In the long history of ancient Chinese emperors, the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty is considered to be a peak of Chinese feudal society. However, behind this eloquent emperor, there is an unknown and influential female Empress Dowager Dou. Empress Dowager Dou, a woman who entered the palace from the folk and experienced the three dynasties of Emperor Hui of the Han Dynasty, Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty and Emperor Jing of the Han Dynasty, her experience almost ran through the important changes in the early Western Han Dynasty. Throughout her life, she witnessed the entire process from war to the gradual stabilization of the country, and was deeply influenced by Huang Lao's thought, which advocated "rule by inaction", which influenced her way of handling state affairs.
In 180 BC, a woman named Dou was elected to the imperial palace from a commoner home and began her extraordinary life. At that time, the Han Palace was a place where power and wisdom were intertwined, and the Dou family worked step by step, and eventually became the mother of Emperor Wen of Han and the grandmother of Emperor Wu of Han.
Empress Dowager Dou's political career began with her gentleness and wisdom. When she was young, due to a eunuch mistake, she was not sent to the state of Zhao, but strayed into the kingdom of Dai, where the king was the future Emperor Wen of Han, Liu Heng. The Dou clan soon won Liu Heng's favor and became his queen. Her relationship with Liu Heng goes beyond ordinary husband and wife love, and is more of a profound spiritual exchange. They discussed national affairs together, and Empress Dowager Dou's suggestions could often wake up Liu Heng.
After Liu Heng ascended the throne, Empress Dowager Dou's influence reached its peak. She is not only the queen, but also the mother of the country, and her insistence on Huang Lao's thought makes her advocate "rule by inaction" in the government. This idea also deeply influenced the way Emperor Wen of Han ruled the country.
Empress Dowager Dou's greatest test came from the succession of her grandson, Emperor Wu of Han. The young Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Liu Che, had a very different personality from Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty, and he was ambitious and determined to expand his territory. This is very different from the political philosophy of the Empress Dowager Dou. In the early years of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Empress Dowager Dou still held great influence, and she tried her best to suppress Emperor Wu of Han's military expansion plans, advocating the priority of internal affairs.
The Empress Dowager Dou in the dialogue is always so wise and firm: "Che'er, governing the country is like planting a tree, and you can't be in a hurry." If you insist on speed, you may shake your foundation. Although Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was unwilling, in the face of the majesty of the Empress Dowager Dou, he had to temporarily hold his troops.
Empress Dowager Dou's later years were a period of gradual decline in her political influence. With the death of Emperor Jing of Han, the power of Emperor Wu of Han continued to grow, and Empress Dowager Dou felt that her control of Emperor Wu of Han was being lost. The loneliness and helplessness of her later years contrasted sharply with the political decisions of her youth. Throughout her life, she failed to fully see the ambitions of Emperor Wu of Han, and it was not until her death that Emperor Wu's expansionist policies were truly fully implemented.
After the death of Empress Dowager Dou, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was finally able to implement his own policies, vigorously develop agriculture, promote the development of frontiers, and strengthen the centralization of power, and his political talents were fully demonstrated. In his later years, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty gradually felt the truth that Empress Dowager Dou said that "governing the country is like planting trees", and realized that the stability of the country does not only depend on expansion and conquest, but also has more connotation and wisdom.
Empress Dowager Dou's life is a mirror, reflecting the wisdom and bitterness of women in the power field. She is not only a symbol of power, but also a combination of wisdom and affection. Her story teaches us that true strength does not come only from external expansion and conquest, but more from inner perseverance and wisdom. In the long river of history, although Empress Dowager Dou is a woman, her political wisdom and deep feelings are comparable to any male emperor. She has proved the power of "rule by inaction" with her life, and her influence is far-reaching, which is still worthy of our deep reflection and learning.