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History says a hundred schools
Editor|Shi Shuo Baijia
preface
Shangguan Wan'er was an outstanding female figure in Tang Dynasty Chinese history, known for her intelligence, literary talent, and political influence, and her achievements and contributions to the Tang Dynasty made her a pivotal historical figure.
Born in 664 AD in Chang'an, the capital of the Tang Dynasty, Shangguan Wan'er was born to a heavy minister by her father Shangguanyi and her mother as a concubine.
Wan'er's power expanded rapidly, and she became involved in politics and advised Wu Zetian. She also wrote many poems and essays, praised for their literary merit. However, her rise to power was not without controversy, and many officials and members of the imperial court abhorred her influence, and she was often the target of rumors and attacks.
So what is the final outcome of Shangguan Wan'er? How did she spend her life?
Wu Zetian's darling
In 684, 20-year-old Wan'er entered the palace as a palace maid. She soon became the favorite of Wu Zetian, the de facto ruler of the Tang Dynasty at the time. Wu Zetian appreciated Wan'er's ingenuity and appointed her as the master of the sons.
In 705, Wu Zetian was overthrown, and his son Li Xian was restored as Emperor Zhongzong of Tang. Wan'er was imprisoned on charges of involvement in a coup plot. However, she was eventually released and went into exile in Sichuan.
Despite the difficulties, Wan'er continued to write and contribute to the literary and political world. She is particularly known for her political writings that criticize the government and call for reform. Her works were widely circulated and read, becoming a symbol of the anti-Tang regime.
In 710, after the death of Emperor Zhongzong of Tang, Wan'er was recalled to Chang'an by the new emperor Tang Ruizong. She was appointed a high-ranking official of the imperial court and became one of the most influential officials of the Tang Dynasty. She was involved in many political and cultural activities and continued to write and publish her work.
Wan'er's influence continued to expand and played an important role in shaping the political map of the Tang Dynasty. She is a key figure in the political faction known as the New Policy Group, which advocates reform and modernization. Her writings and ideas influenced many other officials and scholars, and she played an important role in the development of politics and culture during the Tang Dynasty.
Shangguan Wan'er died in 756 AD at the age of 92. Her legacy of literary and political achievements continues to influence Chinese history and culture. Her works and ideas have been studied and revered for centuries, and she is considered one of the most important female figures in Chinese history.
Her intelligence, talent, and political acumen made her a powerful figure in the court, and her literary works were constantly admired for their value and insight. Wan'er's life and achievements demonstrate the potential of women to make significant contributions to society, even in an era of pervasive sexism and inequality.
Enter the imperial court
Shangguan Wan'er was an outstanding woman of her time, and her story proves the fact that in a patriarchal society, with wisdom, determination and effort, women can also gain power and influence. This article will focus on her entry into court and her initial duties.
Her family is known for education and is known for producing talented scholars. Her father, Shangguanyi, was a heavy minister who served as prime minister under Emperor Gaozong. Shangguan Wan'er received a good education since childhood, and was proficient in poetry, books and paintings.
The Tang Dynasty was in turmoil, and Wu Zetian seized power from his own son and became the first female emperor in Chinese history. Shangguan Wan'er quickly rose through the ranks and became a close confidant of the empress. She impressed the empress with her ingenuity, and she was soon appointed to several important positions.
Shangguan Wan'er was responsible for drafting official documents, holy decrees, and edicts. She was an excellent writer, and her literary talent earned her the trust of the Empress. As a result, she was promoted to "Jiuqing Yuan Wailang", which roughly translates to "junior attendant of the Judicial Review Court".
It was an important position that involved reviewing and recommending appointments to the imperial court. Shangguan Wan'er was the first woman to hold this position, which shows Empress Wu's trust in her.
She was a trusted advisor, and Wu Zetian often sought her advice. Shangguan Wan'er's influence in the court expanded, becoming one of the most powerful women in the Tang Dynasty.
In addition to official duties, Shangguan Wan'er also had a personal relationship with Empress Wu, and she was known to be an excellent storyteller, she often pleased the empress with her stories, and her intelligence was highly valued and became the favorite of Empress Wu.
Shangguan Wan'er's rise was not all smooth sailing, and she faced opposition from many powerful figures in the court, who hated her influence. However, she overcame these challenges with her intelligence and political acumen.
Rise and achievement
Shangguan Wan'er, one of the most influential women of the Tang Dynasty in China, rose to prominence during a time of great political upheaval, and her wisdom and education soon caught Wu Zetian's attention, appointing her as a palace maid. From then on, she rose rapidly through the ranks and became a trusted confidant of Empress and her son Emperor Zhongzong.
After Emperor Zhongzong's death, she was accused of participating in a conspiracy to overthrow his successor, Emperor Ruizong. She was then exiled to a remote province, where she spent several years in relative obscurity.
