Princess Zhao of Pingyang is a question that many readers are concerned about. Next, let’s learn about it together with all the readers and give you a reference.
Princess Zhao of Pingyang, a legendary woman, was posthumously honored with the title “Zhao”, which means “meritorious service in the Ming Dynasty”. She is one of the few princesses in history to be posthumously honored for her military achievements. Generally speaking, describing a princess as having luxurious clothes and luxurious food, as well as being a lady from a wealthy family, would never be associated with armor and swords. However, this princess just doesn’t like red makeup and loves military attire.
She was the third daughter of Emperor Gaozu of Tang, Li Yuan, and the sister of Li Shimin. She was the first princess in ancient history to lead a thousand armies and horses to make achievements for her father, and her talent and courage were no less than her brothers.
The famous pass of the Great Wall, Niangziguan (now Yangquan, Shanxi), was named after the Niangzi Army she led stationed here. Niangzi Pass is the throat for entering and exiting Shanxi, formerly known as Weize Pass. Shanxi is the barrier between the Central Plains and Guanzhong. If Shanxi is unstable, then the Central Plains and Guanzhong will be unstable. This shows the strategic significance of Niangzi Pass. Such an important military stronghold, Princess Zhao of Pingyang would not have dared to entrust the fate of the Tang Dynasty to her if she had not been brave and fearless, with both civil and military abilities.
At that time, Liu Heiti launched a massive attack on Niangzi Pass. Faced with an enemy force several times stronger, this “Li Niangzi” was resolute in her command, building fortifications, guarding tightly, and urgently attacking Taiyuan. However, the military situation was urgent and reinforcements could not arrive in time. In order to delay the enemy’s attack, she accidentally saw the abundant millet in the distance. The invincible “Rice Soup Retreat” plan was born. She ordered the military and civilians to immediately harvest, set up pots, boil rice soup, and then pour the rice soup into the ravine in front of the pass.
The next day, the enemy sentry discovered that it was suspected to be horse urine, which led the enemy to believe that reinforcements had arrived. They also saw banners waving on the city walls and shouting loudly, and dared not act rashly. In the end, they retreated without fighting. After learning later that this was Princess Pingyang’s suspicious plan, the reinforcements from Taiyuan had arrived, and they could only sigh at the ocean.
This is the legendary Pingyang Princess, who made outstanding military achievements throughout her life. In the feudal history of China, she is the only woman whose funeral was held by the army, a true legendary figure.
