Imperial Consort Yu Ji was one of the wives of King Wei of Qi during the Warring States Period. When King Wei of Qi began to neglect state affairs, Imperial Consort Yu Ji of Qi began to advise him in politics.[1] However, she created an enemy and was unjustly accused of having an illicit affair.[2] Yet, Imperial Consort Yu Ji of Qi managed to prove her innocence.[3] Imperial Consort Yu Ji has been credited with helping her husband make Qi into a powerful state.[4]
Imperial Consort Yu Ji of Qi was born in the fourth century B.C.E.[5] She lived during the Warring States Period (which lasted from 475-221 B.C.E.).[6] During this period, the seven states of China–Qin, Chu, Zhao, Wei, Han, Yan, and Qi–declared independence from the ruling Zhou Dynasty and formed their own Dynasties.[7] The states were often in conflict with one another.[8] Imperial Consort Yu Ji of Qi was from the Ji clan in the State of Yu (modern-day Shanxi Province).[9] Her personal name was Juanzhi.[10] Her parents are unknown.[11] Yu Ji became the Imperial Consort to King Wei of Qi (modern-day Shandong Province).[12]
King Wei of Qi reigned from 356-320 B.C.E. Sometime during his reign, King Wei of Chu began to neglect state affairs.[13] Imperial Consort Yu Ji of Qi urged him to take state affairs seriously.[14] She advised him to dismiss his incompetent Prime Minister Zhou Pohu.[15] Imperial Consort Yu Ji of Qi also encouraged him to make Beiguo the new Prime Minister instead.[16] Zhou Pohu feared that he would quickly lose his position as Prime Minister.[17] He retaliated by accusing Imperial Consort Yu Ji of Qi and Beiguo of having an illicit affair.[18]
King Wei of Qi conducted an investigation on the charge of Imperial Consort Yu Ji’s illicit affair with Beiguo.[19] During the investigation, King Wei of Qi incarcerated Imperial Consort Yu Ji of Qi.[20] Prime Minister Zhou Pohu bribed the official in charge of the investigation to give Imperial Consort Yu Ji of Qi a guilty verdict.[21] However, King Wei of Qi personally interviewed his Imperial Consort and realised that she was innocent.[22] He released her.[23] He honoured Imperial Consort Yu Ji of Qi at both his court and the market.[24]
King Wei of Qi dismissed Zhou Pohu as his Prime Minister.[25] He strengthened his troops.[26] He worked diligently on state affairs.[27] Due to his hard work in ruling his kingdom, Qi became a strong state.[28] King Wei of Qi died in 320 B.C.E. It is unknown when and how Imperial Consort Yu Ji of Qi died.[29]
Imperial Consort Yu Ji of Qi cared deeply about the state of her kingdom.[30] She was very courageous in advising her husband on political affairs.[31] Even though she was slandered unjustly, Imperial Consort Yu Ji of Qi managed to prove her innocence and was honoured.[32] King Wei of Qi eventually listened to her advice and used it to strengthen his kingdom.[33] Imperial Consort Yu Ji of Qi is praised for her goodness.[34] In Biographies of Eminent Women, her biography is categorised under “Biographies of Those Able in Reasoning.”[35]
Sources:
Chen, X. (2019). “The Ideology and Significance of the Legalists School and the School of Diplomacy in the Warring States Period.” 4th International Conference on Modern Management, Education Technology and Social Science (MMETSS 2019). Atlantis Press.
Cook, C. A. (2015). “Yu Ji, Wife of King Wei of Qi”. 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. 89-90.
Liu, X., Kinney, A. B. (2014). Exemplary Women of Early China: The Lienü Zhuan of Liu Xiang. United Kingdom: Columbia University Press.
[1] Cook, 2015
[2] Cook, 2015
[3] Cook, 2015
[4] Cook, 2015
[5] Cook, 2015
[6] Liu and Kinney, 2014
[7] Chen, 2019
[8] Chen, 2019
[9] Cook, 2015
[10] Liu and Kinney, 2014
[11] Cook, 2015
[12] Cook, 2015
[13] Cook, 2015
[14] Cook, 2015
[15] Liu and Kinney, 2014
[16] Liu and Kinney, 2014
[17] Liu and Kinney, 2014
[18] Liu and Kinney, 2014
[19] Liu and Kinney, 2014
[20] Cook, 2015
[21] Cook, 2015
[22] Cook, 2015
[23] Liu and Kinney, 2014
[24] Liu and Kinney, 2014
[25] Liu and Kinney, 2014
[26] Liu and Kinney, 2014
[27] Liu and Kinney, 2014
[28] Liu and Kinney, 2014
[29] Cook, 2015
[30] Liu and Kinney, 2014
[31] Liu and Kinney, 2014
[32] Liu and Kinney, 2014
[33] Liu and Kinney, 2014
[34] Cook, 2015
[35] Cook, 2015, p. 90
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