Shangguan Yi

Shangguan Yi, courtesy name Youshao (游韶), formally Duke of Chu (楚公), was a Chinese poet and politician. He was an official of the Chinese Tang dynasty, serving as chancellor during the reign of Emperor Gaozong. In 664, Emperor Gaozong was displeased with his wife Empress Wu for her controlling behavior, and grew resentful of her controlling influence in the empire. Shangguan proposed to Emperor Gaozong that Empress Wu be deposed. The emperor was initially receptive to this proposal, but disavowed it once Empress Wu discovered the plot. Empress Wu then had Shangguan accused of plotting treason with Emperor Gaozong's oldest son, the former crown prince Li Zhong, and Shangguan was executed. Empress Wu then began to attend state assemblies and to oversee the emperor's actions and decisions, hearing all the details of the government and obvious intervening in the government. Shangguan's granddaughter Shangguan Wan'er later served as a key secretary to Empress Wu and a beloved concubine to her son Emperor Zhongzong.