Zhang Chunhua
Encyclopedia
Zhang Chunhua was the wife of the Cao Wei
general Sima Yi
during the Three Kingdoms
period of Chinese history
. She was known to be wise and capable, but also ruthless at times.
initially refused to serve the warlord Cao Cao
, lying that he was ill and stayed at home. One day, when Sima was drying his books under the sun, there was a sudden downpour. Sima immediately rushed out to retrieve his books, and was seen by a maid. The maid believed that Sima had recovered from his illness and reported it to Zhang. Zhang was worried that if the maid leaked out news that Sima was well, they would be in trouble, so she murdered the maid to silence her. She personally prepared meals for the family since then and her husband was very impressed with her.
Zhang died in 247 at the age of 59. Sima Yi pretended to grieve deeply over her death and requested permission from the emperor Cao Fang
to retire from state affairs, giving the excuse that he wanted to mourn his wife's death. Sima stayed at home for two years until he suddenly seized power from the regent Cao Shuang
in a coup, known as the Incident at Gaoping Tombs
.
In 265, during the reign of Cao Wei's last emperor Cao Huan
, Zhang was granted the posthumous title
of "Concubine Xuanmu" (宣穆妃). Not long later, Sima Yi's grandson Sima Yan established the Jin Dynasty and became known as Emperor Wu of Jin
. Emperor Wu posthumously honoured Zhang as "Empress Xuanmu" (宣穆皇后).
Cao Wei
Cao Wei was one of the states that competed for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period. With the capital at Luoyang, the state was established by Cao Pi in 220, based upon the foundations that his father Cao Cao laid...
general Sima Yi
Sima Yi
Sima Yi was a general and politician of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He is perhaps best known for defending Wei from Zhuge Liang's Northern Expeditions...
during the Three Kingdoms
Three Kingdoms
The Three Kingdoms period was a period in Chinese history, part of an era of disunity called the "Six Dynasties" following immediately the loss of de facto power of the Han Dynasty rulers. In a strict academic sense it refers to the period between the foundation of the state of Wei in 220 and the...
period of 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 known to be wise and capable, but also ruthless at times.
Biography
Sima YiSima Yi
Sima Yi was a general and politician of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He is perhaps best known for defending Wei from Zhuge Liang's Northern Expeditions...
initially refused to serve 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...
, lying that he was ill and stayed at home. One day, when Sima was drying his books under the sun, there was a sudden downpour. Sima immediately rushed out to retrieve his books, and was seen by a maid. The maid believed that Sima had recovered from his illness and reported it to Zhang. Zhang was worried that if the maid leaked out news that Sima was well, they would be in trouble, so she murdered the maid to silence her. She personally prepared meals for the family since then and her husband was very impressed with her.
Zhang died in 247 at the age of 59. Sima Yi pretended to grieve deeply over her death and requested permission from the emperor Cao Fang
Cao Fang
Cao Fang , formally known as Duke Li of Shaoling, was the third emperor of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He retained the title Prince of Qi after he was deposed by the regent Sima Shi...
to retire from state affairs, giving the excuse that he wanted to mourn his wife's death. Sima stayed at home for two years until he suddenly seized power from the regent Cao Shuang
Cao Shuang
Cao Shuang , style name Zhaobo , was a military general, politician and regent of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He was the son of Cao Zhen...
in a coup, known as the Incident at Gaoping Tombs
Incident at Gaoping Tombs
The Incident at Gaoping Tombs in 249 was a coup d'etat that occurred in the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. The parties involved were Cao Shuang and Sima Yi. Sima Yi seized power during the coup and had Cao Shuang killed...
.
In 265, during the reign of Cao Wei's last emperor Cao Huan
Cáo Huàn
Cao Huan , formally known as Emperor Yuan of Wei, was the fifth and last emperor of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history....
, Zhang was granted the posthumous title
Posthumous name
A posthumous name is an honorary name given to royalty, nobles, and sometimes others, in East Asia after the person's death, and is used almost exclusively instead of one's personal name or other official titles during his life...
of "Concubine Xuanmu" (宣穆妃). Not long later, Sima Yi's grandson Sima Yan established the Jin Dynasty and became known as Emperor Wu of Jin
Emperor Wu of Jìn
Emperor Wu of Jin, , personal name Sima Yan , style name Anshi , was the grandson of Sima Yi and son of Sima Zhao. He became the first emperor of the Jin Dynasty after forcing Cao Huan, last ruler of the state of Cao Wei, to abdicate to him. He reigned from 265 to 290, and after conquering the...
. Emperor Wu posthumously honoured Zhang as "Empress Xuanmu" (宣穆皇后).
Family
- Father: Zhang Wang (張汪), served as Prefect of Suyi in Cao Wei
- Mother: Lady Shan (山氏), grandaunt of Shan TaoShan Tao (Taoist)Shan Tao is one of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove....
- Spouse: Sima YiSima YiSima Yi was a general and politician of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He is perhaps best known for defending Wei from Zhuge Liang's Northern Expeditions...
- Children:
- Sima ShiSima ShiSima Shi , style name Ziyuan , was a military general and regent of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. In 249, he assisted his father Sima Yi in overthrowing the emperor Cao Fang's regent Cao Shuang, allowing the Sima family to become paramount authority in the state, and he...
- Sima ZhaoSima ZhaoSima Zhao was a military general, politician and regent of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history...
- Sima Gan (司馬榦)
- Princess Nanyang (南陽公主), personal name unknown
- Sima Shi