armies-lightened-taxes-devoted-to-agriculture
Explicit · liaoshi:059:s0014
Kind: political · Role: ruler · Action: succeeded Yaolian, devised script, established Heavenly Emperor title
Explicit · liaoshi:103:s0162
Kind: military · Role: commander · Action: took-yellow-shive-by-stratagem
Explicit · liaoshi:033:s0077
Kind: military · Role: commander · Action: western campaign to the shifting sands
Explicit · liaoshi:103:s0053
Kind: ritual · Role: ruler · Action: wore-court-dress-over-armor-at-accession · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 丙寅歲 · Western Year: AD 906
Explicit · liaoshi:056:s0017
Kind: ritual · Role: honoree · Action: Zhangnu announced rebellion at his temple
Explicit · liaoshi:100:s0065
Relation: predecessor-of · Person Id: Yaogu (堯骨)
Explicit · liaoshi:055:s0002
Relation: met-with · Person Id: Li Keyong (李克用) · Place: Yunzhou / 雲州
Explicit · liaoshi:073:s0041
Relation: ordered · Person Id: Xiao Dilu (蕭敵魯)
Explicit · liaoshi:061:s0055
Relation: employer-of · Person Id: Han Yanhui (韓延徽)
Explicit · liaoshi:059:s0069

Assessments and attributes

Assessment: dealt sincerely with subordinates and gathered counsel · Provenance: Mode: historian-judgment
Explicit · liaoshi:075:s0128
Assessment: founder who toiled through hardship rather than seeking lavish personal protection · Provenance: Mode: historian-judgment
Explicit · liaoshi:058:s0017
Assessment: military power formidable · Statement: with three hundred thousand troops—mighty indeed · Provenance: Mode: historian-judgment
Explicit · liaoshi:034:s0014
Item: Taizu Temple / 太祖廟 · Relation: enshrined-at
Explicit · liaoshi:049:s0118

Source notes

Historicity: historical
Explicit · liaoshi:034:s0013, liaoshi:055:s0002, liaoshi:060:s0002, liaoshi:065:s0015

References in the histories

Open any source group to read the Chinese and English passage in context.

History of Liao, Chapter 32Volume 32 Treatises 2: Management of Guards 2 · 2 passages

Open chapter

至於遼太祖，析九帳、三房之族，更列二十部。 At Liao Taizu the nine accounts and three-father-house clans were further divided into twenty bu.

太祖之興，以叠剌部強熾，析為五院、六院。 At Taizu's rise, because the Yilie bu was strong and flourishing, it was divided into Five Courts and Six Courts.

History of Liao, Chapter 33Volume 33 Treatises 3: Management of Guards 3 · 13 passages

Open chapter

太祖二十部，二國舅升帳分，止十八部。 Taizu's twenty divisions—with two maternal-uncle divisions elevated to tent status, only eighteen divisions remain.

傳至太祖，以夷離堇即位。 The line passed to Taizu, who took the throne as yilieqin.

太祖更諸部夷離堇為令穩。 Taizu changed all divisions' yilieqin to lingwen.

太祖盡降之，號五部奚。 Taizu brought them all to submission and styled them the Five-Division Xi.

太祖滅之，以奚府給役戶，並括諸部隱丁，收合流散，置墮瑰部，因墮瑰門之語為名，遂號六部奚。 Taizu destroyed him, assigned Xi Residence service households, gathered hidden men from the various divisions, collected the scattered, established the Duigui Division, named it for the words about the Duigui Gate, and styled them the Six-Division Xi.

太祖為達馬狘沙裏，以計降之，乃置為二部。 When Taizu was damo bikh shali, he took them by stratagem and then established two divisions.

本鮮質可汗所俘奚七百戶，太祖即位，以為十四石烈，置為部。 Originally seven hundred Xi households captured by Khan Xianzhi; when Taizu took the throne they were made fourteen shile and established as a division.

神冊六年，太祖以所俘奚戶置。 In Shence year 6 Taizu established it from captured Xi households.

太祖以奚戶置。 Taizu established it from Xi households.

太祖以所俘達魯虢部置。 Taizu established it from captured Daluwo households.

太祖取於骨裏戶六千，神冊六年，析為烏古涅剌及圖魯二部。 Taizu took six thousand Gurli households; in Shence year 6 they were divided into the Wugu Niela and Tulu divisions.

已上太祖以遙輦氏舊部族分置者凡十部，增置者八。 Above: ten divisions Taizu placed by dividing the old Yaolian clans; eight newly added.

太祖伐奚，乞降，願為著帳子弟。 When Taizu attacked the Xi they begged to surrender and wished to become zhuozhang household youths.

History of Liao, Chapter 34Volume 34 Treatises 4: Military 1 · 5 passages

Open chapter

及太祖會李克用於雲中，以兵三十萬，盛矣。 When the Taizu met Li Keyong at Yunzhong his host numbered three hundred thousand—a formidable army.

遙輦耶瀾可汗十年，歲在辛酉，太祖授鉞專征，破室韋、於厥、奚三國，俘獲廬帳，不可勝紀。 In the tenth year of Yaonian Yelang Khan, the year xinyou, the Taizu was given the battle-axe and sole command; he crushed the Shiwei, Yujue, and Xi and took tents and households past numbering.

十五年，遙輦可汗卒，遺命遜位於太祖。 In the fifteenth year the Yaonian khan died and commanded that rule pass to the Taizu.

太祖即位五年，討西奚、東奚，悉平之，盡有奚、霫之眾。 In the fifth year of his reign the Taizu attacked western and eastern Xi, subdued them entirely, and held all the Xi and Xí peoples.

