Han Derang (; 941–1011), known for his

Khitan name Khitan names are the personal names of the Khitan people which ruled the Liao dynasty (907–1125) in ancient China and Kara-Khitan Khanate (1124–1218) in Central Asia. A nomadic Mongolic people, the Khitans have been extinct, making research on ...

, Yelü Longyun (), Xingning (), or Yaoge () was a Chinese politician. He served as the Prime Minister of

Liao Dynasty The Liao dynasty (; Khitan: ''Mos Jælud''; ), also known as the Khitan Empire (Khitan: ''Mos diau-d kitai huldʒi gur''), officially the Great Liao (), was an imperial dynasty of China that existed between 916 and 1125, ruled by the Yelü ...

during the reign of Empress Xiao Chuo. He was a native of Hebei Yutian (祖籍河北玉田) and born into the Shihou Family.

Early life

Han Derang was born in 941 as the fourth son of Han Kuangsi, King of Qin (韓匡嗣秦王) and Lady Xiao (蕭氏). However, his father died in Southwest Nanjing after he went there to meet an envoy.

Political career

Reign of Emperor Jingzong

Han Derang served as a military officer in 979 (10th-year reign of

Emperor Jingzong of Liao Emperor Jingzong of Liao (1 September 948 – 13 October 982), personal name Yelü Xian, courtesy name Xianning, was the fifth emperor of the Khitan-led Liao dynasty of China. He improved government efficiency and reduced corruption. He was know ...

). He was gradually promoted He stayed in

Nanjing Nanjing (; , Mandarin pronunciation: ), alternately romanized as Nanking, is the capital of Jiangsu province of the People's Republic of China. It is a sub-provincial city, a megacity, and the second largest city in the East China region. T ...

and became the most influential and powerful minister not long after his promotion. In 979, the first year of Qianheng (乾亨), Han fought against the

Northern Song Dynasty Northern may refer to the following: Geography * North, a point in direction * Northern Europe, the northern part or region of Europe * Northern Highland, a region of Wisconsin, United States * Northern Province, Sri Lanka * Northern Range, a ra ...

's invasion at Youdu,

and was awarded the ''Liaoxing Army'' (辽兴军) not long after his campaign against it. After this, he entered North Court as the Secret Envoy from the South Court and become the most powerful person among the

Han people The Han Chinese () or Han people (), are an East Asian ethnic group native to China. They constitute the world's largest ethnic group, making up about 18% of the global population and consisting of various subgroups speaking distinctive ...

. At this time, Han was already 38.

Reign of Emperor Shengzong

When Emperor Jingzong's oldest son, Yelü Longxu (耶律隆绪) ascended the throne as

Emperor Shengzong Emperor Shengzong of Liao (16 January 972 – 25 June 1031), personal name Wenshunu, sinicised name Yelü Longxu, was the sixth emperor of the Khitan-led Chinese Liao dynasty and its longest reigning monarch. Conflict with the Northern Song dyn ...

in 982, Empress Xiao, Jingzong's widow become his regent because Shengzong was only 11 years old. She ordered Han Derang to take charge of the Imperial guards. In 985, Han became a politician and Prime Minister of Liao. Han took an important role in decision-making and in stabilizing the political situation in Shengzong's early years. Han led his army to defeat Cao Bin (曹彬) and Mi Xin (米信)'s troops in their Expedition to

. Han became Duke of Chuguo (楚国公) and then King of Chu (楚王). He was later appointed as both Prime Minister of Northern Song (北府宰相) and the Secret Envoy of the Privy Council (兼领枢密使). He was Privy Councilor of Northern Song (兼北院枢密使) too. The Emperor entrusted him and made him King of Qi (齐王). After the alliance of Chanyuan, Han become Grand King of Jin (晋国王) and was given Liao's imperial name as Yelü Longyun (耶律隆运). However, in 1011, he followed Shengzong to

Goryeo Goryeo (; ) was a Korean kingdom founded in 918, during a time of national division called the Later Three Kingdoms period, that unified and ruled the Korean Peninsula until 1392. Goryeo achieved what has been called a "true national unificati ...

where he passed away and was given the

posthumous name A posthumous name is an honorary name given mostly to the notable dead in East Asian culture. It is predominantly practiced in East Asian countries such as China, Korea, Vietnam, Japan, and Thailand. Reflecting on the person's accomplishments or ...

of Wénzhōng (文忠). His temple was built in Qianling Mausoleum.

Legacy

Han never married, and he then childless. Knowing this, Shengzong gave Han his brothers, Yelü Longyou (耶律隆祐)'s two sons, Yelü Zongye (耶律宗業) and Yelü Zongfan (耶律宗范) as Han's heirs. However, neither of them had successors. Therefore, during Emperor Daozong's reign and they took Yelü Zongxi, King of Wei (耶律宗熙魏王)'s son as their heir.

In popular culture

*Portrayed by Lee Jin-woo in the 2009

KBS2 The Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) () is the national broadcaster of South Korea. Founded in February 1927, it is one of the leading South Korean television and radio broadcasters. KBS operates seven radio networks, ten television channels, a ...

TV series ''

Empress Cheonchu ''Empress Cheonchu'' (; also known as ''The Iron Empress'') is a 2009 South Korean period television series based on the title character, an actual historical figure and her lifelong struggle to protect the country her ancestors built. The grand ...

''. *Portrayed by

Shawn Dou use both this parameter and , birth_date to display the person's date of birth, date of death, and age at death) --> , death_place = , death_cause = , body_discovered = , resting_place = , resting_place_coordinates = ...

in the 2020 Chinese TV Series ''

The Legend of Xiao Chuo ''The Legend of Xiao Chuo'' () is a 2020 Chinese television series based on the novel Yan Yun Tai by Jiang Shengnan. It stars Tiffany Tang in the title role, along with Shawn Dou, Charmaine Sheh and Jing Chao. The series chronicles the life of lege ...

''.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Han, Derang 941 births 1011 deaths Liao dynasty people 10th-century Chinese people Liao dynasty politicians Han Chinese people Chinese military leaders