Xiao Han

Xiao Han (died 949), originally named Shulü Han, courtesy name Hanzhen, childhood nickname Dilie, was a general and consort kin of the Khitan-led Liao dynasty of China. After Emperor Taizong conquered the Later Jin dynasty, Xiao was left in control of the Later Jin's former capital Daliang (now Kaifeng), but he was unable to hold it. He later plotted against Emperor Taizong's nephew and successor Emperor Shizong and was executed.

Life Early years It is not known when Xiao Han was born. His father was Xiao Dilu probably still using the surname Shulü at the timewho was a chancellor of the Liao dynasty's northern court and who was a brother of the empress Shulü Ping, the wife of Khitan's first emperor Taizu and a son of Emperor Taizu's aunt. Despite this close relationship, at some point, Xiao Han's mother was put to death by Empress Shulü, causing him to resent the empress from that point on. Xiao's biography in the History of Liao contained a different narrative: that it was Xiao, whom Emperor Taizu sent to aid Zhang, who killed Li Sizhao. (although this might have been a confusion with Xiao Han's later marriage)Xiao Han became the commander of Emperor Taizong's Han guards. By 945, Emperor Taizong had changed the name of his Khitan state to Liao and central China was ruled by Later Jin. In a battle, Emperor Taizong's army initially prevailed over Later Jin general Du Wei, but Xiao convinced Emperor Taizong to have the Liao cavalry dismount to attack Du's army with their bows and a Later Jin counterattack then caused the battle to go against Liao with heavy losses.

By the summer of 947, Emperor Taizong had died on the way back to Liao proper and had been succeeded by his nephew Yelü Ruan (posthumously known as Emperor Shizong). Xiao himself was facing increasing pressure from Han rebellions, and he considered how he could withdraw from Daliang safely, particularly with Liu Zhiyuanwho had declared himself emperor of a new state later known as the Later Hanbearing down on him. He decided to claim that Emperor Taizong had ordered him to turn over central China to Li Congyi, a prince of Later Jin's predecessor state Later Tang. He forcibly seized Li and Li's mother Consort Dowager Wang from Luoyang and had them brought to Daliang, declared Li emperor, and withdrew. Li later surrendered to Liu and was executed.

Death In 948, Xiao married Emperor Shizong's sister Yelü Abuli .