Empress Dowager Dong

Empress Dowager Dong

Empress Dowager Dong? On July 7, 189, Dong, a native of Hejian (now Hebei), was the wife of Liu Chang, Marquis of jieduting, and the biological mother of Liu Hong, emperor of the Han Dynasty.

In the first year of Yongkang (167), Emperor Huan of the Han Dynasty died without a son. His Empress Dou Miao was honored as the Empress Dowager. Together with his father Dou Wu, Liu Hong was emperor, which was Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty. After emperor Hanling succeeded to the throne, he respected his father Liu Chang as emperor of filial piety and benevolence, and his mother Dong as a noble man in Shenyuan. In the second year of Jianning (169), Dong was honored as empress Xiaoren. Because of living in Yongle Palace, it is generally called“

Empress Dowager Yongle

”。

In the first year of Xiping (172), after the death of Empress Dowager Dou Miao, Dong became empress dowager and began to intervene in the government. Selling officials for goods, accepting money and disturbing the government. In the sixth year of Zhongping (189), Emperor Ling died, and his son Liu Bian succeeded to the throne. His mother, empress he, was the empress dowager, and Dong was the Empress Dowager.

In the same year (189), Dong failed in the struggle with empress he, and eventually died of anxiety and fear. He was buried in Shenling.

Life of the characters

Zi Gui Mu Xian

Dong, a native of Hejian (now Hebei), was married to Liu Chang, the Marquis of jieduting. In the second year of Yongshou (156), Dong gave birth to his son Liu Hong for Liu Chang. After Liu Chang's death, Liu Hong inherited the title of jieduting marquis. In the first year of Yongkang (167), Emperor Huan of Han Dynasty Liu Zhi died, and Dou Miao, Empress of emperor Huan of Han Dynasty, was honored as empress dowager. Because emperor Huan of the Han Dynasty had no son, Empress Dowager Dou Miao and his father Dou Wu decided to make Liu Hong emperor. in the first year of Jianning (168), Liu Hong ascended the throne as Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty. In March of the same year, Emperor Hanling, with the consent of Empress Dowager Dou Miao, honored his late father Liu Chang as emperor Xiaoren (only emperor, not emperor). His mausoleum was called Shenling, and his mother Dong's family was named Shenyuan.

Respect empress filial piety and benevolence

In September of the first year of Jianning (168), general Dou Wu was defeated and killed in the struggle with eunuchs. In the first month of the second year of Jianning (169), Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty sent Zhongchang to meet his mother, Dong Chong, from Hejian state to Luoyang in Kyoto. Dong Chong, Dong Chong's elder brother and his nephew, were also called to Luoyang. On the third day of March of the same year, Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty honored his mother Dong as empress Xiaoren and lived in Jiade Hall of Nangong. The palace was called Yongle Palace (because Dong lived in Yongle Palace, he was called empress dowager of Yongle). He appointed Dong Chong as Zhi Jinwu and Dong Chong as general of five senses. In September of the third year of Jianning (170), Dong Chong was put to death in prison because he asked for help from Dong's edict.

Interference in the government

In June of the first year of Xiping (172), the Empress Dowager Dou Miao died. After Dou Miao's death, Dong became the Empress Dowager and began to intervene in the government. He ordered emperor Hanling to sell his officials and ask for goods. He collected money and piled up all over the hall. In 181, Wang Rong, a beautiful woman of the Han Ling emperor, gave birth to his son Liu Xie. The empress of the Han Ling emperor, he Shi (empress Lingsi), was jealous, and the concubines and maids in the harem were afraid of her. Soon after Wang Rong gave birth to his prince Liu Xie, Queen he sent someone to poison Wang Rong with poisonous wine. Because of this, Emperor Hanling was very angry and wanted to dethrone he's empress. However, under the firm dissuasion of the eunuchs, Emperor Hanling had to give up. Later, Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty handed over the prince Liu Xie to his mother Dong, who raised and taught him personally, and called him Dong Hou.