凡舉兵，帝率蕃漢文武臣僚，以青牛白馬祭告天地、日神，惟不拜月，分命近臣告太祖以下諸陵及木葉山神，乃詔諸道征兵。 When armies were raised the emperor led Khitan and Han officials, offered blue ox and white horse to Heaven, Earth, and the sun—never the moon—and sent close ministers to report to the tombs from the Taizu onward and to Mount Muye's god before decreeing levies on every circuit.

History of Liao, Chapter 35Volume 35 Treatises 5: Military 2 · 2 passages

Open chapter

遼太祖宗室盛強，分叠剌部為二，宮衛內虛，經營四方，未遑鳩集。 At Liao Taizu's rise the imperial clan was powerful; he divided the Dieci tribe in two, leaving the inner palace guard thin, and while campaigning on every side had no time to muster troops.

太祖以叠剌部受禪，分本部為五院、六院，統以皇族，而親衛缺然。 Taizu took the mandate through the Dieci tribe, split the original tribe into Five Courts and Six Courts under imperial-clan control, yet personal guards were still wanting.

History of Liao, Chapter 36Volume 36 Treatises 6: Military 3 · 1 passage

Open chapter

太祖建皇都於臨潢府。 Taizu founded the imperial capital at Linhuang Prefecture.

History of Liao, Chapter 49Volume 49 Treatises 19: Rites 1 · 1 passage

Open chapter

告廟儀：至日，臣僚昧爽朝服，詣太祖廟。 Temple Announcement Rite: On the appointed day, at dawn the ministers donned court dress and proceeded to the Taizu Temple.

History of Liao, Chapter 55Volume 55 Treatises 25: Ceremonial Guards 1 · 1 passage

Open chapter

遼太祖奮自朔方，太宗繼誌述事，以成其業。 Emperor Taizu of Liao rose to power from the northern frontier, and Emperor Taizong continued his purpose and consolidated his achievements, bringing the enterprise to completion.

History of Liao, Chapter 56Volume 56 Treatises 26: Ceremonial Guards 2 · 4 passages

Open chapter

太祖仲父述瀾，以遙輦氏於越之官，占居潢河沃壤，始置城邑，為樹藝、桑麻、組織之教，有遼王業之隆，其亦肇跡於此乎！ Emperor Taizu's uncle Shulü, who held the office of yuyue in the Yaonian clan, settled on the fertile banks of the Huang River, founded the first walled towns, and introduced agriculture, sericulture, and weaving. The grandeur of the Liao royal enterprise may well have begun here.

太祖帝北方，太宗制中國，紫銀之鼠，羅綺之篚，麇載而至。 Emperor Taizu reigned over the north, and Emperor Taizong governed China; purple-silver sable and baskets of gauze and brocade arrived in train upon train.

朝服：太祖丙寅歲即皇帝位，朝服衷甲，以備非常。 Court dress: when Emperor Taizu took the throne in the bingyin year, he wore court robes over hidden armor as a precaution against emergencies.

吊服：太祖叛弟剌哥等降，素服受之。 Mourning dress: when Emperor Taizu's rebel younger brother Cige and others surrendered, he received them in plain white dress.

History of Liao, Chapter 57Volume 57 Treatises 27: Ceremonial Guards 3 · 3 passages

Open chapter

太祖神冊元年，梁幽州刺史來歸，詔賜印綬。 In the first year of the Shence era (916), when the prefect of Youzhou in Liang came to submit, an edict bestowed a seal and investiture cord.

是時，太祖受位遙輦十年矣。 By then Emperor Taizu had already held the Yaonian throne for ten years.

太祖受命，易以金魚。 After Emperor Taizu received Heaven's mandate, wooden tallies gave way to golden fish tokens.

History of Liao, Chapter 58Volume 58 Treatises 28: Ceremonial Guards 4 · 3 passages

Open chapter

遼太祖匹馬一麾，斥地萬里，經營四方，未嘗寧居，所至樂從，用此道也。 Emperor Taizu of Liao, with a single horse and one command, extended his domain ten thousand li and toured the four quarters without ever settling in one place; wherever he went, people gladly followed—he employed this same principle.

遙輦末主遺制，迎十二神纛、天子旗鼓置太祖帳前。 Under the bequeathed regulations of the Yaonian late ruler, the twelve spirit banners and the Son of Heaven's flags and drums were welcomed and placed before Emperor Taizu's tent.

遙輦致鼓纛於太祖帳前，曾何足以副其雄心霸氣之所睥睨哉！ When the Yaonian clan presented drums and banners before Taizu's tent, how could such gifts ever satisfy the soaring ambitions his hegemonic spirit had long fixed upon!

History of Liao, Chapter 59Volume 59 Treatises 29: Finance and Economics 1 · 2 passages

Open chapter

太祖平諸弟之亂，弭兵輕賦，專意於農。 After the Taizu Emperor suppressed his brothers' rebellion, he stilled the armies, lightened taxes, and devoted himself wholly to agriculture.

夫賦稅之制，自太祖任韓延徽，始制國用。 The system of levies and taxes dates from the Taizu Emperor's employment of Han Yanhui, who first established state revenues.

History of Liao, Chapter 60Volume 60 Treatises 30: Finance and Economics 2 · 7 passages

Open chapter

征商之法，則自太祖置羊城於炭山北，起榷務以通諸道市易。 Merchant taxation began under Taizu, when he established the Sheep Market north of Coal Mountain and opened monopoly trading offices to facilitate commerce along the highways.

