Xiao Zhuang Wen

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Empress Xiao Zhuang Wen
Borjigit, the Xiao Zhuang Grand Imperial Dowager Empress

The Empress Xiao Zhuang Wen (Chinese: 孝庄文皇后博尔吉济特氏, 昭圣皇太后, 孝庄太皇太后), Manchu: Hiyoošungga Ambalinggū Genggiyenšu Hūwanghu; March 28, 1613 - January 27, 1688) was the grandmother of the Kang Xi Emperor of the Qing Dynasty of China.

[edit] Biography

Empress Xiao Zhuang Wen was a daughter of a Borjigit prince, the Horqin Mongols, Prince Jaisang. Thus, she was a descendant of Genghis Khan. Her given name was Bumbutai.

Borjigit was given to Huang Taiji in 1625 when she was twelve years old. She gave Huang Taiji three daughters and his ninth son, Fu Lin, who would later become Shun Zhi Emperor. Her aunt, Empress Xiao Duan Wen, was married to Huang Taiji who also became a Dowager Empress when Huang Taiji died and was succeeded by Borjigit's son, the Shun Zhi Emperor.

After Huang Taiji died, he did not leave a will and there was a struggle among his brothers and his eldest son, Hooge. Daišan and Duoergun (or Dorgon), brothers of Huang Taiji agreed that Prince Fu Lin should become the successor and pledged that they would serve the young lord with their absolute loyalty. Hooge was not pleased by this decision and argued that he should succeed his father since he was the eldest son. Hooge was eventually put under house arrest by Prince Duoergun (Dorgon) and died during the period.

Borjigit was elevated to a Dowager Empress, and given the title "The Zhao Sheng Imperial Dowager Empress" (Chinese: 昭圣皇太后) Duoergun (Dorgon) became the regent making decisions for the Shun Zhi Emperor because the young emperor was a minor. The relationship between the regent and the young emperor was always questioned by historians. After the death of Duoergun (Dorgon), his family was punished by the emperor and all his titles were taken away. It was believed that Xiao Zhuang married Duoergun after Huang Taiji's death. This probably helped to explain why Duoergun and his brother, Dodo, received posthumous punishments.

Borjigit played an excellent role for her son. She never interfered her son's decisions unlike later the Ci Xi Dowager Empress who kept the Guang Xu Emperor under house arrest. Borjigit kept a low profile during her son's reign. Her relationship with her son was always questioned by historians. The demotion of Emperor Shun Zhi's first Empress who was Borjigit's niece gave an insight to the mother-son relationship.

Unfortunately, Borjigit's son died at the age of 24 and his successor was only 8 years old. The new Emperor was Kang Xi. Borjigit was summoned back into the politics of the Qing dynasty, and was given the title "The Xiao Zhuang Grand Imperial Dowager Empress" (Chinese: 孝庄太皇太后) because she was the grandmother to the new Emperor. Borjigit asked the four appointed regents, Oboi (鰲拜), Sonin, Suksaha and Ebilun to assist her grandson and advised her grandson to learn from his ministers since they were most experienced and had been assisting the late Emperor during his reign. Borjigit took charge of Emperor Kang Xi's upbringing after the death of his mother. When Oboi was posing a threat to Kang Xi's rule, Borjigit helped the young emperor to get rid of Oboi. Also, Borjigit rejected the pleasure of the palace probably due to her upbringing in Mongolia. She refused to have her birthday celebrated knowing that it would be costly. The Xiao Zhuang Grand Imperial Dowager Empress died in 1688, aged 74.

[edit] Succession

Preceded by Borjigit, the Empress Xiao Duan Wen (Chinese: 孝端文皇后博尔吉济特氏)	Empress of China March 28, 1613 - January 27, 1688	Succeeded by Borjigit, the Empress Xiao Hui Zhang (Chinese: 孝惠章皇后博尔吉济特氏)