釋氏稽古略 3.366

3.366

The surviving stock of Mount Xianbei; during the Shang dynasty, they were those subdued when Gaozong campaigned against the Guifang. From the second year of Zhenming of the Last Emperor of Liang, when Taizu Abaoji proclaimed himself emperor, established the state, and initiated reign eras, nine rulers in all succeeded to the throne, spanning 215 years from beginning to end, actually lasting 209 years (according to the Records of Liao). Emperor Taizu's taboo personal name was Yifan, and his name was Abaoji, being the youngest son of Woli. His father Woli was an yilaohan, equivalent to a commandery prefect in the central lands. Prior to this, the Khitan tribes were divided into eight. Each had a chieftain, and they jointly agreed to recommend one person as king, erecting banners and drums to issue commands to all the tribes, replacing each other in succession every three years. When Abaoji became king, he was exceptionally heroic and brave, and relying on his strength, he refused to step down. The Xi of the five surnames and the Shiwei of the seven surnames all submitted to him. Returning from attacking the Yellow-Headed Shiwei, the seven tribes intercepted him at the border, demanding compliance with the agreement. Abaoji said: "I have been king for nine years and have acquired many Han people; I request to lead my tribe to dwell in the ancient Han City, to guard it together with the Han people and form our own tribe." The seven tribes agreed. The ancient Han City was Huayan County of the Tuoba Wei; the land was suitable for the five grains and possessed the benefits of salt pools. Later, Abaoji attacked and destroyed the seven tribes, merging them into one state. He also campaigned north against the Shiwei and Jurchen, seized the old lands of the Turks in the west, and attacked and destroyed the Xi. He again set up a king of the Xi and sent Khitans to supervise their army. The barbarian tribes of the northeast all feared and submitted to him. Initially, in the late Xiantong era of Emperor Yizong of Tang, there was one named Xi'er who became king, and their territory began to expand. Later, Qinde became king, and taking advantage of the many crises in the central plains, they raided the borders. In the final years of Emperor Liu Shouguang of Yan, when he was weakened and destitute, he dispatched Military Advisor Han Yanhui to seek aid from the Khitans. The Khitan ruler was enraged that he did not bow, detained him for a long time, and then treated him courteously and employed him. Yanhui first taught the Khitans to establish banners and set up an administration, build walls, and lay out markets and wards to house the Han people, causing each to have spouses and cultivate the fallow fields. From this, the prestige and power of the Khitans flourished. Reaching this point, in the second year of Zhenming, Abaoji first claimed the title of Emperor, naming the state the Great Khitan and the reign era Shence. The people of the state called him the Heavenly Emperor-King. His surname was Yelü. He took his wife, Lady Shulü, as Empress and established official posts. He ruled the state for eleven years and died in the city of Fuyu. He was posthumously titled Taizu.