Empress Lü facts for kids

Empress Lü Zhi (241–180 BC) was a very important woman in ancient China. She was the empress of Emperor Gaozu of Han, who founded the Han dynasty. She was also known as Empress Lü or Empress Gao of Han.

Empress Lü and Emperor Gaozu had two children: a son named Liu Ying (who later became Emperor Hui of Han) and a daughter named Princess Yuan of Lu. Lü Zhi was the first woman in China to be called "Empress." After Emperor Gaozu died, she became the Empress Dowager and ruled as a Regent for her young son, Emperor Hui, and later for her grandsons.

Empress Lü was known for being very powerful. She ruled China for 15 years after her husband's death. Many historians see her as the first woman to truly rule over a united China.

Early Life and Marriage

Lü Zhi was born in Shanfu County, which is in today's Shandong province. Her family moved to Pei County to escape from enemies. Her father, Lü Wen, became good friends with the local leader.

One day, Lü Wen held a banquet. A minor officer named Liu Bang (who would become Emperor Gaozu) attended. Lü Wen was very impressed by Liu Bang. He believed Liu Bang would become a great leader. So, Lü Wen offered his daughter, Lü Zhi, to marry Liu Bang. They got married and later had their two children.

Liu Bang soon joined a rebellion against the Qin dynasty. During this time, Lü Zhi and her children mostly stayed with her family.

Life During the Chu–Han War

After the Qin Dynasty fell, China was divided into many kingdoms. Liu Bang was made "King of Han." However, Lü Zhi and her children stayed in Pei County, which was part of another kingdom ruled by Xiang Yu.

Liu Bang and Xiang Yu soon began a long war for control of China. This war lasted four years. During this time, Lü Zhi and her children were captured by Xiang Yu's forces. They were held as hostages.

In 203 BC, Liu Bang and Xiang Yu made a temporary peace agreement. As part of this deal, Xiang Yu released Lü Zhi and Liu Bang's family. Lü Zhi was then given the title "Queen Consort of Han." Liu Bang later broke the truce and defeated Xiang Yu. He became the Emperor of China and started the Han Dynasty. Lü Zhi became his empress, and their son Liu Ying became the crown prince.

As Empress and Powerful Ruler

Lü Zhi's jade seal, found in Xianyang, now in the Shaanxi History Museum.

Even after Emperor Gaozu won the war, there were still some unstable areas in the empire. Emperor Gaozu put Empress Lü Zhi and their son, the crown prince Liu Ying, in charge of the capital city, Chang'an. They made important decisions with the help of trusted officials.

During this time, Lü Zhi showed she was a very capable leader. She managed the country's affairs well and worked closely with many officials. They respected her abilities but also feared her strong will. She remained very influential in the country's affairs even after Emperor Gaozu returned from his campaigns.

Choosing the Next Emperor

In his later years, Emperor Gaozu started to prefer one of his younger companions, Concubine Qi. He wanted her son, Liu Ruyi, to become the next emperor instead of Liu Ying. Emperor Gaozu thought Liu Ying was too gentle and weak.

Empress Lü Zhi was very worried about this. She asked a wise advisor named Zhang Liang for help. Zhang Liang suggested inviting four wise, reclusive men to support Liu Ying. When Emperor Gaozu saw that Liu Ying had the support of these respected men, he changed his mind. He told Concubine Qi that Liu Ying was now strong and hard to remove. This meant Liu Ying would remain the crown prince.

As Empress Dowager and Regent

In 195 BC, Emperor Gaozu died. His son Liu Ying became Emperor Hui of Han. Lü Zhi was then honored as the Empress Dowager. She became even more powerful during her son's rule. She was the main leader in his government.

Dealing with Other Princes

Empress Dowager Lü was very protective of her family's power. She was blamed for the deaths of some of Emperor Gaozu's other sons. For example, Liu Fei, another son of Gaozu, visited the capital. Empress Dowager Lü tried to harm him. Emperor Hui, her son, realized her plan and stopped it. Liu Fei then offered some of his land to Lü Zhi's daughter, Princess Yuan, and was allowed to leave safely.

