Empress Cao Jie
Encyclopedia
Cao Jie formally known as Empress Xianmu , and after her husband's abdication, Duchess of Shanyang , was the last empress 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...

 in 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 second wife of Emperor Xian
Emperor Xian of Han
Emperor Xian of Han , personal name Liu Xie, style name Bohe, was the last emperor of the Han Dynasty period of Chinese history...

. She outlived the dynasty by 40 years.

Family background and marriage to Emperor Xian

Cao Jie was a daughter of the warlord Cao Cao
Cao Cao
Cao Cao was a warlord and the penultimate chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty who rose to great power during the dynasty's final years. As one of the central figures of the Three Kingdoms period, he laid the foundations for what was to become the state of Cao Wei and was posthumously titled...

, who by 196
196
Year 196 was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Dexter and Messalla...

 had Emperor Xian under his control and issuing edicts in Emperor Xian's name to his own benefit in his campaign to reunite the empire, which had been held by regional warlords. In 213
213
Year 213 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Aurelius and Calvinus...

, Cao, who by that point had been created the Duke of Wei (later Prince of Wei), offered three daughters to be Emperor Xian's consorts—Jie and her older sister, Cao Xian , and younger sister, Cao Hua . Initially, their titles were Furen (夫人), and in 197
197
Year 197 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Magius and Rufinus...

 their titles were upgraded to Guiren (貴人).

In 214
214
Year 214 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Messalla and Suetrius...

, Emperor Xian's first wife Empress Fu Shou
Empress Fu Shou
Fu Shou was an empress of the Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. She was the first wife of Emperor Xian, the last emperor of the dynasty.- Family background and marriage to Emperor Xian :...

 was discovered to have advocated a conspiracy against Cao Cao in 200
200
Year 200 was a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Severus and Victorinus...

, and although 14 years had elapsed, Cao was still so angry at her that he forcibly had her deposed and executed. In 215
215
Year 215 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Laetus and Sulla...

, Cao Jie was named Empress to replace her.

As empress and duchess

Not much is known about Empress Cao's life as empress, but it was clear that by that point her husband was thoroughly powerless, as her father held all power. In 220
220
Year 220 was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Antonius and Eutychianus...

, her father died, and her brother Cao Pi
Cao Pi
Cao Pi , formally known as Emperor Wen of Wei, was the first emperor of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. Born in Qiao County, Pei Commandery , he was the second son of the late Han Dynasty warlord Cao Cao.Cao Pi, like his father, was a poet...

 succeeded him as the Prince of Wei. Later that year, he forced Emperor Xian to abdicate in favor of him, ending the Han Dynasty. It is said by traditional historians when Cao Pi sent messengers to require Empress Cao to surrender her empress seal, she refused to several times, but finally did. As her husband was created the Duke of Shanyang, she was given the title the Duchess of Shanyang. Her husband died in 234
234
Year 234 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Pupienus and Sulla...

, and she died 26 years later and was buried with him with honors due an empress, using Han ceremonies.
The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
x
OK