Empress Dowager Liang Na – The peaceful Regent who brought order throughout her empire

Empress Dowager Liang Na was the Empress of Emperor Shun of the Eastern Han Dynasty. When Emperor Shun died, Liang Na became the Empress Dowager and Regent. Empress Dowager Liang Na’s regency often suffered many difficulties.^[1] She was a capable ruler who installed order throughout her empire.^[2] Empress Dowager Liang Na has often been praised for her tremendous achievements.^[3]

In 116 C.E., Empress Dowager Liang Na was born. Her father was Liang Shang. Her brother was Liang Ji. She had a younger sister named Liang Nuying (who would later be Emperor Huan’s first Empress). She was from the prominent Liang family.^[4] She was the great-niece of Worthy Lady Liang, who was the mother of Emperor He and was murdered by Empress Dowager Dou in 83 C.E.^[5] Thus, Liang Na had connections to royalty. It was said that Liang Na was very intelligent.^[6] She could recite The Analects and had studied the Book of Songs by the time she was nine.^[7] She also liked to model herself on women listed in the Biographies of Eminent Women.^[8]

In 128 C.E., Liang Na entered Emperor Shun’s harem at the age of thirteen. Emperor Shun was fourteen years old. Liang Na was given the title of Worthy Lady (which was the highest rank below the Empress position). She won Emperor Shun’s favour.^[9] In 132 C.E., Emperor Shun decided it was time to appoint an Empress. However, Emperor Shun did not know who to appoint as his Empress.^[10] Worthy Lady Liang Na became one of the four candidates for the Empress position.^[11] He even contemplated drawing lots to pick his Empress.^[12] He eventually settled on Liang Na because of her noble background.^[13]

On 2 March 132 C.E., Liang Na was invested as Empress of China. In 135 C.E., Empress Liang Na’s father, Liang Shang, was promoted to General-in-Chief. In 141 C.E., Liang Shang died. His son, Liang Ji, was given the position of General-in-Chief.^[14]

Empress Liang Na was said to be a virtuous Empress.^[15] She was modest and intelligent.^[16] She recognised her faults and tried her best to correct them.^[17] She maintained Emperor Shun’s favour, but she failed to produce any children with him.^[18] Emperor Shun’s concubine named Beauty Yu bore him his only son named Liu Bing in 143 C.E.^[19] In 144 C.E., Emperor Shun fell ill. He died on 20 September 144 C.E.

Emperor Shun’s one-year-old son, Liu Bing, ascended to the throne as Emperor Chong. Liang Na became the Empress Dowager and was made Regent. Emperor Chong’s mother, Beauty Yu, was not made Empress Dowager alongside Empress Dowager Liang Na.^[20] Instead, she received the title of “Great Lady.”^[21] Empress Dowager Liang Na was the most powerful woman in China. She ruled alongside her brother, Liang Ji.^[22]

On 15 February 145 C.E., Emperor Chong died. Empress Dowager Liang Na and her brother, Liang Ji, finally settled on a successor.^[23] He would be Prince Liu Zuan, who was the great-great-grandson of Emperor Zhang.^[24] He was eight years old, which was an age where he would still need a Regent.^[25] Empress Dowager Liang Na could still continue her regency.^[26] On 6 March 145 C.E., Prince Liu Zuan ascended the throne as Emperor Zhi.

Emperor Zhi openly disapproved of Empress Dowager Liang Na and Liang Ji.^[27] Empress Dowager Liang Na began to look for a Prince who could replace him as the Emperor.^[28] She settled on the fifteen-year-old Prince Liu Zhi, the Marquis of Liwu.^[29] Empress Dowager Liang Na betrothed her younger sister, Liang Nuying, to Prince Liu Zhi.^[30] This shows that Empress Dowager Liang Na planned to eliminate Emperor Zhi.^[31] If she did not plan to kill Emperor Zhi, Empress Dowager Liang Na would have married her sister to him instead of Prince Liu Zhi.^[32] On 26 July 146 C.E., Emperor Zhi suddenly died.

On 1 August 146 C.E., Liu Zhi ascended the throne as Emperor Huan. In the summer of 147 C.E., Emperor Huan married Liang Nuying and made her his Empress on 30 September 147 C.E.^[33] Liang Ji and his wife, Sun Shou, lived a life of luxury and extravagance.^[34] Empress Liang Nuying was also very extravagant and loved luxury.^[35] However, Empress Dowager Liang Na remained very frugal and tried to lead by good example.^[36]

Empress Dowager Liang Na’s regency was often set with difficulties.^[37] There were frequent rebellions.^[38] During one of those rebellions, Emperor Shun’s tomb was plundered.^[39] The country was also in dire straits financially.^[40] Empress Dowager Liang Na appointed talented officials and sent troops to quash the rebellions.^[41] Eventually, the rebellions ended, and order was finally restored throughout the empire.^[42] In early 150 C.E., Empress Dowager Liang Na officially relinquished her regency.^[43] On 6 April 150 C.E., Empress Dowager Liang Na died. She was thirty-four years old.^[44]

Empress Dowager Liang Na ruled as Regent for eight years. Even though her family was pleasure-loving and often abused their power, Empress Dowager Liang Na was seen as a model Empress.^[45] She was very intelligent and ruled capably.^[46] She made many accomplishments.^[47] She resolved many difficulties during her regime.^[48] She also brought peace throughout the empire.^[49] While her family has left a negative image in history, Empress Dowager Liang Na continues to be praised for her virtue and wisdom.^[50]

Sources:

De Crespigny, R. (2015). “Liang Na, Empress of Emperor Shun” & “Liang Nuying, Empress of Emperor Huan”. Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women: Antiquity Through Sui, 1600 B.C.E. – 618 C.E. (L. X. H. Lee, Ed.; A. D. Stefanowska, Ed.; S. Wiles, Ed.). NY: Routledge. pp. 157-162.

McMahon, K. (2013). Women Shall Not Rule: Imperial Wives and Concubines in China from Han to Liao. NY: Rowman and Littlefield.