She was also involved in the deaths of two other princes, Liu You and Liu Hui, who were also sons of Emperor Gaozu.

Message from the Xiongnu

In 192 BC, Lü Zhi received a message from Modu, the leader of the Xiongnu people. His letter was meant to challenge and mock her. He suggested they should marry since they were both alone.

Lü Zhi was very angry. Her generals wanted to declare war on the Xiongnu. But a wise advisor named Ji Bu warned her that the Xiongnu army was much stronger. Lü Zhi listened to him. She politely refused Modu's offer, saying she was old and frail. She also sent gifts to the Xiongnu to keep the peace. This policy of sending gifts and marrying Han princesses to Xiongnu leaders was called heqin.

Emperor Hui's Marriage

In 191 BC, Empress Dowager Lü insisted that Emperor Hui marry his niece, Empress Zhang Yan. She was the daughter of Princess Yuan of Lu. They did not have any children. It is said that Lü Zhi told Empress Zhang Yan to adopt eight boys and had their birth mothers removed from the palace.

Ruling as Grandmother and Acting Emperor

Emperor Hui died in 188 BC. He was succeeded by Emperor Qianshao, one of the children Empress Zhang adopted. With a young child on the throne, Empress Dowager Lü had complete control. She became the first woman in Chinese history to rule the country completely on her own. She acted like an emperor, even though she kept the title of Empress Dowager.

Empress Dowager Lü wanted to give power to her own family members, the Lü clan. This went against a rule Emperor Gaozu had made, which said that only members of the imperial Liu family could become princes. Some officials disagreed, but others went along with her wishes to protect the empire. She appointed her relatives to important positions and made some of them princes and marquises.

Around 184 BC, Emperor Qianshao found out that Empress Dowager Zhang Yan was not his birth mother, and his birth mother had died. He became angry and said he would get revenge when he grew up. When Lü Zhi heard this, she had the young emperor secretly confined. She then announced that he was ill and unable to rule. Emperor Qianshao was removed from power and later died. His brother, Liu Hong, became the new emperor, known as Emperor Houshao of Han. Like Emperor Qianshao, Liu Hong was also very young, so Empress Dowager Lü remained in charge.

Death and Aftermath

Tomb of Empress Lü in Changling, Xianyang, Shaanxi

Empress Lü Zhi died from an illness in 180 BC, at about 61 years old. She was buried in Emperor Gaozu's tomb. Later, during a rebellion, her tomb was disturbed by rebels.

After Empress Lü Zhi died, her family members were removed from their powerful positions. Many of them were killed in an event known as the Lü Clan Disturbance. This was led by important officials who had served Emperor Gaozu. A new emperor, Liu Heng, who was another son of Gaozu, was placed on the throne. He became Emperor Wen of Han.

Family

• Father: Lü Wen, later called "Prince Xuan of Lü."
• Husband: Liu Bang, Emperor Gaozu of Han.
• Children:
  • Liu Ying, Emperor Hui of Han.
  • Princess Yuan of Lu.
• Siblings and their children:
  • Lü Changxu, older sister.
    • Lü Ping, her son.
  • Lü Ze, older brother, later called "Prince Daowu of Lü."
    • Lü Tai, his son, later "Prince Su of Lü."
      • Lü Jia, his son, "Prince of Lü."
      • Lü Tong, his son, "Prince of Yan."
      • Lü Pi, his son.
    • Lü Chan, his son, "Prince of Liang."
  • Lü Shizhi, older brother, later "Prince Zhao of Zhao."
    • Lü Ze, his son.
    • Lü Zhong, his son.
    • Lü Lu, his son, "Prince of Zhao."
  • Lü Xu, younger sister, wife of Fan Kuai. She was made "Marquise of Linguang."

See also

In Spanish: Lü Zhi (emperatriz) para niños