鹽筴之法，則自太祖以所得漢民數多，即八部中分古漢城別為一部治之。 The salt monopoly dated from Taizu, who, having absorbed large numbers of Han subjects, carved Ancient Han City out of the eight tribes as a separate administrative division for their governance.

坑冶，則自太祖始並室韋，其地產銅、鐵、金、銀，其人善作銅鐵器。 Mining and smelting began when Taizu first annexed the Shiwei, whose lands yielded copper, iron, gold, and silver and whose people were skilled metalworkers.

太祖征幽、薊，師還，次山麓，得銀、鐵礦，命置冶。 On returning from the You and Ji campaign, Taizu encamped in the foothills, discovered silver and iron deposits, and ordered smelting works built.

太祖其子，襲而用之，遂致富強，以開帝業。 Taizu, his son, adopted the practice and grew wealthy and powerful enough to found the dynasty.

始太祖為叠烈府夷離堇也，懲遙輦氏單弱，於是撫諸部，明賞罰，不妄征討，因民之利而利之，群牧蓄息，上下給足。 When Taizu was yilijin of the Dielie prefecture, mindful of the Yaolian clan's weakness, he conciliated the tribes, enforced clear rewards and punishments, refrained from reckless campaigns, and pursued policies that enriched the people. Herds multiplied, and court and camp alike had enough.

自太祖及興宗垂二百年，群牧之盛如一日。 From Taizu through Emperor Xingzong, nearly two centuries, the herds remained as abundant as on a single prosperous day.

History of Liao, Chapter 61Volume 61 Treatises 31: Punishment and Law 1 · 3 passages

Open chapter

太祖、太宗經理疆土，擐甲之士歲無寧居，威克厥愛，理勢然也。 Under Taizu and Taizong, who consolidated the realm, armored men knew no year of rest — severity prevailed over mercy, as the times required.

籍沒之法，始自太祖為撻馬狘沙裏時，奉痕德堇可汗命，按於越釋魯遇害事，以其首惡家屬沒入瓦裏。 Confiscation began when Taizu, still tamag yaglashi, was ordered by Khan Hendejin to investigate the murder of Yuyue Shilu; the ringleader's family was seized and enrolled in the wali.

太祖初年，庶事草創，犯罪者量輕重決之。 In Taizu's early reign, with institutions still taking shape, offenders were sentenced according to the gravity of their crimes.

History of Liao, Chapter 62Volume 62 Treatises 32: Punishment and Law 2 · 1 passage

Open chapter

蓋纂修太祖以來法令，參以古制。 They compiled statutes from Taizu onward and drew on ancient models.

History of Liao, Chapter 65Volume 65 Tables 3: Princesses · 1 passage

Open chapter

太祖一女： Taizu had one daughter:

History of Liao, Chapter 67Volume 67 Tables 5: Families of Imperial Consorts · 3 passages

Open chapter

至遼太祖，娶述律氏。 Taizu of Liao took a wife from the Shulü clan.

三族世預北宰相之選，自太祖神冊二年命阿骨只始也。 All three clans held hereditary claim to the office of Northern Chancellor from Shence 2 (917), when Taizu first appointed Agu Zhi.

太祖淳欽皇后父月碗 Yuewan, father of Empress Chunqin, consort of Taizu

History of Liao, Chapter 72Volume 72 Biographies 2: Imperial Family: Yi Zongbei, the Foreign Emperor Zhang Su, Shun Zongjun, Jin Wangaoluwo · 15 passages

Open chapter

義宗，名倍，小字圖欲，太祖長子，母淳欽皇后蕭氏。 Yizong, whose personal name was Bei and childhood name Tuyu, was Taizu's eldest son; his mother was Empress Chunqin of the Xiao clan.

時太祖問侍臣曰：「受命之君，當事天敬神。 Once Taizu asked his ministers, "A ruler who has received Heaven's mandate ought to honor Heaven and the spirits.

太祖曰：「佛非中國教。」 Taizu said, "Buddhism is not a teaching native to China."

太祖大悅，即建孔子廟，詔皇太子春秋釋奠。 Taizu was delighted, had a Confucian temple built at once, and ordered the crown prince to conduct the spring and autumn rites of sacrifice.

太祖西征，留倍守京師，因陳取渤海計。 When Taizu marched west, he left Bei to guard the capital and urged a plan to conquer Bohai.

太祖從之。 Taizu accepted his advice.

尋復叛，太祖破之。 He soon rebelled again, and Taizu put him down.

陛辭，太祖曰：「得汝治東土，吾復何憂。」 As he took leave at court, Taizu said, "With you governing the east, what have I left to fear?"

太祖訃至，倍即日奔赴山陵。 When word of Taizu's death arrived, Bei set out the same day for the imperial tomb.

章肅皇帝，小字李胡，一名洪古，字奚隱，太祖第三子，母淳欽皇后蕭氏。 Emperor Zhangsu, childhood name Li Hu, also called Honggu, style Xiyin, was Taizu's third son; his mother was Empress Chunqin of the Xiao clan.

太祖嘗觀諸子寢，李胡縮項臥內，曰：「是必在諸子下。」 Taizu once watched his sons sleep. Li Hu lay curled up with his neck drawn in, and Taizu said, "This one will surely rank below his brothers."

太祖曰：「長巧而次成，少不及矣。」 Taizu said, "The eldest is clever, the second gets things done; the youngest falls short."

太后顧李胡曰：「昔我與太祖愛汝異於諸子，諺云：『偏憐之子不保業，難得之婦不主家。』 The Empress Dowager turned to Li Hu and said, "Taizu and I once loved you more than your brothers. As the proverb runs, 'The child too fondly indulged cannot keep the estate; the wife too hard won cannot keep the house.'

