The Rise of Empress Lü in Early Han China

The story of Empress Lü Zhi (241–180 BCE), consort of Emperor Gaozu and mother of Emperor Hui, represents one of the most consequential periods of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BCE–9 CE). Following Emperor Gaozu’s death in 195 BCE, Lü emerged as China’s first de facto female ruler during a turbulent era where Confucian ideals of male dominance clashed with political realities. Her 15-year regency (188–180 BCE) established unprecedented female authority while triggering violent succession crises that nearly toppled the Liu imperial house.

This account begins with Emperor Hui’s troubled reign (195–188 BCE), where Lü’s machinations to preserve power—including forced incestuous marriages, child emperors, and the systematic elimination of rivals—reveal the brutal mechanics of Han court politics. The subsequent purge of Liu clan members and elevation of Lü relatives created factional tensions that would explode after her death, ultimately reinforcing the “Liu-only kingship” principle that defined Han governance for centuries.

The Puppet Emperor and the Bloody Path to Regency

Lü’s political engineering began with the manipulation of her own son. When Emperor Hui showed reluctance to govern, Lü arranged his marriage to his niece—daughter of Princess Yuan of Lu and Marquis Zhang Ao—despite the obvious moral violations. The childless union prompted Lü’s infamous “belly-stuffing” scheme:

1. The False Pregnancy Plot (192 BCE): Lü forced the empress to feign pregnancy, then presented a concubine’s son (Liu Gong) as the heir
2. Eliminating Witnesses: The infant’s biological mother was murdered to conceal the deception
3. Emperor Hui’s Untimely Death (188 BCE): The 24-year-old emperor’s demise—possibly accelerated by depression over his mother’s crimes—gave Lü the opening she needed

At Hui’s funeral, Lü’s theatrical “tearless mourning” betrayed her political calculations. As young Liu Gong ascended as Emperor Qianshao (r. 188–184 BCE), advisor Zhang Piquiang recognized Lü’s fear of losing control and orchestrated key military appointments for her nephews Lü Tai and Lü Chan, securing the capital’s Northern and Southern Armies.

The Lü Clan Ascendancy and Systemic Purges

With child emperors as figureheads, Lü launched history’s first systematic replacement of imperial kinsmen with maternal relatives:

### The Kingship Controversy (187 BCE)
– Wang Ling’s Defiance: The right chancellor invoked Gaozu’s “White Horse Oath” banning non-Liu kings
– Chen Ping’s Compliance: The left chancellor’s pragmatic surrender enabled Lü’s nepotism
– Strategic Reshuffling: Wang Ling was demoted to powerless tutor, while Lü’s lover Shen Yiji gained real authority

### The Great Enfeoffments (187–180 BCE)
Lü employed classic diversion tactics before empowering her clan:

| Liu Clan Appointments | Lü Clan Appointments |
|———————–|———————|
| Ceremonial titles for infants | Military governorships for adults |
| Liu Qiang (Huaiyang King) | Lü Tai (King of Lü) |
| Liu Buyi (Changshan King) | Lü Chan (King of Liang) |
| Liu Zhang (Zhu Xu Marquis) | Lü Lu (King of Zhao) |

The 182 BCE census reveals Lü relatives controlled:
– 9 of 13 central government ministries
– 60% of regional military commands
– All palace guard units

Cultural Shockwaves and Resistance

Lü’s regime provoked ideological crises across Han society:

### The Confucian Dilemma
– Filial Piety vs. Statecraft: Scholars debated whether serving a female ruler violated Zhou classics
– Legalist Pragmatism: Chen Ping’s faction justified obedience to maintain stability

### The Brave Opposition
– Liu Zhang’s Agricultural Allegory (182 BCE): The Zhu Xu Marquis’ coded song—”Remove the weeds that don’t belong”—became anti-Lü propaganda
– The Drunken Execution: Liu’s murder of a Lü clansman under “military law” exposed the regime’s fragility

The Collapse and Historical Legacy

The system unraveled after Lü’s 180 BCE death:

1. The Lü Clan Massacre: Chen Ping and Zhou Bo exterminated the Lü within months
2. Emperor Wen’s Restoration (180 BCE): Liu Heng’s accession restored Liu dominance
3. The “Lessons of Lü”: Later dynasties banned maternal relatives from military posts

Modern assessments recognize Lü as:
– Administrative Reformer: Maintained Gaozu’s tax policies during droughts
– Feminist Paradox: Used patriarchal systems to shatter gender barriers
– Political Blueprint: Her tactics influenced later regents like Wu Zetian

The Western Han ultimately survived Lü’s upheaval by codifying new succession laws—proof that even the most audacious power grabs could strengthen imperial institutions through counter-reformation.