One person becomes emperor.

1. "The Peacemaker" Wang Zhaojun (Han Dynasty, 51-15 BC)

Wang Zhaojun came from a commoner family during the Han dynasty. Beautiful and skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, she was selected to enter the imperial harem of Emperor Han Yuan, but only as a palace maid.

At that time, the Xiongnu were a nomadic people who occupied a vast area that is now Mongolia, parts of northern China, and Central Asia. The Xiongnu and the Han Chinese clashed in the border region for many years.

A depiction of Wang Zhaojun sitting on horseback. (Image: Sohu)

In 53 BC, the Xiongnu chieftain Huhanye came to the capital Chang'an to pledge allegiance to the Han dynasty and to marry a princess. The emperor, unwilling to give his daughter in marriage, issued a decree to the palace ladies: "Anyone who wishes to marry Huhanye will be treated as a princess."

No one wanted to marry Huhan Ta, only Wang Zhaojun volunteered and later became his favorite concubine. They had two sons and one daughter. Historians and poets praise Wang Zhaojun for her crucial role in ensuring decades of peace between the Xiongnu and the Han people.

2. Empress Wu Zetian (Tang Dynasty, 624-705)

A portrait of Empress Wu Zetian. (Image: Sohu)

Wu Zetian was the only female emperor in Chinese history. She entered the palace at the age of 14 as a concubine (the fourth rank in the seven-tier system of consorts during the Tang Dynasty) to Emperor Taizong, the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty. Taizong died when Wu Zetian was 25 years old. She had to shave her head and become a nun.

Emperor Gaozong, the son of Emperor Taizong, ascended the throne and welcomed Wu Zetian into the palace, having secretly admired her since his days as a prince. Wu Zetian began a long struggle for power and became empress at the age of 66, ruling for another 15 years until her death.

Wu Zetian is depicted as ruthless, even killing her own daughter for daring to oppose her. However, under Wu Zetian's rule, the Tang dynasty's territory expanded, and many governing and social policies were reformed.

3. "The one who took the blame" Yang Yu Huan (Tang Dynasty, 719-756)

Yang Guifei, also known as Yang Yuhuan, had a relationship with both her father and her son who became emperor. Yang Yuhuan was originally the principal wife of Prince Li Mao, the son of Emperor Ming of Tang and Empress Wu Huifei. After Empress Wu Huifei's death, Emperor Ming of Tang, then 61 years old, appointed Yang Yuhuan, then 27, as his concubine (the second highest rank in the imperial harem, after the empress).

A portrait of Yang Guifei. (Image: Sohu)

Emperor Ming Huang was infatuated with Yang Guifei, neglecting state affairs. He appointed many important positions in the court to Yang Guifei's relatives, leading to the An Lushan Rebellion. General An Lushan used the pretext that Yang Guifei's family was disrupting the government to launch his rebellion.

Emperor Ming Huang and Yang Guifei fled the capital. During their escape, the imperial guards blamed Yang Guifei for the unrest and executed her. Yang Guifei died at the age of 38. The rebellion was suppressed after eight years. However, this marked the beginning of the end for the Tang dynasty.

4. "The Pawn" Tran Vien Vien (Ming Dynasty, 1624 - 1681)

Sketch of Chen Yuan Yuan. (Photo: Sohu)

Born during a time of turmoil, Chen Yuan Yuan was orphaned at a young age. She was a famous courtesan known for her beauty and talent in singing and dancing, and later became the concubine of Wu San Gui, a Ming Dynasty general.

Wu Sangui played a significant role in the downfall of the Ming dynasty. He opened the Shanhai Pass to the Manchu army and collaborated with them against Li Zicheng's forces (the leader of the rebellion that overthrew the Ming dynasty in 1644 and proclaimed himself Emperor of Da Shun), capturing the capital Beijing.

Folklore says that Wu Sangui betrayed the Ming dynasty because another general kidnapped his beloved concubine, Chen Yuan Yuan. Wu Sangui, enraged, said, "How can I face anyone when I cannot protect a woman?" Chen Yuan Yuan's fate after the war remains unknown.

5. "The autocratic ruler" Empress Dowager Cixi (Qing Dynasty, 1835-1908)

Empress Dowager Cixi. (Photo: Sohu)

Empress Dowager Cixi is famous in modern Chinese history for her 50-year regency in the 19th century. Cixi entered the palace in 1852, and after giving birth to her eldest son, Zai Chun, she was bestowed the title of Yi Fei by Emperor Xianfeng, later promoted to Yi Gui Fei. When Emperor Xianfeng died, his only son, Prince Zai Chun, ascended the throne at the age of five, aided by two empress dowagers and officials in governing. However, in 1861, Cixi plotted a coup, overthrowing Empress Dowager Ci'an and assuming regency herself.

During Empress Dowager Cixi's regency, China experienced numerous social upheavals and foreign wars, such as the Second Opium War. Empress Dowager Cixi overcame these challenges and continued her lavish lifestyle.

Empress Dowager Cixi died in Beijing in 1908 amidst national turmoil, paving the way for revolutionaries like Sun Yat-sen to overthrow the Qing dynasty and establish the Republic of China.

HONG PHUC (Source: SCMP)

Beneficial
Emotion
Creative
Unique
Wrath

Source: https://vtc.vn/5-nang-vo-le-lam-thay-doi-lich-su-trung-quoc-1-nguoi-lam-hoang-de-ar764662.html