Interpretation of the Epitaph of Ritual Commissioner Yelü Jiulin in Khitan small script

Deeds of Yindishi

The founding ancestor of the family was Yindishi, the full younger brother of Yelü Abaoji. He has no independent biography in the History of Liao, and his deeds are recorded in the “Annals of Taizu” (《太祖纪》), “Table of Imperial Princes” (《皇子表》), and “Table of the Imperial Clan” (《皇族表》). He repeatedly participated in rebellions led by Lage (剌葛). For instance, the Annals of Taizu (Tuotuo et al., 1974: 5) records: “The imperial brothers Lage, Diela (迭剌), Yindishi, and Anduan (安端) plotted rebellion.” After the rebellion was suppressed, Abaoji took no punitive measures against them. Before long, however, Lage and his followers seized Pingzhou and rose in revolt again. Fearing Taizu's retaliation, they “each sent men to apologize for their crimes (各遣人谢罪)” (Tuotuo et al., 1974: 6). They rebelled once more the following year, and Yindishi “led his troops directly to the imperial camp, burned its supplies and tents, and ordered his soldiers to slaughter widely” (Tuotuo et al., 1974: 6–7). After his defeat, Yindishi attempted suicide but “survived his self-inflicted wound (自刭不殊)” (Tuotuo et al., 1974: 7). In this final uprising, Abaoji only flogged the chief culprits Diela and Lage, while Yindishi and Anduan, “being inherently weak and manipulated by Lage, were both pardoned” (Tuotuo et al., 1974: 9). Later, Diela plotted another rebellion. When the plot was uncovered, various nobles pleaded for leniency. Abaoji, who “had long detested Nieligun (涅里衮), the wife of his brother Yindishi, declared: ‘If Nieligun can die in his stead, I shall agree’” (Tuotuo et al., 1974: 12). He then had Yindishi's wife executed. This account appears contradictory: why was Yindishi's wife put to death for Diela's treason?

Judging from the context, this inconsistency may have arisen when Yuan-dynasty historians compiled the records by conflating the Veritable Records (《实录》) and Chen Daren's History of Liao. In reality, Yindishi most likely also participated in the conspiracy, and Nieligun died in her husband's place. Overall, Yindishi was described as “obscure and weak–willed (暗懦),” lacking independent judgment, and was repeatedly drawn passively into rebellions. He was probably instigated behind the scenes by Nieligun or manipulated by Lage and his followers, reflecting his weak, conformist, and easily swayed nature in political struggles.

Regarding the fate of Yindishi, the History of Liao records that before his death, Emperor Taizu (Abaoji) appointed him Acting Grand Preceptor (守太师)​ and Chancellor of the Secretariat ​(政事令) of the Dongdan Kingdom, entrusted with assisting Yelü Bei (耶律倍), Prince of the Dongdan (东丹王). However, while en route to take up his post, he was intercepted and killed by Huasha, a Minister of Education (司徒) dispatched by Shulü Ping.

The deeds of the sons of Yindishi

The second-generation ancestor was Liuge (Yanning), who served as General-in-Chief of the Left Leather-house Army (左皮室大将军). Confirming his identity requires a critical examination combining official histories and epitaphs.

According to the History of Liao: Genealogical Table of the Imperial Clan, Yindishi had four sons: the eldest, Yelü Liuge (styled Mingyin); the second, Pendu (盆都) (also referred to as Penge); the third, Huageli (化葛里); and the youngest, Xijian (奚蹇). However, the recently unearthed epitaph Jiu records: “The son of the Prince of the State of Xu, the General of Yanning, named Ming.” Epitaph Qin provides crucial information: “The younger full brother of Emperor Taizu Sheng Yuan (太祖圣元), Acting Grand Preceptor, concurrently Secretariat Director (中书令), posthumously honored as Prince of the State of Xu, named Yasi (亚思) (i.e. Yindishi), and his wife, Madame Xiao of Lanling (兰陵), are the great-grandparents. The Grand Clansman (大内惕隐), named Minyin (明隐), and his wife, Lady Xiao of Lanling, are the grandparents. The posthumously honored Secretariat Director, named Taoning, and his wife, Lady Xiao of Lanling, are the esteemed father and mother” (Zhou, 2022: 257). Here, Yasi is an alternative transcription of Yindishi's style name AXin and Minyin corresponds to Liuge's style name Mingyin. From this, it can be inferred that the Minyin in the Jiu epitaph and the Yanning in the Qin epitaph refer to the same person, namely Liuge. The named Ming in the Jiu epitaph likely resulted from the omission of the word yin (隐) in his style name Mingyin. Therefore, Yanning should be regarded as an alternate name for Liuge.

In the History of Liao, all four sons of Yindishi are included in the Biography of Disloyal Ministers (《逆臣传》). Among them, the deeds of Liuge are recorded in the greatest detail, while only a few brief remarks are devoted to the other three. It is worth noting that the historical accounts adopt a deliberately defamatory tone in describing Liuge, Pendu, and others. For instance, Liuge is described as “arrogant and cruel in youth, fond of humiliating others, and even more ferocious and cunning in adulthood” (Tuotuo et al., 1974: 1507); Pendu is depicted as “cruel and willful, with skin like that of a snake” (Tuotuo et al., 1974: 1508). Liuge's life is marked by two major deeds: first, supporting Yelü Ruan, Emperor Shizong of Liao, in ascending the throne; second, plotting and carrying out a rebellion against Emperor Shizong.

