| Emperor Jingzong of Liao | |
| Birth Date: | 1 September 948 |
| Burial Place: | Qianling Mausoleum (乾陵, in present-day Beizhen, Jinzhou, Liaoning) |
| Father: | Emperor Shizong |
| Mother: | Xiao Sagezhi |
| Spouse: | Xiao Yanyan |
| Spouse-Type: | Empress |
| Spouses: | Consort Bohai (渤海妃) |
| Spouses-Type: | Concubine |
| Issue: | Yelü Longxu Yelü Longqing Yelü Longyou Yelü Yaoshinu Yelü Guanyinnü Yelü Changshounü Yelü Yanshounü Yelü Shuge |
| Era Dates: | Baoning (保寧; 969–979) Qianheng (乾亨; 979–982) |
| Succession: | Emperor of the Liao dynasty |
| Reign: | 13 March 969 – 13 October 982 |
| Predecessor: | Emperor Muzong |
| Successor: | Emperor Shengzong |
| Birth Name: | Yelü Xian |
| Regnal Name: | Emperor Tianzan (天贊皇帝) |
| Posthumous Name: | Emperor Xiaocheng Kangjing (孝成康靖皇帝) |
| Temple Name: | Jingzong (景宗) |
| House: | Yelü |
| Dynasty: | Liao |
Emperor Jingzong of Liao (1 September 948[1] – 13 October 982[2]), personal name Yelü Xian, courtesy name Xianning, was the fifth emperor of the Khitan-led Liao dynasty of China. He improved government efficiency and reduced corruption. He was known with going to war with the Northern Song dynasty. He died during a hunting trip and his wife later served as regent over his still 11-year-old son, the later Emperor Shengzong.
Yelü Xian succeeded Emperor Muzong in 969 after the latter was murdered by his servants during a hunting trip. He had support from both the Khitan and Han ruling elites.
Yelü Xian, who would come to be known as Emperor Jingzong made several important contributions to the Liao dynasty. He employed ethnic Han officials in his government, appointing one as the Minister of Southern Affairs and as the Duke of Qin. This allowed the government to run more efficiently and sped up the transformation of Khitan society into a feudal society. He cracked down on corruption in the government, firing those who were bribed or was incompetent. Emperor Jingzong also accepted criticisms willingly. He stopped hunting frequently after an official made a connection between hunting and Emperor Muzong's death. Later, Emperor Jingzong began to prepare war against his southern neighbours.
His conflict with the Northern Song dynasty happened when the Song invaded the Northern Han dynasty. However, the Liao reinforcements were destroyed by a Song army, and the Song later destroyed Northern Han. The Song army followed up the victory with an attack on Beijing, the Liao dynasty's southern capital. However, the Liao army completely routed the Song army, with Emperor Taizong of Song fleeing the battlefield. Several battles followed, with a stalemate between the Liao and Song dynasties.
At one point, Emperor Jingzong's body became weak and he had many diseases, sometimes unable to stand up during court proceedings. This led his wife, Xiao Yanyan to manage the great national story.
On 13 October, 982, Emperor Jingzong died due to sickness during a hunting trip in his camp. According to his testament, he was succeeded by his son Emperor Shengzong (982–1031), but since Shengzong was only 11 years old, Xiao Yanyan served as regent.[3]
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