Later Jin Dynasty
The Later Jin Dynasty, also known as Shi Jin, was one of the Five Dynasties that ruled over North China from 936 to 947 AD. Here are some key points about this historical period:
Establishment
Reign of Shi Jingtang
- Shi Jingtang ascended the throne with the regnal name Gaozu, but his reign was heavily influenced by the Liao Dynasty, as he acknowledged himself as a vassal to the Khitans in return for military support.
- He ceded the Sixteen Prefectures, a strategically important area in northern China, to the Liao Dynasty.
Shi Chonggui and the End of Later Jin
- Upon Shi Jingtang's death in 942, his nephew Shi Chonggui took the throne.
- Shi Chonggui attempted to free Later Jin from Liao influence, which led to conflicts. He stopped paying tribute and even attacked Liao territories, leading to a full-scale invasion by the Liao Dynasty in 946.
- The Liao forces, led by Emperor Yelü Deguang, captured the Later Jin capital, Kaifeng, in 947, effectively ending the Later Jin Dynasty.
Cultural and Political Influence
- The Later Jin was characterized by a high degree of military control and was one of the shortest-lived of the Five Dynasties.
- Despite its brevity, the dynasty left some cultural imprints, including contributions to Chinese art and Buddhism.
Legacy
- The fall of Later Jin to the Liao was a significant event as it marked the first time a non-Han dynasty briefly occupied the central plains of China.
- After the fall of Later Jin, the region was briefly under Liao control before the rise of the Later Han Dynasty.
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