![Empress Zhen [Zhen Ji]](/i/n/bio-rim.gif)
Empress Zhen
[Zhen Ji]
甄皇后 [甄姫]
Comprehensive Officer Biography
Author Notes in Blue
Authored by James Peirce
Lifespan: AD 183–221
Birthplace: Wuji in Zhongshan (in the vicinity of modern Wuji in Hebei)
Titles: Illustrious of the Civilizing Emperor; Empress; (also sometimes called Madame Zhen)
Relations: Zhen Yi (father); Zhang (mother); Zhen Yu, Zhen Yan, Zhen Yao (brothers); Empress Zhenang, Zhen Tuo, Zhen Dao, Zhen Rong (sisters); Yuan Xi (ex-husband); Cao Pi (husband); Cao Rui (Emperor Ming) (son); Princess Dongxiang (daughter); Cao Jiong, Cao Mu, Cao Yin, Cao Shu (grandchildren)
Empress Zhen (the Illustrious of the Civilizing Emperor) of Wuji in Zhongshan, was the mother of Emperor Ming and a descendant of the Grand Guardian Zhen Han of Han. Her family had been officials for generations at two thousand bushels (1), and her father Yi was prefect of Shangcai. She lost her father when he she was only three.
1: Two thousand bushels place Empress Zhen’s family in a level just below the highest officials in the bureaucracy.
Yi married a woman named Zhang from Changshan, and she gave birth to three boys and five girls. The eldest son Yu died young. Yan, the next, recommended as filially pious and incorrupt, was clerk to the general-in-chief, and was chief of Quliang. Next was Yao, also recommended as filially pious and incorrupt. The eldest daughter was Jaing, followed in order by Tuo, Dao, Rong, and Empress Zhen.
Empress Zhen was born during the Han on a dingyou day in the twelfth month of Guanghe 5 (26 January AD 183). Every time she slept, her family witnessed something resembling a person bringing a jade garment to cover her, and often marveled at it together. When Yi died, her voice was added to the kneeling and wailing (2), and those in and outside the family increasingly regarded her as special. Later, when Liu Lang the physiognomist examined Empress Zhen and the other children, he pointed to her and said, “The exalted status of this girl will one day be indescribable.”
2: Empresses and Consorts: On hao mu (“kneeling and wailing”), see SGZ Jiaogu.
From her younger years until she was grown Empress Zhen never liked frivolity. When she was eight, someone performed outside by riding a horse while standing. Those in the household along with her older sisters went up to the gallery to watch, but Empress Zhen did not go along. Her older sisters, perplexed, asked her why. “A woman should not watch such things,” was her reply.
When nine years of age, she enjoyed writing and whenever she saw a character she always recognized it. She often used her elder brothers’ brushes and inkstones, and in response they said, “You should learn women’s work. Do you believe this writing and study will give you scholarly presence?” To this Empress Zhen responded, “I have heard that among the worthy women of antiquity, there were none who did not study the successes and failures of former times in order to admonish themselves. In order to learn of these things, mustn’t one understand writing?”
Later, when the empire’s armies rebelled and famine was widespread people sold valuable items of gold, silver, pearls, and jade to support themselves (3). At this time, the Empress Zhen’s family had stored an abundance of grain, and it was used it to buy many of these objects. Empress Zhen, around ten years of age, said to her mother. “Although the world is now in turmoil, we are buying more of these precious objects. ‘Though a man may be innocent, simply possessing jade might be a crime’ (4). Furthermore, all around people are starving and suffering from want. It would be better to give our grain as relief to kinsmen and neighboring villages, and to practice charity and benevolence on a broad scale.” Her family agreed that it was a good idea and followed her advice.
3: Empresses and Consorts: This is apparently a reference to the disintegration of the Han in the 190s and the concomitant rise of various military leaders, rebels, and powerful regional administrators. See Mansvelt Beck, “The Fall of Han”.
4: Empresses and Consorts: From a proverb found in Zuo zhuan, Huan.
