Empress Dowager Liu
Although her full name is not known,
Liu was the third and last empress of Shi Hu (Emperor Wu). Captured by
his army as a child, she was first presented to him as a gift, became
his consort, and after giving birth to his youngest son Shi Shi she was
crowned as empress. After Shi Hu died, she became a regent empress for
her young son, sharing power with Zhang Chai after having displaced Shi
Hu’s older son Shi Zun
Shi Zun eventually returned to claim
the throne and marched his army to seize the capital. He had Zhang Chai
executed immediately and then forged a document to depose Shi Shi from
the throne and turn it over to him. He granted Liu and Shi Shi the
titles of Prince and Princess Dowager of Qiao. Shortly afterwards he had
both Liu and her son executed*.
*Please note that information we found on Empress
Liu's death was very sketchy in the details. Going off of execution
methods that were popular in China at the time she died, it is likely
that she was beheaded or that her head was severed and displayed after
her execution.