Pendu was appointed Pishi General ​(皮室详稳) in the first year of the Tianlu era (947 AD). Later, for participating in Liuge's conspiracy, he was sentenced to exile among the Qirghiz, disguised as a diplomatic mission. After completing his term and being released, he became involved in the Chage Rebellion as a diplomatic mission. After being released at the end of his term, he joined the Chage Rebellion and was finally executed by lingchi (slow slicing). His half–brothers Huageli and Xijian received official positions through hereditary privilege early in life, but in the third year of the Yingli era (953 AD), they were implicated in the rebellion of Prince Wei and imprisoned. The year after their release, they rebelled again and were executed. The repeated involvement of family members in rebellions severely damaged the clan's reputation.

Records concerning Yelü Alie and his descendants

The third-generation ancestors of the Yelü Jiulin family consist of two individuals: Taoning (Yelü Alie) and his elder brother, <m-or-qó>.

Regarding these two individuals, only the Table of Princes and Table of the Imperial Clan in the History of Liao mention Alie (阿烈) in surviving documents, with extremely brief records. Fortunately, the excavated epitaphs provide crucial clues: The Shu Epitaph (5th year of Qingning, 1059 AD) records: “The father of the Great Consort of Qi was the late Yelü Alie.” The Qin Epitaph (14th year of Chongxi, 1045 AD) records her father as Taoning, and completely preserves the lineage from Yindishi to Taoning. The Great Consort of Qi (齐国太妃) and Great Consort of Qin mentioned in the two epitaphs refer to the same person: the wife of Xiaohe (萧和). Therefore, it can be concluded that Alie and Taoning are the same individual, namely the son of Liuge Yanning. In addition, Line 46 of the Xu Epitaph records: <û-n hu-ud₂-er n-on-en ia ai m-or-qó s-iáng g-ün-de>, the third-generation paternal uncle of the Counselor (于越), the General <m-or-qó> (于越之第三代伯父 <m-or-qó> 将军). This shows that besides Alie, Liuge had another son <m-or-qó>, who was older than Alie. Thus, there were actually two members in the third generation of Yindishi's lineage: General <m-or-qó> and Yelü Alie (Taoning). The Table of the Imperial Clan in the History of Liao omitted <m-or-qó>.

Although both were members of the imperial clan, their official careers are not documented: the Khitan small script Jiu clearly records in line 5 that “Taoning was not granted an official position.” Following his name, only the title “Government Student (生员) <MR-an>” is appended, indicating that he had entered the official academy but never held a substantive post. His title of “Secretariat Director” was, in fact, a posthumous honor. Similarly, the title of “general” attributed to <m-or-qó> appears only in the Xu epitaph and should likewise be understood as a posthumous bestowal. This unusual situation of “having titles without actual duties” was likely linked to the fact that their father, Liuge, and uncle, Pendu, were repeatedly involved in rebellions and listed in the Biography of Disloyal Ministers, a political stain on the family that led to such treatment.

Additionally, regarding the generational descent of Alie's lineage, the History of Liao contains internal contradictions. The Biography of Yelü Wotela records Wotela as the sixth-generation descendant of Yindishi, which aligns with the genealogy in the Jiu epitaph. However, the Table of the Imperial Clan lists him as an eighth-generation descendant, with four generations in between left unrecorded. The account of “sixth-generation descendant” as documented in the excavated epitaphs and biographies should be considered accurate, while the entry in the Table of the Imperial Clan is likely an error.

The fourth-generation ancestor was Helü Saogu, who was posthumously conferred the titles of “Military Commissioner of the Anguo Army, Concurrent Attendant (安国军节度使兼侍中).” In the epitaphs, he is addressed as “General” in Xu or “Minister Duke” in Jiu. Based on his filiation with the Great Consort of Qi it can be inferred that they were siblings, though their relative seniority remains undetermined. According to line 6 of the Jiu epitaph, Helü Saogu married Madame Zhilugun, and they had a son named Eduwo. The references to “General” and “Minister Duke” in the epitaphs should be understood as posthumous honors, as Helü Saogu himself never held an active commission during his lifetime.

The fifth-generation ancestor was Eduwo, whose wife was Madam Sa’gezhi of the State. They had one son, Yelü Wotela (Prince Xu), and one daughter, Madame Chang'an. Following his demise, Eduwo was posthumously granted the titles of “Military Commissioner of the Zhaoyi Army, Concurrent Attendant,” which accounts for the honorific “Attendant” in his epitaph. Similar to his father, there are no records of Eduwo having actually served in any official capacity. These titles were likely granted posthumously in recognition of his son Yelü Wotela's meritorious service to the court. Such practices, where ancestors were ennobled due to the distinction of their descendants, were a well-established convention in ancient political institutions to highlight merit and demonstrate imperial favor.

