[1] He entered the Liao army at an unknown age and was eventually assigned to the Eastern Capital, Liaoyang, as a general.
While serving as a general of the Liao dynasty, Da Yanlin gathered people of Balhae origin, and eventually established the state Xingliao in the year 1029 AD.
[1] Da Yanlin declared himself the Tianxing Emperor (天興皇帝), and proclaimed the era name "Tianqing" (天慶).
[1] Xingliao gathered the attention of numerous Balhae people and allied itself with Jurchens and Goryeo, but was conquered in 1030 AD when the Liao dynasty sent an army to conquer and destroy the state.
[1] Xingliao and its Jurchen and Goryeo allies were defeated by a pincer attack led by Punu.