Lady Nanzi

Lady Nanzi (南子), also called Nan Zi and Wei Ling Nazi [1] (6th-century BC – 480 BC), was a Chinese ruler, the Duchess consort of Duke Ling of Wey (r. 534–492 BC), and ruler of Wey in the place of her spouse, who was disinterested in politics.

Nan Zi (南子, detail). Lacquer painting over wood, Northern Wei

Alongside Fu Hao, Yi Jiang and Queen Dowager Xuan, she is one of only four women noted as big political players in China prior to Empress Lü, and perhaps the first woman to have ruled a Chinese state.[2]

Life

She was the wife of Duke Ling of Wey (r. 534-492). Because her spouse lacked interest in government issues and effectively retired from politics, he left her to conduct the affairs of state for him with his approval.[2]

She was a respected ruler in the place of her spouse, and described as a wise ruler with the ability to appoint good officials.[2] She was respected as a ruler of Confucius, who visited her, albeit after initially having made excuses.[2]

Her stepson Duke Zhuang II of Wey famously attempted to have her murdered because of her relationship with her brother Zichao, which was depicted as incestuous.[3] The rift between her and her stepson caused a conflict between her husband and her stepson, and forced her stepson to exile.

Later life and death

In 493 BCE, Duke Ling died. Duchess Nanzi wished to enthrone Prince Ying. Ying refused the proposition, but instead recommended his brother Kuaikui's son Zhe as the heir apparent, and Zhe succeeded Duke Ling as Duke Chu of Wey.

In 481 BC, her former stepson took the Duchy from his son. Nanzi was executed by the ruling duke in 480 BC.[4]

Legacy

Because of the dislike of female rule in China, Nanzi, who had a good reputation as a ruler in her own time, was gradually given a bad name in history, and eventually referred to as an adulterous usurper who abused her power and caused a dynastic crisis.[2]

She is depicted in Two Disorderly Women of Wei in the Biographies of Eminent women (Lienü zhuan) alongside Kong Bo Ji and described as "deceitful and lustful", blamed for the succession crisis and accused of having caused the "disorder of five generations".[5]

References
  1. Lily Xiao Hong Lee, A. D. Stefanowska, Sue Wiles. Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women: Antiquity through Sui, 1600 B.C.E. - 618 C.E., p. 53, at Google Books 2007.
  2. Keith McMahon, Women Shall Not Rule: Imperial Wives and Concubines in China from Han to Liao
  3. Lily Xiao Hong Lee, A. D. Stefanowska, Sue Wiles. Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women: Antiquity through Sui, 1600 B.C.E. - 618 C.E., p. 53, at Google Books 2007.
  4. Lily Xiao Hong Lee, A. D. Stefanowska, Sue Wiles. Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women: Antiquity through Sui, 1600 B.C.E. - 618 C.E., p. 53, at Google Books 2007.
  5. Lily Xiao Hong Lee, A. D. Stefanowska, Sue Wiles. Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women: Antiquity through Sui, 1600 B.C.E. - 618 C.E., p. 53, at Google Books 2007.
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