Top Ten Queens in Chinese History
No.1 Wu Zetian after Emperor Gaozong of Tang Dynasty
Wu Zetian (624-705), Bingzhou Wenshui (now Wenshui County, Shanxi East) people. The only orthodox female emperor in Chinese history, she is also one of the oldest emperors (ascended the throne at the age of 67) and the longest lifespan (82 years old). She was the second daughter of Xun, a hero of the Tang Dynasty, and her mother was Yang. She entered the harem at the age of fourteen as a talented person of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty. Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty gave her the title of Mei Niang. During the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty, she was called Zhaoyi at the beginning and later the queen. She was honored as the Queen of Heaven. Together with Li Zhi, Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty, she was called the Second Saint. December 27, 683 - 690 On October 16, 2005, as the empress dowager of Tang Zhongzong and Tang Ruizong, she proclaimed herself emperor, made Luoyang the capital, renamed Shendu, and established the Wuzhou Dynasty. In the first month of the first year of Shenlong (705), Wu Zetian died of illness and became the prime minister. Zhang and Cambodia launched a mutiny and forced Wu to abdicate, which was known as the Shenlong Revolution in history. Zhongzong of the Tang Dynasty was restored and the Tang Dynasty was restored. He was honored as "Emperor Zetian Dasheng". Later, he was renamed "Queen Zetian Dasheng" in accordance with Wu's order. She was buried in the Qianling Mausoleum as a queen. In the fourth year of Kaiyuan of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty (716), The posthumous title was changed to Queen Zetian. In the eighth year of Tianbao (749), the posthumous title was added to Queen Zetian Shunsheng.
Wu Zetian’s first contribution to historical development was that she attacked the conservative aristocratic families. The second is to promote economic development. The third contribution is to stabilize the border situation. The fourth contribution is to promote the development of culture. The fifth contribution is to know people well and assign them well. However, for a long period of history, Wu Zetian received much more criticism than praise. Some said that she appointed cruel officials and killed them wantonly. From being queen to being emperor, Wu Zetian was constantly opposed by various forces. In addition to using force to suppress open resistance, Wu Zetian also used ruthless officials to attack those who expressed dissatisfaction with her. Because she overestimated the power against her, she also killed many innocent people indiscriminately. But she mainly killed aristocrats, bureaucrats, their accomplices and their families, not ordinary people. The most derogatory thing about her in history is that she once had several male favorites. This has become an eternal scandal for her and a topic that has been talked about by literati and writers, so that it has also been drowned out along with her outstanding political achievements. The issue of her favorite is because Wu Zetian is the emperor, and any emperor, a male emperor can have one, and a female emperor can also have one. In fact, her male favorites were insignificant compared to any male emperor's harem.
In general, Wu Zetian is not only an outstanding female politician, but also an outstanding female military strategist. "Government initiated Kaiyuan and governed Zhenguan". She developed the rule of Zhenguan in all aspects and laid the foundation for the prosperous age of Kaiyuan. Of course, Wu Zetian also had a dark side politically, and she also had financial difficulties in the economy, etc. But compared to her historical achievements, these are secondary after all. It should also be pointed out that the economic development and national strength at that time were not Wu Zetian's personal contribution. Due to the equalization of land selection and the rise of the imperial examination system, the power of hereditary aristocrats declined rapidly, the small and medium-sized landowner class rose sharply, and a large number of literati and bachelors entered the political arena. This historical trend pushed Wu Zetian to the throne of empress. Wu Zetian conformed to the historical era and played a role in promoting the development of Chinese history.
