Zong Wu Li Mao

Wu Zetian (624–705) was the sole undisputed female sovereign in Chinese history. Initially a concubine to Emperor Taizong, she later married his successor, Emperor Gaozong, becoming empress in 655. Following Gaozong's incapacitation, she effectively governed the empire, consolidating power and eventually proclaiming her own Zhou dynasty in 690, ruling as emperor until 705. Her reign saw significant reforms, including the promotion of meritocracy through the civil service system and patronage of Buddhism, literature, and the arts. She also implemented strict legal measures and utilized informants. Her rule, though marked by autocratic tendencies in later years, was part of the influential High Tang period. She was eventually removed from power in a coup that restored the Tang dynasty, dying a few months later.

Her personal name was Wu Zhao, though she adopted the regnal name Wu Zetian. The gender-neutral nature of classical Chinese titles like 'hou' and 'huangdi' contrasts with English translations, complicating her historical representation. She was known by various names and titles throughout her life, including Wu Mei and Wu Meiniang during her youth, Wu Hou as empress, and Wu Zetian as her posthumous title. Her family name, Wu, led to various wordplays and stories involving parrots, while the emperor's surname, Li, was associated with cats.

Wu Zetian's rise to power began as a concubine to Emperor Taizong. After his death, she entered the service of his successor, Emperor Gaozong, eventually becoming his empress in 655. Even before this, she exerted considerable influence over court affairs. When Emperor Gaozong became incapacitated by a stroke in 660, Wu Zetian took over the administration of the empire, ruling in his stead until his death in 683. She then consolidated her authority, preventing her sons from assuming the throne. In 690, she established the Zhou dynasty, deposing the Tang, and declared herself emperor, a title previously held exclusively by men. Her reign, from 690 to 705, marked a unique period in Chinese imperial history.

During her 45 years of effective rule, Wu Zetian implemented significant changes. She reformed the civil service system to prioritize merit, allowing for greater social mobility and the promotion of talented individuals. She was a notable patron of Buddhism, literature, and the arts, contributing to the cultural richness of the High Tang period. Militarily, she directed campaigns against incursions from Turkic and Tibetan peoples. However, her governance also involved the institutionalization of informants and the enforcement of strict laws. She purged members of the Tang royal family and veteran officials, consolidating her power through often ruthless means. In her later years, her rule became increasingly autocratic and extravagant.

Born Wu Zhao, her family originated from Bingzhou and was relatively prosperous due to her father's timber business. Her mother belonged to the influential Yang family. Wu Zetian received an unusual education for women of her time, studying subjects like calligraphy, literature, history, and politics. At 14, she entered the imperial court as a concubine to Emperor Taizong, where she continued her studies. Despite not being a favored consort and having had limited relations with Taizong, she demonstrated a strong will, famously recounting an incident where she advised Taizong on how to tame a wild horse with an iron whip, hammer, and dagger. After Taizong's death, custom dictated that childless consorts become nuns, and Wu Zetian was sent to Ganye Temple. However, Emperor Gaozong, who had previously had an affair with her, brought her back to court, initiating her eventual rise to power.

“I only need three things to subordinate it: an iron whip, an iron hammer, and a sharp dagger. I will whip it with the iron whip. If it does not submit, I will hammer its head with the iron hammer. If it still does not submit, I will cut its throat with the dagger.”

“How do you know that it is not my fortune to meet the Son of Heaven?”