論曰：李胡殘酷驕盈，太祖知其不才而不能教，太后不知其惡而溺愛之。 Commentary: Li Hu was cruel and arrogant. Taizu knew he lacked talent but could not teach him; the Empress Dowager did not see his wickedness and spoiled him.

夫自太祖之世，剌葛、安端首倡禍亂，太祖既不之誅，又復用之，固為有君人之量，然惟太祖之才足以駕馭，庶乎其可也。 From Taizu's reign Cige and Anduan were the first to stir rebellion; Taizu neither executed them outright nor cast them off permanently, which showed true magnanimity as a ruler—yet only Taizu's ability could keep them in hand, and even that was barely enough.

History of Liao, Chapter 73Volume 73 Biographies 3: Yelu Helu, Xiao Dilu, Yelu Xieniechi, Yelu Yuwen, Yelu Haili · 54 passages

Open chapter

在髫鬌，與太祖遊，從父釋魯奇之曰：「興我家者，必二兒也。」 As a child he roamed with Taizu, and Shilu, his paternal uncle, remarked in wonder, "These two boys will be the ones to restore our house."

太祖既長，相與易裘馬為好，然曷魯事太祖彌謹。 When Taizu came of age, they exchanged garments and horses in friendship, yet Helu served him with ever greater devotion.

會滑哥弒其父釋魯，太祖顧曷魯曰：「滑哥弒父，料我必不能容，將反噬我。 When Huage murdered his father Shilu, Taizu told Helu, "Huage has killed his father. He assumes I cannot bear it and will turn on me.

自是曷魯常佩刀從太祖，以備不虞。 From then on Helu always kept a sword at his side and stayed with Taizu against any surprise.

居久之，曷魯父偶思病，召曷魯曰：「阿保機神略天授，汝率諸弟赤心事之。」 Some time later, when Helu's father Ousi fell ill, he called Helu and said, "Abaoji has a heaven-given genius for strategy. Lead your brothers and serve him with all your hearts."

已而太祖來問疾，偶思執其手曰：「爾命世奇才。 When Taizu came to visit him, Ousi took his hand and said, "You are a talent born once in an age.

既而以諸子屬之。 He then entrusted his sons to Taizu.

太祖為撻馬狘沙裏，參預部族事，曷魯領數騎召小黃室韋來附。 While Taizu was tamagh boshuli and took part in tribal council, Helu led a small party of horsemen to bring the Lesser Yellow Shiwei into allegiance.

太祖素有大志，而知曷魯賢，軍國事非曷魯議不行。 Taizu had long cherished great ambitions and knew Helu's worth; no military or civil measure went forward without Helu's counsel.

及太祖為叠剌部夷離堇，討奚部，其長術裏逼險而壘，攻莫能下，命曷魯持一笴往諭之。 When Taizu became yilijin of the Yila tribe and attacked the Xi, their chief Shuli held the high ground behind fortifications and could not be dislodged. Taizu sent Helu with a single arrow as envoy to reason with them.

太祖為於越，秉國政，欲命曷魯為叠剌部夷離堇。 When Taizu became Yuyue and held state power, he wished to appoint Helu yilijin of the Yila tribe.

太祖討黑車子室韋，幽州劉仁恭遣養子趙霸率眾來救。 Taizu campaigned against the Black Cart Shiwei. Liu Rengong of Youzhou sent his adopted son Zhao Ba with an army to relieve them.

與太祖合擊，斬獲甚眾，遂降室韋。 then joined Taizu in a combined attack, killed and captured a great host, and the Shiwei submitted.

太祖會李克用於雲州，時曷魯侍，克用顧而壯之曰：「偉男子為誰？」 Taizu met Li Keyong at Yunzhou with Helu in attendance. Keyong looked him over and said in admiration, "Who is this imposing man?"

太祖曰：「吾族曷魯也。」 Taizu said, "He is Helu of my clan."

會遙輦痕德堇可汗歿，群臣奉遺命請立太祖。 When the Yaolian khan Hendijin died, the ministers invoked his dying command and asked that Taizu be enthroned.

太祖辭曰：「昔吾祖夷離堇雅裏嘗以不當立而辭，今若等復為是言，何歟？」 Taizu declined, saying, "Long ago my ancestor the yilijin Yali refused the throne on the grounds that he ought not to rule. If you now repeat such words, what does that mean?"

太祖曰：「遺命固然，汝焉知天道？」 Taizu said, "The dying command is indeed so. But how do you know the Way of Heaven?"

曷魯曰：「聞於越之生也，神光屬天，異香盈幄，夢受神誨，龍錫金佩。 Helu said, "I have heard that at your birth divine light reached to Heaven, strange fragrance filled the tent, you received divine instruction in dreams, and a dragon bestowed a golden pendant.

小大臣民屬心於越，天也。 Yet ministers great and small and the people all set their hearts on you. That is Heaven's doing.

昔者於越伯父釋魯嘗曰：『吾猶蛇，兒猶龍也。』 Long ago your uncle Shilu said, 'I am still a snake; my son is already a dragon.'

太祖猶未許。 Taizu still did not consent.

太祖乃許。 Taizu then consented.

太祖宮行營始置腹心部，選諸部豪健二千餘充之，以曷魯及蕭敵魯總焉。 Taizu's palace traveling camp first established the Inner Guard Corps, selecting more than two thousand stalwarts from the tribes to fill it, with Helu and Xiao Dilu placed in overall charge.