No.2 Xiaozhuang after Emperor Taizong of the Qing Dynasty
Queen Xiaozhuang Wen (1613-1688), born in Borjijit, named Bumubutai, also wrote the book Butai, the second daughter of Beilezhai Sang of the Horqin tribe in Mongolia. Born on the eighth day of February in the forty-first year of Wanli in the Ming Dynasty (1613); married Huang Taiji in the tenth year of Tianming (1625); in the first year of Chongde (1636), Huang Taiji proclaimed himself emperor in Shengjing and was named Zhuang Fei Fulin (Emperor Shunzhi), the ninth son of the emperor, was born in the third year of Chongde; in the eighth year of Chongde (1643), after Emperor Shunzhi came to the throne, he and his aunt, Queen Xiao Duanwen, were honored together in the two palaces and were called the Queen Mother of the Holy Mother; in the eighth year of Shunzhi (1651) Year) on the emblem was the Empress Dowager Zhaosheng; after Emperor Kangxi came to the throne, he was revered as the Empress Dowager; he died on December 25, the twenty-sixth year of Kangxi (January 27, 1688) at the age of seventy-five; he was buried Zhaoxiling, posthumous title, Yongzheng and Qianlong accumulated posthumous titles, and the final posthumous title is: Xiaozhuang Ren Xuan Cheng Xian Gong Yi Zhi De Chun Hui Yi Tianqi Queen Shengwen is a famous empress in Chinese history. She cultivated and assisted Shunzhi and Kangxi throughout her life. Dai Jun was an outstanding female politician in the early Qing Dynasty.
No.3 Xiao Chuo after Liao Jingzong
Xiao Chuo (953-1009) was a female military commander and politician in the Liao Dynasty of China. The diminutive name is Yanyan, the empress dowager of the Liao Dynasty and the empress of Yelu Xian of the Jingzong of Liao Dynasty. In folk opera, she is called Queen Mother Xiao. The third daughter of Xiao Siwen, the prime minister of the Northern Palace of the Liao Dynasty. She was canonized as queen in 969. Because Jingzong of Liao was weak and sick, Xiao Chuoduo came to serve as regent. Jingzong died at the age of 35. Xiao Chuo stabilized the situation in the Liao Dynasty even though his mother was widowed and his son was young. He signed the Chanyuan Alliance in 1004 and returned to the Liao Shengzong in 1009. He died in the same year at the age of 57.
Xiao Chuo is a female ruler in China's minority areas. She is a famous politician, strategist and reformer of the Khitan people. During her reign, the Liao Dynasty entered its 200th year of ruling the Central Plains. The most prosperous and glorious period in the world. In the Chinese Military Museum, there is always a portrait of Xiao Chuo hanging in the exhibition hall of military strategists of past dynasties. We usually call her Queen Mother Xiao.
Xiao Chuo has been smart, beautiful, and matured very early since he was a child. After Liao Jingzong succeeded to the throne, she was selected as a noble concubine. In 969 (the first year of Boryeong), she was canonized as queen.
In 971 (the third year of Baoning), he gave birth to Yelu Longxu, the emperor of Liao Dynasty, and later gave birth to 3 sons and 3 daughters. Liao Jingzong was weak and sick, and sometimes could not go to court. Most military and state affairs were handled by Queen Xiao Chuo. In 975 (the eighth year of Baoning), Emperor Jingzong of the Liao Dynasty ordered a bachelor from the History Museum: "When writing the queen's remarks, you should also call me 'I' or 'Yu'." This shows that Xiao Chuo can exercise power on behalf of the emperor, and many of Jingzong's political achievements have Xiao Chuo's contribution.
No.4 Dou Yifang after Emperor Wen of Han Dynasty
Dou Yifang (205 BC-135 BC or 129 BC), Guanjin, Qinghe County (now Hebei Province A native of Guanjin Village, Wuyi County. She was a beauty from the Western Han Dynasty. Born into a poor family but endowed with charm, she was favored by fate. From a commoner's daughter to a palace maid, she finally became an outstanding woman who assisted the three emperors Wen, Jing, and Wu in governing the country of the Han Dynasty.
