Empress Wei (Tang dynasty) facts for kids

Empress Wei (韋皇后), whose personal name is not known, was an important empress of the Chinese Tang Dynasty. She was the second wife of Emperor Zhongzong, who ruled China twice. During his second time as emperor, Empress Wei became very powerful. She wanted to rule the country just like her mother-in-law, Empress Wu Zetian, had done.

Empress Wei was deeply involved in government decisions during her husband's reign. Emperor Zhongzong passed away in 710. After his death, Empress Wei became the empress dowager and regent, meaning she ruled for the young new emperor. However, her power did not last long. She was overthrown and killed in a sudden takeover led by Emperor Zhongzong's nephew, Li Longji (who later became Emperor Xuanzong), and Emperor Zhongzong's sister, Princess Taiping.

Empress Wei's Early Life and Marriage

We do not know exactly when Empress Wei was born. Her grandfather, Wei Hongbiao, worked as a military advisor during the reign of Emperor Taizong.

Empress Wei married Li Zhe when he was the crown prince. She was his second wife. Her father, Wei Xuanzhen, was promoted to a more important government job when she married the crown prince.

In 682, Empress Wei gave birth to their only son, Li Chongzhao. She also had at least one daughter, Princess Changning, and possibly another, Li Xianhui, who later became Princess Yongtai.

Empress Wei's First Time as Empress

In late 683, Emperor Gaozong died, and Li Zhe became Emperor Zhongzong. However, his mother, Empress Wu (later known as Wu Zetian), held the real power.

In early 684, Emperor Zhongzong made Crown Princess Wei the empress. He wanted to promote her father, Wei Xuanzhen, to a very high position in the government. This idea was opposed by a chancellor named Pei Yan. Emperor Zhongzong became angry and said he could even give the whole empire to Wei Xuanzhen if he wanted to.

Pei Yan told Empress Dowager Wu about this. Less than two months after becoming emperor, Emperor Zhongzong was removed from power by his mother. He was given the title of Prince of Luling. His younger brother, Li Dan, became the new emperor. Empress Wei's son, Li Chongzhao, lost his title, and her family was sent away to a distant place. Emperor Zhongzong and his family were kept under house arrest.

Life in Exile

During their exile, Li Zhe was often afraid. He worried that Empress Dowager Wu would order their deaths. Empress Wei often comforted him, telling him not to give up hope. They grew very close during this difficult time. Li Zhe even promised her, "If we ever see the light of day again, I will not stop you from doing anything."

While in exile, Empress Wei gave birth to their youngest daughter, Li Guo'er. Her name meant "child who was wrapped" because Li Zhe had to use his shirt to wrap her when she was born. Both parents loved this child very much.

Meanwhile, Empress Wei's family also suffered in exile. After her father died, a local tribal leader tried to force her younger sister to marry him. When Empress Wei's mother, Lady Cui, refused, the tribal leader killed Lady Cui and her four sons.

In 690, Empress Dowager Wu took the throne herself, starting her own Zhou Dynasty. She made Li Dan her crown prince but often suspected him. Eventually, she decided to bring Li Zhe back from exile. In 698, Li Zhe and his family returned to the capital city of Luoyang.

Empress Wei's Second Time as Crown Princess

Once Li Zhe was back, his brother Li Dan offered to give up his position as crown prince. Empress Wu Zetian agreed. In late 698, she made Li Zhe the crown prince again. Princess Wei once more became the crown princess. Their son, Li Chongzhao, whose name was changed to Li Chongrun, was given the title of Prince of Shao.

As Empress Wu Zetian grew older, she relied heavily on two officials, Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong. Li Chongrun, his sister Li Xianhui, and her husband Wu Yanji sometimes talked about this. Zhang Yizhi found out and told Empress Wu Zetian. Believing they were criticizing her, Empress Wu Zetian ordered Li Chongrun, Li Xianhui, and Wu Yanji to end their own lives in 701. This left Crown Princess Wei without a son, as her other sons were born from other women.