When Empress Zhen was fourteen years old she lost her middle elder brother Yan, and her sorrow continued beyond the expected morning period. In serving her widowed sister-in-law, she was respectful and humble. Her love and affection were great as she managed her work and solicitously caring for Yan’s child. The Empress Zhen’s mother, by nature, was stern and took a rather plain approach for the treatment of her daughters-in-laws. Empress Zhen often remonstrated with her, saying, “My elder brother has unfortunately died early. My Sister-in-law is young to be a celibate and has been left with only a single child. Speaking in terms of moral obligations, you should to treat her like a daughter–in-law, and love her like a daughter.” Empress Zhen’s words and tears moved her mother, who ordered Empress Zhen and her sister-in-law to live together. When sleeping or awake, they were always together, and their mutual affection grew increasingly deep.
In the jian’an period, Yuan Shao’s middle son Xi was obtained for Empress Zhen. When Xi went out to govern You province, Empress Zhen remained to care for her mother-in-law. When Ji province was pacified by Cao Cao, Cao Pi [Emperor Wen] married the Empress Zhen in Ye (5). She was favored and later gave birth to Emperor Ming and the Princess of Dongxiang.
5: Cf. Fang, The Chronicle of the Three Kingdoms, Ye […] was the base of power for Yuan Shao and his son Yuan Shang. Cao Cao captured the city in AD 204.
When Cao Cao subjugated Ye, Cao Pi was the first to enter Yuan Shang’s compound. There was a woman with a dirty face and disheveled hair behind Yuan Shao’s wife Liu, shedding tears. Cao Pi asked about her, and Liu replied, “This is [Yuan] Xi’s wife.” Turning around, she gathered the woman’s hair and rubbed her face clean with a kerchief. Her good looks were without equal. Once it was over, Liu said to Empress Zhen, “You don’t need to worry about dying now!” Cao Pi, Seeing she was an extraordinary lady, sang her praises. Later, when Cao Cao learned how hi son felt, he brought her back as Cao Pi’s wife.
The more Empress Zhen’s favor grew, the more she denigrated herself. She advised and encouraged others in the rear palace who held favor, and consoled and instructed those who did not (6). She always took advantage of spare time to encourage Cao Pi, saying, “In former times the Yellow Emperor’s descendants were born in great numbers (7). It was probably because his royal ladies were so numerous that he enjoyed this blessing. I wish for you to search everywhere for ladies of chaste beauty to make your progeny abundant.” In his heart, Cao Pi appreciated this.
6: Rear palace (hou gong) is a common term which refers to the section of a palace in which the consorts live.
7: The Yellow Emperor, Huangdi, one of the earliest emperors in China’s written history.
Later, Cao Pi was about to banish Madam Ren, and Empress Zhen imploring him, “Ren is from a distinguished clan of your birthplace, and her beauty and virtue are more than someone like me can match. Why banish her?” Cao Pi responded, “Ren is rash and impetuous by nature, and is not pleased and agreeable. She has angered me more than once. It is for this reason I am banishing her.” Empress Zhen, shedding tears, insistently implored, “Everyone knows I have received the favor of your esteemed attention, and they will say Ren’s leaving is my doing. Just as you fear criticism for being prejudicial, I may suffer difficulties for being specially favored. I hope you will reconsider!” Cao Pi, however, did not consent, and still had Ren sent away.
In Jian’an 16 (AD 211/212), Cao Cao led a military expedition to Guangzhong, and Empress Bian went along part of the way, stopping off at Mengjin (8). The emperor [Cao Pi] stayed behind in charge of Ye. At that time, Empress Bian was in poor health and indisposed. Empress Zhen was unable to check in on her in person, and as a result was so frightened and anxious that she wept day and night. Her attendants repeatedly sent messengers to ask about her, and they returned reporting on her improvement, but Empress Zhen still did not believe them. “When the consort was home, every time her old ailment flared up it lasted a long time. How could she improve so quickly now? You just wish to put my mind at ease!” Later she letter in response from Empress Bian, explaining that she had recovered from her ailment and had retuned to normal. Empress Zhen rejoiced.
8: Empresses and Consorts: Guanzhong (Within the Passes) is the name that was commonly applied to the area of modern Shaanxi. The campaign mentioned here brought virtually all of the area under Cao Cao’s control [this was a campaign against Ma Chao].