The Dou family was born in poverty. In order to escape the Qin Dynasty, her father lived in seclusion in Guanjin fishing. Unfortunately, he fell into a river and died, leaving behind three orphans. In the early Han Dynasty, the imperial court went to Qinghe to recruit maids. When he was young, he was summoned to the palace. In 195 BC, the great ancestor Liu Bang passed away, and Lu Fei controlled the state affairs as the empress dowager. At that time, Empress Lu selected some maids to go out of the palace and give them to the princes and kings, five for each king, and the Dou family was also among the selected ones. Dou's family was in Qinghe, which was close to the State of Zhao, so he hoped to go to the State of Zhao. She asked the eunuch who was in charge of dispatching palace maids to put her name on the list of people going to Zhao. The eunuch forgot about this when assigning palace maids, and mistakenly put her name on the list of people going to Dai Kingdom. So she went to Daiguo. Although this was not her wish, after arriving in Dai Kingdom, she was deeply loved by Dai King Liu Heng, who pampered her and named her a beauty. When he first entered the Dai Palace, Dai Wang Liu Heng already had a queen. After Dai Wang and Queen died of illness, Dai Wang's only daughter, Dou Meiren, was named queen. During the Dai Kingdom, she first had a prostitute with Liu Heng's eldest daughter, Liu Heng, and later gave birth to two sons: The eldest son Liu Qi (Emperor Jing of Han Dynasty) and the second son Liu Wu (Prince of Liang).
In 157 BC, Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty died, Emperor Jing Liu Qi came to the throne, and Queen Dou became the Empress Dowager, known in history as: Empress Dowager Dou. Empress Dou began her career as the empress dowager and influenced the government until her death due to illness.
Empress Dowager Dou was the last ruler in the Western Han Dynasty to embrace the "Huang-Lao Thought". Under her influence, the Western Han Dynasty regime could continue to follow the "people's livelihood" and "do nothing" principles set by Liu Bang during the period. "Governance" spirit. Pushed the Han Dynasty to the peak of strength. She planned to pass on the story of Jiaodong to inherit Peigong, and her fame and reputation in Guanjin remained in the Han Dynasty. In her era, she inherited the great achievements of the Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty and inspired the glory of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty.
No.5 The Liu family after Song Zhenzong
The Liu family of Empress Zhang Xianmingsu (968-1033) was from Huayang, Yizhou (now Huayang Town, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province), and Empress Zhang Xian, Empress Zhao Heng of Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty. Her name is unknown, but she is called Liu E in folk opera. She was the first regent empress dowager in the Song Dynasty. She completed the smooth transition of the Song Dynasty from the Zhenzong era to the Renzong era, laid the foundation for the prosperity of the Song Dynasty during the Renzong period, and assisted Song Renzong to create " The prosperous age of Renzong". She is often called together with Empress Lu of the Han Dynasty and Empress Wu of the Tang Dynasty. History books say that she "had Lu Wu's talents but not his evil deeds."
Liu is naturally beautiful, intelligent and about the same appearance as Zhao Hengnian, and they quickly become like glue. However, Zhao Heng's wet nurse, Mrs. Qin Guo, believed that the Liu family was from a humble background, and tried to persuade Zhao Heng not to get close to the Liu family, but to no avail, so she had no choice but to report to Song Taizong. Taizong was furious and issued an imperial edict, ordering the Liu family to be expelled from the capital. He was also granted a marriage to the seventeen-year-old Zhao Heng. At this time, Zhao Heng was named the King of Han. The bride was the eighth daughter of Pan Mei, the governor of the Zhongwu Army. The sixteen-year-old Pan was named the Lady of Ju. However, although Zhao Heng was forced by the emperor's order to send the Liu family out of the palace and secretly hid the Liu family in the home of Zhang Qi, the palace commander, he was unwilling to leave the Liu family and had private meetings from time to time. Liu lived like this secretly for fifteen years. On the day of Guisi in March of the third year of Zhidao, the fifty-nine-year-old Song Taizong Zhao Guangyi died of illness. The edict was passed on to Zhao Heng, who had been crown prince for two years. Zhao Heng inherited the throne and no longer had to secretly interact with the Liu family. Zhao Heng ascended the throne in March, named Guo as Queen in May, and named Pan as Queen Zhuanghuai in June (later changed to Queen Zhanghuai by Song Renzong). Although there were three thousand beauties in the harem, Zhao Heng did not forget his love for the Liu family and quickly brought her into the palace. In the first month of the first year of Jingde (1004), Liu was granted the title of Fourth Grade Beauty and officially became one of the concubines in the harem. At that time, under Queen Guo, only Liu Meiren was the most respected, and even the royal concubine Yang was only named a fifth-grade talented person. At this time, Mrs. Liu could finally be with Zhenzong openly and openly. Although Mrs. Liu is 36 years old, she is smart and gentle, and has always been favored by Zhenzong.
