Emperor Hailingwang of Jin
Encyclopedia
Emperor Hailingwang of Jin (February 24，1122–December 15，1161) was emperor of the Jin Dynasty
, the Jurchen dynasty which ruled northern China
. He reigned from January 9, 1150 to December 15, 1161.
His birth name was Wányán Liàng (完顏亮), or in Jurchen, Digunai (迪古乃). He promoted the policy of sinicization
of Jurchens
, which was partially reversed by his successor, emperor Shizong of Jin.
Wanyan Liang was a son of Wanyan Woben, who in his turn was a son of the dynasty's founder Wanyan Aguda
. Liang's father, Woben, was described as the most influential man during the reign of Liang's predecessor, Wanyan Dan.
Wanyan Liang, himself a marshal under Wanyan Dan, killed the emperor and usurped the throne in 1149. As a usurper of the Jin throne, Hailing was suspicious of other members of the Jurchen aristocracy, and, immediately upon seizing the power, started assassinating or executing potential rivals. In a mass execution of several aristocratic families, the lineage of Wanyan Wuqimai
was exterminated, to secure the position of the lineage of Wuqimai's brother Aguda
, to which Hailing himself belonged.
Capitalizing on the Jin Empire's being recognized as the "superior" state by other powers of the region after its victory over Song
had been formalized in 1141, Hailing embarked on a program of making Jin Empire the Chinese Empire. To legitimize himself as a Chinese ruler, he lifted (1150) Wuqimai
's prohibition of wearing Chinese dress, and adopted an array of Chinese practices and institutions, such as holding of sacrificial ceremonies in the northern and southern suburbs of his capital (1149) (cf. ceremonies conducted at the Temple of Earth
and Temple of Heaven
in Beijing under Ming
and Qing
), the use of the imperial carriage (1151), a system of feudal rights (1156), and the Song's shan-hu (山呼) style of court ceremonies (1157). Hailing introduced palace examinations (1150) and set up the Imperial Academy (Guozijian
) in 1151.
In his pursuit to become the "real Chinese", entitled to rule all over the Heavenly Kingdom, Hailing moved his court from the original Jurchen capital, Huining
to Yanjing (modern Beijing
) in 1153, and later on (1157) ordered to destroy the palaces in Huining
.
In contrast to China's Tang
and Song traditions, which rarely imposed corporal punishment on the members of the society's educated elites, Hailing continued the Khitan
and Jurchen tradition of floggings with a gusto, sometimes enjoying personally watching his officials and court members - including prime ministers, censors, and a princess - beaten with poles or whips.
Hailing's attempts to conquer the Southern Song and unify China under his rule ended in failure, his fleet defeated by the Song (1161)
at Tangdao
and Caishi
, many of his officers defecting, and population rebelling in some areas. The emperor was killed by one his officers, and Hailing's cousin Wanyan Wulu, who had led a major rebellion against him, was proclaimed the new ruler.
Jin Dynasty, 1115–1234
The Jīn Dynasty ; Khitan language: Nik, Niku; ; 1115–1234), also known as the Jurchen Dynasty, was founded by the Wanyan clan of the Jurchens, the ancestors of the Manchus who established the Qing Dynasty some 500 years later...
, the Jurchen dynasty which ruled northern China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. He reigned from January 9, 1150 to December 15, 1161.
His birth name was Wányán Liàng (完顏亮), or in Jurchen, Digunai (迪古乃). He promoted the policy of sinicization
Sinicization
Sinicization, Sinicisation or Sinification, is the linguistic assimilation or cultural assimilation of terms and concepts of the language and culture of China...
of Jurchens
Jurchens
The Jurchens were a Tungusic people who inhabited the region of Manchuria until the 17th century, when they adopted the name Manchu...
, which was partially reversed by his successor, emperor Shizong of Jin.
Wanyan Liang was a son of Wanyan Woben, who in his turn was a son of the dynasty's founder Wanyan Aguda
Wanyan Aguda
Emperor Taizu of Jin was Emperor of Jin from January 28, 1115 to September 19, 1123.He was the chieftain of the Jurchen Wanyan tribe, founder and first emperor of the Jin Dynasty . He was the younger brother of Wanyan Wuyashu...
. Liang's father, Woben, was described as the most influential man during the reign of Liang's predecessor, Wanyan Dan.
