Liang Ji
"The Domineering General," who poisoned Emperor Zhi of Han and dominated the court for nearly 20 years.
Life
Imperial in-law family
Liang Ji came from an imperial in-law family; two of his younger sisters became empresses in turn. In 141 CE he succeeded his father as General-in-Chief and took sole control of the government.
"The Domineering General"
In 146 CE the nine-year-old Emperor Zhi of Han pointed at him at court and said, "This is the domineering general." Liang Ji nursed a grudge and poisoned the emperor with a cake, then installed Emperor Huan.
Downfall
He dominated the court for nearly 20 years and lived in extreme luxury. In 159 CE, after Empress Liang died, Emperor Huan of Han plotted with five eunuchs, including Shan Chao, and sent troops to surround Liang's mansion; Liang Ji and his wife committed suicide, and the family fortune confiscated came to more than 3 billion cash. After this the eunuchs controlled the court.
Legacy
Liang Ji's dominance was the peak of imperial in-law politics in the Eastern Han; his downfall brought eunuch domination, and the Eastern Han declined as in-laws and eunuchs took turns holding power.
Did you know? The family fortune confiscated from him was said to equal half of the empire's tax revenue for a whole year.
Key dates
- 141Became General-in-Chief
- 146Poisoned Emperor Zhi of Han
- 159Wiped out by Emperor Huan