As a queen, Liu is not like other concubines who only compete for favor. She is extremely talented, well versed in ancient and modern books and history, and is familiar with political affairs. She always helps Zhenzong, and Zhenzong cannot do without her. When reviewing memorials every day, Queen Liu will always be with her. When you go out on a patrol, you should also take Liu with you.
Although Empress Dowager Liu has been in power for a long time and is unwilling to hand over power to Renzong, she is still a loving mother. Renzong was weak and sick when he was young. Mrs. Liu was busy with government affairs and asked Concubine Yang Shu to take care of her. Renzong called Mrs. Liu "the eldest empress". ", Concubine Yang is the "little empress."
Although Empress Dowager Liu was unwilling to return power to Renzong, she never thought of becoming independent. Cheng Lin presented the picture "Empress Wu's Appearance to the Court", and Empress Dowager Liu threw it to the ground herself, saying: "I will never do such a thing!" After the Empress Dowager expressed her stance, the ministers were relieved, and Renzong was also grateful, respectful, filial and sincere, even more so than the Heavenly Saint. In September of the seventh year (1029), an edict was issued to upgrade the rituals of the Changning Festival, the Queen Mother's birthday, to the same level as the Qianyuan Festival, the emperor's birthday.
No.6 Lu Pheasant after Han Emperor Gaozu
Lu Pheasant (241 BC - 180 BC), also known as Empress Lu, also known as Empress Lu of Han Dynasty and Empress Dowager Lu of Han Dynasty. etc. He was born in Shanfu (now Shanxian County, Shandong Province). The queen of Liu Bang, the emperor of the Han Dynasty (reigned from 202 BC to 195 BC). After the death of the emperor, she was honored as the empress dowager (195 BC - 180 BC). She was the first empress and empress dowager recorded in Chinese history. . At the same time, Lu Pheasant was also the first woman to take power in the feudal dynasty, and she controlled the political power of the Han Dynasty for sixteen years. "Historical Records: The Benji of Empress Dowager Lu" (Xiang Yu and Empress Lu were not emperors, but Sima Qian still included them in the "Benji" that records the emperor's political affairs) is the only biography of a woman in "Historical Records".
Queen Lu played a big role in cutting off the princes with different surnames for Liu Bang. After Emperor Gaozu died, Empress Lu thought that Emperor Hui was still young, so she planned to kill all the old officials and gain actual political power from them. He also poisoned King Zhao Ruyi to death, cut off Mrs. Qi's hands and feet, made her mute, and placed her in the toilet, naming her "human pig". Emperor Hui was dissatisfied with what Empress Lu did and died of depression. Empress Lu then took the title of emperor and became the first person in China's imperial dictatorship.
Historically, Lu Pheasant has received mixed reviews. But in any case, in our era, what we see is the achievements she made for her people at that time, so in this aspect alone, her evaluation is positive.
