Grand Empress Dowager Bian – The prostitute who became Empress Consort to an infamous warlord

Grand Empress Dowager Bian was the empress consort of the infamous Cao Cao (also known as Emperor Wu of the Wei Dynasty). She was also the mother of Cao Pi (also known as Emperor Wen of the Wei Dynasty). Grand Empress Dowager Bian was originally a prostitute.^[1] However, she rose to the highest position in the empire of Wei.^[2]

On 29 January 161 C.E., Grand Empress Dowager Bian was born in Kaiyang in Langye Commandery (modern-day Linyi in Shandong Province).^[3] Her personal name is unknown.^[4] Her surname was Bian. Her parents’ personal names are unknown, but she came from a poor family.^[5] She did have a brother named Bian Bing.^[6] She became a prostitute in Jiao Commandery (modern-day Bo County in Anhui Province).^[7] In 178 C.E., Cao Cao made Lady Bian his concubine.^[8] She frequently accompanied Cao Cao on his military expeditions.^[9] Lady Bian also was known to have cared for the elderly.^[10]

In 189 C.E., Dong Zhuo (the General-In-Chief) rebelled against the Han Dynasty.^[11] Cao Cao fled east to raise an army against Dong Zhuo.^[12] However, his followers heard false rumours that Cao Cao had died.^[13] They prepared to desert him.^[14] However, Lady Bian persuaded them not to desert him.^[15] She said, “We do not know for certain that Cao Cao is dead. How could you face him if you left and he returned tomorrow? And even if calamity should befall us, would it not be better to die together?”^[16] Therefore, Cao Cao’s supporters stayed.^[17] In 196 C.E., Cao Cao returned to Luoyang.^[18] He admired Lady Bian’s devotion to him.^[19]

In 196 C.E., Cao Cao divorced his first wife, Lady Ding. He made Lady Bian his main wife.^[20] Lady Bian bore Cao Cao four sons: Cao Pi, Cao Zhang, Cao Zhi (her favourite and Prince of Dong’e), and Cao Xiong (who died at a young age).^[21] Lady Bian also had to raise Cao Cao’s twenty-five other sons, whom he had with thirteen other women.^[22] She was known to be practical and frugal.^[23]

In 196 C.E., Cao Cao persuaded Emperor Xian to move the capital to Xucheng (modern-day Henan Province).^[24] Once the imperial family was established at Xucheng, Cao Cao became very powerful.^[25] He had total control of the Han court.^[26] Emperor Xian was his puppet.^[27] In 208 C.E., Cao Cao was made Minister of State.^[28] In 213 C.E., Cao Cao was given the noble rank of Duke.^[29] In 215 C.E., Cao Cao’s daughter Cao Jie became Empress of the Han Dynasty.^[30]

In 216 C.E., Cao Cao was made King of Wei. In 219 C.E., King Cao Cao made Lady Bian his queen.^[31] Queen Bian had a close relationship with her brother, Bian Bing.^[32] She asked her husband to promote and reward him.^[33] King Cao Cao refused.^[34] He did build him a mansion.^[35] Queen Bian celebrated the event by giving her family a light meal.^[36] Throughout the meal, Queen Bian told her family not to ask for any more rewards, or she would punish them.^[37]

On 15 March 220 C.E., King Cao Cao of Wei died. He was succeeded by his son, Cao Pi. King Cao Pi forced Emperor Xian to abdicate his throne.^[38] Thus, the Han Dynasty was no more.^[39] Cao Pi became Emperor Wen and founded the Wei Dynasty.^[40] Emperor Cao Pi made his father, Cao Cao, the posthumous Emperor Wu of the Wei Dynasty. Emperor Cao Pi made his mother, Queen Bian, the Empress Dowager of Wei.^[41] She lived in Yongshou Palace.^[42]

Empress Dowager Bian lived frugally.^[43] She wore modest jewellery.^[44] Her utensils were made of clay.^[45] Empress Dowager Bian held much influence over Emperor Wen.^[46] When Prince Cao Zhi was going to be heavily punished for public intoxication, Empress Dowager Bian persuaded Emperor Wen to lessen his punishment.^[47] When Emperor Wen’s cousin, Cao Hong, was about to be executed, Empress Dowager Bian intervened and saved his life.^[48] Cao Hong was removed from his post and lost his fiefdom.^[49] His property was confiscated.^[50] Through Empress Dowager Bian’s intervention, Cao Hong’s property was returned to him.^[51] It was said that Empress Dowager Bian did not agree with her son’s state policies.^[52]

On 29 June 226 C.E., Emperor Wen of the Wei Dynasty died. He was succeeded by his son, Cao Rui. Cao Rui ascended the throne as Emperor Ming of the Wei Dynasty. Emperor Ming made his grandmother the Grand Empress Dowager.^[53] On 9 July 230 C.E., Grand Empress Dowager Bian died at the age of seventy-one.^[54] She was buried next to her husband, Emperor Wu of the Wei Dynasty, in Gaoling at Linzhang Commandery (modern-day Hebei Province).^[55] She was given the posthumous title of Empress Wuxuan.^[56]

Grand Empress Dowager Bian had risen from a prostitute to a Grand Empress Dowager.^[57] She was fortunate to live in tumultuous times that made her climb to the highest position in the Wei Empire.^[58] Even though she had a scandalous past, she was an intelligent and capable empress.^[59] She lived frugally.^[60] She also inspired Cao Cao’s followers to stay loyal to him.^[61] Therefore, it is no wonder why she has been respected and admired in Chinese history.^[62]

Sources:

McMahon, K. (2013). Women Shall Not Rule: Imperial Wives and Concubines in China from Han to Liao. NY: Rowman and Littlefield.

Su, Z. & Ching-Chung, P. (2015). “Bian, Wife of Cao Cao, King of Wei”. Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women: Antiquity Through Sui, 1600 B.C.E. – 618 C.E..(L. X. H. Lee, Ed.; A. D. Stefanowska, Ed.; S. Wiles, Ed.). NY: Routledge. pp. 269-271.