Liang Na facts for kids

Liang Na (Chinese: 梁妠; 116–150) was a powerful empress during the Han Dynasty in ancient China. She was also known as Empress Shunlie, which means "the kind and achieving empress." Liang Na was married to Emperor Shun of Han. After her husband died, she became a regent, helping to rule the empire for his young son, Emperor Chong. She also served as regent for two more emperors who came from other branches of the royal family: Emperor Zhi and Emperor Huan.

As a regent, Empress Dowager Liang seemed hardworking and honest. However, she trusted her brother, Liang Ji, too much. Liang Ji was a violent and corrupt man who gained a lot of power. After Empress Dowager Liang died, Emperor Huan eventually took back control in a special way called a coup d'etat. This led to the Liang family losing all their power.

Early Life and Royal Marriage

Liang Na was born in the year 116. Her father was Liang Shang, a respected official and a marquis. Her family had royal connections, as her great-grandfather was a brother to the mother of Emperor He.

Even as a child, Liang Na was known for being very skilled. She was good at handcrafts and sewing. She also studied history and the important Confucian classics.

In 128, when Liang Na was 12 years old, she and her aunt were chosen to join Emperor Shun's court as imperial consorts. Emperor Shun was 13 at the time. Liang Na quickly became one of the emperor's favorites. However, she often politely refused his offers to spend time with her. She believed that an emperor should be fair and give all his consorts a chance. This impressed Emperor Shun greatly.

In 131, Emperor Shun decided it was time to choose an empress. He thought about picking one by drawing lots, but his officials advised against it. Instead, he chose Consort Liang because he saw her as the most virtuous. She officially became empress in early 132.

Empress and Family Influence

As empress, Liang Na continued to be humble. She did not try to get involved too much in her husband's government. However, Emperor Shun began to trust her relatives a lot. Her father, Liang Shang, was quickly promoted to a very high position called Grand Marshal.

Liang Shang was a kind and honest man, even if he wasn't the most skilled leader. He made sure to trust other capable and honest officials. Because of him, the government became much cleaner and fairer during his time in office. Eventually, Empress Liang's brothers, Liang Ji and Liang Buyi, also became important officials.

In 141, Liang Shang passed away. Emperor Shun made a decision that would later cause problems: he gave Liang Shang's important job to Liang Ji. Over the next few years, Liang Ji used this power to get rid of anyone who disagreed with him. He became the most powerful person in the government.

Throughout her husband's rule, Empress Liang remained his favorite. However, she never had a son with him. Emperor Shun had only one son, Liu Bing, who was born in 143 to another consort named Yu. In 144, Emperor Shun became ill. He made his young son, Liu Bing, the crown prince. Emperor Shun died four months later. Crown Prince Bing became the new ruler, Emperor Chong. Empress Liang, now called empress dowager, became the regent. This meant she would rule the empire for the young emperor.

Ruling as Regent for Young Emperors

Empress Dowager Liang seemed very dedicated to ruling the empire. She trusted several honest officials to give her advice on important matters. However, she also trusted her brother, Liang Ji, a great deal. Liang Ji used his sister's position to gain even more power for himself. Still, Empress Dowager Liang sometimes went against his advice. For example, in 145, she protected an honest official named Li Gu when Liang Ji wanted him executed.

In 145, the young Emperor Chong died. Empress Dowager Liang quickly announced his death to the public. She called two young princes, Liu Suan and Liu Zuan, to the capital city of Luoyang. She wanted to see which one would be a good successor. Prince Suan was an adult and seemed serious and proper. Most officials wanted him to be the next emperor.

However, Liang Ji wanted a very young emperor whom he could easily control. He convinced Empress Dowager Liang to choose the seven-year-old Liu Zuan. Liu Zuan became the new emperor, known as Emperor Zhi. Empress Dowager Liang continued to serve as regent.

In 146, Emperor Zhi, who was still very young, started to notice Liang Ji's bad behavior. He even called Liang Ji "an arrogant general" in public. Liang Ji was very offended by this. He had the young emperor poisoned, likely without Empress Dowager Liang knowing.

Again, most officials wanted Prince Suan to be the next emperor. But Liang Ji stopped them. Instead, he convinced Empress Dowager Liang to choose 14-year-old Liu Zhi, who was engaged to Liang Ji's and Empress Dowager Liang's sister, Liang Nüying. Liu Zhi became the new emperor, known as Emperor Huan. Empress Dowager Liang continued her role as regent.

The End of Her Rule

While serving as regent for Emperor Huan, Empress Dowager Liang mostly continued her previous policies. But Liang Ji became even more powerful. In 146, he finally managed to force Li Gu, the honest official she had protected before, out of the government. Li Gu had publicly disagreed with Emperor Huan becoming emperor.

In 147, Emperor Huan married Empress Dowager Liang's sister, Liang Nüying, and she became empress. Later that year, Liang Ji falsely accused Li Gu and Prince Suan of planning a rebellion. Prince Suan was demoted and later took his own life. Li Gu and another official who opposed Liang Ji, Du Qiao, were executed.

In 150, Empress Dowager Liang announced that she was stepping down as regent. She returned all her power to Emperor Huan. She died later that same year and was buried with her husband, Emperor Shun.

However, Liang Ji still controlled the government. Without his sister to limit his power, he became even more violent and corrupt. This eventually led Emperor Huan to take action. In 159, Emperor Huan worked with some eunuchs to overthrow Liang Ji in a special takeover. The Liang family lost all their power and influence.