As Empress Dowager
After Empress Wang became empress dowager, her son carried out several immediate acts to honor her family members. Her mother was created the Lady of Pingyuan, and her half-brothers were created marquesses. Her daughter Jin Su, from her previous marriage, was tracked down and personally visited by Emperor Wu, and he created her the Lady of Xiucheng.
Empress Dowager Wang exerted significant influence on her son, as can be seen from how, with her approval, her half-brother Tian Fen became the commander of the armed forces and exerted power even beyond the military affairs. Initially, her influence was balanced and outweighed by that of her mother-in-law, Grand Empress Dowager Dou. After Grand Empress Dowager Dou's death in 135 BC, however, she would become the paramount figure at court, and it was in 135 BC that Tian Fen was made prime minister, although her son gradually asserted his position as he grew in age. For example, in 133 BC, in the aftermaths of the failed attempt to capture the Xiongnu chanyu at the Battle of Mayi, Emperor Wu wanted to execute the key strategist, Wang Hui (王恢, unrelated to her), who bribed Tian, who in turn persuaded her to speak on Wang Hui's behalf. Emperor Wu refused to accept her intercession, and forced Wang Hui to commit suicide. However, it was at her behest that Emperor Wu executed his grand uncle Dou Ying (竇嬰) (Empress Dou's cousin) in 132 BC for having insulted Tian.
Empress Dowager Wang died in 126 BC, and was buried with her second husband Emperor Jing.
| Chinese royalty | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Empress Bo |
Empress of Western Han Dynasty 150 BC–141 BC |
Succeeded by Empress Chen Jiao |
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| Name | Wang Zhi, Empress |
| Alternative names | |
| Short description | Han Dynasty empress |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Huaili, Shaanxi |
| Date of death | |
| Place of death | |
Read more about this topic: Empress Wang Zhi
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