Die of fear

Later, Dong repeatedly persuaded emperor Hanling to make Liu Xie the crown prince. Queen he resented her for this and proposed that it should not be agreed in time. Emperor Hanling died in April 189. After the death of emperor Hanling, he's son, Liu Bian, ascended the throne. His grandmother, Dong's, was the empress dowager, and his mother, he's, was the Empress Dowager. After he's regent, Dong Zhong, Dong's nephew and Hussar general, and he Jin, he's elder brother, fought for power, and the eunuchs relied on Dong Zhong as party aid. Every time Dong wanted to interfere in state affairs, he stopped him. Dong scolded angrily: "you are arrogant now. It depends on your brother ho Jin! If I order general Dong Zhong to cut off He Jin's head, it's just a matter of hand! " When empress dowager he heard this, she told he Jin. In May of the sixth year of Zhongping (189), he Jin, together with Sangong and his younger brother general he Miao, said: "Empress Dowager Dong ordered Xia Yun, the former Zhongchang servant, and Feng Zhen, the Yongle imperial servant, to collude with the state and county officials to monopolize the treasures of various places and send them to Yongle Palace. According to the past practice, the queen of the vassal state can't stay in the capital. Please move her back to Hejian state. " He then approved the memorial. On the sixth day of May, he Jin sent troops to encircle Dong Zhong's residence, arrested him and removed him from his post. Dong Zhong committed suicide and died. on the seventh day of June in the sixth year of Zhongping (189), the Dong family suddenly fell ill and died because of worry and fear. The common people believed that the Dong family was killed by he family. After Dong's death, his coffin was sent back to Hejian and buried with Liu Chang in Shenling.

Character evaluation

He Jin et al: Empress Xiaoren's envoys often served Xia Yun and Yongle's imperial servant granted Fu and other transportation prefectures. Gu Jiaozai's treasures were introduced into the western province. Fan Ye: he began to work with the imperial government. He made the emperor sell his officials and ask for goods. He accepted money and filled the hall.

Anecdotes and allusions

In the early years of emperor Huan of the Han Dynasty, there was a nursery rhyme in Luoyang, Kyoto, which said, "the train crew, into the river.". Hejian women workers count money, money for the room, gold for the hall, stone on the ground to pound sorghum. There is a hanging drum under the beam. The words "Chengqing is angry" that I want to strike are considered to be prophecies of Empress Dowager Dong. "Che Ban Ban, enter Hejian" means to welcome Emperor Ling to join Datong in Hejian. "Women workers in Hejian count money, and money is the room. Jin Weitang" describes empress dowager Dong's greed. "Huang Liang on the stone" refers to empress dowager Dong's stinginess. Although she collects money, it is not enough, so that people can pound Huang Liang for food. "There is a drum hanging under the beam, and I want to attack Cheng Qing's anger" means that Emperor Ling speaks in Empress Dowager Dong They are also very greedy for money, selling officials and nobility. The upright people in the world beat drums and complained. But the "Chengqing" who are in power are afraid of damaging their vested interests and do not allow people to speak. This nursery rhyme reflects the corruption of Empress Dowager Dong's mother and son and even the whole Eastern Han Dynasty.

member of family

brother

Dong Chong, the official to zhijinwu. Later, he was sentenced to death for the crime of falsely claiming that Dong asked for help.

husband

Liu Chang, the Marquis of jieduting, is the great grandson of emperor Zhang of Han Dynasty, the grandson of Liu Kai, the filial king of Hejian, and the son of Liu Shu, the Marquis of jieduting.

descendants

Liu Hong, Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty, Liu Bian, Emperor Shao of the Han Dynasty, Liu Xie, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty

nephew

Dong Zhong, the son of Dong Chong, was an official to a general of Hushi, and was a seal Hou. Later, he was dismissed from office and committed suicide. Dong Cheng, the nephew of Empress Dowager Dong and the father of Dong Guiren, was later killed by Cao Cao.

nephew

Zhang Zhong, the son of Empress Dowager Dong's sister, is the governor of Nanyang.

Historical records

Volume 8 of the book of the later Han Dynasty, Chapter 8 of emperor Xiaoling, Volume 10 of the book of the later Han Dynasty, Chapter 10 of empress, Volume 59 of Zizhi Tongjian

Film and television image

Chinese PinYin : Dong Tai Hou