Women in Power - Her majesty the Empress Liu

 

  • “A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman.” ― Melinda Gates
  • In ancient times, somewhere in the world which is dominated by men, where women are treated as slaves or just as a baby machines. Men in that era were allowed have 3 wives and 4 concubines. In fact it was a matter of pride for man to have more women in his backyard. An era where ordinary women were taught to be obedient and resilient to their husbands. They were brainwashed into believing that their husbands were the superior ones. The kingdom was mighty, and mandate of heaven were strictly followed - The Royalties were supreme. And the number of women the Emperor had ? Nevermind, there is no count. An era where legitimacy and nobility were of utmost importance
  • But she was never ordinary...…
  • Let me narrate a story for you 
  •       In that era (mentioned above) lived an orphaned girl named Liu. Since young she was raised by her maternal relatives. She was very skilled at hand drums and became a street entertainer. As her life went on, she married a silversmith named Gong, who bought her to the then capital city. He was poor and couldn't support his family of two thus he send her to a prince as his concubine. The prince loved her very much that he started neglecting his princely duties. This made his parents very enraged that they threw Liu out off their palace. The prince was heartbroken but could not defy his parents so he let her stay in his subordinates place for few years.
  • But that few years went on for 12 years. The prince got married to Lady Pan. And then the Emperor died and the prince ascended the throne as the new Emperor. He then set Lady Pan as his empress but no matter how many women he had, his heart yearned for Lady Liu. Thus he bought her into his harem with a low status as a beauty even though she was past thirties. Lady Liu had suffered many hardships and rose step by step in ranks. Raising in nobility ranks were never easy, never clean as everyone's hands were strained with someone's blood.
  • The emperor had no sons till then, Lady Liu was in her forties so she knew she could not be pregnant, thus she requested the emperor to allow her to raise the son of him given birth by a maid. The Emperor wanted to make her his empress but was heavily criticized and faced much pressure due to her lowly origins. But despite the opposite he faced, he made lady Liu the empress-- the most noble title for a women. The court officials were very surprised so as to why the emperor still loved her even though she is old and lost her looks, but no on knew the reason- its because he was in love with her intelligence, her uniqueness in solving problems, her cautious and steady nature. The emperor then became very sick and then he later died. Before dying he made Liu the empress regent and the 12 year son raised by her, The Emperor. 
  • The Empress reigned in her own name and was extremely skilled in ruling the country that she even surprised the court officials who criticized her before. She raised her son to be good emperor, ruled the country proficiently, was never greedy for power and even when she got absolute power, she was never corrupt. All in all she was that one woman whose legacy would always be carried on...…..
  • AND!!!!! 
  • Precisely, this women Liu was the Empress Liu of Song dynasty.



  • The Legendary Empress dowager Liu of Song dynasty of China and her husband the emperor was Emperor Zhenzong of Song
  • Despite her small stature, Empress Liu E rose to great prominence. Her scandalous beginnings as a street entertainer and possibly a silversmith's wife made her a potentially attractive candidate for the Emperor despite her scandalous beginnings. It took her many obstacles to succeed in entering the Emperor's harem and becoming his empress. Zhenzong would rely on her to manage his state affairs and manage the imperial harem successfully, making her indispensable. Trust and love were the foundations of Empress Liu E's relationship with Emperor Zhenzong. He recognized that his wife was capable of being a strong leader. Consequently, he named her regent after he passed away.
       "She was powerful not because she wasn't scared but because she still persisted on her path despite all the struggles "

Though she not very well known, her legacy is something that is worthy enough for you to read this article.


What do you think of her life story ? 

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