Liang Na

Empress Liang Na (* 116 ; † 150 ), formally Empress Shunlie ( mild and meritorious empress ), was an empress of the Han dynasty . Her husband was the Emperor Shun . She later served as regent for his son Emperor Chong , and his two successors, Zhi and Huan . As empress mother and regent, she performed diligently and reliably, but she trusted her brutal and corrupt brother Liang Ji , whose autocratic nature led Emperor Huan to the coup d'état and the destruction of the Liang clan after her death.

Family background and marriage to Emperor Shun

The future empress was born in 116. Her father was Liang Shang , a reliable official who served as the Marquis of Chengshi. He was the grandson of concubine Liang , mother of Emperor He . Liang Na is described by historiography and classical Confucianist writings as diligent in needlework and needlework.

In 128, when she was twelve, she and her aunt were chosen imperial concubines . Emperor Shun was then 13 years old. Liang Na was one of the most popular concubines, but she refused sexual relations with the emperor in order to allow the other concubines to prevail. Emperor Shun was deeply impressed by her. In 131 he wondered whether he should make her empress. In the beginning he wanted to ask the gods for guidance and drew lots between four of his favorite concubines. But after officials advised him against the lots, he made Liang Na empress as the most virtuous in 132.

As empress

As empress, Liang Na remained humble and did not interfere significantly in the administration of her husband. Emperor Shun, however, trusted her relatives more and more and promoted her father Liang Shang to Grand Marshal. Liang Shang was a gentle and dependable man, although he lacked skills. However, he chose other capable and reliable officials, and during his tenure the political scene was cleaner than ever. Liang Nas brothers Liang Ji and Liang Buyi also became important officials.

Liang Shang died in 141, and Emperor Shun, in a ill-advised move, appointed Liang Ji as his successor. Liang Ji was to outdo all adversaries over the years and establish himself the highest individual position in the imperial administration.

Under the rule of her husband, Empress Liang remained one of the emperor's dearest wives, but did not bear him a son. Emperor Shun had only one known son, Liu Bing, whom his concubine Yu gave birth to in 143. In 144, when Emperor Shun fell ill, he made Liu Bing crown prince. He died four months later, and Crown Prince Bing took the throne as Emperor Chong . Empress Liang, now Empress Mother, served as regent.

Regency for the Emperors Chong and Zhi

The Empress Mother also appeared very zealously in the government of the empire. She took on a few civil servants of integrity as advisors and let them advise her on important matters. However, she also trusted her brother Liang Ji deeply, who further consolidated his position. Even so, she was able to assert herself against him on a number of important matters. For example, she protected the reliable officer Li Gu from Liang Ji's request to execute him.

In 145 the young Emperor Chong died and, because she wanted to be open to the people, she announced his death immediately afterwards. She called the emperor's young cousins ​​to the court in Luoyang : Liu Suan, prince of Qinghe, and Liu Zuan, son of Liu Hong (prince of Bohai). She wanted to examine them as a possible successor. Prince Sun was probably already an adult and is described as serious and decent. The officers were very pleased with him. But Liang Ji wanted a younger emperor to control. Therefore, he directed Empress Mother Liang to make seven-year-old Liu Zuan emperor. He ascended the throne as Emperor Zhi , and Liang Na continued to serve as regent.

In 146, Emperor Zhi recognized the corrupt nature of Liang Ji and bluntly called him a "arrogant general" . Liang Ji poisoned him without the knowledge of the Empress Mother Liang. The most important officials wanted to replace Liu Sun, but Liang Ji forbade her wishes again and persuaded the empress mother to appoint 14-year-old Liu Zhi (the Marquis of Liwu) as emperor, who had been promised to her sister Liang Nüying . He ascended the throne as Emperor Huan , and Liang Na continued to serve as regent.

Reign for Emperor Huan

As regent for Emperor Huan, Liang Na continued her previous policies, but Liang Ji gained power and was able to oust Li Gu 146 from the government after he publicly questioned Emperor Huan's accession to the throne.

In 147, Emperor Huan married Empress Mother Liang Na's sister, Liang Nuying, and made her empress. In the same year, Liang Ji falsely accused Li Gu and Prince Suan of conspiracy to rebel. Prince Suan was demoted to Marquis of Weishi and committed suicide. Li Gu and Du Qiao - another officer who turned against Liang Ji - were executed.

In 150, Empress Mother Liang Na announced her resignation as regent and handed over power to the Emperor Huan. She died that same year and was buried with her husband, Emperor Shun. Without his sister, Liang Ji became even more powerful, brutal, and corrupt. Eventually, Emperor Huan conspired with the eunuchs against him and overthrew him in 159. The Liang clan was wiped out.

predecessor	Office	successor
Yan Ji	Empress of China 132–144	Liang Nuying