Empress Dowager Yang Huiyu
Encyclopedia
Yang Huiyu formally known as Empress Jingxian (景獻皇后, literally "the decisive and wise empress"), semi-formally known as Empress Dowager Hongxun (弘訓太后), was an empress dowager
during the Jin Dynasty
period of Chinese history
. She was the third wife of the Cao Wei
regent Sima Shi
during the Three Kingdoms
period. Her father Yang Chai (羊茝) was a commandery governor, and her mother was a daughter of the Han Dynasty
historian and musician Cai Yong
. Her brother was the military general Yang Hu
.
She did not have any sons with Sima Shi—who did not have any sons with his prior wives or concubines, either. As a result, his brother Sima Zhao
became the regent after his death. After Sima Zhao's death, his son Sima Yan
forced the last Cao Wei emperor Cao Huan
to abdicate, ending Cao Wei and establishing the Jin Dynasty (as Emperor Wu). In recognition of his uncle's contribution, he honored Lady Yang as an empress dowager in 266 and housed her in Hongxun Palace (therefore leading to her semi-formal title as Empress Dowager Hongxun). It was said that it was at her insistence that Emperor Wu also posthumously honored Sima Shi's first wife, Lady Xiahou Hui
, as Empress Jinghuai. She died in 278 at the age of 64 and was buried with honors due an empress, with her husband Sima Shi.
Empress Dowager
Empress Dowager was the title given to the mother of a Chinese, Korean, Japanese or Vietnamese emperor.The title was also given occasionally to another woman of the same generation, while a woman from the previous generation was sometimes given the title of Grand empress dowager. Numerous empress...
during the Jin Dynasty
Jìn Dynasty (265-420)
The Jìn Dynasty , was a dynasty in Chinese history, lasting between the years 265 and 420 AD. There are two main divisions in the history of the Dynasty, the first being Western Jin and the second Eastern Jin...
period of Chinese history
History of China
Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the Cradle of Chinese Civilization. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest...
. She was the third wife of the Cao Wei
Cao Wei
Cao Wei was one of the states that competed for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period. With the capital at Luoyang, the state was established by Cao Pi in 220, based upon the foundations that his father Cao Cao laid...
regent Sima Shi
Sima Shi
Sima Shi , style name Ziyuan , was a military general and regent of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. In 249, he assisted his father Sima Yi in overthrowing the emperor Cao Fang's regent Cao Shuang, allowing the Sima family to become paramount authority in the state, and he...
during the Three Kingdoms
Three Kingdoms
The Three Kingdoms period was a period in Chinese history, part of an era of disunity called the "Six Dynasties" following immediately the loss of de facto power of the Han Dynasty rulers. In a strict academic sense it refers to the period between the foundation of the state of Wei in 220 and the...
period. Her father Yang Chai (羊茝) was a commandery governor, and her mother was a daughter of the Han Dynasty
Han Dynasty
The Han Dynasty was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin Dynasty and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms . It was founded by the rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han. It was briefly interrupted by the Xin Dynasty of the former regent Wang Mang...
historian and musician Cai Yong
Cai Yong
Cai Yong was a Chinese scholar of the Eastern Han Dynasty. He was well-versed in calligraphy, music, mathematics and astronomy. One of his daughters is the famous Cai Wenji.-Early life:...
. Her brother was the military general Yang Hu
Yang Hu
Not to be confused with Yang Hu :zh:阳虎/陽虎, the Spring and Autumn retainer-usurper in the state of Lu.Yang Hu , style name Shuzi , was a military general during the Jin Dynasty period of Chinese history...
.
She did not have any sons with Sima Shi—who did not have any sons with his prior wives or concubines, either. As a result, his brother Sima Zhao
Sima Zhao
Sima Zhao was a military general, politician and regent of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history...
became the regent after his death. After Sima Zhao's death, his son Sima Yan
Emperor Wu of Jìn
Emperor Wu of Jin, , personal name Sima Yan , style name Anshi , was the grandson of Sima Yi and son of Sima Zhao. He became the first emperor of the Jin Dynasty after forcing Cao Huan, last ruler of the state of Cao Wei, to abdicate to him. He reigned from 265 to 290, and after conquering the...
forced the last Cao Wei emperor Cao Huan
Cáo Huàn
Cao Huan , formally known as Emperor Yuan of Wei, was the fifth and last emperor of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history....
to abdicate, ending Cao Wei and establishing the Jin Dynasty (as Emperor Wu). In recognition of his uncle's contribution, he honored Lady Yang as an empress dowager in 266 and housed her in Hongxun Palace (therefore leading to her semi-formal title as Empress Dowager Hongxun). It was said that it was at her insistence that Emperor Wu also posthumously honored Sima Shi's first wife, Lady Xiahou Hui
Lady Xiahou Hui
Xiahou Hui , formally known as Empress Jinghuai, was a noble lady of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. She was the daughter of Xiahou Shang and wife of the regent Sima Shi....
, as Empress Jinghuai. She died in 278 at the age of 64 and was buried with honors due an empress, with her husband Sima Shi.
See also
- List of people of the Three Kingdoms