Wanyan Liang and other court officials murder Emperor Xizong of Jin. Wanyan Liang succeeds him as emperor.

Digunai (24 February 1122 – 15 December 1161), officially known by his sinicised name Wanyan Liang, also held the formal pre-imperial title of Prince of Hailing (or Hailing Wang). He reigned as the fourth emperor of the Jin dynasty, a powerful empire in China established and led by the Jurchen people, an ethnic group originating from Manchuria. Born into the ruling Wanyan clan, he was the second son of Wanyan Zonggan, who was the eldest son of Aguda (Emperor Taizu), the revered founder of the Jin dynasty. This direct lineage connected him closely to the dynasty's very origins, despite his later controversial rule.

Ascent to Power: A Coup and Regicide

Digunai ascended to the imperial throne in 1150 through a violent coup d'état that saw him overthrow and murder his predecessor, Emperor Xizong. This brutal act cemented his power but also set a precedent for his ruthless reign. Emperor Xizong, who had initially adopted more traditional Jurchen customs, faced internal dissent, which Digunai shrewdly exploited to seize control, aiming to consolidate power and push his own ambitious vision for the empire.

Reign and Transformative Policies

During his 11-year reign, Digunai implemented several radical and transformative policies that profoundly reshaped the Jin dynasty. His rule marked a significant shift away from traditional Jurchen tribal customs towards a more centralized, sinicised imperial system.

Capital Relocation: From Shangjing to Yanjing (Beijing)

One of Digunai's most significant decisions was the relocation of the Jin capital. He moved it from Shangjing (present-day Acheng District, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province), the traditional heartland and spiritual home of the Jurchen people, to Yanjing (modern-day Beijing). This move was not merely administrative; it was a strategic and symbolic declaration. Shangjing, located in the colder, northern regions, represented the Jurchen's nomadic roots. Yanjing, however, was a former capital of the Liao dynasty and a strategically crucial city closer to the core territories of the former Northern Song dynasty, which the Jin had conquered. The relocation was intended to solidify the Jin's control over their newly acquired Chinese territories, centralize administration, and facilitate greater interaction with Chinese culture and institutions.

Policy of Sinicisation

Beyond the capital move, Digunai vigorously pursued a policy of sinicisation. This involved the systematic adoption of Chinese governmental structures, administrative practices, laws, language, and cultural norms. He encouraged Jurchens to speak Chinese, wear Chinese clothing, adopt Chinese surnames, and participate in Chinese literary and artistic pursuits. His intention was to integrate the Jurchen ruling elite more fully into the broader Chinese cultural sphere and to govern their vast empire more effectively using established Chinese bureaucratic methods. While this policy aimed to strengthen the dynasty's foundation in China, it also caused considerable friction among conservative Jurchen nobles who feared the erosion of their traditional identity and customs.

The Disastrous Southern Campaign and Assassination

Digunai's ambitious reign culminated in a catastrophic military campaign against the Southern Song dynasty in 1161. Driven by a desire to unify all of China under Jin rule, he personally led a massive invasion force. However, his campaign suffered a decisive and humiliating defeat at the Battle of Caishi, fought on the Yangtze River near modern-day Ma'anshan. Despite the Jin forces vastly outnumbering the Song, the Song navy, utilizing gunpowder weapons and paddle-wheel ships, inflicted a crushing defeat. This unexpected and monumental loss severely damaged Digunai's credibility and morale within his own army.

In the wake of this disastrous military failure, Digunai's own subordinates, disillusioned by his leadership and the immense losses, rebelled against him. On 15 December 1161, he was assassinated by his generals in a mutiny near Guazhou (modern-day Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province), bringing an abrupt and ignominious end to his reign.

Posthumous Condemnation and Demotion

The severity of Digunai's downfall was underscored by the unprecedented posthumous demotions he suffered. Despite having ruled as an emperor during his lifetime, his successor, Emperor Shizong, immediately began to discredit his legacy. In 1162, Digunai was posthumously demoted to the status of a prince, specifically "Prince Yang of Hailing." The posthumous epithet "Yang" (炀) was a highly pejorative term in Chinese imperial history, typically used to describe a dissolute, cruel, or failed ruler, implying a severe condemnation of his character and reign.

Emperor Shizong's condemnation did not end there. In a further act of extreme posthumous disgrace, in 1181, Digunai was stripped of even his princely title and posthumously demoted to the status of a commoner. This final, ultimate demotion was highly unusual for a former emperor and reflected Emperor Shizong's absolute determination to erase Digunai's imperial legitimacy and condemn his rule as a period of profound error and tyranny. Consequently, he is also widely known in historical records as the "Commoner of Hailing."

Frequently Asked Questions about Digunai

Who was Digunai?
Digunai, also known by his sinicised name Wanyan Liang, was the fourth emperor of the Jurchen-led Jin dynasty of China, reigning from 1150 until his assassination in 1161. He was a grandson of Aguda, the founder of the Jin dynasty.
How did Digunai become emperor?
Digunai seized power in 1150 through a violent coup d'état, overthrowing and murdering his predecessor, Emperor Xizong.
What were Digunai's most significant policies?
His most notable policies included relocating the Jin capital from Shangjing to Yanjing (present-day Beijing) and implementing a comprehensive policy of sinicisation, encouraging the adoption of Chinese culture and administrative practices among the Jurchen elite.
What led to Digunai's downfall?
His downfall was primarily caused by the disastrous defeat of the Jin forces at the Battle of Caishi against the Southern Song dynasty in 1161. This military failure led directly to a rebellion and his assassination by his own subordinates.
Why was Digunai posthumously demoted?
After his death, his successor, Emperor Shizong, sought to discredit his reign. Digunai was first demoted to "Prince Yang of Hailing" in 1162, using a pejorative epithet. Later, in 1181, he was further demoted to the status of a commoner, an extreme form of condemnation reflecting the severity of his perceived misrule and tyranny.