Liao Shi

Author: Li Xihou
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Publishing Time: Not available
Features: The Liao Dynasty was a ruling dynasty established by the Khitan people in Chinese history. From the 10th to the early 13th century, it stood in opposition to the Northern Song Dynasty, forming another period of in Chinese history. The Liao and Song dynasties coexisted for over 30 years, each following their own political systems and governance models, and both made significant contributions to the development of Chinese historical culture. After the Liao and Song dynasties, the Yuan Dynasty twice discussed the compilation of three histories—the Liao, Song, and Jin—on the issue of "who was the legitimate ruler." Due to the prolonged debate over this question, the project took over 80 years to complete. In the end, it was decided to "grant legitimacy to both and record their respective era names" to compile the histories of the Song, Liao, and Jin dynasties. Although the Liao Shi (History of the Liao Dynasty) is incomplete and lacks certain sections, it remains a fundamental historical source for modern research on this period. Professor Li Xihou has dedicated over 30 years to the study of Liao history, achieving remarkable accomplishments and being widely recognized as a leading expert in the field. This book is the culmination of his lifelong research. The manuscript consists of 7 chapters, 29 sections, an introduction, a bibliography of cited works, and an index. It covers the establishment, rise, and fall of the Liao Dynasty, as well as its institutional systems, socio-economic structure, and social and cultural life. The author, deeply versed in Liao history, presents original insights in his research on key aspects such as the "headman system," the "north-south face system," and the "nabu system," setting new standards in the field.