Do you know who the real Empress Dowager Liu was in history? Next, the editor of History Encyclopedia will explain it to you
Empress Dowager Liu, the empress of Emperor Zhenzong, gradually gained control of the political power in the later period of Zhenzong’s reign. After the death of Emperor Zhenzong, she became the first female protagonist of the Linchao system in the Great Song Dynasty
But Empress Dowager Liu is not as famous as Empress Lv and Empress Wu Zetian. Most of us know her from the dramas and movies such as the exchange of a raccoon for a crown prince
In these stories, Empress Dowager Liu is vicious and vicious, killing frequently for her own selfish interests. However, is Empress Dowager Liu really that kind of person
Actually, it’s not like that. The exchange of a raccoon cat for a crown prince is just an adaptation and interpretation based on history, far from historical figures. So what kind of person is she exactly
Empress Dowager Liu’s name was Liu E, from Huayang, Yizhou. She was born humble and an orphan daughter. At the age of ten, she had to marry the local silversmith Gong Mei. In the early years of Yongxi, the two of them went to the capital together
As a newcomer who couldn’t earn much money and was financially strapped, Gong Mei prepared to remarry Liu E, so she didn’t have to live in poverty with him and could exchange some money for her
At this time, Emperor Zhenzong was appointed as the King of Xiang. He believed that women in Shu were talented and wise, so he had always wanted to marry a Sichuan girl. Liu E was introduced to Zhang Qi by the Xiangwang Mansion and entered the mansion, where she was highly favored by Emperor Zhenzong
However, after learning about this, Emperor Taizong did not agree, and Emperor Zhenzong had to keep Liu E at Zhang Qi’s house until Emperor Taizong passed away before bringing her back
Before Emperor Zhenzong ascended the throne, his original wife had already passed away at an early age. Empress Guo, who was appointed after his accession, also passed away shortly after. Liu E was the next empress appointed by Emperor Zhenzong
Due to Liu E’s birth, Emperor Zhenzong’s decision to appoint her as his successor can be considered as a rejection of public opinion. But precisely because of Liu E’s birth, after gaining power, she did not have too many relatives monopolizing power, but instead did many beneficial things for the country
One is to establish a memorial hall. In order to understand the situation, she restored the Inspection Institute established during the reign of Emperor Taizong in the seventh year of the Tiansheng reign. In the first year of the Ming Dynasty, she also established the Censorate, not always refusing to listen to harsh words
The second is to clarify the governance of officials. During the reigns of Tian Sheng and Ming Dao, she issued six orders to severely punish corrupt officials. Under her advocacy, a group of honest officials emerged at that time, such as Fan Zhongyan, Wang Sui, Zhang Lun, etc
Thirdly, we attach great importance to water conservancy. Long term construction was able to block the Yellow River landslide that had been causing harm for nine years by the end of the fifth year of the Tian Sheng era. During the reigns of Tian Sheng and Ming Dao, major water conservancy projects included Taizhou Hanhai Weir and Shuzhou Wutang Weir
The fourth is the issuance of Jiaozi. The heavy iron coins were not easy to carry, so the Chengdu Symbol Seal was used to make Jiaozi, which is the earliest paper currency in the world. In the first year of the Tian Sheng era, Empress Dowager Liu approved the establishment of the official Jiaozhi Office in Yizhou, issuing official Jiaozhi, greatly promoting the circulation of paper currency
The fifth is to improve the imperial examination system. During the Tiansheng era, while further expanding the number of candidates, new examination subjects were also established. The dance performance of the Song Dynasty began during this period
Regarding the political achievements of Empress Dowager Liu, there is a commentary in the “History of the Song Dynasty”: during the period of Tian Sheng and Ming Dao, the emperor was prosperous in the Spring and Autumn Period, and the empress dowager was called Zhi. However, both inside and outside were solemn, and the discipline was well-organized. There were no major deficiencies in the court’s politics
Of course, it is not to say that Empress Dowager Liu’s political achievements are outstanding and without any mistakes. The empress dowager often relied on eunuchs and indulged her relatives during her court days. But it did not reach the level of endangering the government
The eunuchs Luo Chongxun and Jiang Deming, whom Empress Dowager Liu relied on, were not included in the “History of the Song Dynasty – Biographies of Eunuchs”, indicating that their harm was not significant
As for her relatives, it’s even more impossible. She doesn’t have any complicated family background, and her ex husband, whom she recognized as her elder brother, passed away before he hung the curtain
The only relative is the older brother of Liu Mei’s wife, Qian Weiyan, who holds the position of the ruling minister. He is a shameless person who only seeks to climb the ranks of relatives. Twice seeking a position, but facing opposition from courtiers, Empress Dowager Liu ultimately did not dare to let him fulfill his dream of becoming prime minister
Of course, Empress Dowager Liu would also crack down on those forces that opposed her, such as Kou Zhun and others who opposed her becoming empress, and were directly demoted to other places by her
In the court, they also cultivate their own confidants, and later become addicted to power, ignoring memorials demanding the return of power, and directly transferring those people from the central government
Even Empress Dowager Liu wanted to emulate Empress Wu Zetian and claim the title of emperor. She tentatively asked her ministers, “What is Empress Wu of Tang like?” Lu Zong, known for his honesty, replied without hesitation, “The criminals of Tang Dynasty pose a great threat to the country
The Song Dynasty had strict family laws that restricted female leaders and relatives from participating in politics. Coupled with opposition from ministers, Empress Dowager Liu eventually abandoned this idea
Even when Yu Mei and her Cheng Lin presented the “Empress Wu Linchao Tu”, she threw it directly on the ground and said, “I won’t do anything that would betray my ancestors
So overall, during the reign of Empress Dowager Liu, she made significant achievements, even putting an end to absurd practices such as the Tianshu governance during the reign of Emperor Zhenzong
In dealing with the issue of Emperor Renzong of Song and his biological mother, he did not make things too difficult. When Emperor Renzong ascended the throne, she sent his birth mother Li Shi to guard the tomb of Emperor Zhenzong
But at the same time, they also found Li Yonghe, the long lost brother of the Li family, and sent him to the position of serving in Class Three, which can be considered as a gradual promotion
After Li’s death, Empress Dowager Liu had planned to mourn outside the palace with the etiquette of palace officials. Yi Jian said, “I dare not speak out without considering Liu’s interests; if we consider Liu’s interests, the mourning ceremony should be lenient
Empress Dowager Liu finally figured it out and buried her in a lavish manner with first-class etiquette and the attire of the Empress Dowager. After Empress Dowager Liu’s death, someone did indeed spread rumors in front of Emperor Renzong
Emperor Renzong personally opened the coffin and examined it. When he saw his birth mother wearing the clothes of the Empress Dowager, he knew that people’s words were unreliable. Therefore, in the future, he became even more courteous towards the Liu family
This is the evolution of the raccoon cat replacing the crown prince, which shows that Empress Dowager Liu is not such a vicious person, and her actions towards the Li family are not so devastating to the heavens
Later generations evaluated Empress Dowager Liu as having the talent of Lv Wu, but not the evil of Lv Wu. Although somewhat undeserving, Empress Dowager Liu was also a person who wielded power and refused to return to power with Emperor Renzong until her death
But after all, it did not cause any actual or significant harm to the Song Dynasty. On the contrary, it was politically clear and worthy of this statement
