Dugu Qieluo facts for kids

Dugu Qieluo (born in 544, died September 10, 602) was a very important empress of the Chinese Sui dynasty. She was also known as Empress Wenxian. She was the wife of Emperor Wen, the first emperor of the Sui dynasty.

Their marriage was quite unique for a Chinese emperor. Emperor Wen loved and respected her so much that he did not have any other wives for most of their marriage. This was extremely rare for emperors back then. Empress Dugu was very powerful and had a lot of influence during her husband's rule. She often helped him make important decisions for the empire. She played a big part in changing who would become the next emperor. Their second son, Yang Guang, became the heir instead of their oldest son, Yang Yong. This decision later caused big problems for the Sui dynasty.

Early Life and Marriage

Dugu Qieluo was born in 544. She was the seventh daughter of a powerful general named Dugu Xin. Her father was from the Xianbei people, and her mother, Lady Cui, was Han Chinese.

In 557, when Dugu Qieluo was 13, her father arranged for her to marry Yang Jian. Yang Jian was 16 at the time. Her father, Dugu Xin, was very impressed with Yang Jian.

Soon after their marriage, Dugu Xin was involved in a plot against a powerful leader named Yuwen Hu. Because of this, Dugu Xin was forced to take his own life.

Yang Jian and Dugu Qieluo truly loved each other. When they were young, Yang Jian promised her that he would never have children with another woman. They had five sons and five daughters together.

In 568, Yang Jian became the Duke of Sui after his father passed away. Dugu Qieluo then became the Duchess of Sui.

Duchess Dugu was highly respected at the Northern Zhou court. Her sister was married to Emperor Ming of Northern Zhou, and her daughter, Yang Lihua, was married to Emperor Xuan of Northern Zhou. Even with her high status, she was known for being humble. Once, Emperor Xuan was angry with Empress Yang (Dugu Qieluo's daughter) and ordered her to take her own life. Duchess Dugu rushed to the palace and begged Emperor Xuan to forgive her daughter. He listened to her and spared Empress Yang.

In 580, Emperor Xuan suddenly passed away. Yang Jian quickly took control as the regent, meaning he ruled for the young emperor. Duchess Dugu sent Yang Jian a message, telling him that once you start riding a wild beast, you cannot get off. You must fight hard to stay on. This meant he had to keep fighting to stay in power. After Yang Jian defeated a general who rebelled against him, he had the young emperor give up the throne to him in 581. This ended the Northern Zhou dynasty and started the Sui dynasty. Yang Jian became Emperor Wen, and Dugu Qieluo became his Empress. Their oldest son, Yang Yong, was named Crown Prince.

Life as Empress

Working with Emperor Wen

Empress Dugu was known for being very smart and studying a lot. She and Emperor Wen often talked about important government matters, like laws and punishments. They had a very special relationship, living in the same palace, which was unusual for emperors and empresses in China. It was often hard to tell whose idea a decision was, the empress's or the emperor's, because they worked so closely. Emperor Wen respected her deeply.

They were even called "the Two Holy Ones" by officials in the palace. This was because the emperor was considered holy, and they both managed government affairs together. They were a very close couple who shared everything and helped each other. They often appeared together, as if they were one mind in two bodies.

Empress Dugu would sometimes go with Emperor Wen almost to his meeting hall. She would ask palace staff to listen in on the meetings. If she thought Emperor Wen made a wrong decision, she would advise him to change it. She would often wait for him after meetings and return to the palace with him. Even when the Emperor was reading official reports late at night, the Empress was by his side, helping him. When officials presented ideas to the emperor, the empress would sit nearby, listen, and get involved in the discussions. Because of this, Empress Dugu was seen as a wise advisor, a loyal wife, and a helpful partner in ruling the empire.

She had lost her parents early in life. So, she felt especially kind towards officials who still had both their parents. She would show great respect to their parents when she met them.

Officials once suggested that the empress should approve all marriages of officials, following old rules. But she refused, believing it was not her place to get too involved in political matters like that.

She also lived a simple life. Once, Emperor Wen needed a very expensive spice called ground pepper for medicine. This spice was more expensive than gold. He found that Empress Dugu did not use it, because it was too costly. Another time, he wanted to give a gold-decorated dress to an official's wife, but Empress Dugu did not have one to give, showing her simple lifestyle.

