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After the Emperor Taizong, political disputes troubled the Liao court until the reign of Emperor Jinzong. www.1155815.cn
Upon the death of Emperor Jinzong, his son, 12-year-old Yelu Longxu historically known as Emperor Shengzong succeeded to the Throne. As the new emperor was too young to conduct the state affairs, the court was actually under the control of Empress Xiao, his mother. Empress Xiao, appointing Yelu Xiuge as her senior general, launched a war and defeated the Song army in 987. From then on, the warfare between the two countries never stopped.
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In 1104, Liao launched a war again and in the next year, tired of the ceaseless skirmishes with the nomad people, the Song proposed the Shanyuan Treaty with the Liao. The treaty required the Liao to ensure quiet frontiers for the Song. In return, the Song had to pay a yearly tribute to the Liao. 1155815
The conclusion of the Shanyuan Treaty was the pivotal point in relations between the Song and the Liao. The signing of the Shanyuan Treaty was the first time that the Liao forced the Song, who considered themselves the natural heirs to political dominance as the Central Kingdom, to recognize their legitimacy. After many years of fighting with one another, the Song and the Liao finally decided to negotiate peace, which was achieved through the Shanyuan Treaty. This relationship lasted until 1125, when the Song broke the treaty by inviting the Jin to attack the Liao.
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After the treaty was signed, the nature of the relationship between these two states changed from one of purely political rivalry to a supposedly fraternal one. For the first time in Chinese history there were two Sons of Heaven, each recognizing the other. 1155815.cn
The Liao Dynasty, using the tribute paid by the Song, achieved rapid progress and reached a zenith both economically and politically. 民俗节庆门户网站
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