Research On Liao Shengzong's Policy To Song Dynasty

Five years for Liao Qian Heng (Tai Ping Xing Guo, 983), a only 12 years-old Yelv Long xu ascended the throne for Liao Shengzong. When Liao Shengzong safeguarded the internal rule, he dealed the relationship with neighboring state positively, which held an important position in the history of Liao and Song Dynasty. The purpose of this paper mainly discussed Liao Shengzong's policy to Song Dynasty.At the beginning of Liao Shengzong ascended the throne, Queen Xiao interfered in the internal affairs. In order to keep the status consolidated, she adjusted human affairs positively, and appointed Yelv Xiezhen, Han Derang, Shi Fang three ministers to assist Sheng Zhong together to rule the country. Facing with the threat that came from Song Dynasty, Queen Xiao appointed Ye lv xiuge to take care of things for Nanjing and charged the southern serves. Xiu ge took the positive defense measures: First, pay attention to Song Dynasty's military trend closely, strictly alerts. Second, pacify the common people of Song Dynasty that turned over by Liao Dynasty , stablize frontier.Four years of Tong He (three years of Yong Xi, 986), Song Taizong decided Northern Expedition to Song Dynasty, he attempted to regain the Yan yun area. Liao Dynasty quickly adjusted and redeployed the military in order to effectively resist the Song army onslaught. Take the defense measures are followed: First, set the power of the national armed forces, unified command and effort to Nanjing reinforcements. Second, adopted the strategy of going by himself. Third, defense Song Dynasty , avoid attack that came from the Bohai sea, in order to ensure the safety of Youzhou Eastern Road. Fourth, deployed its forces to strengthen the defense of south-west. In April, the Eastern Group of Song Dynasty and Yelvxiuge army of Liao Dynasty battled in Qi Gou guan, Song army suffered a crushing at last. Qi Gou guan battle was a turning point in the war between Liao and Song, Since then, Liao Dynasty began to grasp the initiative rights in the war. After the Northern Expedition defeat, Song Dynasty carried on the policy of weakening boundary defense. From then on, Liao Dynasty began to shift from strategic defense to strategic offensive.In order to achieve the purpose of defensing the Song Dynasty, on the one hand, Liao Shengzong recovered production and enhancde national strength; on the other hand, he made every preparation of South invasion. The measures were taken as followed: First, to restore agricultural production, reduce taxes, strengthen national power. At the begining, a serious military discipline, forbid trampling on the crops and protect agricultural production. Then, the incentives open up the wilderness, lest they tax. Again, shengzong check the crops himself or dispatch other people. Then, reduce tax, protect people's livelihood. Secondly, the army make every preparation well. First of all, enhance the army's weapons and equipment. Second, the armed forces pacify Song allegiance to expand the number of troops. Third, the implementation of Song's tough foreign policy. Seventeen years forTong He(Xian Ping two years, 999), nineteen years forTong He(Xian Ping four years, 1001), twenty-first years forTong He(Xian Ping six years, 1003), Liao army repeatedly explored Song's border military offensive. TongHe twenty-two years (Jing De1004), QueenXiao and Emperor Shengzong lead a force tilting the country, arrived in the city under the Song Chanyuan. Two armies stopped attack, sue for peace. Liao and song parties signed "Chanyuan Alliance." From then on, Liao and Song ended a long period of military confrontation, establish a peaceful and friendly relations of equality between the two countries.After Chanyuan Peace Negotiation, Liao Shengzong adjusted the relationship with Song in time, took the following policies: (1) to establish equality foreign relations. (a) Liao and Song are two brother states. (b)Liao and Song is a country within the Southern and Northern Dynasties (c) equality foreign intercourse (2) to strengthen economic and trade intercourse (a)The establishment of knocking field trade (b) strengthen economic exchanges (c) Liao Dynasty absorb advanced Confucian culture. (a) to absorp the Central Plains culture (b)The implementation of imperial examination system.The above measures adopted by Liao Shengzong, had created a stable and peaceful environment for the development of Liao Dynasty. In Liao Dynasty, agriculture developed, food production increased, animal husbandry flourished. Liao Dynasty absorbed central Plains's advanced culture, the social progress speeded up, and accelerated to strengthen national integration. Liao Shengzong had a reform of feudal age, that lead Liao Dynasty reached a peak time. Liao Shengzong's policy to Song Dynasty, promote the political,economical and cultural comunication between two nations, both national strength were enhanced, national unity were reinforced, which palyed a promotional function in Chinese history.