is comparable to Wu Zetian, and almost became the second female emperor in Chinese history
In China's long history, there was a woman who was almost the second empress. Her story is as complex as the brightest jewel in history, but at the most critical moment, she decided to abdicate. Who is this woman? What kind of power and life choices does she have behind her?
This is not only a story with historical shock, but also a poignant legend. Let's travel back in time and space into the life of this woman and learn about her hardships on the stage of history. Perhaps, the regret that she almost became the queen is also one of the mysteries left to us by history.
It's a historical journey through women and power, fate and choice, and an opportunity to rediscover the figure who almost became queen. Following in her footsteps, we may be able to see the tragic side of Chinese history.
i.Life is beautiful, but the torrent of fate is unstoppable.
In 960 AD, the Northern Song Dynasty was established. In the south of this empire, there is a girl named Liu E who is pulling strings.
Who is he? In the era of dynastic change and frequent wars, why did his name go down in history?
Liu E was born in a family of eunuchs, and her ancestors were famous generals, but unfortunately her father became local officials. Before Liu E grew up, her parents died unexpectedly, and she became an orphan, with only her mother's family taking care of her.
Being a parasite is not easy, and young Liu E learns to fight for survival. She sings for a living in the quyi shop, which is hard work, but it also cultivates her independent and confident character. In the end, she married a silversmith and left her hometown to make a living in the capital city of Kaifeng.
But it is difficult for them to live a peaceful life. There were many craftsmen in the capital, and Liu E's husband soon lost his livelihood. Two were almost bankrupt. At this time, Liu E's husband was jealous of Liu E's outstanding appearance and wanted to sell his wife!
The scandal of selling his wife soon reached the ears of a prince. This person is none other than Zhao Yuanxiu, the third son of Song Taizong. This lazy prince has always loved beauty, and when he heard that the silversmith had sold his beautiful wife, he immediately bought Liu E and included him in the harem.
At first, it seemed that Liu E's life would end in such a bleak way. However, the carousel of the goddess of fate keeps turning. Unexpectedly, this woman, who was bought by civilians, had the opportunity to be promoted to become wealthy, and even ascended to the throne!
ii.The princess of the public in the palace is thoughtful.
Zhao Yuanxiu found that Liu E was outstanding, so he took her into the palace to pamper her. A woman from humble beginnings became rich and prominent overnight.
It's a pity that the good times didn't last long, and Zhao Gou's father, Tang Taizong, learned that Zhao Gou was addicted to market women, and he was furious. He forced Zhao Gou to break up with Liu E and choose another woman from a good family as his wife.
Zhao Yuanxiu was heartbroken by the separation from his lover. He ostensibly obeyed the order and expelled Liu E from the palace, but secretly instructed his cronies to protect Liu E and occasionally visit her. This hard-won relationship eventually landed him on the throne.
In 995 AD, Emperor Taizong of the Song Dynasty died and Zhao Yuanxiu, later Emperor Zhenzong, ascended the throne. He immediately welcomed Liu E into the palace and made her a favorite concubine.
Liu E eventually returned to the palace and became the emperor's favorite woman. However, she is no longer a playful girl. Liu E still has a dream in her heart: to become the queen and even take power one day.
In order to fulfill her wish, Liu E gave birth to the prince of Zhenzong with the help of the palace maid. She adopted the child in order to blackmail Zhenzong into making her queen.
Of course, Liu E became the queen. A woman from humble origins can ascend to this highest throne!
The Empress Dowager Cixi ruled for three generations.
After Liu E became the queen, she quickly took control of the harem. But she most wanted to be involved in politics and even in power. Emperor Zhenzong was very sympathetic to Liu E and often asked her to listen to the government. Liu E gradually became familiar with the government and had her own ideas.
As Emperor Zhenzong was getting older, most of the government affairs were taken over by Liu E. Liu E even wanted to put on the emperor's clothes and worship the ancestors of the Zhao family at one point, so as to legally seize power. Fortunately, due to the strong opposition of the ministers, Liu E abandoned the idea.
In 1024 AD, Emperor Zhenzong died. He left behind a decree that allowed Liu E to take control of the government after his death, thus formally retaining power. The newly enthroned Song Renzong Zhao Zhen was nominally the ruler, but in reality he could only obey his mother Liu E.
Now, Liu E is only a thin line away from the throne! With great power in her hands, and her son is a puppet emperor, she can completely follow Wu Zetian and swagger onto the throne. Putting an ordinary woman on the throne is an unprecedented betrayal in a feudal dynasty!
However, to everyone's surprise, Liu E finally gave up the opportunity to ascend the throne.
iv.Empress Dowager Cixi's return to the dynasty and cooperation with the state of Zhao.
Liu E is now only one step away from the throne. Why did he give up the opportunity to ascend to the throne?
In fact, we cannot deny Liu Wu's personality just because he was brutal and tyrannical. His abdication is a reflection of the contradictions in his heart and the greatness of human nature.
First of all, Liu E clearly does not have a solid power base. She is not like Wu Zetian, she has the loyalty of a soldier and the support of her mother's family. Liu E is just an orphan, even if she ascends to the throne, she is a tree without roots.
Second, Liu Wu knew that he did not have a biological son. Once the identity of his adopted son is revealed, his empire will collapse.
After all, Liu E had no intention of seizing the throne in her heart. She was grateful for the emperor's favor. She entered the palace as a concubine, but she was favored by the emperor for the rest of her life, which was a victory she never expected.
When Liu E was old, she took the initiative to return the government to the little emperor, and the little emperor's adopted son was Zhao Zhen.
In 1033, Liu E fell ill and died. As a mother and widowed queen, she did her duty and did not let greed ruin the joy of family.
Liu E is a legendary woman who travels back and forth between two dynasties. Her life has experienced ups and downs, sometimes soaring, sometimes disappearing, and finally ending her life in peace and freedom.
He governed the country and changed the rise and fall of dynasties, while at the same time handing over power to others with a clear conscience. Liu E made her choice and was responsible for it.
History should not be cruel to women's longevity. On the contrary, the mind of Mingjun Liu E is indeed worth learning from every ruler. Power will eventually fade, but universal values will remain. Everyone will grow old, but they can leave an immortal soul behind.
This is Liu E, who almost ascended the throne of the queen. We need not judge her schemes, but we must remember the brilliance of her humanity. After experiencing ups and downs in her life, she finally fell into the immortal spiritual river of history. This is the best gift she has left us.