Empress Chengxiaozhao

Empress Chengxiaozhao (誠孝昭皇后), born in 1379, was a Chinese empress of the Ming dynasty. She belonged to the Zhang clan and died on 20 November 1442. Her given name is not specified in available records. She was married to Zhu Gaochi, known as the Hongxi Emperor, who reigned briefly from 1424 to 1425.

Early Life:

Zhang was from Northern Shanxi and originated from a peasant background. Her father was Zhang Qi, and her mother was Lady Tong. She had two brothers: Zang Chang, who was a general, and Zang Sheng, who attained the rank of commander-in-chief (dudu tongzhi). Both brothers were enfeoffed as earls. In 1395 or 1396, she became the first wife of the future Hongxi Emperor. Upon her marriage, her father was posthumously enfeoffed as Marquis of Pengcheng.

Children:

She gave birth to her eldest son, Zhu Zhanji, in 1399; he later became the Xuande Emperor. She also had a second son, Zhu Zhanyong, born in 1405; a third son, Zhu Zhanshan, born in 1406; and a daughter, Princess Jiaxing, born in 1409. Her son Zhu Zhanji was designated as the imperial grandson-heir (Huang Taisun) in 1411. In 1404, Zhang was elevated to the position of crown princess.

Titles and Reign:

When her spouse ascended the throne as the Hongxi Emperor on 7 September 1424, she was granted the title of empress (張皇后) on 29 October 1424. During her husband's brief reign, she was described as wise, capable, and knowledgeable about state affairs, and she was trusted by the emperor, who allowed her to participate in governance.

After her husband's death in 1425, her son succeeded as the Xuande Emperor. She was then honored as Empress Dowager (張皇太后).

Regency:

In 1435, her grandson, the eight-year-old Emperor Yingzong of Ming, ascended the throne. She was granted the title of Grand Empress Dowager (太皇太后). The Ming dynasty had no precedent for a child emperor, leading her to act as regent. She headed a regency council composed of notable ministers, including Duke Zhang Fu and three grand secretaries—Yang Shiqi, Yang Rong, and Yang Pu. She did not adopt the formal title of regent but effectively held the position, engaging in state affairs, appointing ministers, and overseeing governance.

Her regency was marked by notable actions, including the suppression of a court rival, Wang Zhen, a formidable eunuch. She summoned ministers and officials, armed them, and sentenced Wang Zhen to death upon her orders. She later pardoned him but warned him to avoid further misconduct.

She served as regent until her death in 1442. Her leadership was characterized by her assertion of authority within the imperial court, and she was referred to as a "Yao and Shun among women."

Titles:

- During Hongwu Emperor’s reign (1368–1398): Lady Zhang.

- From 1395/1396: Hereditary Princess of Yan.

- From 1404: Crown Princess.

- From 29 October 1424: Empress.

- From 27 June 1425: Empress Dowager.

- From 7 February 1435: Grand Empress Dowager.

- From 1442: Empress Chengxiaozhao.

Issue:

- Zhu Zhanji (1399–1435), the Xuande Emperor.

- Zhu Zhanyong (1405–1439), Prince Jing of Yue.

- Zhu Zhanshan (1406–1478), Prince Xian of Xiang.

- Princess Jiaxing (1409–1439).

In popular culture, Empress Zhang was portrayed by Wu Yue in the 2019 television series "Ming Dynasty" and by Liu Min in the 2022 series "Royal Feast."

Ancestry details and specific biographical references are available in scholarly sources, including the Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women and the Ming history texts.