Chen Shuozhen – The peasant who proclaimed herself Emperor

Before Wu Zetian ascended the throne of China, there was another woman who proclaimed herself emperor in China.^[1] Her name was Chen Shuozhen. She was a peasant woman who rebelled during the early years of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty’s reign in 653.^[2] She declared herself Emperor Wenjia (which meant the “Civil and Excellent Emperor”^[3]). This made her the first woman in Chinese history to declare herself emperor.^[4] Chen Shuozhen had more than fourteen thousand troops in her army.^[5] However, her reign as emperor was short-lived, lasting less than two months.^[6]

The birthdate of Chen Shuozhen is unknown.^[7] Chen Shuozhen lived through the last years of Emperor Taizong’s reign and the beginning of Emperor Gaozong’s reign.^[8] Emperor Taizong had ordered the construction of large buildings throughout the Tang empire, creating many hardships for the people.^[9] His death created unrest at the borders among non-Han ethnic tribes that turned into rebellion.^[10] Emperor Gaozong was also not a strong ruler, and there were border wars that caused hardships for the peasants during his early reign.^[11] It was due to these events that Chen Shuozhen would rebel against the Tang Dynasty.^[12]

Chen Shuozhen was born in Muzhou (modern-day Jiande District in Zhejiang Province).^[13] Her background is unknown.^[14] Modern historians believe that she was a peasant who may have come from a martial family.^[15] Modern historians also speculate that she may have had a religious background.^[16] It is believed that “she rang bells and burned incense when she marched into war.”^[17] Ancient historian, Sima Guang (1019-1086) also “accused her of spreading heresy to trick the people, which was a common discourse used to discredit religious sects.”^[18] In ancient China, rebel leaders, especially those from the lowest social class, often used religion to gain followers.^[19]

In the winter of 653, Chen Shuozhen and her brother-in-law, Zhang Shuyin, started a rebellion against the Tang Dynasty in Muzhou.^[20] Chen Shuozhen was the leader of the rebellion.^[21] She declared herself emperor and was known as Emperor Wenjia.^[22] This made her the first woman in China to claim the title of emperor for herself.^[23] She made Zhang Shuyin her prime minister.^[24] Chen Shuozhen quickly gained a large following.^[25] She had more than fourteen thousand troops under her command.^[26] Modern historians believe that the reason she had many followers was due to “the myth of her magic powers.”^[27]

The Tang Dynasty soldiers did not want to engage in battle with Chen Shuozhen’s army because they were afraid of her “magic powers.”^[28] Therefore, Chen Shuozhen’s army was unopposed.^[29] They took command of Muzhou, Tonglu, and Yuqian (all located in modern-day Zhenjiang Province).^[30] Chen Shuozhen’s army then decided to attack Wuzhou (located near modern-day Jinhua in Zhejiang Province).^[31] However, Cui Yixuan (the Prefect of Wuzhou) decided to resist Chen Shuozhen’s army.^[32] He defeated her general, Tong Wenbao.^[33] He also “decapitated several thousand rebels and allowed the rest to surrender.”^[34] Then, Cui Yixuan proceeded to Muzhou with Feng Renyu (an official from the Tang imperial court who was sent to quash Chen Shuozhen’s rebellion), surrounded and attacked Chen Shuozhen.^[35] Chen Shuozhen was outnumbered and defeated by the Tang Dynasty army.^[36] Chen Shuozhen and Zhang Shuyin were killed.^[37] More than ten thousand of her troops surrendered.^[38] Chen Shuozhen’s rebellion and her reign as emperor lasted less than two months.^[39]

Chen Shuozhen’s reign as emperor was short-lived.^[40] Yet, her story continues to captivate the people of China for over a thousand years.^[41] Her brother-in-law, Zhang Shuyin, should have been the one in charge of the rebellion.^[42] However, Chen Shuozhen was the one who assumed a leadership position and declared herself emperor.^[43] It was rare for women in the Tang Dynasty to hold leadership roles.^[44] She also gained a large number of followers in a short time, and she must have had great charisma in order to command a massive army.^[45] One historical account claims that Chen Shuozhen “was a role model for the Fangla uprising at the end of the Northern Song Dynasty”^[46] (960-1127). In Zhejiang Province, there are many folktales and historical sites that are associated with Chen Shuozhen.^[47] Thus, Chen Shuozhen’s story will never be forgotten.^[48]

Sources:

Hughes, A. D. (2021). Worldly Saviors and Imperial Authority in Medieval Chinese Buddhism. Honolulu, HI: University of Hawaii Press.

Lee, L. X. H. (2014). “Chen Shuozhen”. Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women, Volume II: Tang Through Ming 618 – 1644. (Lee, L. X. H, Ed. & Wiles, S., Ed.) NY: Routledge. pp. 38-39.