Born: 590s
Died: March 623
Princess Pingyang (Chinese: 姜昭公主; pinyin: Pingyang Gongzhu, formally Princess Zhao of Pingyang (平陽昭公主, 590s – March 623) was a Chinese princess and general. She was the only daughter of Li Yuan (later enthroned as Emperor Gaozu), the founding emperor of the Tang dynasty, and his wife Empress Taimu. Princess Pingyang played a crucial role in her father’s rise to power and became the first woman general of the Tang dynasty.
Born in the 590s, Princess Pingyang was the third daughter of Li Yuan, Duke of Tang, a hereditary nobleman during the Sui dynasty. Her mother, Duchess Dou, was Li Yuan’s wife and the only wife to bear him a daughter. Li Yuan also had four sons from other wives. Eventually, Princess Pingyang was married off to Chai Shao, the son of Chai Shen, the Duke of Julu.
In 617, Li Yuan, who was then a general stationed in Taiyuan, made plans to rebel against Emperor Yang of Sui, who previously imprisoned him. He sent messages to Princess Pingyang and her husband in the Sui capital Chang’an, instructing them to return to Taiyuan. Concerned about their chances of escaping safely together, Chai Shao consulted Princess Pingyang, who selflessly advised him to go while she, being a woman, could more easily hide. Chai Shao heeded her advice and secretly made his way to Taiyuan, where he met Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji, Princess Pingyang’s brothers, who had also been summoned by Li Yuan. Princess Pingyang, although initially in hiding, soon revealed herself and distributed her wealth to several hundred men, gaining their loyalty and support for her father’s cause.
Princess Pingyang sent her servant Ma Sanbao to persuade the agrarian rebel leader He Panren to join her. She also convinced other rebel leaders, such as Li Zhongwen, Xiang Shanzhi, and Qiu Shili, to join her army. With her leadership, she successfully attacked and captured several nearby cities, amassing a total of 70,000 men under her command. In 617, Li Yuan crossed the Yellow River into the Chang’an region, and he arranged for Chai Shao to rendezvous with Princess Pingyang. Together, they joined Li Shimin, one of Li Yuan’s sons, who commanded one wing of the army.
Princess Pingyang and Chai Shao set up separate headquarters as commanding generals, and her army became known as the Army of the Lady. Their combined forces ultimately helped Li Yuan overthrow Emperor Yang and establish the Tang dynasty. In recognition of her contributions, Princess Pingyang was appointed as one of the first women generals in the royal court. Her military achievements shattered gender barriers and paved the way for future women to serve as generals in the Tang dynasty.
Tragically, Princess Pingyang’s life was cut short when she passed away in March 623. Despite her untimely death, her legacy endured, and she remains an iconic figure in Chinese history. Princess Pingyang’s bravery, strategic prowess, and unwavering loyalty to her father played a crucial role in the founding of the Tang dynasty. Her achievements also had a profound impact on the status of women in Chinese society, demonstrating that women were capable of excelling in traditionally male-dominated fields.
Awards:
– Appointed as one of the first women generals in the Tang dynasty.