Empress Ju (Xue Ju)
Encyclopedia
Empress Ju was an empress of the short-lived state of Qin at the end of the Chinese
dynasty Sui Dynasty
. Her husband was the state's founder Xue Ju
(Emperor Wu).
Little is known about her. When Xue Ju first rose against Sui rule in summer 617
and claimed the title of "Hegemonic Prince of Western Qin" (西秦霸王), there was no record of his creating her any titles. In fall 617
, when Xue Ju claimed the title Emperor of Qin, he created her empress. It is not known whether his crown prince
Xue Rengao
or the only other son of his whose name was recorded in history, Xue Renyue (薛仁越), was her son or not.
Empress Ju was said to be cruel. She liked to whip and batter her servants, and when those who could not endure her beating would roll in pain on the ground, she would bury their feet in dirt so that they would be immobile, and resume the beating. It was said that this was part of the reason why Xue Ju was unable to get as many people to follow him as he hoped.
Xue Ju, while initially successful against the forces of Tang Dynasty
, which had seized most of modern Shaanxi
and who had plans to attack the Tang capital Chang'an
, died in fall 618
. Xue Rengao inherited the title of emperor, but three months later was defeated by and forced to surrender to the Tang general Li Shimin
(the future Emperor Taizong). Xue Rengao was executed, but his brothers and his generals were largely spared. No reference was made, however, to the fate of Empress Ju, and there was no historical record indicating whether Xue Rengao honored her as empress dowager
.
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...
dynasty Sui Dynasty
Sui Dynasty
The Sui Dynasty was a powerful, but short-lived Imperial Chinese dynasty. Preceded by the Southern and Northern Dynasties, it ended nearly four centuries of division between rival regimes. It was followed by the Tang Dynasty....
. Her husband was the state's founder Xue Ju
Xue Ju
Xue Ju , formally Emperor Wu , was the founding emperor of a short-lived state of Qin at the end of the Chinese dynasty Sui Dynasty, whose state was eventually destroyed by Tang Dynasty...
(Emperor Wu).
Little is known about her. When Xue Ju first rose against Sui rule in summer 617
617
Year 617 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 617 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Europe :* Heathens revolt in Kent under king Eadbald...
and claimed the title of "Hegemonic Prince of Western Qin" (西秦霸王), there was no record of his creating her any titles. In fall 617
617
Year 617 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 617 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Europe :* Heathens revolt in Kent under king Eadbald...
, when Xue Ju claimed the title Emperor of Qin, he created her empress. It is not known whether his crown prince
Crown Prince
A crown prince or crown princess is the heir or heiress apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The wife of a crown prince is also titled crown princess....
Xue Rengao
Xue Rengao
Xue Rengao , also known as Xue Renguo , was an emperor of the short-lived state of Qin, established by his father Xue Ju at the end of the Chinese dynasty Sui Dynasty...
or the only other son of his whose name was recorded in history, Xue Renyue (薛仁越), was her son or not.
Empress Ju was said to be cruel. She liked to whip and batter her servants, and when those who could not endure her beating would roll in pain on the ground, she would bury their feet in dirt so that they would be immobile, and resume the beating. It was said that this was part of the reason why Xue Ju was unable to get as many people to follow him as he hoped.
Xue Ju, while initially successful against the forces of Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
, which had seized most of modern Shaanxi
Shaanxi
' is a province in the central part of Mainland China, and it includes portions of the Loess Plateau on the middle reaches of the Yellow River in addition to the Qinling Mountains across the southern part of this province...
and who had plans to attack the Tang capital Chang'an
Chang'an
Chang'an is an ancient capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history, today known as Xi'an. Chang'an literally means "Perpetual Peace" in Classical Chinese. During the short-lived Xin Dynasty, the city was renamed "Constant Peace" ; yet after its fall in AD 23, the old name was restored...
, died in fall 618
618
Year 618 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 618 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Asia :* The Sui Dynasty ends and the Tang Dynasty...
. Xue Rengao inherited the title of emperor, but three months later was defeated by and forced to surrender to the Tang general Li Shimin
Emperor Taizong of Tang
Emperor Taizong of Tang , personal name Lǐ Shìmín , was the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China, ruling from 626 to 649...
(the future Emperor Taizong). Xue Rengao was executed, but his brothers and his generals were largely spared. No reference was made, however, to the fate of Empress Ju, and there was no historical record indicating whether Xue Rengao honored her as empress dowager
Empress Dowager
Empress Dowager was the title given to the mother of a Chinese, Korean, Japanese or Vietnamese emperor.The title was also given occasionally to another woman of the same generation, while a woman from the previous generation was sometimes given the title of Grand empress dowager. Numerous empress...
.