Queen Jiang – The virtuous Queen of the Western Zhou Dynasty who reprimanded her husband

Jiang was known to be a virtuous queen. She was Queen to King Xuan of the Western Zhou Dynasty. She was also the mother of King You of the Western Zhou Dynasty. Queen Jiang is known for reprimanding her husband for neglecting his state affairs for his Consorts.^[1] After her reprimand, King Xuan of the Western Zhou Dynasty strived to strengthen his weak kingdom.^[2] However, his son, King You, would destroy the Dynasty, which both Queen Jiang and King Xuan helped to strengthen.^[3]

In circa 825 B.C.E., Queen Jiang was born. Her personal name is unknown. She was from the Jiang clan. She was a Princess of Qi. Her father was the Duke of Qi. She married King Xuan of the Western Zhou Dynasty. Princess Jiang became Queen. She gave birth to King You of the Western Zhou Dynasty.

Queen Jiang was said to be intelligent and virtuous.^[4] King Xuan of the Western Zhou Dynasty would go to bed early and wake up late in the morning.^[5] His consorts awaited him in his bedchamber, where he lay with them every night.^[6] He neglected his state affairs and spent his time with his Consorts.^[7] Queen Jiang grieved about her husband’s neglect of state affairs.^[8] She took off her hairpins and earrings to await her penitence.^[9] Then, she sent a servant to bring a message to King Xuan of the Western Zhou Dynasty.^[10] The message was:

“I am incompetent and my dissolute heart has now manifested itself, to the extent that I have caused my ruler to engage in improprieties, and to arrive late in court, showing up late to court, showing that he loves women but has forgotten virtue. Now, if a man delights in women, he will also be fond of extravagance and give free reigns to his desires, and that is how disorder begins. The beginning of this disorder finds its origin in me. I, your humble servant, therefore request to accept the blame for this.”^[11]

King Xuan of the Western Zhou Dynasty was moved by her plea and felt ashamed.^[12] He said, “I am not virtuous, and in fact, I am myself responsible for this offence! It is not your fault.”^[13] King Xuan of the Zhou Dynasty began to be very diligent in state affairs.^[14] He worked late and rose early.^[15] He helped strengthen the Western Zhou Dynasty.^[16] King Xuan of the Western Zhou Dynasty died in 781 B.C.E. There is no mention of when and how Queen Jiang died.^[17] King You of the Western Zhou Dynasty became King. He was the last King of the Western Zhou Dynasty before it fell in 771 B.C.E., and the period of the Spring and Autumn began.^[18] China would not be reunited until the Qin Dynasty in 221 B.C.E.^[19]

Sources:

Cook, C. A. (2015) “Jiang, Queen of King Xuan of Zhou.” 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. p. 32

Eno, R. (2010). 1.7. Spring and Autumn China (771-453). Indiana University, PDF.

Liu, X., Kinney, A. B. (2014). Exemplary Women of Early China: The Lienü Zhuan of Liu Xiang. United Kingdom: Columbia University Press.