Yang Yan (empress) facts for kids

Yang Yan (born in 238, died August 25, 274) was a very important woman in ancient China. She was the first empress of the Western Jin dynasty. Her formal title was Empress Wuyuan, which means "the brave and wise empress." She was the first wife of Emperor Wu, who was the first emperor of the Jin dynasty.

Empress Yang Yan's Early Life

Yang Yan was the daughter of Yang Wenzong, a respected noble during the Cao Wei period. Her mother, Lady Zhao, passed away when Yang Yan was very young. Because of this, her aunt and uncle helped raise her. Later, her stepmother, Lady Duan, took care of her.

When Yang Yan was a child, people described her as smart, eager to learn, and beautiful. A fortune teller once predicted that she would achieve great honor. When Sima Zhao, a powerful leader, heard this, he arranged for her to marry his oldest son, Sima Yan.

Marriage to Sima Yan

Yang Yan and Sima Yan had six children together: three sons and three daughters. After Sima Zhao died in 265, his son Sima Yan became the new leader. About five months later, Sima Yan became the new emperor. He started the Jin dynasty and was known as Emperor Wu. On March 20, 266, he made Yang Yan his empress.

Life as Empress of the Jin Dynasty

Empress Yang Yan played a big role in important decisions for the royal family.

Who Would Be the Next Emperor?

Empress Yang's oldest son, Sima Gui, died when he was a child. This meant her second son, Sima Zhong, was next in line to become the crown prince, according to tradition. However, Emperor Wu was not sure about choosing Sima Zhong because he had a developmental disability.

Empress Yang strongly encouraged Emperor Wu to choose Sima Zhong anyway. She argued that it was important to follow the traditional rules for who would become emperor. Her advice helped convince Emperor Wu to name Sima Zhong as the crown prince.

Choosing a Wife for the Crown Prince

Empress Yang also helped choose a wife for her son, the crown prince. Emperor Wu first thought about choosing the daughter of a man named Wei Guan. But Empress Yang was good friends with Lady Yang, whose husband was Jia Chong. Empress Yang spoke highly of Jia Chong's daughter, Jia Nanfeng. Because of Empress Yang's praise, Jia Nanfeng was chosen to be the crown princess.

Empress Yang's Final Days

In 274, Empress Yang became very ill. She worried about who would become empress after her and how that person would treat her son, the crown prince. She was especially concerned about Consort Hu Fen, whom Emperor Wu liked very much.

Because of her concerns, Empress Yang asked Emperor Wu to marry her cousin, Empress Yang Zhi, after she passed away. Emperor Wu was very sad about Empress Yang's illness and agreed to her wish. Empress Yang died soon after, on August 25, 274. She was buried with great honor in the same tomb where Emperor Wu would later be buried.

In 276, Emperor Wu kept his promise to Empress Yang. He married Yang Zhi and made her the new empress.