Fu Hao
Less than a year after Emperor Hui's accession to the throne in 194 BC, Lü had Concubine Qi (one of the late Emperor Gaozu's consorts), whom she deeply hated, put to death in a cruel manner. She also had Concubine Qi's son Liu Ruyi poisoned to death. Emperor Hui was shocked by his mother's cruelty and fell sick for a year, and thereafter no longer became involved in state affairs. Lü dominated the political scene for 15 years until her death in 180 BC and actually ruled as Empress regnant of Han dynasty. She is often depicted as the first woman to have ruled China; while four women are noted as politically active before her - Fu Hao, Yi Jiang, Lady Nanzi and Queen Dowager Xuan - she was the perhaps first woman to have ruled over united China.