Wanyan Liang, himself a marshal under Wanyan Dan, killed the emperor and usurped the throne in 1149. As a usurper of the Jin throne, Hailing was suspicious of other members of the Jurchen aristocracy, and, immediately upon seizing the power, started assassinating or executing potential rivals. In a mass execution of several aristocratic families, the lineage of Wanyan Wuqimai
Emperor Taizong of Jin
Emperor Taizong of Jin was emperor of the Jin Dynasty, which ruled northern China from September 27, 1123 to February 9, 1135. His birth name was Wányán Wúqǐmǎi , and his reign name was Tiānhuì ....
was exterminated, to secure the position of the lineage of Wuqimai's brother Aguda
Wanyan Aguda
Emperor Taizu of Jin was Emperor of Jin from January 28, 1115 to September 19, 1123.He was the chieftain of the Jurchen Wanyan tribe, founder and first emperor of the Jin Dynasty . He was the younger brother of Wanyan Wuyashu...
, to which Hailing himself belonged.
Capitalizing on the Jin Empire's being recognized as the "superior" state by other powers of the region after its victory over Song
Song Dynasty
The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
had been formalized in 1141, Hailing embarked on a program of making Jin Empire the Chinese Empire. To legitimize himself as a Chinese ruler, he lifted (1150) Wuqimai
Emperor Taizong of Jin
Emperor Taizong of Jin was emperor of the Jin Dynasty, which ruled northern China from September 27, 1123 to February 9, 1135. His birth name was Wányán Wúqǐmǎi , and his reign name was Tiānhuì ....
's prohibition of wearing Chinese dress, and adopted an array of Chinese practices and institutions, such as holding of sacrificial ceremonies in the northern and southern suburbs of his capital (1149) (cf. ceremonies conducted at the Temple of Earth
Temple of Earth
The Temple of the Earth in Beijing, China, is located in the northern part of central Beijing, around the Andingmen area and just outside of Beijing's second ring road. It is also located just a few hundred yards north of Yonghe Temple...
and Temple of Heaven
Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven, literally the Altar of Heaven is a complex of Taoist buildings situated in the southeastern part of central Beijing. The complex was visited by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvest...
in Beijing under Ming
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
and Qing
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
), the use of the imperial carriage (1151), a system of feudal rights (1156), and the Song's shan-hu (山呼) style of court ceremonies (1157). Hailing introduced palace examinations (1150) and set up the Imperial Academy (Guozijian
Guozijian
The Guozijian , or Kuo Tzu Chien, the School of the Sons of State, sometimes called the Imperial Academy, Imperial College, Imperial Central School, was the national central institute of learning in Chinese dynasties after the Sui. It was the highest institute of learning in China's traditional...
) in 1151.
In his pursuit to become the "real Chinese", entitled to rule all over the Heavenly Kingdom, Hailing moved his court from the original Jurchen capital, Huining
Huining Fu
Huining Fu was a prefecture in the Shangjing region of Manchuria . It served as the first superior capital of the Jin Dynasty between 1122 to 1234 .- History :...
to Yanjing (modern Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
) in 1153, and later on (1157) ordered to destroy the palaces in Huining
Huining Fu
Huining Fu was a prefecture in the Shangjing region of Manchuria . It served as the first superior capital of the Jin Dynasty between 1122 to 1234 .- History :...
.
In contrast to China's Tang
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
and Song traditions, which rarely imposed corporal punishment on the members of the society's educated elites, Hailing continued the Khitan
Khitan people
thumb|250px|Khitans [[Eagle hunting|using eagles to hunt]], painted during the Chinese [[Song Dynasty]].The Khitan people , or Khitai, Kitan, or Kidan, were a nomadic Mongolic people, originally located at Mongolia and Manchuria from the 4th century...
and Jurchen tradition of floggings with a gusto, sometimes enjoying personally watching his officials and court members - including prime ministers, censors, and a princess - beaten with poles or whips.
Hailing's attempts to conquer the Southern Song and unify China under his rule ended in failure, his fleet defeated by the Song (1161)
at Tangdao
Battle of Tangdao
The naval Battle of Tangdao took place in 1161 between the Jurchen Jin and the Southern Song Dynasty of China on the East China Sea. It was an attempt by the Jin to invade and conquer the Southern Song Dynasty, yet resulted in failure and defeat for the Jurchens. The Jin Dynasty navy was set on...
and Caishi
Battle of Caishi
The naval Battle of Caishi took place in 1161 and was the result of an attempt by forces of the Jurchen Jin to cross the Yangtze River, thus beginning an invasion of Southern Song China...
, many of his officers defecting, and population rebelling in some areas. The emperor was killed by one his officers, and Hailing's cousin Wanyan Wulu, who had led a major rebellion against him, was proclaimed the new ruler.
Literature
- Jing-shen Tao, The Jurchen in Twelfth-Century China. University of Washington Press, 1976, ISBN 0-295-95514-7.