Emperor Yizong of Western Xia

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 (aged 20)
Burial
Anling Mausoleum (安陵, presumptively the No. 4 tomb of Western Xia mausoleums)
Spouse Empress Mozang
Empress Liang
Names
Weiming Liangzuo (嵬名諒祚)
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

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) was his Tangut title, which meant "Grand Prince", while "Liangcha" (兩岔) was his personal name.

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 Mozang (皇后沒藏氏, d.1061), daughter of Mozang Epang
  • Empress Gongsu (恭肅皇后梁氏, d.1085), personal name Luoyao (落瑤)