Empress Zhou (Former Shu) facts for kids
Empress Zhou was an important empress in ancient China. She lived during a time called the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. This was a period when China was divided into many smaller states. Empress Zhou was the wife of Wang Jian. He was the first emperor of a state called Former Shu. Her personal name is not known today. She was also known by other names, like Empress Zhaosheng.
Early Life and Family
We don't know exactly when Empress Zhou was born. Her family came from a place called Xu Prefecture. Today, this area is known as Xuchang in Henan province. This was where her future husband, Wang Jian, began his career. He was an officer in the army there.
It is also not known when she married Wang Jian. However, because they were both from the same area, they likely married early. She had a younger brother named Zhou Dequan. He later became an important official in the Former Shu state.
Becoming an Empress
In the year 907, a new emperor took over the Tang dynasty. This new emperor, Zhu Quanzhong, started a new state called Later Liang. At this time, Wang Jian controlled a large area of China. This region is now known as Sichuan and Chongqing.
Wang Jian decided to become an emperor himself. He started his own state, which he named Former Shu. In 908, he made Lady Zhou his empress. She was given the special title of Empress Zhaosheng. Historical records do not mention her having any sons with Emperor Wang Jian.
Death and Legacy
Emperor Wang Jian passed away in 918. His youngest son, Wang Zongyan, became the new emperor. Wang Zongyan's mother was Consort Xu, who was a favorite of Wang Jian. She was honored as the Empress Dowager.
Empress Zhou was very sad after Wang Jian's death. She mourned him deeply. She died just a few months later, on October 1, 918. Empress Zhou was buried in the same tomb as her husband, Emperor Wang Jian.
