The Liao Dynasty

The Liao Dynasty: A History of China, PART TWO, takes you deep into an age where palace walls could not keep out ambition, and the steppes carried both riches and ruin. The story opens under Empress Dowager Chengtian, a ruler whose strength and political skill kept the dynasty steady-at least for a time. Inside the court, the struggle among consorts was no quiet affair; rivalries played out in whispers, glances, and calculated moves, each with the power to sway the future of the throne.

The empire's bloodline itself is tested when the Prince of the Realm rises in open rebellion. This is no petty quarrel but a fight over the heart of the dynasty, with swords drawn and loyalties torn apart. At the same time, powerful ministers twist the levers of government for their own gain, turning personal ambition into national crisis. With every scheme and betrayal, the foundations of the Liao grow weaker.

Beyond the capital, new threats gather. The Song and Jin dynasties, locked in their own rivalry, both set their eyes on Liao lands. Borders blaze with war, alliances shift overnight, and the Liao find themselves fighting to hold ground against enemies who sense their moment. Each campaign brings the clash of cavalry, the thunder of siege weapons, and the uneasy knowledge that defeat is no longer unthinkable.

Yet even as the east grows dangerous, a new chapter opens in the west. Yelü Dashi leads his people far beyond their homeland, forging a new power in the heart of Central Asia. Western Liao rises from his victories, its banners seen from the Silk Road's great cities to the farthest reaches of the steppe. For a time, they command the trade, the tribute, and the respect of the lands they rule.

But power never stands still. Internal rifts deepen, rivals grow bold, and trust turns to suspicion. As the court splinters and enemies close in, the empire edges toward its final act.