No.7 Yin Lihua after Emperor Guangwu of the Han Dynasty
In history, Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu and his queen Yin Lihua had a famous saying that has been passed down through the ages: "The official should be the king of the throne. When you marry, you should be a beautiful woman." Liu Xiu's words come from "Book of the Later Han Dynasty? Queen's Chronicle? Queen Guanglieyin's Chronicle": Guangwu is suitable for the new country, and after hearing about it, he is beautiful and happy. Later, when he arrived in Chang'an, he saw that Zhijinwu's chariots and horses were very popular, so he sighed and said: "If you are an official, you should be Zhijinwu, and if you marry a wife, you should be Yinlihua."
Yin Lihua (5 AD - 64 AD), a native of Xinye, Nanyang County (now Xinye County, Henan Province), was the second queen of Liu Xiu, the founding emperor of the Eastern Han Dynasty, and a descendant of Guan Zhong, a famous prime minister in the Spring and Autumn Period. Yin Lihua is famous for her beauty in history. According to historical records, when Liu Xiu was a commoner, he admired Yin Lihua's beauty very much and couldn't help but sigh: "I should marry Yin Lihua when I marry her." After the Battle of Kunyang, Liu Xiu married the Yin family in Wancheng. A year later, Liu Xiu married Guo Shengtong, who was born in the Western Han Dynasty royal family, in Hebei. When the Eastern Han Dynasty was established, Guo became the queen and Yin Lihua became a noble. In the seventeenth year of Jianwu's reign, Queen Guo was deposed, and the noble Yin Lihua was named queen. Yin Lihua reigned for twenty-four years. After her death, she was buried in the original mausoleum with Liu Xiu, and was given the posthumous title "Guanglie". "Book of the Later Han Dynasty: Queen's Chronicle" records Yin Lihua's character: respectful and frugal, rarely fond of looking at treasures, and dislikes laughing and joking. By nature, he is kind and filial, compassionate and loving. Empress Yin Lihua was respectful and frugal internally and restrained her clan externally. She was a virtuous queen for a generation.
No.8 The Changsun family after Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty
Queen Changsun (601-636), a native of Chang'an, whose ancestors were the Tuoba family of the Northern Wei Dynasty, was born in an official family, and her father was Changsun Sheng. In the Sui Dynasty, he was promoted to General Youxiaowei. She loved reading since she was a child and was well-versed in ethics. She married Li Shimin when she was thirteen. After the establishment of the Tang Dynasty, she was canonized as Princess Qin.
When the rift between Li Shimin and Li Jiancheng deepened day by day, she served Emperor Gaozu of the Tang Dynasty wholeheartedly and was diligent and respectful to the concubines in the harem. She tried her best to win their sympathy for Li Shimin and eliminate their misunderstandings about the King of Qin. . On the eve of the "Xuanwu Gate Incident", she also expressed cordial condolences to the staff of the Qin government, which moved all the officers and men around her. After Li Shimin was promoted to crown prince, he was established as queen. In addition to taking care of Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji's widows, Empress Changsun carefully arranged their residences, selected maids to take care of their daily lives, and provided them with the best possible care.
Although Empress Changsun is the mother of a country, she lives a frugal and frugal life without the extravagant habits of an official wife. Everything she uses is limited to what is needed and is never extravagant. Not only that, she also led her sons and concubines to do the same. One time, the prince's nanny suggested purchasing some appliances for the prince to use. Queen Changsun found out and said angrily: "Now the country has just been established, and the people are still living in war and unrest. As the prince of a country, he should be frugal, self-sufficient, considerate and considerate." The common people are worthy of a virtuous king!" Tang Taizong knew that she understood justice, so he would often talk to her about national affairs after he went to court. But she said solemnly: "Sichen is the only one who cares about the family. I am a woman, how can I talk about national affairs at will?" Taizong didn't listen, and still talked to her endlessly, but she remained silent. Silent.
If Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty was a virtuous emperor who could accept advice, then Empress Changsun was the driving force behind his magnanimity and acceptance of direct advice. One time, Taizong came back angrily and said that he wanted to kill Wei Zheng. After questioning, it turned out that Wei Zheng often gave advice mercilessly in front of everyone, sometimes even making Taizong feel that he had lost face, so Taizong was so angry that he wanted to get rid of Wei Zheng. Unexpectedly, after listening to Taizong's words, Queen Changsun went into the room. After a while, she put on a grand dress and came out. Taizong was surprised and puzzled. Empress Changsun said with a smile: "Congratulations, Your Majesty! I heard the ancients say: 'Only a wise king, a minister dares to speak out and give advice.' Wei Zheng dares to give advice so boldly. It means that Your Majesty is magnanimous and can accept the opinions of his ministers. You are a wise man." The emperor! So I want to congratulate you." Taizong suddenly realized when he heard this.
No.9 Ma Xiuying after Ming Taizu
Queen Ma, named Xiuying (1332-1382) was from Suzhou, Anhui, Han nationality.
Born on the eighth day of August in the third year of Zhishun AD (1332 AD). In the Yuan Dynasty, when the beauty of the three-inch golden lotus was valued and all women had their feet bound, Ma Xiuying refused to bind her feet, so she was called "Ma Big Foot". Ma Xiuying was adopted by her father's friend Guo Zixing, the leader of the Red Scarf Army, when she was twelve years old. She married Zhu Yuanzhang when she was twenty-one years old, and spent fifteen years of tribulation and chaos with her husband. In 1368 AD, Zhu Yuanzhang proclaimed himself emperor in Nanjing, established the country as Daming, founded Hongwu, and appointed Ma Xiuying as queen. In August of the fifteenth year of Hongwu (AD 1382), Queen Ma, who became ill from overwork, died of illness in Nanjing at the age of fifty-one. After her death, she was posthumously named Empress Xiaocigao and was buried in Zhongshan Zhiyang, the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum where Zhu Yuanzhang was buried together after his death.
She is a kind, kind, frugal, and caring empress of the generation; she dared to advise when Taizu of the Ming Dynasty imposed tyranny, and saved the lives of many loyal ministers and generals; she treated the concubines in the harem kindly, and did not do anything for her natal family. Seeking personal gain created a trend in the Ming Dynasty in which the harem and relatives did not interfere in political affairs.
No.10 Xu Yihua after the Ming Dynasty
Queen Renxiao (Queen Renxiaowen) Xu (1362-1407), a native of Haozhou, the eldest daughter of Xu Da, the founding hero of the Ming Dynasty , mother Xie (the second daughter of Xie Zaixing), was canonized as Princess Yan on the 27th of the first lunar month in the ninth year of Hongwu (1376), and the queen on November 13th in the fourth year of Jianwen (1402). In the fifth year of Yongle (1407) He died in Nanjing in July 2016, aged 46. He was buried in Changling in February of the eleventh year of Yongle (1413).
On the 27th of the first month of the ninth year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty, the 15-year-old Xu married the 17-year-old King of Yan Zhu Di and became the Princess of Yan. The Xu family was benevolent, filial and gentle, and Empress Ma praised her daughter-in-law more than once in public. In March of the thirteenth year of Hongwu's reign, Princess Yan followed Chengzu to feudalize Peiping.
Later, Emperor Jianwen reduced his vassal status, and on July 5, the first year of Jianwen (AD 1399), King Zhu Di of Yan announced that he would launch an army to quell Jingnan. When Zhu Di went to Daning to "borrow" troops, he faced Li Jinglong's five One hundred thousand troops came to the city. Princess Yan herself went to the city to supervise the battle, and successfully defended Beiping City with her son Zhu Gaochi. On June 13th, the fourth year of Jianwen, the three-year Jingnan War finally ended. Nanjing, the capital of the Ming Dynasty, was captured by King Yan's army. When Princess Yan stepped into the palace again, she was already the hostess here.
In September of the 22nd year of Yongle (1424), Emperor Renzong honored Queen Renxiao with the posthumous title of Renxiao Ciyicheng Mingzhuang and presented her to Queen Tianqi Shengwen. Nei Tai Temple.