Empress Zhang has often been seen as one of China’s most evil empresses.[1] She was the empress consort of Emperor Suzong of the Tang Dynasty (r. 756-762). She was originally his imperial consort when Emperor Suzong was the Crown Prince.[2] During the An Lushan Rebellion, Empress Zhang was very devoted to him.[3] Because of her devotion, he made her his empress.[4] However, Empress Zhang met a tragic end at the hands of her stepson, Emperor Daizong.[5]
The birthdate of Empress Zhang is unknown.[6] Her personal name is unknown.[7] She was from the Zhang family. Her father was Zhang Quyi. Her mother’s name is unknown. Lady Zhang’s grandmother, Lady Dou, was the younger sister of Imperial Consort Dou (Emperor Ruizong’s imperial consort who was murdered by Empress Wu Zetian).[8] Sometime after 742, Lady Zhang was selected to become an imperial consort to Crown Prince Li Heng.[9] She was given the rank of Lady of Excellence.[10]
During the An Lushan Rebellion (755-763), Imperial Consort Zhang and Crown Prince Li Heng were about to retreat with Emperor Xuanzong.[11] When they reached the ferry on the Wei River, the people found Crown Prince Li Heng.[12] They begged him to remain behind and fight the rebels.[13] Imperial Consort Zhang and the eunuch, Li Fuguo, eventually persuaded Crown Prince Li Heng to agree to the people’s request.[14] They advanced northwest to Lingwu (present-day Ningxia Autonomous Region).[15]
Throughout the journey, Imperial Consort Zhang kept Crown Prince Li Heng company.[16] At night, she even slept by his feet.[17] Crown Prince Li Heng greatly admired her “loyalty and bravery.”[18] She even gave birth to his child (she bore Crown Prince Li Heng, his tenth son, Prince Li Shao and his eleventh son, Li Tong).[19] Three days later, she began to sew soldiers’ clothing.[20] Crown Prince Li Heng told her to stop sewing and take care of herself.[21] However, Imperial Consort Zhang told him that there was no time to take care of herself because of the war.[22]
On 12 August 756, Crown Prince Li Heng ascended the throne as Emperor Suzong. In 757, he gave Imperial Consort Zhang the title of Pure Consort.[23] In 758, Emperor Suzong made Imperial Consort Zhang his empress. It was said that Empress Zhang was deeply involved in politics, especially concerning the succession.[24] She wanted to depose Crown Prince Li Yu (Emperor Suzong’s eldest son, whom he had with Imperial Consort Wu, posthumously known as Empress Zhangjing).[25]
When Emperor Suzong fell terminally ill in 762, Empress Zhang tried to seize the opportunity to depose Crown Prince Li Yu.[26] She wanted to make Li Shi (the Prince of Yue and Emperor Suzong’s second son, whom he had with Imperial Consort Sun) the Crown Prince.[27] However, Empress Zhang was thwarted by Li Fuguo.[28] He brought in armed guards to protect Crown Prince Li Yu.[29] He imprisoned Empress Zhang.[30]
On 16 May 762, Emperor Suzong died. Crown Prince Li Yu immediately ordered Empress Zhang’s execution.[31] This was not only in retaliation against trying to depose him, but he also believed that she was responsible for one of his brothers’ deaths.[32] She was executed on 16 May 762 (which was the same day as Emperor Suzong’s death).[33] On 18 May 762, Li Yu ascended the throne as Emperor Daizong. He posthumously stripped Empress Zhang of all her imperial titles and demoted her to commoner status.[34] He also made his mother, Imperial Consort Wu, a posthumous empress.[35] He gave her the posthumous name of Empress Zhangjing.[36] Empress Zhang’s relatives were banished or hounded to death by Emperor Daizong.[37]
Empress Zhang was a devoted wife to Emperor Suzong.[38] She persuaded her husband to fight against the rebels.[39] She endured many hardships on Emperor Suzong’s behalf.[40] However, Empress Zhang made the fatal mistake in supporting the wrong prince for the Crown Prince position.[41] Because she opposed the Crown Prince, she was forced to meet a tragic end.[42] All of her accomplishments that she had gradually achieved vanished.[43] Ever since she tried to depose the Crown Prince, her reputation has been tarnished for centuries.[44] If she had maintained a peaceful relationship with her stepson, she might not have had the negative reputation that she has today.[45]
Sources:
McMahon, K. (2013). Women Shall Not Rule: Imperial Wives and Concubines in China from Han to Liao. NY: Rowman and Littlefield.
Liu, N. & Cui, H. S. (trans.). (2014). “Zhang, Demoted Empress of Emperor Suzong of Tang.” Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women, Volume II: Tang Through Ming 618 – 1644. (Xiao, H. Lee, L., Ed. & Wiles, S., Ed.) NY: Routledge. pp. 578-579.
[1] McMahon, 2013
[2] Liu, 2014
[3] Liu, 2014; McMahon, 2013
[4] Liu, 2014; McMahon, 2013
[5] Liu, 2014; McMahon, 2013
[6] Liu, 2014
[7] Liu, 2014
[8] Liu, 2014
[9] Liu, 2014
[10] Liu, 2014
[11] Liu, 2014
[12] Liu, 2014
[13] Liu, 2014
[14] Liu, 2014
[15] Liu, 2014
[16] Liu, 2014
[17] Liu, 2014
[18] Liu, 2014, p. 579
[19] Liu, 2014; McMahon, 2013
[20] Liu, 2014; McMahon, 2013
[21] McMahon, 2013
[22] McMahon, 2013
[23] Liu, 2014; McMahon, 2013
[24] Liu, 2014
[25] Liu, 2014
[26] Liu, 2014
[27] Liu, 2014
[28] Liu, 2014
[29] Liu, 2014
[30] Liu, 2014
[31] Liu, 2014
[32] Liu, 2014
[33] Liu, 2014
[34] Liu, 2014
[35] Liu, 2014
[36] Liu, 2014
[37] Liu, 2014
[38] Liu, 2014; McMahon, 2013
[39] Liu, 2014
[40] Liu, 2014; McMahon, 2013
[41] Liu, 2014; McMahon, 2013
[42] Liu, 2014; McMahon, 2013
[43] Liu, 2014; McMahon, 2013
[44] Liu, 2014; McMahon, 2013
[45] McMahon, 2013
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