Queen Zheng Xiu (郑袖, Trịnh Tụ; fl. 310s BC), was the favored, seductive, and ruthlessly cunning queen consort of King Huai of Chu (King Huai of Chu) during the Warring States period, notorious for triggering the geopolitical decline of the State of Chu.
In classical lore, she orchestrated the gruesome mutilation of the newly arrived Wei beauty: Zheng Xiu pretended to love the girl, advising her that the King adored women who covered their noses with a sleeve. Zheng Xiu then told King Huai that the Wei maiden was disgusted by his royal scent; enrage, the King ordered the beauty’s nose sliced off on the spot! Furthermore, when Qin chancellor Zhang Yi (张仪) was imprisoned in Chu facing execution, Zheng Xiu accepted colossal bribes of jade and gold from Zhang Yi’s agent Jin Shang, manipulating King Huai into releasing Zhang Yi and banishing patriotic poet Qu Yuan, leaving Chu defenseless before Qin’s conquest.
Contents
Role in History (Shiji & Zhan Guo Ce)
Strategies of the Warring States (Zhan Guo Ce, Strategies of Chu): “Zheng Xiu told King Huai: ‘The new beauty covers her nose because she despises Your Majesty’s scent.’ King Huai roared: ‘Cut off her nose!’ The blade flashed, and Zheng Xiu smiled in secret.”
Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji, vol. 84, Biography of Qu Yuan): “Qu Yuan wept at court, seeing King Huai blinded by the honeyed tongue of Zheng Xiu and the bribes of Zhang Yi.”
Queen Zheng Xiu — Historical & Literary Timeline
Warring States
Favorite of King Huai
Dominates the inner palace of Chu with unmatched charm.
c. 320 BC
The Mutilation of the Wei Beauty
Fabricates the nose scheme, eliminating her rival consort.
312 BC
Bribed by Zhang Yi
Convinces King Huai to release Qin chancellor Zhang Yi and reject Qu Yuan’s advice.
c. 299 BC
Fall of Chu Heartland
Witnesses King Huai captured by Qin; Chu loses Ying to Qin.
Key Relationships
Family
- Husband King Huai of Chu (King Huai): Tragic monarch who died in Qin captivity due to her manipulations.
- Son King Qingxiang of Chu (楚顷襄王): Succeeded to the throne and exiled Qu Yuan.
Friends
- Colluding Minister Jin Shang (靳尚): Corrupt Chu minister who distributed Zhang Yi’s gold.
Enemies
- Patriotic Poet Qu Yuan (屈原, Khuất Nguyên): Righteous minister whose exile she engineered, leading to his suicide at Miluo River.
- Mutilated Rival The Wei Maiden (魏美人): Innocent rival consort whose nose Zheng Xiu had sliced off.
Other
- Qin Strategist Zhang Yi (张仪, Trương Nghi): Chancellor of Qin who bribed Zheng Xiu to dissolve the Chu-Qi alliance.
In Zhan Guo Ce
The Poisoned Smile
“Behind silk curtains and sweet perfumes, Zheng Xiu’s whispers severed the alliance of two kings and doomed the soil of Chu.”
Historical Nuance
Zheng Xiu represents the classic historiographical trope of the treacherous consort (*baosi* archetype) whose domestic schemes crippled an ancient superpower.