Xiao Sagezhi (; died October 8, 951'' History of Liao'', vol. 5.

Academia Sinica Academia Sinica (AS, la, 1=Academia Sinica, 3=Chinese Academy; ), headquartered in Nangang, Taipei, is the national academy of Taiwan. Founded in Nanking, the academy supports research activities in a wide variety of disciplines, ranging from ...

br>Chinese-Western Calendar Converter
), formally Empress Huaijie (懷節皇后, "the missed and careful empress"), was an empress of the Khitan-led

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 ...

of China. She was one of the two empresses of Emperor Shizong (Yelü Ruan), and was the mother of Emperor Jingzong (Yelü Xian).

Background

It is not known when Xiao Sagezhi was born. Her father, whose personal name was Aguzhi (阿古只) and who was probably still using the surname Shulü (述律) at the time that she was born, was a younger brother of Empress Shulü Ping, the wife of Liao's founder Emperor Taizu. (Xiao Sagezhi's cousin Xiao Han was described by the

Song Dynasty The Song dynasty (; ; 960–1279) was an imperial dynasty of China that began in 960 and lasted until 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song following his usurpation of the throne of the Later Zhou. The Song conquered the rest ...

historian Sima Guang, in his ''

Zizhi Tongjian ''Zizhi Tongjian'' () is a pioneering reference work in Chinese historiography, published in 1084 AD during the Northern Song dynasty in the form of a chronicle recording Chinese history from 403 BC to 959 AD, covering 16 dynast ...

'', as the first member of the Shulü household to use the name of Xiao, although it is not clear whether Sima's assertion was actually correct;''

'', vol. 286. the '' History of Liao'' explained that because Emperor Taizu admired

Han Dynasty The Han dynasty (, ; ) was an imperial dynasty of China (202 BC – 9 AD, 25–220 AD), established by Liu Bang (Emperor Gao) and ruled by the House of Liu. The dynasty was preceded by the short-lived Qin dynasty (221–207 BC) and a warr ...

's founder Emperor Gao (Liu Bang), he had his own Yelü clan take on the

Han Chinese 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 va ...

surname of

Liu / ( or ) is an East Asian surname. pinyin: in Mandarin Chinese, in Cantonese. It is the family name of the Han dynasty emperors. The character originally meant 'kill', but is now used only as a surname. It is listed 252nd in the classic text ...

, while having the clans of past and present consorts of Yelü chieftains take on the surname of Xiao, after Emperor Gao's prime minister

Xiao He Xiao He (257 BC–193 BC) was a Chinese politician of the early Western Han dynasty. He served Liu Bang (Emperor Gao), the founder of the Han dynasty, during the insurrection against the Qin dynasty, and fought on Liu's side in the Chu–Han Co ...

; based on Liao tradition, nearly all of the subsequent empresses of Liao carried the name of Xiao.)''History of Liao'', vol. 71. During the time that Yelü Ruan was carrying the title of Prince of Yongkang under his uncle Emperor Taizong — part of the year of 947 — he took Xiao Sagezhi as a consort. (As Yelü Ruan was a grandson of Emperor Taizu's, they were first cousins, once removed.)

During Emperor Shizong's reign

Emperor Taizong died in 947, and the Liao chieftains supported Yelü Ruan to succeed him (as Emperor Shizong).''Zizhi Tongjian'', vol. 287. In 948, she gave birth to his second son,

Yelü Xian 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 ...

,''History of Liao'', vol. 8. and later gave birth to three daughters, Yelü Hegudian (耶律和古典), Yelü Guanyin (耶律觀音), and Yelü Sala (耶律撒剌).''History of Liao'', vol. 65. In 950, for reasons unclear in history, Emperor Shizong created Xiao Sagezhi empress, even though he had already earlier created

Lady Zhen Lady Zhen (26 January 183 – 4 August 221), personal name unknown, was the first wife of Cao Pi, the first ruler of the state of Cao Wei in the Three Kingdoms period. In 226, she was posthumously honoured as Empress Wenzhao when her son, Cao ...

(the mother of his third son, Yelü Zhimo (耶律只沒)), as empress. In 951, Emperor Taizong's cousin Yelü Chage (耶律察割) mutinied and killed Emperor Shizong in a coup. Emperor Shizong's mother Empress Dowager Xiao and Empress Zhen were also killed. Empress Xiao, who had just recently given birth to Yelü Sala, rode a human-pulled cart to see Yelü Chage, asking to be allowed to prepare Emperor Shizong for burial. The next day, Yelü Chage also killed her. After Yelü Chage's coup was put down by Emperor Shizong's cousin (Emperor Taizong's son) Emperor Muzong, he gave Empress Xiao the posthumous name of ''Xiaolie'' (孝烈, "filial and achieving"). After Yelü Xian became emperor in 969 (as Emperor Jingzong), he buried both Empresses Zhen and Xiao at

Yiwulü Mountain Yiwulü Mountain () or simply Lü Mountain () is located in the western part of Beizhen City, in Jinzhou City, Liaoning Province. It is one of the Three Greatest Mountains of Northeast China, together with Qianshan and Mount Changbai. Its highe ...

, and built a temple dedicated to them. In 1052, Emperor Jingzong's grandson Emperor Xingzong changed her posthumous name to ''Huaijie'' (懷節, "missed and careful").''History of Liao'', vol. 20.

Notes and references

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