已而諸弟之亂作，太祖命曷魯總領軍事，討平之，以功為叠剌部夷離堇。 Before long the rebellion of the younger brothers broke out. Taizu put Helu in overall command of the armies, pacified it, and for his merit made him yilijin of the Yila tribe.

太祖既備禮受冊，拜曷魯為阿魯敦於越。 After Taizu had completed the rites and received the investiture, he appointed Helu Arudun Yuyue.

後太祖伐西南諸夷，數為前鋒。 Later, when Taizu campaigned against the tribes of the southwest, Helu often led the van.

太祖以時暑班師，留曷魯與盧國用守之。 Taizu withdrew because of the summer heat and left Helu and Lu Guoyong to hold the city.

既葬，賜名其阡宴答，山曰於越峪，詔立石紀功。 After burial, his burial path was named Yanda and the mountain Yuyue Valley; an edict ordered a stone erected to record his achievements.

初，曷魯病革，太祖臨視，問所欲言。 When Helu was critically ill, Taizu came in person to visit him and asked what he wished to say.

及薨，太祖流涕曰：「斯人若登三五載，吾謀蔑不濟矣！」 When he died, Taizu wept and said, "If this man had lived another three or five years, none of my plans would have failed!"

後太祖二十一功臣，各有所擬，以曷魯為心雲。 Later, when Taizu matched his twenty-one meritorious ministers each to a bodily metaphor, Helu was likened to the heart.

夫信其所可信，智也，太祖有焉。 To trust what is truly trustworthy is wisdom, and Taizu possessed it.

太祖潛藩，日侍左右，凡征討必與行陣。 While Taizu was still in his princely household, Dilu attended him daily; on every campaign he marched in the ranks.

太祖征奚及討劉守光，敵魯略地海濱，殺獲甚眾。 When Taizu campaigned against the Xi and attacked Liu Shouguang, Dilu overran the seacoast lands and killed and captured a great host.

太祖嘉之，錫賚甚渥。 Taizu praised him and bestowed rewards in great abundance.

以故在太祖功臣列，喻以手雲。 For this reason, among Taizu's meritorious ministers he was likened to the hand.

太祖為於越時，以材勇充任使。 When Taizu was Yuyue, Aguzhi was employed for missions on account of his talent and courage.

太祖方經略奚地，命阿古只統百騎往衛之。 Taizu was then securing Xi territory and ordered Aguzhi to lead a hundred horsemen to guard her.

太祖西征，悉諉以南面邊事。 When Taizu campaigned west, he entrusted all southern frontier affairs to Aguzhi.

始字鐸碗，早隸太祖幕下，嘗有疾，賜樽酒飲而愈，遼言酒樽曰「撒剌」，故詔易字焉。 His original style was Duowan. Early on he entered Taizu's service. Once when he fell ill, he was granted a jar of wine to drink and recovered. In the Liao language a wine jar is called "sala," and therefore an edict changed his style name.

太祖即位，掌腹心部。 When Taizu took the throne, Xieniechi directed the Inner Guard Corps.

老古幼養宮掖，既長，沈毅有勇略，隸太祖帳下。 Laogu was reared in the palace from childhood; grown up, he was grave, resolute, and possessed courage and strategy, and entered service under Taizu's command.

太祖將納之，命老古、耶律欲穩嚴號令，勒士卒，控轡以防其變。 Taizu was about to accept their submission and ordered Laogu and Yelu Yuwen to enforce strict commands, marshal the soldiers, and hold the reins to guard against treachery.

太祖侵燕、趙，遇唐兵雲碧店，老古恃勇輕敵，直犯其鋒。 When Taizu invaded Yan and Zhao and met Tang troops at Yunbi, Laogu relied on his courage, underrated the enemy, and charged straight at their front.

太祖深悼惜之，佐命功臣其一也。 Taizu deeply mourned and regretted his loss; he ranked among the founding ministers who aided the throne.

弱冠事太祖。 In his youth he entered Taizu's service.

頗德狀貌秀偉，初，太祖見之曰：「是子風骨異常兒，必為國器。」 Pide was handsome and imposing in appearance. Early on Taizu saw him and said, "This boy's bearing is unlike ordinary children. He will surely be an instrument of state."

太祖思其功不忘，又多欲穩嚴重有濟世誌，乃命典司近部，以遏諸族窺覬之想。 Taizu, mindful of his merit and never forgetting it, and also because Yuwen was solemn and possessed the ambition to aid the age, ordered him to supervise the nearby tribes to curb the covetous designs of the various clans.

太祖始置宮分以自衛，欲穩率門客首附宮籍。 When Taizu first established the palace partition for his own protection, Yuwen led his retainers to be the first enrolled on the palace register.

後諸帝以太祖之與欲穩也為故，往往取其子孫為友。 Later emperors, because of Taizu's bond with Yuwen, often took his descendants as friends.

太祖傳位，海裏與有力焉。 When the throne was transferred to Taizu, Haili contributed force to it.

海裏多先帝知人之明，而素服太祖威德，獨歸心焉。 Haili knew well the late emperor's gift for discerning men, yet had long submitted to Taizu's martial virtue and alone set his heart on him.

以故太祖托為耳目，數從征討。 For this reason Taizu entrusted him as eyes and ears and often took him on campaigns.

History of Liao, Chapter 74Volume 74 Biographies 4: Yelu Dila, Xiao Hendu, Kang Moji, Han Yanhui, Han Zhigu · 16 passages

Open chapter

太祖踐阼，與敞穩海裏同心輔政。 When Emperor Taizu took the throne, he and Changwen Haili worked together in loyal support of the government.

