Do you like the story of Empress Wei? Today, the History Encyclopedia editor will provide a detailed interpretation for everyone.
When it comes to the famous “empress” in history, many people first think of Wu Zetian. Wu Zetian was the only “empress” in history who truly proclaimed herself emperor. At the age of 67, in order to fulfill her dream of becoming emperor, Wu Zetian kicked her own son Li Dan off the stage and successfully ascended to the throne. After Wu Zetian, another empress Wei appeared in the Tang Dynasty. Empress Wei also wanted to learn from Wu Zetian and become emperor, but her conspiracy did not succeed. Li Longji launched a coup and killed Empress Wei. During the Northern Song Dynasty, Liu E, the wife of Emperor Zhenzong of Song, was shrewd and decisive, often helping Emperor Zhenzong of Song handle court affairs, which can be regarded as the era of the Northern Song Dynasty. Wu Zetian.
After Song Renzong succeeded to the throne, Liu E often dressed in a dragon robe to deal with government affairs. It was Liu E who had the final say in all matters of the court, and Liu E became the “empress” of the Northern Song Dynasty. Liu E was as proficient in politics as Wu Zetian. The ministers of the court were very afraid of Liu E, and Kou, the prime minister who had always opposed Liu E’s participation in politics, was beaten to pieces by Liu E, and was eventually demoted to remote areas and died of illness. Although Liu E and Wu Zetian both liked autocracy, Liu E’s character was more moderate, and she did not like to kill ministers as Wu Zetian did. Even Kou Zhun He and Cao took advantage of others, who were just demoted to remote areas.
Liu E held great power for eleven years, and many people in the court persuaded her to declare herself emperor. The ministers jointly wrote a memorial, hoping that Liu E would emulate Wu Zetian and become the second female emperor in history. Liu E did not have any children of her own, only Song Renzong as an adopted son, so Liu E always regarded Song Renzong as her own child. Liu E understood that once she proclaimed herself emperor, she would inevitably break with Emperor Renzong of Song, and she would inevitably face retribution after her death. Therefore, after careful consideration, Liu E tore up the memorial persuading her to declare herself emperor on the spot and said, “I will never do anything that would betray our ancestors. “
In the eleventh year of Emperor Renzong of Song, Liu E passed away due to illness. Before her death, Liu E grabbed the dragon robe on her body and gestured to Emperor Renzong not to bury her in it, so as not to leave any gossip. Because Liu E had already started cultivating Emperor Renzong of Song before her death, after Liu E’s death, Emperor Renzong of Song successfully took over the imperial power of the Song Dynasty. Liu E ruled the court for 11 years, but did not declare herself emperor like Wu Zetian. Historical records evaluate her as possessing the same great talent and strategy as Wu Zetian, but lacking her ambition and cruelty.
Although Liu E never succeeded to the throne of Emperor Renzong of Song, after Liu E’s death, Emperor Renzong almost misunderstood Liu E. When Emperor Renzong ascended to the throne, his biological mother, Consort Li Chen, was still alive. The courtiers were afraid of Liu E’s power and dared not tell Emperor Renzong the truth. Liu E arranged for her confidants to secretly visit the family of Li Chenfei, so that they could have no worries about food and clothing and receive assistance from the court. One year before Liu E’s death, Consort Li Chen passed away in the palace. Liu E herself wanted to bury Consort Li Chen according to the standards of ordinary concubines. Later, she listened to the advice of Lv Yijian and buried Consort Li Chen according to the etiquette of the Empress Dowager. After Liu E’s death, many people began to criticize her wrongdoing. Some people told Emperor Renzong of Song about Li Chenfei, saying that Liu E had killed her.
Emperor Renzong of Song believed it to be true and sent people to surround Liu E’s home, and personally went to inspect the body of Empress Li Chen. It was found that Li Chenfei’s body was intact and undamaged, and the shroud she was wearing was made according to the specifications of the Empress Dowager. Emperor Renzong felt sorry for Liu E and prayed in front of her portrait to apologize. He also rewarded Liu E’s family more than before. As a character similar to Empress Wu Zetian, Liu E was able to receive a good ending after her death mainly because of her generous personality, which did not excessively oppress the emperor. She also buried the emperor’s biological mother generously, leaving Emperor Renzong of Song unable to find any reason to punish her.
