Empress Yang Xianrong was the empress of two Chinese kingdoms. She was the second empress consort to Emperor Hui of the Western Jin Dynasty. After Emperor Hui’s death, Yang Xianrong became the Empress Dowager of the Western Jin Dynasty. Emperor Liu Yao burned her palace, kidnapped and married Empress Dowager Yang Xianrong. Therefore, Yan Xianrong became the empress consort to Emperor Liu Yao of the Han-Zhou Dynasty.
The birthdate of Empress Yang Xianrong is unknown. She was from Taishan Commandery. She was a member of the prominent Yang family.[1] Her father was Yang Xiangzi (Duke of Xingjin). Her mother is unknown. She was a cousin of Empress Yang Zhi.[2] On 7 May 300 C.E., Empress Jia Nanfeng (Emperor Hui’s empress) was deposed and was forced to commit suicide.[3] This left the empress position vacant.[4] Emperor Hui’s ministers decided that Yang Xiangrong should be Emperor Hui of the Western Jin Dynasty’s second empress.[5]
On 4 December 300 C.E., Yang Xianrong married Emperor Hui. She was invested as Empress of the Western Jin Dynasty.[6] It was said that Emperor Hui “lacked intelligence.”[7] Empress Yang Xianrong may have given birth to a daughter named Princess Linhai. She did not give Emperor Hui a son.[8]
On 3 February 301 C.E., Prince Sima Lun deposed Emperor Hui and installed himself as Emperor.[9] Emperor Sima Lun did not have an empress. On 31 May 301 C.E., a group of princes overthrew Emperor Sima Lun and restored Emperor Hui to the throne.[10] Therefore, Yang Xianrong had her title restored as empress.[11] However, Emperor Hui was only a puppet emperor ruled by different prince regents.[12] Emperor Hui and Empress Yang Xianrong were taken to Ye and even Chang’an.[13] In 304 C.E., Emperor Hui made his younger brother, Sima Chi, his Imperial Brother.[14] This meant that he was the heir apparent.[15]
On 8 January 307 C.E., Emperor Hui was poisoned by his own regent, Prince Sima Yue.[16] He was buried in Mound Taiyang.[17] Because he had no heirs, Emperor Hui was succeeded by Prince Sima Chi.[18] He became Emperor Huai. Emperor Huai’s Empress was Liang Lanbi. Yang Xianrong became the empress dowager.[19]
In 311 C.E., the Xiongnu (also known as the Huns in the West) leader, Liu Yao, attacked and burned the Western Jin capital of Luoyang.[20] Liu Yao pillaged and killed thousands of people.[21] Liu Yao also took Emperor Huai and Empress Liang Lanbi as captives.[22] He also kidnapped Empress Dowager Yang Xianrong.[23] Liu Yao married Yang Xianrong.[24] She bore Liu Yao three sons.[25]
In 319 C.E., Liu Yao became emperor of the Han-Zhao Dynasty. He made Yang Xianrong his empress.[26] Therefore, she became empress for the second time.[27] He made her eldest son, Liu Xi, the crown prince.[28] It was said that Emperor Liu Yao asked Empress Yang Xianrong about how he compared with the men of the Sima family.[29] Empress Yang Xianrong replied, “Now I finally understand what a true man is like.”[30] Modern historian Keith McMahon wondered if these were the actual words of Empress Yang Xianrong or if it was the ancient chronicler who personally insulted Emperor Hui.[31] Liu Yao dearly loved his empress.[32] Empress Yang Xianrong died on 13 May 322 C.E.
There are very few facts about Empress Yang Xianrong.[33] Yet, it is clear that she was a remarkable figure.[34] She was the empress consort to two emperors of different Chinese kingdoms.[35] Historical records have stated that Empress Yang Xianrong was happier with Emperor Liu Yao than with Emperor Hui.[36] However, it is hard to know if she actually said those famous words.[37] Nevertheless, it is clear that Empress Yang Xianrong made a rare feat in Chinese history by being the empress of both the Western Jin Dynasty and the Han-Zhao Dynasty.[38]
Sources:
Lin, G. (2020). A General History of the Xiongnu. (Duan, M., Trans.; Song, M., Trans.; & Lin, Y, Trans.). Salt Lake City, Utah: American Academic Press.
McMahon, K. (2013). Women Shall Not Rule: Imperial Wives and Concubines in China from Han to Liao. NY: Rowman and Littlefield.
Theobald, U.(2018, June 15, 2018). “Jin Huidi 晉惠帝 Sima Zhong 司馬衷”. Chinaknowledge.de- An Encyclopedia on Chinese History, Literature, and Art. Retrieved on January 31, 2025 from http://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/Division/personsjinhuidi.html.
Theobald, U. (2018, June 15). “Jin Huaidi 晉懷帝 Sima Chi 司馬熾”. Chinaknowledge.de- An Encyclopedia on Chinese History, Literature, and Art. Retrieved on December 21, 2024 from http://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/Division/personsjinhuaidi.html.
[1] McMahon, 2013; Theobald, June 15, 2018 “Jin Huaidi 晉懷帝 Sima Chi 司馬熾”
[2] McMahon, 2013
[3] McMahon, 2013
[4] McMahon, 2013
[5] McMahon, 2013
[6] McMahon, 2013
[7] Theobald, June 15, 2018, “Jin Huidi 晉惠帝 Sima Zhong 司馬衷”
[8] Theobald, June 15, 2018, “Jin Huidi 晉惠帝 Sima Zhong 司馬衷”
[9] Theobald, June 15, 2018, “Jin Huidi 晉惠帝 Sima Zhong 司馬衷”
[10] Theobald, June 15, 2018, “Jin Huidi 晉惠帝 Sima Zhong 司馬衷”
[11] Theobald, June 15, 2018, “Jin Huidi 晉惠帝 Sima Zhong 司馬衷”
[12] Theobald, June 15, 2018, “Jin Huidi 晉惠帝 Sima Zhong 司馬衷”
[13] Theobald, June 15, 2018, “Jin Huidi 晉惠帝 Sima Zhong 司馬衷”
[14] Theobald, June 15, 2018 “Jin Huaidi 晉懷帝 Sima Chi 司馬熾”
[15] Theobald, June 15, 2018 “Jin Huaidi 晉懷帝 Sima Chi 司馬熾”
[16] McMahon, 2013
[17] Theobald, June 15, 2018, “Jin Huidi 晉惠帝 Sima Zhong 司馬衷”
[18] Theobald, June 15, 2018 “Jin Huaidi 晉懷帝 Sima Chi 司馬熾”
[19] McMahon, 2013
[20] Theobald, June 15, 2018 “Jin Huaidi 晉懷帝 Sima Chi 司馬熾”
[21] Theobald, June 15, 2018 “Jin Huaidi 晉懷帝 Sima Chi 司馬熾”
[22] Theobald, June 15, 2018 “Jin Huaidi 晉懷帝 Sima Chi 司馬熾”
[23] McMahon, 2013
[24] McMahon, 2013
[25] Lin, 2020
[26] McMahon, 2013
[27] McMahon, 2013
[28] Lin, 2020
[29] McMahon, 2013
[30] McMahon, 2013, p. 123
[31] McMahon, 2013
[32] McMahon, 2013
[33] McMahon, 2013
[34] McMahon, 2013
[35] McMahon, 2013
[36] McMahon, 2013
[37] McMahon, 2013
[38] McMahon, 2013
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