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Empress Gi

Type Figure Region Dadu Time 1315–1369 Also known as Lady Gi

Empress Gi (1315–1369), of Goryeo origin, was a favored consort of Toghon Temür (Emperor Shun of Yuan), later raised to empress, and mother of Crown …

Timeline

  1. 1339–1353Dadu · North ChinaGi was sent from Goryeo as a tribute consort to Emperor Shun; after bearing Ayushiridara she was promoted to Second Empress, residing in Xingsheng Palace. Relying on the emperor's favor she promoted her fellow townsman Puhua and gradually intervened in court affairs, laying the groundwork for later Eastern Palace factional struggles.
  2. 1353–1356Dadu · North ChinaIn the thirteenth year of Zhizheng, Crown Prince Ayushiridara was invested, greatly expanding Empress Gi's power and breeding friction with Chancellor Toqto'a. Her brother Gi Cheol was appointed pacification commissioner for the Liaodong circuits, effectively controlling Goryeo; in 1356 King Gongmin of Goryeo launched a coup and massacred the Gi clan in the capital, sharply worsening relations between the Yuan court and Goryeo.
  3. 1356–1360Dadu · North ChinaAfter Hama's death, Empress Gi with Puhua, Choson-gan and others continued building up the Crown Prince's faction, repeatedly plotting in vain to force Emperor Shun to abdicate in the prince's favor. Though the emperor grew increasingly distant, she still influenced appointments through inner-court finances and eunuch networks. After Taiping was dismissed as chancellor in the twentieth year of Zhizheng, the Eastern Palace faction temporarily overpowered the court officials.

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