太祖知其忠實，命掌禮儀，且諉以軍事。 Emperor Taizu recognized his loyalty and integrity, put him in charge of ceremonial matters, and also delegated military affairs to him.

早隸太祖帳下，數從征討。 He entered the Taizu Emperor's service early and took part in many expeditions.

少為薊州衙校，太祖侵薊州得之，愛其材，隸麾下。 As a youth he served as a guard officer in Jizhou. When Emperor Taizu took Jizhou and captured him, he valued his ability and took him into his retinue.

會太祖出師居庸關，命默記將漢軍進逼長蘆水寨，俘馘甚眾。 When Emperor Taizu took the field through Juyong Pass, he sent Mojie with the Han army against Changlu Water Fortress, taking a great number of prisoners and heads.

既破回跋城，歸營太祖山陵畢，卒。 After storming Huiba City he returned to camp, finished work on Emperor Taizu's tomb, and died.

後守光為帥，延徽來聘，太祖怒其不屈，留之。 When Shouguang later became commander, Yanhui came as envoy; Emperor Taizu, angered that he refused to submit, kept him.

太祖召與語，合上意，立命參軍事。 Emperor Taizu summoned him for an audience, was pleased with him, and at once put him on his staff.

既至，太祖問故。 When he arrived Emperor Taizu asked why he had come.

師還，太祖崩，哀動左右。 On the army's return Emperor Taizu had died; Yanhui grieved so deeply that all around him were moved.

初，延徽南奔，太祖夢白鶴自帳中出； When Yanhui first fled south, Emperor Taizu dreamed that a white crane flew out of his tent;

太祖初元，庶事草創，凡營都邑，建宮殿，正君臣定，名分，法度井井，延徽力也。 In the dynasty's founding days, when institutions were still being shaped—from planning capitals and palaces to setting proper relations between ruler and ministers and establishing ranks and laws—Yanhui's hand was everywhere.

太祖平薊時，知古六歲，為淳欽皇后兄欲穩所得。 When Emperor Taizu took Ji, Zhigu was six; he was taken by Yuwen, elder brother of Empress Chunqin.

其子匡嗣得親近太祖，因間言。 His son Kuangsi had the emperor's ear and mentioned him in passing.

太祖召見與語，賢之，命參謀議。 Emperor Taizu summoned him, found him capable, and put him on the planning staff.

應歷十年，為太祖廟詳穩。 In Yingli year 10 he was made temple officer for Emperor Taizu's shrine.

History of Liao, Chapter 75Volume 75 Biographies 5: Yelu Dilie, Yelu Duozhen, Wang Yu, Yelu Tulujiong · 23 passages

Open chapter

太祖經營之初，多預軍謀。 In the early years of Emperor Taizu's state-building, he took part in many military plans.

太宗即位，上表曰：「我大聖天皇始有東土，擇賢輔以撫斯民，不以臣愚而任之，國家利害，敢不以聞。 When Emperor Taizong came to the throne, Yuzhi submitted a memorial that read: "Our Great Sage Heavenly Emperor first secured the eastern lands and chose worthy ministers to govern the people. Though he did not regard me as capable, he still entrusted me with office; how could I fail to speak of what helps or harms the state?

然後選徒以翼吾左，突厥、党項、室韋夾輔吾右，可以坐制南邦，混一天下，成聖祖未集之功，貽後世無疆之福。」 Then choose settlers to strengthen our left, with the Turks, Tanguts, and Shiwei flanking our right, and we can hold the southern states in check from a secure position, unite the realm, finish the work our sage founder left incomplete, and bequeath boundless blessings to posterity."

鐸臻幼有誌節，太祖為於越，常居左右。 Duozhen showed moral resolve even as a youth; while Emperor Taizu still held the title of Yuyue, he kept Duozhen constantly at his side.

後即位，梁人遣使求轅軸材，太祖難之。 After he took the throne, Liang sent envoys requesting timber for chariot axles, and Emperor Taizu was at a loss how to respond.

太祖從之。 Emperor Taizu followed his counsel.

太祖為於越，嘗從略地山右。 when Emperor Taizu was still Yuyue, once accompanied him in campaigns west of the mountains.

以故太祖頗忌之。 For this reason Emperor Taizu grew somewhat wary of him.

時方西討，諸弟亂作，聞變，太祖問古與否，曰無。 While the army was campaigning in the west, the emperor's younger brothers rose in revolt. On hearing the news, Emperor Taizu asked whether Gu had taken part; he was told no.

神冊末，南伐，以古佐右皮室詳穩老古，與唐兵戰於雲碧店，老古中流矢，傷甚，太祖疑古陰害之。 At the end of the Shence era, during the southern campaign, Gu served as deputy to Laogu, commander of the Right Pishi Division; they fought Tang forces at Yunbi, where Laogu was struck by an arrow and badly wounded. Emperor Taizu suspected that Gu had plotted against him in secret.

太祖使問老古，對曰：「臣於古無可疑者。」 Emperor Taizu did so; Laogu replied, "I have no suspicion of Gu whatsoever."

既卒，太祖謂左右曰：「古死，猶長松自倒，非吾伐之也。」 After his death Emperor Taizu told those around him, "When Gu died, it was like a great pine toppling of its own weight—not because I felled it."

事太祖見器重。 In serving Emperor Taizu he won deep trust.

太祖略燕，詔與皇太子及王郁攻定州。 When Emperor Taizu overran Yan, he was ordered to attack Dingzhou with the heir apparent and Wang Yu.

