Zhi Yang

Background

Yang Zhi was born in 259, in Shaanxi province. She was the daughter of Yang Jun, however, there is no information about Yang Zhi’s mother. Her elder cousin, Yang Yan, had been the first wife of Sima Yan.

Career

Yang Zhi's cousin, Empress Yang Yan, asked Emperor Wu to marry Yang Zhi after her death. As Empress Yang Yan was fearful that whoever became empress next would undermine her developmentally-disabled son Crown Prince Zhong's position as crown prince. After the two-year mourning period for Empress Yang Yan had been completed, Yang Zhi was duly promoted to the office of the empress, in 276.

Empress Yang Zhi is best defined by her relationship with Jia Nanfeng, consort of the heir apparent Sima Zhong. When word reached Emperor Wu that his daughter-in-law had strangled several of her pregnant palace rivals to death with her bare hands, he immediately sought to have her removed as consort to the heir. Speaking in support of Consort Jia, Empress Yang reminded Emperor Wu of the powerful support offered to the state by the consort’s father, Jia Chong, and warned of the consequences of offending him.

Yang Zhi’s promotion to empress brought increased status and power to her kinsmen. Her father, the previously low-ranking Yang Jun, was promoted and from 280 on found himself the most powerful individual at the Jin court. When Emperor Wu died on 16 May 290, Yang Jun became sole regent and his daughter was promoted to empress dowager. Although the emperor was an adult, Yang Jun positioned himself as the de facto ruler, taking up residence in the Basilica of the Supreme Ultimate, an act tantamount to proclaiming himself emperor.

Jia Nanfeng, however, wanted to be involved in the government and was angry that she was constantly rebuffed by Empress Dowager Yang and Yang Jun. She, therefore, conspired with the eunuch Dong Meng and the generals Meng Guan and Li Zhao against the Yangs. Jia Nanfeng, who had her husband easily under her control, had him issued an edict declaring that Yang Jun had committed crimes and should be removed from his posts. It also ordered Sima Wei and Sima Yao the Duke of Dong'an to attack Yang's forces and defend against counterattacks.

Quickly, it became clear that Yang was in trouble. Empress Dowager Yang, trapped in the palace herself, wrote an edict ordering assistance for Yang Jun and put it on arrows, shooting it out of the palace. Empress Jia then made the bold declaration that Empress Dowager Yang was committing treason. Yang Jun was quickly defeated, and his clan was massacred. However, Empress Jia continued to be resentful, and soon had Empress Dowager Yang deposed from her position and made a commoner, and then had Lady Pang executed. Initially, her closest servants were allowed to remain to serve her, but in 292, Empress Jia had them moved elsewhere. In despair, Empress Dowager Yang refused to eat and died after eight days of not eating.

Achievements

• Yang Zhi was known in Chinese history as Empress Wudao and a tragic victim of imperial politics.

Connections

Yang Zhi was Emperor Wu's second wife. She bore him a son, Sima Hui, in 283, but Prince Hui died in 284. She did not bear him other children afterwards.

Father:

Yang Jun

Yang Jun was a Jin Dynasty official during the reign of Emperor Wu and regent for Emperor Hui.

Cousin:

Yan Yang

Yan Yang was an empress of Jin Dynasty (265-420).

husband:

Sima Yan

Sima Yan, also known as Emperor Wu of Jin, was the first emperor of the Jin dynasty after forcing Cao Huan, last ruler of the state of Cao Wei.

Son:

Sima Hui

Sima Hui was known as Prince Shang of Bohai.

References

• Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women: Antiquity Through Sui, 1600 B.C.E. - 618 C.E This new volume of the "Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women" spans more than 2,000 years from antiquity to the early seventh century. It recovers the stories of more than 200 women, nearly all of them unknown in the West.
  1998