Uncrowned Empress

Liu E (970-1033) was born in Huayang, Yizhou (now Chengdu, Sichuan Province). [63] Zhang Xianming, Empress Su of the Northern Song Dynasty. [64] Zhao Heng, the third empress of Emperor Zhenzong of Song, was the first female lead of the Song Dynasty to hold a court position. [67]Liu E came from a humble background and entered the Xiangwang Mansion at the age of fifteen. Later, she was forced to leave and resided in the home of Zhang Qi, the magistrate of Xiangwang Mansion. After Emperor Zhenzong ascended the throne, he entered the palace and rose from a beauty to a virtuous consort. After the death of Empress Guo, Emperor Zhenzong appointed Liu E as his queen. Liu E is quick witted, intelligent, knowledgeable in historical books, and has considerable political talent, which is highly valued by Emperor Zhenzong. In 1020, Emperor Zhenzong fell seriously ill and the court's politics were mostly ruled by Liu E. When Emperor Zhenzong of Song passed away, Liu E was appointed as the Empress Dowager, with the authority to listen to politics and assist Emperor Renzong. When Emperor Renzong ascended the throne, at a young age, Liu E hung the curtain to listen to politics. During the period of governance, following the advice of Wang Zeng, Lv Yijian, and others, the Heavenly Book was buried in the Yongding Mausoleum along with Emperor Zhenzong, and the construction of palaces and temples was ordered to be prohibited, and the palace and temple envoys were abolished. Set up a remonstrance court to understand the situation, severely punish corruption to clarify the governance of officials, attach importance to water conservancy to develop agriculture, and issue official certificates to clarify the existence of the world. He passed away on March 29th, 1033, at the age of 64. [93] [92] [63]Liu E put an end to the ten year long "Heavenly Book" movement during the reign of Emperor Zhenzong Zhao Heng of Song, put an end to party struggles, issued Jiaozi, developed water conservancy, established Jianyuan, and established Zhouxue, laying a solid foundation for the prosperous governance of Emperor Renzong. He is often referred to as Empress Lv of the Han Dynasty and Empress Wu of the Tang Dynasty. Later generations referred to him as having the talent of Lv Wu, but not the evil of Lv Wu.