Interference in state affairs by the empress dowager would be repeated from time to time throughout China's long history, with a notable example occurring as the last imperial line lumbered in the late 19th century toward its final extinction. The problem was at its worst during the Han dynasty, however. After helping her husband found the new dynasty, empress Lu slaughtered many of the able ministers who had helped him achieve his ambition.
在中國，母后干政問題直到清朝都還發生，但漢代為烈，開國伊始，幫助高祖打天下有功的呂后大殺功臣，將有心問事卻性格「軟弱」的漢惠帝嚇成了「廢」帝，鬱鬱以終，呂后接著在少帝時稱制。