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preface
A prominent woman during the Tang Dynasty, Wu Zetian became the first female emperor in history and ruled China for 15 years. Her talent and courage have made her a legend.
This article will explore the historical background and reasons why Wu Zetian became the first female emperor in history from the aspects of her early life, rise, statecraft, and evaluation.
1. Wu Zetian's early life
Wu Zetian was born into an ordinary family in Pucheng County, Weinan City, Shaanxi Province. Her father, Wu Mei, was a wealthy businessman, while her mother was Wu Mei's concubine.
Wu Zetian was very intelligent in her youth, proficient in literature, music and dance, and was known as "the first talented woman in the ages".
Wu Zetian married Li Dan (later Emperor Gaozong of Tang) at the age of 15 to Emperor Taizong's third son, becoming a princess. After Emperor Gaozong of Tang ascended the throne, Wu Zetian was appointed a talented man and became a member of the court.
However, her ambition and talent made her aspire to higher status.
Second, the rise of Wu Zetian
In 684, Emperor Gaozong of Tang became seriously ill and was unable to handle political affairs.
Wu Zetian relied on her wisdom and beauty to become a trusted advisor to Emperor Gaozong of Tang. After the death of Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Wu Zetian continued to exert influence in the court.
In 690, after the death of Emperor Zhongzong of Tang, Emperor Ruizong of Tang succeeded to the throne. Due to the interference of the eunuch clique and the power of Empress Wu, Tang Ruizong actually lost imperial power. In 695, Emperor Ruizong of Tang died, and Li Dan, the eldest son of Emperor Zhongzong of Tang, was made emperor, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang.
Under Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Wu Zetian gradually gained his trust and gained more freedom in politics. She was actively involved in politics, advising Emperor Xuanzong of Tang to formulate new policies, and led a special palace guard composed of women to maintain court security.
In 690, Wu Zetian's daughter Li Xian became Empress Xuanzong of Tang.
It is said that Wu Zetian gained more power through her status as empress and began to expand her influence.
In 690, she began a 15-year reign after she was appointed female emperor by Wu Zetian. She took a series of measures to ensure that her position was consolidated. First, she took a series of steps to ensure her family was supported.
She promoted her family and trusted advisors to ensure they were promoted at the official level. Second, she protects her power in various ways.
She set up her own secret service to ensure that her political enemies could not murder her. In addition, she took many financial and economic measures to ensure that her regime was not undermined.
Wu Zetian adopted a series of strict legislative measures to protect her position. She restricted women's freedom to ensure that her female opponents could not threaten her position.
She also instituted a policy prohibiting men from wandering around her mansion to prevent attempts to murder her. In addition, she created an army of her own to ensure that her political opponents could not use the army against her.
Wu Zetian also took a series of cultural and educational measures to consolidate her regime. She transferred her empire to Han culture, which was based on Tang culture.
She expanded her investment in education and culture to strengthen her regime and domination. Through the encouragement and funding of art and literature, she built a strong cultural foundation that allowed her dynasty to maintain its strong dominance.
During Wu Zetian's reign, he had a great influence on China's politics, economy, culture, and diplomacy.
During her reign, she carried out large-scale reforms, expanded the scope of political participation, strengthened the rule of the frontiers, opened up channels for foreign exchanges, promoted economic development, and played a role in promoting the prosperity of culture and art.
First of all, in the political aspect, Wu Zetian carried out a series of reforms, mainly strengthening the scope of political participation, increasing the channels for selecting talent, improving the selection system for officials, and making the government more efficient.
Wu Zetian ordered the selection of talents, encouraged the participation of scholars, especially the use of talented people, and appointed them to important positions. At the same time, she also introduced the imperial examination system, which conducted a general selection examination for scholars.
These reforms have effectively enhanced the government's dominance and improved its efficiency.
Second, in the economic aspect, Wu Zetian also carried out many beneficial measures to promote economic development. She vigorously developed agriculture, handicrafts and commerce, improving the production and living conditions of the people.
In agriculture, she promulgated a series of policies in favor of farmers, popularized modern agricultural techniques such as intensive farming, deep cultivation and intensive planting, increased planting and moisture-keeping, improved the land management system, and developed agricultural production.
In terms of handicrafts, Wu Zetian actively supported handicrafts and encouraged handicraftsmen to develop production and improve their technical level. In business, she vigorously developed overseas trade, promoted exchanges between domestic and foreign trade, and opened up channels for foreign economic exchanges.
These measures have fueled economic prosperity.
1. In terms of culture, Wu Zetian also played a role in promoting the prosperity of culture and art.
2. In terms of education, we have carried out the reform of the education system, strengthened the support and management of academies, and vigorously supported the development of cultural undertakings.
3. In terms of art, she encouraged the development of painting, sculpture, poetry and other arts, so that the culture and art of the Tang Dynasty were greatly developed.
Finally, in terms of diplomacy, Wu Zetian also has great merits. She vigorously developed trade and cultural exchanges with foreign countries and strengthened her rule over neighboring countries.
According to legend, Wu Zetian was extremely wealthy at the time and ordered the construction of a palace called "Fusang Jinque" in the center of Luoyang, the construction of which required a lot of manpower and financial resources.
In addition, she continuously strengthened the policy of centralization, concentrated power in the whole country in her own hands, and constantly consolidated her dominance through measures such as the selection of officials and the reform of the military system.
Third, Wu Zetian died
However, Wu Zetian's rule was not accepted by everyone, and her rule was opposed and criticized by many people. One of the most famous opposition activities was the Anshi Rebellion.
The Anshi Rebellion was a political upheaval in the late Tang Dynasty, in which armies led by An Lushan and Shi Siming launched a rebellion in 755, capturing important cities such as Chang'an and Luoyang, and establishing a large separatist regime, which lasted for 8 years and caused great harm to the Tang regime.
Although Wu Zetian herself did not directly participate in the Anshi Rebellion, as the supreme ruler of the Tang Dynasty, she was also responsible for the rebellion.
After the Anshi Rebellion, Wu Zetian's reign began to decline.
Her son Li Longji mutinied in 684, placing Wu Zetian under house arrest in the palace and forcing her to leave the field. From then on, Wu Zetian's political career came to an end, and she spent the rest of her life in the palace, dying in 705.
summary
Overall, Wu Zetian is a legendary historical figure. As the first female emperor in Chinese history, she not only made great contributions in politics, economy, culture and other aspects, but her reign was also an important period in Chinese history.
Although her rule has been opposed and criticized by many people, her position in Chinese history is pivotal, and she has left a deep imprint on the development of Chinese history.
bibliography
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