On this date in 146 A.D., the treacherous Han Dynasty courtier and official Liang Ji (梁冀) poisoned the young Emperor Zhi (Liu Zuan b. 138). Liang Ji was the brother of the Empress Dowager and he used his position to amass considerable wealth, power and political control, making deals with eunuchs, allegedly carrying out homosexual and heterosexual affairs with key people (though his wife Sun Shou was the real player), intimidating upright officials…the standard playbook for usurpers in Chinese history. Even at a tender age, the Emperor Zhi was aware of Liang Ji’s machinations, and called him out at a morning assembly, referring to Liang as an ‘arrogant general.’ On July 26, 146, Liang got his revenge, and had the Emperor’s soup poisoned. Following the death of the Emperor, Liang was able to establish his younger brother-in-law Liu Zhi (132-168) as the Emperor Huan. Ironically, Emperor Huan would ultimately tire of Liang’s activities and ordered his arrest and execution in 159.
Speaking of batshit in-law usurpers, on July 26, 291 A.D., Empress Jia Nanfeng (257-300) took power from her husband, Emperor Hui of the Western Jin (Sima Zhong, 259-307). According to the standard histories, Emperor Hui was…let’s just say that