When her cousin, Cui Changren, committed serious crimes, Emperor Wen thought about forgiving him because of Empress Dugu. But she said that she could not break the laws just because he was family. So, Cui was executed.

She respected an official named Gao Jiong. Gao Jiong's father had worked for her own father and was a trusted advisor.

Later Years and Challenges

In 595, a grand summer palace was finished. When Emperor Wen saw how fancy it was, he was upset. He thought the general, Yang Su, had made people work too hard to build it. But when Empress Dugu arrived, she told Emperor Wen to be kind to Yang Su. She told Yang Su that he built the palace so beautifully because he knew they, as an old couple, had not enjoyed much luxury. She gave him a large reward.

In 598, Empress Dugu and her younger half-brother, Dugu Tuo, were involved in a strange event. Dugu Tuo's servant was accused of using cat spirits to harm people. At this time, both Empress Dugu and Yang Su's wife were very ill. Emperor Wen suspected Dugu Tuo and ordered him and his wife to take their own lives. But Empress Dugu went on a hunger strike for three days to save them. She said that if her brother had harmed ordinary people, she would not speak up. But since his crime was related to her, she begged for his life. Emperor Wen spared them, making Dugu Tuo a common person and forcing his wife to become a Buddhist nun.

Through the years, Emperor Wen and Empress Dugu's relationship remained strong and loving. They continued to work together.

However, Empress Dugu became upset with Gao Jiong, whom she had respected. She heard him call her "a woman," which secretly angered her. Later, she was very angry with Gao because of his personal life. After his wife died, she suggested Emperor Wen find him another wife. But Gao said he was too old. Soon after, his other partner had a son. Empress Dugu pointed out that he had not been truthful. Emperor Wen then started to keep his distance from Gao. Also, in 598, Gao was forced to join a military campaign that he did not support. The campaign failed, and Empress Dugu blamed him.

Another person who angered Empress Dugu was her oldest son, Yang Yong, the Crown Prince. When he was young, Emperor Wen and Empress Dugu had chosen a wife for him from a respected family. But Yang Yong did not like his wife. He had many other partners, and his favorite was Consort Yun. He did not have any sons with his official wife. When his wife died in 591, Empress Dugu suspected Yang Yong or Consort Yun of harming her. She strongly criticized Yang Yong.

Their second son, Yang Guang, the Prince of Jin, wanted to become the next emperor instead of his older brother. He pretended to live a simple life, which pleased Emperor Wen. He also pretended to love only his wife, which pleased Empress Dugu.

By 599, both Emperor Wen and Empress Dugu were thinking about replacing Yang Yong with Yang Guang. But when Empress Dugu spoke to Gao Jiong about it, he firmly said the Crown Prince should not be replaced. So, Empress Dugu suggested that Emperor Wen remove Gao from his position. Gao was then accused of crimes and lost his job.

Meanwhile, Yang Guang kept trying to make Empress Dugu angry at Yang Yong. He falsely said he was afraid Yang Yong would kill him. Yang Guang also teamed up with Yang Su, who did not get along with Yang Yong. Empress Dugu also told Yang Su to encourage Emperor Wen to remove Yang Yong. Later, Yang Guang arranged for someone to falsely accuse Yang Yong of planning to betray the emperor.

In 600, after an investigation, Emperor Wen removed Yang Yong as Crown Prince and put him under house arrest. Yang Guang became the new Crown Prince.

In 602, Empress Dugu passed away. Emperor Wen was very sad.

Family

Empress Dugu was part of a large and important family.

• Her father was General Dugu Xin (503–557).
• Her mother was Lady Cui.
• She had several half-brothers, including Dugu Luo and Dugu Tuo.
• She also had half-sisters, including Lady Dugu, who became Empress Yuanzhen, and Empress Dugu, who married Emperor Ming of Northern Zhou.
• Her husband was Emperor Wen of Sui.
• Her children included:
  • Yang Yong (died 604), who was the Crown Prince but was later removed.
  • Yang Guang (569–618), who became the Crown Prince and then Emperor Yang of Sui.
  • Yang Jun (571–600), Prince Xiao of Qin.
  • Yang Xiu (573–618), Prince of Shu.
  • Yang Liang (575–605), Prince of Han.
  • Yang Lihua (561–609), who was an empress to Emperor Xuan of Northern Zhou.
  • Other daughters: Princess Xiangguo, Princess Guangping, and Yang Awu (Princess Lanling).