Wu Zetian-the one and only female emperor in ancient China
She had many titles in her life: one of the concubines of Emperor Taizong; the empress of Emperor Gaozong, the mother of Emperor Zhongzong and Ruizong . But her most glorious title was that she was the one and only female emperor in Chinese history who actually ruled the whole country for almost half a century. She was Wu Zetian, who was considered 'an excellent woman politician in Chinese feudal time' by Dr. Sun Yat-sen's wife Song Qingling.
Wu Zetian was a born emperor which was predicted by a Taoist. And she was expert in dealing with political affairs as well. Wu Zetian’s father was one of the meritorious chancellors in Shanxi Province of the Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian received a good education from him when she was young. Then she was selected to be Emperor Taizong's Cairen (a kind of Tang concubine) at the age of 14. During that period, Wu Zetian's literary talents impressed Emperor Taizong who permitted her to assist as a secretary. This helped enlarge Wu's insight and knowledge of state affairs. It was also then that Wu began to attract the attention of Prince Li Zhi who later became Emperor Gaozong. After Emperor Taizong died, Wu was sent to a temple to be a nun. After Emperor Gaozong ascended the throne, he recalled Wu Zetian to the palace and given her the title Zhao Yi (a kind of Tang concubine). In order to get the position of empress, the ambitious Wu Zetian killed her baby daughter and imputed it to Empress Wang. Finally, she made Emperor Gaozong depose Empress Wang and she became the empress successfully,
From the Empress to the Emperor
However, the final purpose of Wu is more than being the empress. Since Emperor Gaozong was weak-minded, many of the state affairs were up to Wu Zetian for final decision. Exploiting the privilege, Wu managed removing a group of political enemies. Then Wu began to grasp all the real power in the guise of assisting the Emperor in dealing with state affairs from 660 when Emperor Gaozong caught an eye disease. In 674, Emperor Gaozong changed his title into Tian Huang (Emperor of Heaven) while Empress Wu Zetian changed her title into Tian Hou (Empress of Heaven). In 683, Emperor Gaozong died. Successively, Wu Zetian put her two sons onto the throne as Emperor Zhongzong and Emperor Ruizong, with the real power belonging to Wu actually. In 690, Wu deposed Emperor Ruizong and proclaimed herself Emperor Zetian. By changing the state title into Zhou, she realized her long-cherished imperial dream.
A controversial Emperor
Wu Zetian was a bold reformer of the educational and personnel selection systems. She developed and improved the Keju Educational System, which originated in the Sui Dynasty (581 - 618). She also appointed many talented people, regardless of their family status. Second, she attached great importance to agricultural production. By rewarding those local officials who developed agriculture well in their administrative areas and punishing those who imposed too much tax on peasants, Wu's measures greatly improved agriculture production. Additionally, she paid close attention to military defense and foreign relations, including setting up a military administration in the northwest area where the Silk Road was reopened after a period of interruption. Overall, in Wu Zetian's reign, a powerful centralized regime was formed, with a prosperous national economy and stable social order.
Nevertheless, she also had many faults. For example, she appointed many cruel officials whose behavior disturbed the normal order of the court and brought much hardship to the common people. What's more, Wu's personally killing her sons (Li Hong and Li Xian2) and her baby daughter only to achieve her political aims incurred much historical condemnation.
The end of Emperor Wu Zetian’s rule
After 15 years of ruling, Wu Zetian was severely ill at the beginning of the year 705. Under pressure from many chancellors, Wu finally agreed to yield the throne to her son Li Xian3 who continued to be Emperor Zhongzong. In November of the same year, the female emperor passed away. Later she was buried with her husband, Emperor Gaozong, in Qian County of Shaanxi Province. Their tomb was named Qianling Tomb.
Further stories about Qianling Mausoleum
2.Mysterious stone portraits
3.Crown Prince Zhanghuai-A suicide emperor
4.Princess Yongtai-a beautiful princess died early
5.Tomb of Prince Yide
The Qianling Mausoleum