Xie Daoqing facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Xie Daoqing謝道清 |
|
|---|---|
| Lady of Shouchun 壽春郡夫人 | |
| Reign | 1276 – 1283 |
| Grand Empress Dowager of Southern Song Dynasty | |
| Reign | 15 August 1274 – 4 February 1276 |
| Empress Dowager of Southern Song Dynasty | |
| Reign | 17 November 1264 – 15 August 1274 |
| Empress of Southern Song Dynasty | |
| Reign | 14 January 1231 – 17 November 1264 |
| Predecessor | Empress Gongsheng |
| Successor | Empress Quan |
| Born | 1210 Tiantai, Zhejiang, China |
| Died | 1283 (aged 72–73) Dadu, Hebei, China |
| Spouse | Emperor Lizong of Song |
| Issue | Zhao Wei, Prince Qichongzhao Emperor Duzong of Song (adopted) |
| Father | Zie Qubo, Prince of Wei |
Empress Xie Daoqing (謝道清; 1210 – 1283) was an important Chinese empress during the Song Dynasty. She was married to Emperor Lizong of Song. She also served as a regent, which means she ruled the country for young emperors. She was a regent for Emperor Duzong in 1264. Later, she was regent for Emperor Gong of Song from 1274 to 1276.
Contents
Empress Xie Daoqing's Story
Early Life and Marriage
Xie Daoqing came from a family of important government officials. Her father was Xie Qubo, who was known as the Prince of Wei. She was chosen by Empress Yang to become the wife of Emperor Lizong. She then became the empress of the Song Dynasty.
Empress Xie did not have any sons who lived. When Emperor Lizong died in 1264, his nephew, Emperor Duzong, became the next emperor. Empress Xie briefly helped rule the country as a regent that same year.
Ruling as Regent
In 1274, Emperor Duzong passed away. His son, Zhao Xian, was only four years old. Zhao Xian became Emperor Gong of Song with help from a high-ranking official named Jia Sidao. The next year, Emperor Gong began to rule with his adoptive grandmother, Grand Empress Dowager Xie, acting as regent. His mother, Empress Dowager Quan, also had a role, but Empress Xie was the main ruler.
During this time, the army of the Mongol Empire was very powerful. They had already taken control of northern and southwestern China. The Mongols crossed the Yangtze River and captured important places, like Xiangyang City. They were moving closer to the Song capital, Lin'an (which is now Hangzhou).
Grand Empress Dowager Xie tried two things to save the country. First, she asked the people to support their emperor and fight for China. Second, she tried to make peace with the advancing Mongol army.
In early 1275, Jia Sidao led an army of 30,000 Song soldiers. They fought the Mongols at Wuhu City. Sadly, the Song army lost the battle. Soon after, because people were very upset, Empress Dowager Xie ordered Jia Sidao to be executed. By the middle of 1275, the Mongol army controlled most of Jiandong, which is the southern part of modern-day Jiangsu Province.
On January 18, 1276, the leader of the Mongol forces, General Bayan, arrived outside Lin'an with his army. The Song court sent a statesman named Lu Xiufu to talk with the Mongols. The only choice left was to surrender to the Mongols.
Fall of the Song Dynasty
Later that year, in February 1276, Grand Empress Dowager Xie carried the five-year-old Emperor Gong out of Lin'an. She took him to the Mongol camp, where she officially surrendered. The remaining parts of the Southern Song court and army who could still fight moved south to Fujian and Guangdong provinces.
The young former emperor, his mother, and the imperial princesses were taken to Beijing. There, they formally submitted to the Mongols. A few months later, Empress Dowager Xie joined them at the Yuan emperor's summer home in Inner Mongolia. They all lost their royal titles. However, they were given property in Beijing that was free from taxes, and they settled there.
