He Ning (Chinese: 和凝; 898[1] – July 23, 955[2][3]), courtesy name Chengji (成績), noble title Duke of Lu (魯公), was an official of the Later Liang, Later Tang, Later Jin, Liao, Later Han, and Later Zhou dynasties, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of both Later Jin emperors, Shi Jingtang and Shi Chonggui, as well as during the Liao dynasty's brief rule over the Central Plains.
However, his male-line ancestors were not in prominent governmental services after that, including his great-grandfather He Chang (和敞), grandfather He Ru (和濡), and father He Ju (和矩).
He Ju was said to be a drinker who lacked adherence to social protocols, and was not learned, but was said to respect scholars such that he spent his wealth in receiving and aiding them.
When he went to the capital Daliang to do so, however, he dreamed of a man who gave him a number of five-colored pens, and stating to him, "You, son, have such great talent; why do you not submit yourself for the Jinshi class?"
[1] After He passed the imperial examinations, then-military governor (Jiedushi) of Xuanyi Circuit (宣義, headquartered in modern Anyang, Henan), He Gui (賀瓌 — note different surname despite their identical rendition), who had heard of him by reputation, invited him to serve on staff.
Around new year 919, Jin's prince Li Cunxu, wanting to carry out a decisive attack to destroy Later Liang, crossed the Yellow River and tried to head for Daliang.
[1] During the subsequent Tiancheng era (926-930), during the reign of Li Siyuan (Li Cunxu's adoptive brother) as emperor of Later Tang (as Li Cunxu's Jin state had been transformed into Later Tang, and then destroyed Later Liang), He Ning was recalled to the imperial government, then at Luoyang, to serve as an imperial censor with the title of Dianzhong Shi Yushi (殿中侍御史), and then served successively as Yuanwailang (員外郎) at the ministries of rites (禮部, Libu) and justice (刑部, Xingbu).
Not long after, he was promoted to be an imperial scholar (翰林學士, Hanlin Xueshi) as well as the higher supervisory position of Zhuke Langzhong (主客郎中) at the ministry of rites.
After his promotion, he initially posted a notice on his door that he would no longer receive any guests (apparently to avoid people's making requests to him).
Not long after, when the Duanming Hall positions were abolished, he was made chief imperial scholar (翰林學士承旨, Hanlin Xueshi Chengzhi).
In late 941, when Shi was preparing to depart then-capital Kaifeng to head to Yedu (鄴都, in modern Handan, Hebei) in anticipation of a rebellion by An Chongrong the military governor of nearby Chengde Circuit (成德, headquartered in modern Shijiazhuang, Hebei) so that he could react quickly, He Ning pointed out to him that after he left Kaifeng, another rebellious military governor, An Congjin of Shannan East Circuit (山南東道, headquartered in modern Xiangyang, Hubei), would surely rebel as well, and that Shi should prepare for it.
An Congjin was quickly defeated and forced to return to Shannan East's capital Xiang Prefecture (襄州) to defend it,[7] and later committed suicide when the city fell.
[8] He Ning continued to serve as chancellor, and received the additional title of You Pushe (右僕射, one of the heads of the executive bureau (尚書省, Shangshu Sheng).
However, the subsequent misrule by Emperor Taizong over the former Later Jin territory caused many rebellions to break out through the realm, and he decided to withdraw back Liao proper.
However, Emperor Taizong fell ill on the way and would not reach Liao proper alive, dying near Heng Prefecture (恆州, Chengde's capital).
The ethnically Khitan Liao generals, however, had already resolved to support Emperor Taizong's nephew Yelü Ruan the Prince of Yongkang,[10] and they quickly tricked Zhao and arrested him.
However, at that time, a rebellion by the Han soldiers against Yelü Mada, led by the officers Bai Zairong (白再榮) and Li Rong, broke out at Heng.
Subsequently, the soldiers supported Bai to be the acting military governor of Chengde, so that he could submit to Later Han and seek aid.
Bai subsequently submitted the region to the sovereignty of Liu Zhiyuan, a former Later Jin military governor of Hedong who had declared himself emperor of Later Han.