Throne Succession Problems Of Early Period Of Liao Dynasty

From the throne inheritance mechanism level, the nine Emperors of LiaoDynasty could be divided into two development stages: the first Four Emperors underthe hereditary election principle and the latter Five Emperors under hereditaryprinciple of wife’s eldest son. After the death of the Taizu Emperor of Liao Dynasty,Dongdan was abandoned while Tekong replaced his place. This definitely was not"the decree of the Taizu Emperor of Liao", but the intention of empress dowagerShulu. The main reason why Shulu could abandon the statutory throne successorDongdan King while make the second son Tekong replace his place, was not theso-called "feminism" of Khitan society, but the tremendous impact of the deep-rootedtraditional hereditary election system. Dongdan King’s losing country, reflected themortality and failure of a new political system in the essence, not abdication with astrong emotion color of human relations. Taizong Emperor inherited the throne in therole of "supreme commander of soldiers and horses in the land under heaven". Duringhis reign, he did not follow the example of his father’s practice: establishing thronesuccessor by the mains of confirming crown prince. After Taizong Emperor’s suddendeath in the march, ministers supported Dongdan King’s eldest son Yongkang KingWu Yuji to inherit throne, Wu Yuji was Shizong Emperor. Obviously, the deepmechanism why Shizong Emperor, Muzong Emperor even Jingzong Emperor couldbecome emperor was the effect of hereditary election system. Among the first fouremperors of Pre-Liao Dynasty following the hereditary election principle, TaizuEmperor and Taizong Emperor are considered as Lords with rare gifts and boldstrategy. Although Yingzong Emperor’s reign was not long, he was renowned for hisachievements regardless of his internal affairs or external affairs. As for MuzongEmperor, he had the notoriety of "tyrant" and "sleeping king". But objectivelyspeaking, in his reign periods of19years, Liao Dynasty had always maintained strongnational strength since the generations of Taizu Emperor and Taizong Emperor. As forthe periods of Muzong Emperor, Jingzong Emperor, Shengzong Emperor, XingzongEmperor and Daozong Emperor, although maintained long-term of peace andprosperity scene, the majority of them had unusual literary talent and were renownednowadays, but viewing from the angle of the development of national power, that wasonly maintain the achievements of their predecessors.