Emperor Chongzong of Western Xia

Emperor Chongzong of Western Xia, born Li Qianshun and living from 1084 to 1139, was the fourth emperor of the Western Xia dynasty, the Tangut state in northwestern China, and ruled from 1086 to 1139. He came to the throne at the age of three after the death of his father Li Bingchang, and the Empress Dowager Zhaojian acted as regent until she was poisoned in 1099 by a Liao envoy. During his long reign the court became more sinified and the power of several Tangut clans was reduced, as he appointed tribal leaders as kings and brought them under his authority. He set up a Confucian-led administration for civil and military matters and centralised his power. The state faced incursions from the neighbouring Liao and Northern Song dynasties, with a series of military defeats from 1114. Buddhism was widespread and its scriptures were translated into the Tangut language. His son Li Renxiao reigned afterwards as Emperor Renzong.