Liu Bang had seven other sons by concubines and each of them had been given title of king after his death. Lu Zhi attempted to rule through all of her stepchildren, but whenever one did not listen she would kill them in horrible ways.
It was in these ways that Lu Zhi used terror and fear to maintain her power, and no one ever considered to challenge her until her son’s death in 188 B.C.E. Even though Lu Zhi was in charge of the affairs of state Liu Yin was still technically emperor of the Han Dynasty. Following his death, it looked as though there might be a Civil War between all of Liu Bang’s children for the throne. To prevent this from happening, Lu Zhi gave each of his illegitimate sons the prestigious title of general, and it was decreed that Liu Yin’s son Shao would take over as emperor of the Han, but Lu Zhi quickly but a stop to that. Liu Yin’s wife had not been able to conceive a child, and had deceived her husband by claiming that Shao was his son, while in reality he was the son of a beautiful woman whom Liu Yin’s wife had killed shortly after she had kidnapped Shao.
Since Shao was not Liu Ying's true born son, it was decided that he could not take on the rule of emperor. So, until her death 180 B.C.E, Lu Zhi ruled in her terrifying and cruel ways.
It was in these ways that Lu Zhi used terror and fear to maintain her power, and no one ever considered to challenge her until her son’s death in 188 B.C.E. Even though Lu Zhi was in charge of the affairs of state Liu Yin was still technically emperor of the Han Dynasty. Following his death, it looked as though there might be a Civil War between all of Liu Bang’s children for the throne. To prevent this from happening, Lu Zhi gave each of his illegitimate sons the prestigious title of general, and it was decreed that Liu Yin’s son Shao would take over as emperor of the Han, but Lu Zhi quickly but a stop to that. Liu Yin’s wife had not been able to conceive a child, and had deceived her husband by claiming that Shao was his son, while in reality he was the son of a beautiful woman whom Liu Yin’s wife had killed shortly after she had kidnapped Shao.
Since Shao was not Liu Ying's true born son, it was decided that he could not take on the rule of emperor. So, until her death 180 B.C.E, Lu Zhi ruled in her terrifying and cruel ways.