Empress Liang Lanbi – The last Empress of the Western Jin Dynasty who died a hostage under Emperor Liu Yao of the Han-Zhou Dynasty

Empress Liang Lanbi was the last empress of the Western Jin Dynasty. She was the empress consort of Emperor Huai of the Western Jin Dynasty. Empress Liang Lanbi did not have any children. Later, she became a captive of Emperor Liu Yao of the Han-Zhao Dynasty.^[1] Therefore, her life ended in tragedy.

The birthdate of Empress Liang Lanbi is unknown. She was from Anding.^[2] She was from the Liang family, and her personal name was Lanbi.^[3] Her father was Liang Feng. Her mother is unknown. She eventually married Prince Sima Chi (Prince of Yuzhang).^[4] Therefore, Liang Lanbi was made Princess of Yuzhang.^[5] In 304 C.E., Emperor Hui of the Western Jin Dynasty made Prince Sima Chi his Imperial Brother.^[6] This meant that Prince Sima Chi was his heir apparent.^[7]

On 8 January 307 C.E., Emperor Hui of the Western Jin Dynasty died. On 11 January 307 C.E., Prince Sima Chi succeeded his brother as Emperor Huai of the Western Jin Dynasty. Liang Lanbi was invested as empress.^[8] Emperor Huai’s motto was “Eternal Joy.”^[9] His regent was Prince Sima Yue (the Prince of Donghai).^[10] Empress Liang Lanbi remained childless and did not produce any children with Emperor Huai.^[11]

In 309 C.E., Li Xiong (the chief of the Di tribe) conquered the Sichuan Basin.^[12] He proclaimed himself Emperor Wu and founded the Cheng-Han Dynasty.^[13] Emperor Huai sent Prince Sima Yue to protect the city of Xuchang.^[14] After Prince Sima Yue protected the city, he returned to the Western Jin capital of Luoyang.^[15] He killed Emperor Huai’s officials, such as Miao Bo.^[16] Prince Sima Yue demanded the title of Minister of Education.^[17] Then, he founded his own army and attacked General Wang Yan.^[18] This caused chaos, and peasant rebellions rose throughout various regions of the Western Jin Empire.^[19] In 311 C.E., Emperor Huai officially charged Prince Sima Yue with treason.^[20] He sent Xun Yi to arrest him. However, Sima Yue died shortly afterwards.^[21]

In that same year, the Xiongnu (also known as the Huns in the West) leader, Liu Yao, attacked and burned the Western Jin capital of Luoyang and the imperial palace.^[22] Liu Yao pillaged and killed thousands of people.^[23] Liu Yao also took Emperor Huai and Empress Liang Lanbi as captives.^[24] Empress Liang Lanbi died shortly afterwards. Emperor Huai was brought back to Pingyang.^[25] He was deposed and was made Marquis of Ping’a.^[26] On 14 March 313 C.E., the new Emperor of the Han-Zhao Dynasty, Liu Cong (also known as Emperor Zhaowu), executed Marquis Sima Chi.^[27]

Sima Ye (Emperor Huai’s nephew) became the last emperor of the Western Jin Dynasty.^[28] He ascended the throne as Emperor Min.^[29] He did not have an empress or children.^[30] In 316 C.E., Emperor Min was defeated and surrendered to Emperor Liu Cong.^[31] He was deposed and was made Marquis of Huai’an.^[32] On 7 February 318 C.E., Emperor Liu Cong executed Marquis Sima Ye.^[33] With Emperor Min’s death, the Western Han Dynasty fell.^[34] In 317 C.E., Emperor Yuan founded the Eastern Jin Dynasty and made his capital Jiankang.^[35]

Empress Liang Lanbi was the last empress of the Western Jin Dynasty. Yet, there are very few facts known about her. However, it is clear that her life was full of political turmoil.^[36] Her palace was burned, and she became a captive of the Han-Zhao Dynasty.^[37] She suffered and died tragically as a hostage.^[38] Therefore, Empress Liang Lanbi was one of China’s most tragic empresses.^[39]

Sources:

iNews. (n.d.). “Empress Dowager Liang and the Twelve Queens of Anding”. Retrieved on January 31, 2025 from https://inf.news/en/culture/1eee52dcf87ad611817247519eb423fd.html#google_vignette.

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 January 31, 2025 from  http://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/Division/personsjinhuaidi.html.

Theobald, U. (2018, June 15). “Jin Mindi 晉愍帝 Sima Ye 司馬鄴”. Chinaknowledge.de- An Encyclopedia on Chinese History, Literature, and Art. Retrieved on January 31, 2025 from http://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/Division/personsjinmindi.html.

Theobald, U. (2018, June 16). “Jin Yuandi 晉元帝 Sima Rui 司馬睿”. Chinaknowledge.de- An Encyclopedia on Chinese History, Literature, and Art. Retrieved on January 31, 2025 from http://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/Division/personsjinyuandi.html.