In the first month of Jian’an 17 (February/March AD 212), Cao Pi’s army returned to Ye, and Empress Zhen had an audience with Empress Bian. There she gazed on her seated in her tent, and was both sad and happy, which moved those in attendance. When Empress Bian saw Empress Zhen in this condition she also cried and said, “You were upset over my recent illness as you have been on former occasions? It only lasted for a short while, and I was better in around only ten days. But please don’t look at my face!” She sighed and said, “This is a truly filial daughter-in-law.”
In Jian’an 21 (AD 216/217), Cao Cao led a military expedition east against Sun Quan. Empress Bian, Cao Pi, Emperor Ming, and Princess of Dongxiang accompanied him, but Empress Zhen remained in Ye as a result of illness. In the ninth month of Jian’an 22 (October/November), the army returned. The attendants and courtiers of Empress Bian noticed that Empress Zhen’s face was plump and full. Surprised, they asked, “Since the empress has separate from her two children for so long, and feelings for one’s offspring cannot be dismissed, how is it that the empress’s face is even more magnificent?” Empress Zhen smiled and answered, “Because Rui and the others were with the consort, I have had nothing to be anxious about.” In this way Empress Zhen intelligently used propriety to maintain composure.
In the first month of Yankang I (February/March AD 220), Cao Pi assumed the throne as king. In the sixth month, he departed on a southern military expedition while Empress Zhen remained in Ye. In the tenth month of Huangchu I (October/November AD 220), Cao Pi ascended the imperial throne as emperor. Afterward, the Duke of Shanyang [Emperor Xian] presented two daughters in marriage to the ruling Wei house (9). Empress Guo and the Honorable Ladies Li and Yin were loved and favored (10). Empress Zhen became increasingly discouraged and shared fractious words. Cao Pi became irate, and in the sixth month of the second year (6 August AD 221), sent an envoy ordering her to commit suicide. She was buried in Ye (11).
9: Duke of Shanyang was the title given to Emperor Xian, the last Han emperor, after he abdicated (his abdication occurred on either 19 or 25 November AD 220, he received his new title on 13 December AD 220).
10: Empresses and Consorts: Honorable Lady Li was the mother of Cao Pi’s son Cao Xie, the Lamented King of Zan, who died at a relatively young age.
11: Pei Songzhi’s commentary regarding a different accounting of Empress Zhen’s death read: The concerned officials memorialized the throne on the subject of naming a Palace of Prolonged Autumn. Cao Pi sent a letter bearing his seal inviting Empress Zhen to come to him. In response she sent a memorial stating,
I have heard that from the earliest dynasties the perpetuation of sacrifices to the state and handing down of blessings to descendants were all due to empress and consorts. For this reason, you must carefully select such women in order to promote moral education in the palace. Now that you have assumed the imperial throne, you really should raise and promote a worthy and good woman to manage the Six Palaces. I consider myself ignorant and lowly, not equal to the offerings of grain-filled vessels. Besides, I am ill in bed and cannot maintain the slightest aspirations.Three more times the letter arrived, and each time Empress Zhen declined, her words truly sincere. At this time it was the middle of summer, so Cao Pi waned to wait until the coolness of autumn before again inviting Empress Zhen. But unfortunately it happened that her illness became serious, and on that summer of the dingmao day of the sixth month (4 August AD 221), she died in Ye. Cao Pi sighed in pain and sorrow and issued a patent bestowing upon her the seal and ribbon of empress.
Your servant Songzhi understands this principle of the Spring and Autumn Annals to be that great evils within the palace are concealed, while lesser evils are recorded. We have clear knowledge that Cao Pi did not make Madame Zhen empress and even went so far as to kill her. If the Wei historians considered this to be a great evil, they should have concealed it and said nothing more on the subject. If they considered it to be a lesser evil, then they should not have written falsely about it. Such acceptance of embellished and untrue texts is not in accordance with what we learn from historians of days passed. If we were to judge from this, then whenever historians praised the goodness of empress Bian and Zhen’s words and deeds, they would have difficulty finding them to be credible. Chen Shou’s abridgements and omissions certainly have some basis.
Copyright © 2003, 2006 James Peirce. All Rights Reserved.
Primary Sources: Chen Shou’s Sanguozhi with Pei Songzhi’s Commenary
Robert Cutter and William Crowell’s Empresses and Consorts