Editing Western Xia (section)

===Renzong (1139–1193)===
[[File:Tian Sheng Yuan Bao (天盛元寶) - 1149-1169 Commonest of dynasty. (FD1683, S1078, HG866.1) - Scott Semans 06.jpg|thumb|left|Western Xia coin c. 1149-1169]]
[[File:PrayingTangutMan.jpg|thumb|Praying Tangut man]]

The 16-year-old Renxiao succeeded his father, [[Emperor Chongzong of Western Xia]], as emperor, posthumously [[Emperor Renzong of Western Xia]]. His mother was the Chinese concubine, Lady Cao.{{sfn|Twitchett|1994|p=199}}

In 1140 a group of Khitan exiles led by Xiao Heda rebelled. The Xia forces under Ren Dejing crushed them. Renzong wanted to reward Ren with a palace appointment but his councilor, Weiming Renzhong, convinced him to keep him as a field commander.{{sfn|Twitchett|1994|p=199}}

In 1142-3 famine and earthquake caused unrest in Xiazhou. Renzong responded with tax remissions and relief measures.{{sfn|Twitchett|1994|p=199}}

In 1144 Renzong decreed the establishment of schools throughout the country and a secondary school opened for imperial scions aged seven to fifteen. A Superior School of Chinese Learning was opened the following year and [[Confucian temple]]s were built throughout the land. In 1147 [[imperial examination]]s were instituted, although Tangut records do discuss using them for selection of officials. The Tangut law code only discusses inheritance of office and rank. In 1148 an Inner Academy was established and staffed with renowned scholars.{{sfn|Twitchett|1994|p=200}} Renzong also greatly patronized [[Buddhist]] learning. The majority of the Tangut [[Tripitaka]] was completed during his reign. In 1189, the 50th anniversary of Renzong's accession, 100,000 copies of the "Sutra on the visualization of the Maitreya Bodhisattva's ascent and rebirth in Tushita Heaven" (Guan Mile pusa shang sheng Toushuai tian jing) was printed and distributed in both Chinese and Tangut, and 50,000 copies of other sutras were also printed.{{sfn|Twitchett|1994|p=204-205}}

After the deaths of Renzhong and Chage in 1156, Ren Dejing rose through the ranks and became very powerful. In 1160 he obtained the noble title of Chu, the first Chinese to do so in the Tangut state. Ren tried to have the schools shut down and called them useless Chinese institutions wasting resources on parasitic scholars. It is unknown how the emperor responded but the schools were not closed. In 1161 the emperor opened a [[Hanlin Academy]] to compile the Xia historical records.{{sfn|Twitchett|1994|p=200-201}}

In 1161-2 the Tanguts briefly occupied territory of both the [[Jurchen Jin dynasty]] and Song dynasty during the [[Jin–Song Wars]].{{sfn|Twitchett|1994|p=201}}

From 1165 to 1170, Ren Dejing tried to establish his own semi-autonomous realm, and in the process meddled in the affairs of the Zhuanglang tribes, who lived in the border region of the [[Tao River]] valley. He also tried to enlist the help of the [[Jurchens]], but they refused his overtures. Ren started construction of fortifications along the Jin border. In 1170 Ren pressured Renzong to grant him the eastern half of the realm as well as for [[Emperor Shizong of Jin]] to grant him investiture. In the summer of that year, Renzong's men secretly rounded up Ren Dejing and his adherents, executing them.{{sfn|Twitchett|1994|p=201-202}}

Wo Daochong succeeded Ren Dejing as chief minister. A Confucian scholar, he translated the ''[[Analects]]'' and provided commentary to it in the Tangut language. Upon his death, Renzong honored him by having his portrait displayed in all the Confucian temples and schools.{{sfn|Twitchett|1994|p=204}}

The Jurchens closed down border markets in [[Lanzhou]] and [[Zhidan County|Baoan]] in 1172 and would not reopen them until 1197. They accused the Tanguts of trading worthless gems and jades for their silk. Tangut border raids increased during this period until the Jurchens reopened one market in 1181. In 1191 some Tangut herdsmen strayed into Jurchen territory and was chased away by a Jin patrol. They them ambushed and killed the pursuing patrol officer. Renzong refused to extradite the herdsmen and assured the Jurchens that they would be punished.{{sfn|Twitchett|1994|p=205}}

Renzong died in 1193 at the age of 70.{{sfn|Twitchett|1994|p=205}}