Editing Western Xia (section)

===Yizong (1048–1068)===
[[File:Xixia Museum caltrop.jpg|thumb|Western Xia explosive caltrop]]

After [[Emperor Jingzong of Western Xia]] died in 1048, a council of elders selected his cousin as the new ruler. Mocang Epang objected on grounds of primogeniture and put forth his nephew, the son of Jingzong and Lady Mocang, as candidate. No dissent was forthcoming, so the two-year-old Liangzuo became emperor, posthumously known as [[Emperor Yizong of Western Xia]].{{sfn|Twitchett|1994|p=191}} In 1056 the empress dowager died. In 1061 Yizong eliminated Mocang Epang and married Lady Liang, formerly the wife of Epang's son. Yizong appointed Lady Liang's brother, Liang Yimai, as palace minister. This would start two generations of Liang dominance in Xia. During Yizong's reign, he attempted to enact more Chinese forms of governance by replacing Tangut rites with Chinese court ritual and dress, which was opposed by the Liang faction that favored Tangut forms. At the same time, Song and Xia emissaries regularly exchanged insults.{{sfn|Twitchett|1994|p=192}} The emperor supported sinification through the import of Chinese books, revived the use of his Chinese surname Li and other Chinese protocols, and pursued accommodation with the Song dynasty in border disputes and opening of trade. However, these diplomatic overtures were squandered by arrogant Song representatives who insulted the Xia envoy. The Liang clan was reportedly of Han Chinese ancestry, albeit assimilated into Tangut culture, but their faction would later lead the opposition to the pro-Chinese policy.{{sfn|Mote|2003|pp=187–188}} The Han Chinese empresses of the Liang clan, Paul Forage notes, were more aggressive in their stance against the Song dynasty than the emperors they were representing.{{sfn|Forage|1991}}

In 1064, Yizong raided the Song dynasty. In the fall of 1066, he mounted two more raids and in September, an attack on [[Qìng Prefecture|Qingzhou]] was launched. The [[Tanguts|Tangut]] forces destroyed several fortified settlements. Song forces were surrounded for three days before cavalry reinforcements arrived. Yizong was wounded by a crossbow and forced to retreat. Tangut forces attempted another raid later on but failed, and a night attack by Song forces scattered the Tangut army. Yizong regrouped at [[Qingtang]] and launched another attack on Qingzhou in December but withdrew after threats by [[Emperor Yingzong of Song]] to escalate the conflict.{{sfn|Twitchett|2009|p=343-344}} The next year, the Song commander Chong E attacked and captured [[Sui Prefecture (Shaanxi)|Suizhou]].{{sfn|Twitchett|2009|p=469}}

Yizong died in January 1068, presumably from his wounds, at the age of 20.{{sfn|Twitchett|1994|p=192}}