Ep. 286 | The Tang Empress Zhangsun
Though the villainous empresses always seem to generate the most popular interest, this time we'll look at the life of one of the many good ones, an outstanding one if I may add. Empress Zhangsun was the bride of Tang Dynasty heavy Li Shimin. When he became the second Tang emperor following one of the most dramatic events in early Chinese history, he reigned as Emperor Taizong.
We remember Empress Zhangsun for her decency and for deporting herself in a manner that Yao and Confucius both would have approved. She became the gold standard for future empresses and was often imitated but seldom replicated. Come relive those early years of Zhenguan Era (貞觀) Tang history.
As always, the terms from the episode are listed below, or available to download!
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Terms in Episode
| Pinyin/Term | Chinese | English/Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Empress Zhǎngsūn | 长孙皇后 | 601-636, also known as Empress Wende (文德),wife and empress of Tang Emperor Taizong |
| Yáo | 尧 | Mythical Chinese ruler, one of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. 2324-2206 BC |
| Wǔ Zétiān | 武则天 | 624-705, Empress of China 690-705, one of the greatest and most popular figures from Chinese history. Was also the wife of Tang Emperor Gaozong |
| Táng Gāozōng | 唐高宗 | Tang emperor from 649-683 |
| Xuánzōng Emperor | 唐玄宗 | Tang emperor from 713-756 |
| Lǐ Shìmín | 李世民 | The Tang Taizong Emperor who reigned 626-649. Husband of Empress Zhangsun |
| Tàizōng Emperor | 唐太宗 | See above Li Shimin |
| Zhǎngsūn Wújì | 长孙无忌 | Died 659, brother of Empress Zhangsun and longtime close comrade to Li Shimin. Also served as Taizong's chancellor |
| Incident at Xuánwǔ Gate | 玄武门之变 | A premptive coup d’état on July 2, 626 led by Lǐ Shìmín that saw his two brothers killed, one of whom was the Crown Prince, Lǐ Jiànchéng. This event was covered in CHP episode 129 |
| Lǐ Jiànchéng | 李建成 | The Tang Crown Prince. Older brother to Li Shimin |
| Zhǎngsūn Shèng | 长孙晟 | Father of Empress Zhangsun |
| Northern Zhōu | 北周 | The Northern Zhou Dynasty, 557-581. One of the Northern Dynasties of the Southern and Northern Dynasties Period. Followed the Western Wei. Overthrown in 581 and succeeded by the Sui Dynasty |
| Suí Dynasty | 隋朝 | The Sui Dynasty 581-618 |
| Chéngyǔ | 成语 | A chinese idiom or saying |
| Yī Jiàn Shuāng Diāo | 一箭双雕 | Two hawks with one arrow, the Chinese version to the English "Two birds with one stone" |
| Yáng Jiān | 杨坚 | Founder of the Sui Dynasty who reigned as Sui Wendi |
| Xīnjiāng | 新疆 | China's province in the northwest |
| Yuán Jiāo Jì Gōng | 远交近攻 | An ancient strategy employed by the state of Qín during the Warring States Period, Zhǎngsūn Shèng cleverly used this Yuán Jiāo Jì Gōng strategy of befriending distant states while attacking states that were close-by in order to cause internal strife |
| Zhǎngsūn Shì | 长孙氏 | Madame Zhangsun |
| Xiānbēi | 鲜卑 | Called a "proto-Mongolic" people. They were nomads from the steppe who may have originated from the Donghu People who later split up into the Xianbei and Wuhuan |
| Tuòbá | 拖把 | The Tuoba's were a Xianbei Imperial clan who later went on to found the Northern Wei Dynasty |
| Northern Wèi | 北魏 | One of the dynasties of the Southern and Northern Dynasties Period that ran 386-535 |
| Emperor Xiàowén of Northern Wèi | 孝文帝 | Northern Wei emperor who reigned from 471-499. He was a big fan of Chinese culture and political systems yiou can say. |
| Luòyáng | 洛阳 | Ancient city in northern Henan. It was capital to a number of Chinese dynasties |
| Gāo Shìlián | 高士廉 | Served as Tang Taizong's chancellor and a major politician and official of his day. |
| Lǐ Chéngqián | 李承乾 | Oldest son of Taizong and Empress Zhangsun |
| Lǐ Tài | 李泰 | Second son of Taizong anf Empress Zhangsun |
| Lǐ Zhì | 李治 | Youngest son of Taizong and Empress Zhangsun. He's the one who became the next emperor: Gaozong |
| Emperor Gāozǔ | 唐高祖 | The founder of the Tang Dynasty, Li Yuan, reigned from 618-626 |
| Lǐ Yuān | 李渊 | See above |
| Princess Chánglè | 长乐公主 | Born Li Lizhi 李丽质, 621. Daughter of Tang Taizong and Empress Zhangsun |
| Wèi Zhēng | 魏徵 | Tang politician, historian and chancellor of Taizong. he lived 580 to 643 |
| Hàn Emperor Gāozǔ | 汉高祖 | Han Dynasty founder (a.k.a. Liu Bang),reigned 202-195 BC |
| Empress Lǚ | 吕后 | 241-180 BC, Empress of Emperor Gaozu, later Empress Dowager |
| Qí Jǐng Gōng | 齐景公 | Ruler of Qi State ferom 547-490 BC |
| Yànzǐ / Yàn Yīng | 晏子 / 晏婴 | 578-500, Prime Minister of Qi |
| Zībó | 淄博 | Located in Shandong Province, it served as th ancient capital of Qi State |
| Qí | 齐 | One of the states during the Eastern Zhou |
| Nǚ Zé | 女则 | A work of ten scrolls credited to Empress Zhangsun that concerned the lives of noble women from days past |
| Zhāolíng | 昭陵 | The Tomb of Emperor Taizong located near Xian |
| Empress Dowager Xiàozhuāng | 孝庄文皇后 | 1613-1688, Consort of Qing ruler Hong Taiji. Mother to Qing Emperor Shunzhi |
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