In early 705, a group of officials led a coup while Empress Wu Zetian was ill. They killed Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong. They then forced Empress Wu Zetian to give the throne back to Li Zhe. He became emperor again, restoring the Tang Dynasty. He made Crown Princess Wei empress once more. He also honored her deceased father and mother with grand titles and reburied them with special ceremonies. Her son Li Chongrun and daughter Li Xianhui were also honored posthumously with ceremonies usually given to emperors and empresses.

Empress Wei's Second Time as Empress

After Emperor Zhongzong returned to the throne, Empress Wei quickly gained immense power and influence. She began to involve herself in government affairs, much like Empress Wu Zetian had done during Emperor Gaozong's reign. Historical records say that whenever the emperor held court, Empress Wei would sit behind a curtain and listen to everything.

Some officials, like Huan Yanfan, complained to the emperor about Empress Wei's involvement in politics. They argued that it was not right for a woman to interfere with state matters.

Empress Wei and her daughter, Li Guo'er, became very powerful and were known for being corrupt. They would sell official positions and influence legal decisions. It was even said that Li Guo'er sometimes wrote imperial orders in Emperor Zhongzong's name. She would then cover the writing and have him sign them without reading them. Li Guo'er also asked her father to make her the crown princess, which would have been unheard of in Chinese history. He refused and instead made her brother, Li Chongjun, the crown prince.

Empress Wei and her allies worked to remove officials they disliked from power. They accused some of the officials who helped Emperor Zhongzong return to the throne of being too proud. These officials were sent away from the capital. Later, they were even accused of plotting against the empress and were exiled further. Some of them died on their way to exile.

To get revenge for her mother and brothers, Empress Wei had Emperor Zhongzong order an attack on the tribal chief who had killed them. The tribal chief was defeated.

Despite Li Chongjun being the crown prince, Li Guo'er and her husband often treated him badly. Li Guo'er continued to try and convince Emperor Zhongzong to replace Li Chongjun with herself as crown princess. In 707, Li Chongjun finally rebelled with some generals. His forces killed some of Empress Wei's allies, but his rebellion failed, and he was killed by his own soldiers. Even though her allies died, Empress Wei's power grew even stronger.

By 708, Empress Wei, her daughters Princess Changning and Princess Anle, and other powerful women and officials were selling government positions freely. They were also involved in political struggles. Emperor Zhongzong was worried but could not stop them. Empress Wei's power was so great that the emperor often did not make decisions without her input. Empress Wei and her daughters also built many Buddhist temples.

In 710, Emperor Zhongzong passed away. Empress Wei did not announce his death right away. Instead, she worked with her family members in charge of the imperial guards to secure her power. Two days later, she announced Emperor Zhongzong's death. His son, Li Chongmao, became the new emperor (Emperor Shang), but Empress Wei held the real power as empress dowager.

Empress Dowager and Regent

Empress Dowager Wei's family and allies encouraged her to take the throne, just like Wu Zetian had done. They also planned to remove Li Dan and Princess Taiping, who were powerful members of the imperial family. However, their plan was leaked to Li Dan's son, Li Longji.

Li Longji then secretly planned with Princess Taiping and other officials to act first. Empress Wei's nephews, who had recently been put in charge of the imperial guards, had treated the guards harshly, making them angry. These guards then joined Li Longji's plot.

On July 21, the conspirators launched their attack. They first killed Empress Wei's nephews and other allies. Then, they attacked the palace. Empress Dowager Wei tried to flee to an imperial guard camp, but a guard killed her. Her daughter Li Guo'er and other allies were also killed. Li Longji then had many officials from Empress Dowager Wei's faction killed and displayed her body in the street.

At the urging of Princess Taiping and Li Longji, Li Dan soon took the throne from the young Emperor Shang, becoming Emperor Ruizong again. Empress Dowager Wei was stripped of her imperial titles after her death. She was buried with honors, but not those of an empress.

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