| Emperor Yizong of Western Xia | |
| Birth Name: | Liangcha (兩岔) |
| Birth Date: | 5 March 1047 |
| Burial Place: | Anling Mausoleum (安陵, presumptively the No. 4 tomb of Western Xia mausoleums[1]) |
| Father: | Li Yuanhao |
| Mother: | Empress Xuanmu Huiwen |
| Full Name: | Weiming Liangzuo (嵬名諒祚)[2] Li Liangzuo (李諒祚) Tangut name: Liangcha (兩岔) |
| Succession: | Emperor of the Western Xia dynasty |
| Reign: | 1048 – January 1068 |
| Predecessor: | Emperor Jingzong |
| Successor: | Emperor Huizong |
| Posthumous Name: | Emperor Zhaoying (昭英皇帝) |
| Temple Name: | Yizong (毅宗) |
| Spouse: | Empress Mozang Empress Liang |
| Era Dates: | Yansiningguo (延嗣寧國): 1049 Tianyouchuisheng (天祐垂聖): 1050–1052 Fushengchengdao (福聖承道; Tangut: or): 1053–1056 Duodu (奲都): 1057–1062 Gonghua (拱化): 1063–1067 |
Emperor Yizong of Western Xia (1047–1068), sinicized name Li Liangzuo, was the second emperor of the Western Xia dynasty of China, reigning from 1048 to 1067. Yizong was also known by his Tangut name Ningling Liangcha (寧令兩岔). "Ningling" (寧令, Tangut: [3]) was his Tangut title, which meant "Grand Prince",[4] [5] while "Liangcha" (兩岔) was his personal name.
After the death of his father, Li Yuanhao (Emperor Jingzong) in 1048, Yizong assumed the throne at the age of one, but most of the power laid in the hands of his mother the Empress Dowager. In 1049, the Liao dynasty attacked the Western Xia and forced it to become a vassal state. In 1056, the Dowager was killed and Yizong's uncle, Mozang Epang, became the regent. In 1061, Yizong's uncle and cousin plotted against him, so he had them executed and assumed direct control of the Western Xia.
Yizong expanded the central government, adding many offices. He made the armies more efficient and improved his control over faraway states. Yizong began to attack the Northern Song dynasty and raided their villages. He also forced the Turpan leader to surrender. In later years, Yizong began to improve diplomatic relationships with the Northern Song and Liao dynasties. He died suddenly in 1068.
Consorts and issues:
The Ageless Chinese by Dun J. Li