軍還，大元帥以其謀聞，太祖大悅，賜賚優渥。 On the army's return the grand marshal reported his counsel to the throne; Emperor Taizu was greatly pleased and rewarded him lavishly.

車駕西征，突呂不與大元帥為先鋒，伐党項有功，太祖犒師水精山。 On the western campaign Tulubu and the grand marshal led the vanguard; their attack on the Tanguts succeeded, and Emperor Taizu feasted the army at Crystal Mountain.

太祖東伐，大諲譔降而復叛，攻之，突呂不先登。 On Emperor Taizu's eastern campaign, Dayinzan surrendered and then rebelled again; in the assault Tulubu was first over the wall.

渤海平，承詔銘太祖功德於永興殿壁。 After Bohai was pacified, he received an edict to inscribe Emperor Taizu's achievements on the walls of the Hall of Everlasting Prosperity.

神冊六年，奉表送款，舉室來降，太祖以為養子。 In the sixth year of Shence he submitted a memorial of allegiance and came over with his entire household; Emperor Taizu adopted him as a son.

從太祖平渤海，戰有功，加同政事門下平章事，改崇義軍節度使。 He followed Emperor Taizu in pacifying Bohai, distinguished himself in battle, was made associate director of the Secretariat with the rank of grand councilor, and was then appointed military governor of the Chongyi Army.

太祖崩，郁與妻會葬，其妻泣訴於淳欽皇后，求歸鄉國，許之。 When Emperor Taizu died, Yu and his wife attended the funeral; his wife wept before Empress Chunqin and begged to return home, and the empress granted her request.

以太祖嘗與李克用約為兄弟故也。 This was because Emperor Taizu had once sworn brotherhood with Li Keyong.

論曰：神冊初元，將相大臣拔起風塵之中，翼扶王運，以任職取名者，固一時之材，亦由太祖推誠禦下，不任獨斷，用能總攬群策而為之用歟！ The commentary says: At the opening of the Shence era, generals and ministers rose from the turmoil of the age to support the royal enterprise. Men who won renown through office were indeed talents of their day, yet it was also because Emperor Taizu dealt sincerely with his subordinates, refused to decide everything alone, and so could gather every counsel and put it to use.

History of Liao, Chapter 83Volume 83 Biographies 13: Yelu Xiuge, Yelu Xiezhen, Yelu Xidi, Yelu Xuegu · 1 passage

Open chapter

對曰：「臣每旦誦太祖、太宗及先臣遺訓，未暇奉佛。」 He answered, "Each morning I recite the precepts left by Taizu, Taizong, and my late forebear; I have had no time for Buddhism."

History of Liao, Chapter 85Volume 85 Biographies 15: Xiao Talin, Xiao Guanyinnu, Yelu Tizi, Yelu Xieli, Yelu Nugua, Xiao Liu, Gao Xun, Xi Heshuonu, Xiao Taliege, Yelu Sahe · 1 passage

Open chapter

耶律奴瓜，字延寧，太祖異母弟南府宰相蘇之孫。 Yelu Nugua, whose style name was Yanning, was a grandson of Su, Southern Chancellery Chancellor and younger half-brother of the dynastic founder.

History of Liao, Chapter 86Volume 86 Biographies 16: Yelu Hezhu, Liu Jing, Liu Liufu, Ye Luniaolu, Niu Wenshu, Du Fang, Xiao Heshang, Yelu Helizhi, Yelu Pode · 1 passage

Open chapter

耶律合住，字粘袞，太祖弟叠剌之孫。 Yelu Hezhu, whose style name was Niangun, was a grandson of Diela, a younger brother of Taizu.

History of Liao, Chapter 87Volume 87 Biographies 17: · 2 passages

Open chapter

孝穆諫曰：「昔太祖南伐，終以無功。 Xiaomu remonstrated, saying, "In former times Taizu campaigned south and ultimately achieved no success.

耶律蒲古，字提隱，太祖弟蘇之四世孫。 Yelü Pugu, whose style name was Tiyin, was a fourth-generation descendant of Su, the younger brother of Emperor Taizu.

History of Liao, Chapter 89Volume 89 Biographies 19: Yelu Shucheng, Yang Ji, Yelu Hanliu, Yang Ji, Yelu Heshang · 1 passage

Open chapter

始太祖制契丹大字，取諸部鄉里之名，續作一篇，著於卷末。 At the outset Taizu devised the great Khitan script, taking names from the townships and villages of the various tribes, composed a further piece, and placed it at the end of the roll.

History of Liao, Chapter 90Volume 90 Biographies 20: Xiao Ala, Yelu Yixian, Xiao Taowei, Xiao Talage, Yelu Dilu · 1 passage

Open chapter

太祖時，坐叔祖臺哂謀殺於越釋魯，沒入弘義宮。 Under Taizu he was implicated when his granduncle Taishan plotted to murder yuyue Shilu and was entered into the Hongyi Palace rolls.

History of Liao, Chapter 97Volume 97 Biographies 27: Yelu Wotela, Hai Li, Dou Jingyong, Yelu Yinji, Yang Ji, Zhao Hui, Wang Guan, Yelu Xisun · 1 passage

Open chapter

其先在太祖時來貢，願留，因任用之。 His ancestors had come to offer tribute in the time of Taizu, asked to remain, and were therefore given office.

History of Liao, Chapter 98Volume 98 Biographies 28: Xiao Wuna, Yelu Yan, Liu Shen, Yelu Hulu · 1 passage

Open chapter

其先欲穩，佐太祖有功，為叠烈部夷離堇。 His ancestor Yiwen had aided Taizu with distinction and served as yilijin of the Dielie Division.

