Emperor Chongzong of Western Xia
Emperor Chongzong 崇宗, born Li Qianshun 李乾順, was the 4th emperor of the Western Xia. His reign began at the age of three, when his father Li Bingchang died. He remained under the regency of the Dowager Empress Madame Liang until she was poisoned in 1099 by a Liao envoy.
Li's reign included further sinification and removed the power of some significant Tangut clans, which had remained a powerful political force—appointing tribal leaders as kings, forcing them under his power and influence. His reign saw incursions by the surrounding Liao- and Song-ruled nations, and a series of military defeats from 1114. He established Confucianist-led administration for several political quarters including civil and military, centralising his power. Buddhism was prevalent during his reign, and the scriptures were translated to the Tangut language.
His era names were:
- Tiānyízhìpíng 1086–1089
- Tiānyòumín'ān 1090–1097
- Yǒng'ān 1098–1100
- Zhēnguān 1101–1113
- Yōngníng 1114–1118
- Yuándé 1119–1127
- Zhèngdé 1127–1134
- Dàdé 1135–1139
