Han Kuangsi (; 918–983) was a physician and minister of the Liao dynasty. He wrote ''The Epitaph of Han Kuangsi'' (韩匡嗣墓志), which was discovered in the

Bairin Left Banner Baarin Left Banner ( Mongolian: ; zh, c=巴林左旗), or Bairin, is a banner of eastern Inner Mongolia, China, under the administration of the prefecture-level city of Chifeng. The banner spans an area of 6,644 square kilometers, and as of 2018, ...

in 1995. Han Kuangsi served in

Changle Palace The Weiyang Palace () was the main imperial palace complex of the Han dynasty and numerous other Chinese dynasties, located in the city of Chang'an (modern-day Xi'an). It was built in 200 BC at the request of the Emperor Gaozu of Han, under the s ...

(长乐宫).

Empress Shulü Ping The word ''emperor'' (from , via ) can mean the male ruler of an empire. ''Empress'', the female equivalent, may indicate an emperor's wife (empress consort), mother/grandmother (empress dowager/grand empress dowager), or a woman who rules ...

regarded him as her son. However he did not occupy a high position under Emperor Taizong and Emperor Muzong. Han later went to Emperor Taizu's memorial temple where he was examined and secured. Han also befriended Yelü Xian and later helped him to ascend to the throne as Emperor Jingzong. After this, Han was appointed as the Jiedu Envoy of the Shiping Army (始平军节度使). He also served him in

Beijing Beijing, Chinese postal romanization, previously romanized as Peking, is the capital city of China. With more than 22 million residents, it is the world's List of national capitals by population, most populous national capital city as well as ...

and stayed in

Nanjing Nanjing or Nanking is the capital of Jiangsu, a province in East China. The city, which is located in the southwestern corner of the province, has 11 districts, an administrative area of , and a population of 9,423,400. Situated in the Yang ...

as a Southwest secret envoy, also handling the Jinchang Army Jiedu Envoy (晋昌军节度使等). Because of this contribution, Han Kuangsi was honoured as King of Fengyan (封燕王) and later King of Qin (秦王). In October, along with

Yelü Xiuge Yelü Xiuge (耶律休哥) (died 998) was a Khitan general and politician in imperial China's Liao dynasty. He commanded a disciplined army and fought the Song forces for several decades, taking care to not harm any innocent individual. The ''H ...

and Yelü Sha, Han led 50,000 horses to attack Zhenzhou and

Song dynasty The Song dynasty ( ) was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 960 to 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song, who usurped the throne of the Later Zhou dynasty and went on to conquer the rest of the Fiv ...

's soldiers in Mancheng. However, Han made a wrong command and then his army was defeated; Yelü Xiuge also retreated from the enemy. Hearing this, the Emperor Jingzong ordered Han Jusi (韩巨嗣) to change him, and awarded Xiuge the title ''Great King of the Northern'' (为北院大王).

Issues

*Wife: Lady Xiao (蕭氏), also known as Queen of Yan (燕王妃) and Queen of Qin (秦王妃) – Bore him 9 sons and 3 daughters, they were: ** Han Deyuan (韩德源), 1st son – a Grand Commandant (太尉; Taiwei), he was the Shiping Army Jidu Envoy (始平军节度使). ** Han Deqing (韩德庆), 2nd son – a Situ (司徒), he was a General Left Guard (左监门卫将军). ** Han Dezhang (韩德彰), 3rd son – a Felt maker (毡毯使) and Zuosanqichang's attendant (左散骑常侍). ** Han Derang (韩德让), 4th son – a Privy Envoy (枢密使), he was known for his succession on won in against the

Northern Song dynasty The Song dynasty ( ) was an imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 960 to 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song, who usurped the throne of the Later Zhou dynasty and went on to conquer the rest of the Ten Kingdoms, endin ...

's invasion in Youdu,

and defeated Cao Bin (曹彬) and Mi Xin (米信)'s troops in their expedition to

. Later, he was given Liao's imperial name as Yelü Longyun (耶律隆运) after the Chanyuan's alliance. ** Han Deyong (韩德颙), 5th son – a Grand Commandant (太尉; Taiwei), he was a Right Shenwu General Shenwu (右神武大将军) and was named as Han Dening (韩德凝) in 1010? (28th year reign of

Emperor Shengzong of Liao Emperor Shengzong of Liao (16 January 972 – 25 June 1031), personal name Wenshunu, sinicised name Yelü Longxu, was the sixth emperor of the Khitan-led Chinese Liao dynasty and its longest reigning monarch. Conflict with the Northern Song d ...

, Toghe era). His given name was Yelü Longyou (耶律隆祐) for whom this name was used for Liao's imperial families. ** Han Dechong (韩德冲), 6th son – a Grand Commandant (太尉; Taiwei), he was an Envoy of the Imperial Household Ministry (户部使) and a Jiedu Envoy of the Weisheng Army (威胜军节度使). ** Han Desheng (韩德晟), 7th son – No records about his life. ** Han Dechang (韩德昌), 8th son – a Lulongjun Jiedu Envoy (卢龙军节度使). **Lady Han (韓氏), 1st daughter – Married Xiao Weiyin (蕭猥因) and become the parent of Xiao Pusage (蕭菩薩哥) who become the future wife and Empress Consort of

. **Lady Han (韓氏), 2nd daughter – Married Geng Shaoji (耿紹紀). **Lady Han (韓氏), 3rd daughter –Married Xiao Han (蕭罕). ** Han Dewei (韩德威), 9th son – a Taishi (太师), he was a Southwest recruits envoy (西南面招讨使兼) and the Jiedushi Zhangwu Army (彰武军节度使). Epitaph cover for Han Kuangsi

Popular culture

*Portrayed by Jiang Kai in the 2020 Chinese TV Series ''

The Legend of Xiao Chuo ''The Legend of Xiao Chuo'' () is a 2020 Chinese television series based on the novel Yan Yun Tai by Jiang Shengnan. It stars Tiffany Tang in the title role, along with Shawn Dou, Charmaine Sheh and Jing Chao. The series chronicles the life of lege ...

''.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Han, Kuangsi 918 births 983 deaths Liao dynasty people 9th-century Chinese people 10th-century Chinese government officials Chinese military leaders