A puppet ruler or a leader who is subservient to a more powerful external authority, often established and maintained by a foreign power.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Story:
During the Five Dynasties period, Shi Jingtang rose in rebellion against the Tang dynasty. He was then enthroned as the 'Child Emperor' of Jin by Yelu Deguang, the Khitan King.
After Shi Jingtang's death, his son Shi Chongguang succeeded him, becoming Emperor Chu.
In 944, the Khitan invaded Jin. Emperor Chu led his army to resist, but they were defeated.
Empress Dowager Li wrote a letter of surrender, pleading with 'Emperor A-weng' (a deferential term for the Khitan ruler, implying a father-son or subordinate relationship) to spare their lives, emphasizing that her words were absolute and could not be retracted.