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Chronology xv 696 Fayuan Temple, then called Minzhong Temple, is built in commemoration of the troops who died during the Tang Dynasty’s Korean campaign. It now houses the Chinese Academy of Buddhism and the largest Buddhist library in China. 742 Tang Emperor Xuanzong (685–762) converts provinces (zhou) to com- manderies (jun), through which the city of Youzhou becomes the seat of the Fanyang Commandery. 755 An Lushan, a former court minion and Fanyang military governor, launches a major revolt against the Tang Dynasty. 758 Fanyang becomes Youzhou again as commanderies (jun) are converted back to provinces (zhou). 936 A warlord with Central Asian origin surrenders Youzhou and fifteen other provinces to the Khitan Liao Dynasty (916–1125). Liao names the city Nanjing (“Southern Capital”) or Yanjing (“Capital of Yan”). 979 Song (960–1279) is defeated by Liao at the Gaoliang River near Nanjing, which commences two and a half centuries of nomadic rule in northern China. 996 The first mosque is built in the southern suburbs of Nanjing, in today’s Oxen Street Muslim community. 1123 Nanjing is sacked by the Jurchen Jin Dynasty (1115–1234) and is returned to Song as the seat of Yanshan Fu (province). 1125 The Jin army attacks and retakes the city, renaming it Yanjing. 1149 The usurper Wanyan Liang announces a plan to move the capital to Yan- jing and renames it Zhongdu (“Middle Capital”). 1153 The Jin capital officially relocates to Zhongdu, marking the historical beginning of Beijing as a dynastic capital.