The Formidable Reign of Empress Lü Zhi

In 180 BCE, Lü Zhi, the formidable empress dowager of Han Dynasty China, passed away at age 62. Though never officially declaring herself emperor, Lü wielded unprecedented power during her regency—so much so that historian Sima Qian included her in Records of the Grand Historian’s imperial biographies (Basic Annals of Empress Lü). This exceptional treatment underscored her de facto imperial authority, drawing comparisons to later female rulers like Wu Zetian.

Lü governed through a calculated “half-competent, half-kin” strategy. Capable officials like Chancellor Chen Ping and Grand Commandant Zhou Bo managed state affairs and military matters, while trusted relatives and favorites filled other key roles. Among her nepotistic appointments, nephews Lü Chan (son of her elder brother Lü Ze) and Lü Lu (son of brother Lü Shizhi) rose to prominence—despite their mediocrity.

The Underestimated Foundations: The Lü Clan’s Early Contributions

Contrary to popular belief, the Lü family’s influence predated Lü Zhi’s reign. Their father, Lü Ze, was a seasoned military commander who aided Liu Bang (Emperor Gaozu) during critical campaigns:
– 206 BCE: Lü Ze’s forces helped defeat Qin general Li You.
– 205 BCE: After Liu Bang’s disastrous defeat at Pengcheng, Lü Ze provided refuge in Dang Commandery.
– 201 BCE: Both Lü Ze and Lü Shizhi were enfeoffed as marquises for their contributions.

Lü Shizhi later played a pivotal role in preserving Liu Bang’s heir, Crown Prince Liu Ying. When Liu Bang sought to replace Liu Ying with a favored concubine’s son, Lü Shizhi pressured strategist Zhang Liang into devising a solution—the famed “Four Greybeards of Mount Shang” whose endorsement secured Liu Ying’s succession.

The Fragile Ascent of Lü Chan and Lü Lu

Despite their lineage, Lü Chan and Lü Lu initially held minor posts. Their rapid promotion followed the death of Emperor Hui (Liu Ying) in 188 BCE, when 15-year-old Zhang Liang’s son, Zhang Pijiang, advised Chancellor Chen Ping to cede power to the Lü clan to avoid conflict. Notably, Zhang recommended these two precisely because they were perceived as weak—ideal pawns for the eventual overthrow.

By 180 BCE, Lü Zhi’s deathbed arrangements placed:
– Lü Chan as Chancellor and commander of the Southern Army (guarding Weiyang Palace).
– Lü Lu as General-in-Chief overseeing the Northern Army (defending Changle Palace).
– Other safeguards: A Lü-family empress, trusted eunuch Shen Yiji as Grand Tutor, and strict orders to “hold the palaces, avoid funerals, and never yield control.”

The Collapse: Four Fatal Blunders

### 1. The Traitorous Son-in-Law
Lü Lu’s son-in-law, Liu Zhang (Prince of Qi’s brother), secretly allied with anti-Lü factions. His intelligence leaks enabled the Qi rebellion—the first crack in Lü dominance.

### 2. Misplaced Trust in General Guan Ying
Tasked with suppressing Qi, Guan Ying instead conspired with Zhou Bo at Xingyang, halting military advances to isolate the Lü clan.

### 3. The Voluntary Surrender of Power
Lü Lu was persuaded by “friend” Li Ji (whose father was kidnapped by conspirators) to relinquish his command, believing peaceful retirement was possible. His aunt Lü Xu had warned: “A general who abandons his army leaves the Lü clan nowhere to hide!”

### 4. The Barred Chancellor
Lü Chan’s attempt to secure imperial authorization failed when guards—under orders from Vice Chancellor Cao Zhú—denied him entry to the palace. Stranded without legitimacy, he was hunted down and killed in a lavatory by Liu Zhang’s troops.

Aftermath and Historical Legacy

Within weeks of Lü Zhi’s death, her clan was exterminated. The episode highlighted:
– The perils of nepotism: Competence mattered more than bloodline in sustaining power.
– The resilience of Liu Bang’s allies: Chen Ping and Zhou Bo’s pragmatism restored Han rule.
– A cautionary tale: Later dynasties cited the Lü clan’s fall to justify excluding empresses from politics.

Yet Lü Zhi’s administrative policies—lowered taxes, stabilized coinage, and diplomatic truces with the Xiongnu—left enduring marks. Her story remains a gripping study of ambition, kinship, and the precariousness of power.