A study on the deeds of Wotela and his descendants

The sixth-generation ancestor, Yelü Wotela, courtesy name Yixinyin, was born in the fourth year of the Chongxi era (1035 AD) and passed away in the fifth year of the Qiantong era (1105 AD) at the age of 70. According to the History of Liao, Biographies 27, he began his official career as a Duty Group Commander (本班郎君) in his clan's cohort at the age of 41, in the first year of the Dakang era (1075 AD). Throughout his service, Wotela conducted himself with caution and gradually advanced through the ranks. In the first year of the Da'an era (1085 AD), he was promoted to Preceptor of the Yanwang and transferred to Left Tribal Judge (夷离毕). In the fourth year of the Da'an era (1088 AD), he was appointed Vice Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs in the Northern Establishment (北院枢密副使). In the eighth year of the Da'an era (1092 AD), he served as Commander-in-Chief (都统), entrusted with leading the campaign against Mogusi. In the first year of the Shouchang era (1095 AD), he was appointed Pacification Commissioner of the Northwest Circuit (西北路招讨使), enfeoffed as Commandery Prince of Qishui (漆水郡王). In the third year of the Shouchang era (1097 AD), he became Grand Councilor of the Southern Chancellery (南府宰相). In the fourth year of the Shouchang era (1098 AD), he served concurrently as Grand Councilor of the Southern Chancellery and Chief Administrator of the Khitan Auxiliary Palace (契丹行宫都部署). In the fifth year of the Shouchang era (1099 AD), he was reappointed Pacification Commissioner of the Northwest Circuit. Entering the Tianzuo reign, in the first year of the Qiantong era (1101 AD), he was relieved of his post as Pacification Commissioner and concurrently reappointed Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs in the Southern Establishment (南院枢密使). In the second year of the Qiantong era (1102 AD), he was transferred to Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs in the Northern Establishment, granted the title of Acting Grand Preceptor, and bestowed the honorary title of “Meritorious Minister” with the laudatory epithet “Assistant in Governance.” In the third year of the Qiantong era (1103 AD), he served as Regent of Luojing (洛京留守), Royal Father, and Associate Commandery Prince (混同郡王).

He served under both Emperor Daozong and Emperor Tianzuo, establishing himself as a venerable senior statesman. After his passing, he was posthumously granted the title Jingsu (敬肃), which completely restored the family's prestige. Wotela had four wives: his principal wife, Lady Hudugu, was the daughter of Aixin Taishi, from the Nieli branch of the State Uncle's minor lineage. His second wife, a lady of the Chenjianü, was enfeoffed as Grand Lady of Qishui County. Her father was Commander <dur-bir-or > (突吕不？)¹³, and she was posthumously granted the title of Commandery Grand Mistress of the State of Jin. His third wife, Lady Yang Jie, had no recorded children. His fourth wife, Lady <n-mú-s₂-ha-a-án>¹⁴ Assistant Scribe (别胥), was the daughter of General Konguli (控骨里详稳), from the lineage of the Khan of the Six Tribes, Bolu’en (六部勃鲁恩).She bore one son, Xingshou (兴寿). According to the Xu, at the burial of Prince Xu, Wotela, on the 21st day of the second lunar month in the fifth year of the Qiantong era (1105 AD), only the name of his fourth wife was mentioned, indicating that the other three wives had predeceased him.

The seventh generation is represented by the tomb occupant, Yelü Changshou, courtesy name Jiulin, a seventh-generation descendant of Yindishi and the second son of Wotela. He began his official career at the age of 24, serving in various positions such as Tribal Judge and Duty Group Commander of the Left Tribunal (左院夷离毕郎君), Duty Group Commander of the Seal and Badge Office (印牌司郎君), and Ritual Commissioner, and was involved in managing the affairs of the Guest Rituals Department. Changshou's wife was Wulilan, who came from the family of General Sabali of the Yishiyi Jifu lineage. They had two sons. In the fifth year of the Shouchang era (1099 AD), Changshou fell ill and passed away while on his way to the Na Bo (捺钵), at the age of 37. He was returned and buried in the family cemetery. Changshou had six brothers¹⁵: his elder brother, possibly Pengshou (彭寿), did not enter official service, and his spouse was <dor-ud₂-ha-án>. His third younger brother, Fushou, served as General and Duty Group Commander of the Right Tribunal (右院郎君详稳). The fourth younger brother, Deshou (德寿), rose to the position of Defender–in–chief (太尉). He married a lady of the Oukun clan, who came from the family of the Surveillance Commissioner of the Chancellor's lineage, and they had one son. The fifth younger brother was Rongshou, and the sixth younger brother was Xingshou. He had three sisters: Lady Wangjianü (王家女娘子), Fude (福德), and Fusheng. The family maintained its significant status as a branch of the imperial clan until the end of the Liao Dynasty.

The eighth-generation members are recorded in the Jiu and Xu. They include <au-ul-ha-a-ar>, the son of Pengshou; <s-in-ge-l-ge-er>, the eldest son of Changshou; <t-em₂-l-ge-er>, the second son of Changshou; and the unnamed son of Deshou.