Xiao Hunian (萧胡辇; 953–1009), also known as Hehan (和罕) was a Khitan noble lady of

imperial China The history of China spans several millennia across a wide geographical area. Each region now considered part of the Chinese world has experienced periods of unity, fracture, prosperity, and strife. Chinese civilization first emerged in the Y ...

's Liao dynasty. She was one of the Xiao sisters and the oldest sister of Lady Xiao and

Xiao Yanyan Xiao Chuo, nickname Yanyan (; 953 – 29 December 1009), also known as Empress Dowager Chengtian (承天皇太后) was a Khitan empress and military leader of imperial China's Liao dynasty. She was regent on behalf of her son from 982. History ...

History

Xiao Hunian was the eldest daughter of Xiao Siwen (萧思溫), Liao's

chancellor Chancellor () is a title of various official positions in the governments of many countries. The original chancellors were the of Roman courts of justice—ushers, who sat at the (lattice work screens) of a basilica (court hall), which separa ...

and Yelü Lübugu, Princess Yan. She had two younger sisters,

and Lady Xiao. She married Yelü Yansage, her uncle and the son of

Emperor Taizong of Liao Emperor Taizong of Liao (25 November 902 – 18 May 947), personal name Yaogu, Sinicization, sinicised name Yelü Deguang, courtesy name Dejin, was the second Emperor of China, emperor of the Khitan people, Khitan-led Liao dynasty of China. Ba ...

. Her brother-in-law Yelü Xian ascended to the throne as Emperor Jingzong. He promoted Yelü Yansage as the King of Qi, and Xiao Hunian became the Queen of Qi. In the year 972, Yelü Yansage died and Xiao Hunian received the title of Consort Dowager. After her husband died, she took over as head of his army and became the commander in chief of an expeditionary force against border tribes in the west in 994 and led her troops in a campaign against the Xi Xia, where she was credited with the establishment of the northwestern city of Kodun. She later married Han Yu, however, Han Yu passed away in 987. Xiao Hunian, now widowed, served as a spy against Song during the reign of her nephew Emperor Shengzong. During her military journeys, she fell in love with a slave named Talan A'bo (挞览阿钵). Her relationship with him was not supported by Xiao Yanyan, and their relationship was further estranged. Xiao Yanyan did not have a good relationship with their second sister, Lady Xiao, either. Lady Xiao's husband Yelü Xiyin had been murdered, and Lady Xiao had tried to poison Xiao Yanyan, but was instead forced to commit suicide. Despite her pleas to save Lady Xiao, Xiao Hunian was imprisoned, then sentenced to death by Xiao Yanyan.

In popular culture

*Portrayed by

Charmaine Sheh Charmaine Sheh Sze-man (; born 28 May 1975) is a Hong Kong actress and beauty pageant titleholder who placed second runner-up at Miss Hong Kong pageant 1997 and represented her country at Miss International 1997. Sheh signed a contract with T ...

in the 2020 Chinese television 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:Xiao, Hunian Women in war in China Chinese princesses Xiao clan 953 births 1009 deaths Women in medieval warfare 10th-century Khitan women 10th-century Khitan people 11th-century Khitan women 11th-century Khitan people Suicides in the Liao dynasty