In the annals of history, princesses are often envisioned as delicate figures adorned in finery, far removed from the harsh realities of battle. Yet Princess Pingyang, the sister of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, shatters this stereotype, standing tall as a warrior heroine of her era.
In the year A.D. 617, the father of Princess Pingyang, Emperor Gaozu, initiated a rebellion in Taiyuan to quell uprisings and expand his domain. Upon hearing of her father’s campaign, Princess Pingyang, residing in the capital Chang’an with her husband, faced a pivotal decision. Her husband, Chai Shao, a man of valor, expressed his desire to join her father’s cause, but was torn, fearing for her safety should he leave her behind in Chang’an. Princess Pingyang, with resolute conviction, urged him to proceed, reassuring him of her capability to evade danger and fend for herself.
Princess Pingyang’s army
Donning male attire, Princess Pingyang returned to her ancestral estate, liquidating assets to muster forces in the Guanzhong region, quietly amassing a formidable army. Within mere months, she rallied a force of 40 to 50,000, an act that did not go unnoticed by the imperial court. Unperturbed by the court’s censure, she took the mantle of a general, leading her troops against the Sui Dynasty with remarkable martial skill and strategic acumen, capturing multiple strategic strongholds and playing a crucial role in securing Chang’an for Emperor Gaozu.
Her army, lauded for its valor and discipline, won the hearts of the people. When her true identity was unveiled, respect and admiration followed, with people reverently addressing her as “Lady Li” and her troops as “The Lady’s Army.” Historical records commend her for commanding 70,000 troops, her prowess echoing through Guanzhong.
On the eve of the Tang army’s assault on Chang’an, Princess Pingyang selected 10,000 elite soldiers to rendezvous with her brother, Emperor Taizong. Subsequently, alongside her husband, they fought shoulder to shoulder, swiftly capturing Chang’an. In A.D. 618, with the establishment of the Tang Dynasty, Princess Pingyang was tasked with defending the strategic Wei River Pass, safeguarding the approaches to the capital.
Faced with an insurgent threat at the pass and with limited forces at her disposal, Princess Pingyang sought reinforcements while bolstering the defenses. She devised an ingenious ploy, ordering the mass cooking of rice porridge, which was then poured into ditches outside the pass at night. Mistaking it for horse urine, the rebels speculated the arrival of reinforcements and hesitated, allowing the “Rice Porridge Ruse” to repel the invaders, a feat reminiscent of the famed “Empty Fort Strategy.” The pass was henceforth known as “The Lady’s Pass” in her honor.
Princess Pingyang’s military achievements were unparalleled, receiving honors far surpassing those of her contemporaries. Tragically, her life was cut short in the sixth year of the Tang Dynasty. Emperor Gaozu, in his sorrow, decreed a military funeral in her honor, a gesture unheard of for women at the time. When questioned about the appropriateness of such honors, Emperor Gaozu retorted, highlighting her unparalleled contributions to strategy and combat, a testament to her unique legacy.
On the day of her burial, the ceremony was augmented with military honors, including a procession of swords and trumpets, marking Princess Pingyang as the only woman in Chinese history to be laid to rest with full military honors.
Translated by cecilia
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