Chu Suanzi facts for kids

Chu Suanzi (Chinese: 褚蒜子; 324–384) was a powerful empress in ancient China. She was also known as Empress Kangxian. She lived during the Jin Dynasty.

Chu Suanzi was married to Emperor Kang. She lived 40 years longer than him. During this time, she became an empress dowager. This meant she was the mother or grandmother of the emperor. She served during the reigns of five emperors. She was a regent for three of them. A regent is someone who rules when the emperor is too young or sick.

She was regent for her son Emperor Mu (344–357). She also ruled for her nephew Emperor Ai (364–366). Later, she was regent for her cousin Emperor Xiaowu (373–376). Even though she held great power, she often listened to the advice of important officials. She rarely made big decisions all by herself.

Empress Chu Suanzi: Her Early Life and Role

Chu Suanzi's father was Chu Pou. He was an important official. He worked for Emperor Kang's brother, Emperor Cheng. Chu Pou was known for speaking wisely.

As Chu Suanzi grew up, people noticed her intelligence. She was very smart and could think ahead. She married Sima Yue, who was then a prince. When Emperor Cheng died in 342, he chose his brother Sima Yue to be the next emperor. Sima Yue became Emperor Kang.

In early 343, when she was 18, Chu Suanzi became empress. Her husband was 21. That same year, she had their only son, Sima Dan. Sadly, Emperor Kang died just one year later. Before he died, he made their infant son, Sima Dan, the crown prince. Sima Dan then became Emperor Mu.

Serving as Regent for Young Emperors

Regency for Emperor Mu

Because Emperor Mu was very young, Empress Dowager Chu quickly became regent. He Chong was her main advisor. He Chong wanted her father, Chu Pou, to help. But Chu Pou felt it was not right for him to serve as regent because he was the empress dowager's father. So, he stayed a provincial governor.

Later, in 345, Emperor Mu's granduncle, Sima Yu, became a key advisor. After He Chong died in 346, Sima Yu shared power with Cai Mo. In 347, a general named Huan Wen conquered a kingdom called Cheng Han. After this, the government lost some control over western areas. Huan Wen was very powerful. Sima Yu then asked Yin Hao to join as another important advisor to the empress dowager.

In 348, Chu Pou died after a failed military campaign. In the years that followed, many southern areas of a kingdom called Later Zhao joined Jin. Huan Wen often asked to lead armies north. But Sima Yu and Yin Hao usually said no. They worried Huan Wen would become too powerful if he won more land for Jin.

In 350, Empress Dowager Chu wanted to give Cai Mo a special honor. Cai Mo kept refusing it. The emperor, empress dowager, and officials waited all day for him. The seven-year-old emperor became very tired. Yin Hao used this chance to accuse Cai Mo of being disrespectful. Cai Mo was removed from the government.

In 352 and 353, Yin Hao tried two times to lead armies north. Both attempts failed. After the second failure, Huan Wen accused Yin Hao of crimes. Sima Yu had to send Yin Hao away. After this, the government rarely went against Huan Wen's wishes. In 354, Huan Wen attacked Former Qin. He had some success but then had to retreat. In 356, Huan Wen marched north again. He helped Jin regain control of land south of the Yellow River.

In 357, Emperor Mu turned 14. He had his coming-of-age ceremony. Empress Dowager Chu officially stepped down as regent. She moved to Chongde Palace. This palace became her home for the rest of her life.

In 361, Emperor Mu died at 18. He had no sons. Empress Dowager Chu ordered that his cousin, Sima Pi, become emperor. He took the throne as Emperor Ai.

Regency for Emperor Ai

Emperor Ai was 21 when he became emperor. So, Empress Dowager Chu did not serve as regent at first. However, in 364, Emperor Ai became very ill. He could not handle government matters. Empress Dowager Chu became regent again. He died without sons in 365. She then ordered his younger brother, Sima Yi, to become emperor. He took the throne as Emperor Fei.

Regency for Emperor Fei

Emperor Fei was also an adult when he became emperor. So, Empress Dowager Chu did not serve as regent right away. But in 369, General Huan Wen suffered a big defeat in battle. He wanted to show he was still in charge. He also wanted to take the throne for himself. He spread false rumors about Emperor Fei's sons.

In 371, Huan Wen wrote an order for Empress Dowager Chu to sign. She was at a Buddhist shrine in her palace. She read it and said she suspected the same thing. She signed the order. She also added some lines showing her sadness. She wrote about her many sorrows.

Huan Wen was happy she agreed. He then removed Emperor Fei from the throne. He replaced him with Emperor Fei's granduncle, Sima Yu. Sima Yu became Emperor Jianwen. Empress Dowager Chu first gave the former emperor a prince title. But Huan Wen pressured her to give him a lower title, Duke of Haixi.

Regency for Emperor Xiaowu

Empress Dowager Chu had a smaller role during Emperor Jianwen's reign. This was because Emperor Jianwen himself had to deal with Huan Wen's plans to take the throne. Emperor Jianwen honored her as Empress Dowager Chongde.

After Emperor Jianwen died in 372, his son Sima Yao became emperor. He was Emperor Xiaowu. Empress Dowager Chu first thought Huan Wen should be regent. But officials loyal to the imperial family, Wang Tanzhi and Xie An, convinced her to become regent again. She agreed.

In 373, Huan Wen visited the capital. People rumored he would execute Wang Tanzhi and Xie An and take the throne. But after meeting Wang and Xie, he seemed to change his mind. He returned to his military post. He still tried to get special honors from the government. But Wang and Xie delayed him.

Huan Wen died later in 373. His lands were divided among his brothers and nephew. One brother, Huan Chong, was loyal to the government. So, the threat of Huan Wen taking the throne disappeared. After Huan Wen's death, Empress Dowager Chu formally became regent.

In 376, Emperor Xiaowu turned 14. He had his coming-of-age ceremony. Empress Dowager Chu again gave up her regent powers. She was again called Empress Dowager Chongde. She died in 384. She was buried with the honors of an empress, next to her husband, Emperor Kang.