History of Liao, Chapter 100Volume 100 Biographies 30: Yelu Tanggu, Xiao Delidi, Xiao Chouwo, Yelu Zhangnu, Yelu Paizhe · 2 passages

Open chapter

至祖州，率僚屬告太祖廟云：「我大遼基業，由太祖百戰而成。 At Zu Prefecture he led his officers before the temple of Taizu and declared, "The foundation of our Great Liao was won through the hundred battles of Taizu.

但以天下大亂，已非遼有，小人滿朝，賢臣竄斥，誠不忍見天皇帝艱難之業一旦土崩。 But the realm is in chaos and Liao no longer holds it; petty men fill the court while worthy ministers are driven into exile. I could not bear to watch the Heaven Emperor's hard-won enterprise collapse in a single day.

History of Liao, Chapter 101Volume 101 Biographies 31: Xiao Taosuwo, Yelu Axibao, Xiao Yixue, Xiao Hudu · 2 passages

Open chapter

祖胡劣，太祖時徙居西北部，世為招討司吏。 His grandfather Hulu, in the reign of Taizu, resettled in the northwest, and for generations the family served as clerks in the pacification commission.

其先撒葛只，太祖時願隸宮分，遂為太和宮分人。 His forebear Sagezhi, in the reign of Taizu, asked to be enrolled in palace household service and thus became a man of the Taihe palace household.

History of Liao, Chapter 103Volume 103 Biographies 33: Literature 1 · 3 passages

Open chapter

遼起松漠，太祖以兵經略方內，禮文之事固所未遑。 The Liao state rose from the Songmo region. Emperor Taizu conquered the empire by force of arms, and court ritual and letters were naturally left for later.

及太祖西征，至於流沙，阻卜望風悉降，西域諸國皆願入貢。 When Emperor Taizu marched west as far as the shifting sands, the Zubu submitted at the first rumor of his approach, and the states of the Western Regions all offered tribute.

昔我太祖代遙輦即位，乃制文字，修禮法，建天皇帝名號，制宮室以示威服，興利除害，混一海內。 Formerly our Taizu Emperor succeeded the Yaolian and took the throne; he devised script, restored ritual law, established the title of Heavenly Emperor, built palaces to display authority and win submission, advanced benefit and removed harm, and unified the realm.

History of Liao, Chapter 105Volume 105 Biographies 35: Capable Officials · 1 passage

Open chapter

遼自太祖創業，太宗撫有燕、薊，任賢使能之道，亦略備矣。 From the time Emperor Taizu founded the Liao state and Emperor Taizong brought Yan and Ji under rule, the practice of appointing worthies and putting talent to use was largely in place as well.

History of Liao, Chapter 108Volume 108 Biographies 38: Divination · 2 passages

Open chapter

初，太祖破吐谷渾，一騎士棄橐反射，不中而去。 Early on, when Taizu routed the Tuyuhun, one rider cast down a bag and shot back at it; his arrow missed, and he rode away.

由是進於太祖，淳欽皇后收養之。 He was then brought before Taizu, and Empress Chunqin took him in and raised him.

History of Liao, Chapter 110Volume 110 Biographies 40: Treacherous Ministers 1 · 1 passage

Open chapter

四世祖鐸穩，太祖異母弟。 His fourth-generation ancestor Duowen was a younger half-brother of Emperor Taizu.

History of Liao, Chapter 112Volume 112 Biographies 42: Rebellious Officials 1 · 10 passages

Open chapter

太祖將即位，讓轄底，轄底曰：「皇帝聖人，由天所命，臣豈敢當！」 When Emperor Taizu was about to ascend the throne, he offered the realm to Xiadǐ; Xiadǐ replied, "The Son of Heaven is a sage ordained by Heaven—how could a subject such as I dare accept it!"

太祖命為於越。 The emperor then appointed him yuyue.

太祖問曰：「朕初即位，嘗以國讓，叔父辭之； Emperor Taizu asked, "When I first took the throne I offered you the realm, and you, Uncle, declined it;

太祖謂諸弟曰：「汝輩乃從斯人之言耶！」 The emperor said to his brothers, "You actually listened to this man!"

將刑，太祖謂曰：「叔父罪當死，朕不敢赦。 Before the execution, Emperor Taizu said, "Uncle, your crime deserves death, and I dare not pardon you.

太祖在潛，已加眷遇，及即位，拜叠剌部夷離堇。 Even before Taizu took the throne he had favored Dialite; once enthroned, he appointed him ürün chijin of the Yaonian tribe.

太祖嘗思鹿醢解酲，以山林所有，問能取者。 Taizu once craved pickled deer to clear his head after drinking; as it could be found in the hills, he asked who could fetch it.

太祖曰：「此凶頑，非懦也。」 Taizu said, "He is vicious and stubborn—not timid at all."

其父安端嘗使奏事，太祖謂近侍曰：「此子目若風駝，面有反相。 Once when his father sent him to report at court, Taizu told his attendants, "This man's eyes are like a camel's in a gale, and his face bears the look of a rebel.

太祖即位，務廣恩施，雖知滑哥凶逆，姑示含忍，授以惕隱。 When Emperor Taizu took the throne, he sought to extend favor broadly; though he knew Huage was vicious and rebellious, he temporarily showed forbearance and appointed him tiyin.

History of Liao, Chapter 113Volume 113 Biographies 43: Rebellious Officials 2 · 1 passage

Open chapter

劉哥，字明隱，太祖弟寅底石之子。 Liuge, whose style was Mingyin, was a son of Taizu's younger brother Yindishi.