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Northern Han Dynasty

The Northern Han Dynasty kingdom (simplified Chinese: 北汉; traditional Chinese: 北漢; pinyin: Běi Hàn) is a state of the Ten Kingdoms in the Period of five dynasties and ten kingdoms. It was founded by Liu Min (劉旻), formerly known as Liu Chong (劉崇), and lasted from 951 – 979.

Founding of the Northern Han Dynasty

The Shatuo Turks had ruled most of northern China since 923 through the later tang dynasty , Later jin dynasty, and the Later han dynasty. The short-lived Later han dynasty fell in 950. Liu Min founded the Northern Han Dynasty Kingdom, sometimes referred to as the eastern han dynasty, in 951 claiming that he was the legitimate heir to the imperial throne of the Later han dynasty. Liu Min immediately restored the traditional relationship the Shatuo Turks had with the Khitans, who had founded the Liao Dynasty.

Territorial Extent

The Northern Han Dynasty was a small kingdom located in Shanxi with its capital located at Taiyuan. Shanxi had been a traditional base of power since the fading days of the tang dynasty in the late ninth century and early tenth century. It was wedged between the two major powers of the day, the Liao Dynasty to the north and the song dynasty to the south. It also shared a border with the Tangut kingdom of western xia.

Wedge Between Liao and Song

The existence of the Northern Han Dynasty was one of the two major thorns in relations between the Liao Dynasty and the song dynasty, the other being the continued possession of the Sixteen Prefectures by the Liao Dynasty. The Northern Han Dynasty had placed itself under the protection of the Liao.

Emperor Taizu was successful in nearly completing the incorporation of the southern kingdoms into the song dynasty by his death in 976. His younger brother, Emperor Taizong wished to emulate his older brother's successes. wuyue was brought into the realm in 978.

Fall of the Northern Han Dynasty

Emboldened by his success to the south, Emperor Taizong decided to embark on a campaign to finally destroy the Northern Han Dynasty. Leading the army himself, he brought his forces to the Northern Han Dynasty capital of Taiyuan, which was laid under siege in June. An initial relief force sent by the Liao was easily defeated by Song. After a two-month siege of the capital, the leader of the Northern Han Dynasty surrendered, the kingdom was incorporated into the song dynasty.

Sovereigns in Northern Han Dynasty Kingdom 951-979

Temple Names ( Miao Hao廟號 )	Posthumous Names ( Shi Hao諡號 )	Personal Names	Period of Reigns	Era Names (Nian Hao 年號) and their according range of years
世祖 Shìzǔ	神武帝 Shénwǔdì	劉旻 Liú Mín	951-954	Qiányòu (乾祐) 951-954
睿宗 Ruìzōng	孝和帝 Xiàohédì	劉承鈞 Liú Chéngjūn	954-968	Qiányòu (乾祐) 954-957 Tiānhuì (天會) 957-968
少主 Shàozhǔ	Did not exist	劉繼恩 Liu Jì'ēn	968	Did not exist
Did not exist	英武帝 Yīngwǔdì	劉繼元 Liú Jìyuán	968-979	Guǎngyùn (廣運) 968-979