Despite this setback, Shangguan Wan'er's reputation as both literary and talented grew and she was eventually able to return to the imperial court. There, she was appointed to a prominent position in the imperial court and played an important role in Tang politics for many years.
She was a prolific writer who produced a wide range of poetry, essays, and other literary works. Her work was praised for its beauty and sophistication and helped establish her status as one of the leading literary figures of her time.
In addition to her literary achievements, Shangguan Wan'er is also known for her political reforms. She is a strong advocate for women's rights and her tireless work to promote gender equality and ensure women's access to education and opportunity. She also played an important role in the administration of the Tang Dynasty, helping to formulate policies and strategies that would shape the course of the empire's development for many years to come.
Her literary work is still studied and celebrated today, and her advocacy for gender equality paved the way for future generations of women in China. Her political reforms also had a lasting impact, helping to shape the course of the Tang Dynasty and laying the foundation for many of the political and social systems that would define China for centuries to come.
Disgrace and exile
Shangguan Wan'er's rise began when she passed the imperial examination in 651 AD, and her intelligence and literary attainments earned her a place in Emperor Gaozong's court, and she was appointed as a low-ranking official in the court collection.
Her talent for writing and her knowledge of history and literature soon caught Wu Zetian's attention, and she was appointed tutor to her daughter, Princess Taiping. Shangguan Wan'er's political acumen impressed Wu Zetian and soon became one of her closest advisers.
During Wu Zetian's reign, Shangguan Wan'er played an important role in the dynasty, making major reforms in taxation, land ownership, and conscription.
She has also written several influential literary works, including collections of poetry and essays, which are appreciated for their beauty and depth. In addition to her literary and political achievements, Shangguan Wan'er was also known for her kindness and compassion, especially for the poor and vulnerable.
However, in 705, after Wu Zetian's death, Shangguan Wan'er's career took a sharp turn for the worse, and her son Emperor Zhongzong was restored. The new emperor suspected Shangguan Wan'er's influence and ordered her to be arrested for treason. She was then exiled to a remote area of China, where she spent the rest of her life in obscurity.
Some historians believe her downfall was the result of her association with Wu Zetian, a controversial figure in Chinese history. Others believe that Shangguan Wan'er may have been the victim of a political purge as Emperor Zhongzong tried to eliminate his mother's supporters.
Whatever the reason, Shangguan Wan'er's exile was devastating for her, both personally and professionally. She was forced to leave behind her family, friends and career and was exiled to remote areas of China, where she had few opportunities to use her talents.
Despite the difficulties, Shangguan Wan'er continued to write, maintained her love of literature, and wrote poetry to express her longing and loss of her past life.
Despite being exiled from the imperial court and forced into obscurity, she remained true to her beliefs and continued to pursue her passions. Her literature continues to be appreciated for its beauty and depth, and her stories are a powerful reminder of the challenges women faced when they came to power in ancient China.
Shangguan Wan'er's downfall and subsequent exile was the tragic end to an extraordinary career, and her rise, her achievements as a writer and political advisor, and her legacy as a symbol of resilience and determination made her an important figure in Chinese history. Despite the challenges, Shangguan Wan'er remained true to her beliefs and passion, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and educate people today.
Heritage and historical significance
Shangguan Wan'er's influence on Chinese literature was enormous. She was a prolific writer whose literature has been studied and revered for centuries.
She writes poems, essays, and stories, and is known for her skillful use of language and ability to capture the essence of moments or emotions. Her work reflects the social and cultural norms of her time and provides insight into the lives of women in ancient China. She is especially known for her poetry, which often deals with themes of love, nature and human experience.
She entered the court at a young age and quickly rose to power, becoming a trusted advisor to the empress. She was instrumental in implementing political reforms that increased women's power in the courts and improved the lives of ordinary people.
She advocated for greater access to education for women and encouraged Queens to support female scholars and artists. She also played a key role in implementing land reforms that benefited farmers and strengthened the economy.
Shangguan Wan'er's legacy lives on in contemporary Chinese society, her writings have been studied and admired by generations of Chinese scholars and readers, and her political reforms have had a profound impact on the role of women in Chinese society.
She is widely regarded as a pioneer in women's rights, and her advocacy for education and gender equality has inspired many. In recent years, interest in her life and legacy has revived as scholars and activists seek to draw inspiration from her example.
However, Shangguan Wan'er's life history has also been a topic of endless debate. Some scholars criticized her for being too close to the imperial court and for not doing enough to challenge the patriarchal norms of her time.
Others questioned her political motives, suggesting she was more interested in gaining power and influence than promoting social justice. Despite these criticisms, Shangguan Wan'er remained an important figure in Chinese history, and her contributions to literature and politics had a profound impact on Chinese culture.
conclusion
Shangguan Wan'er's life story is a testament to the resilience and determination of ancient Chinese women who managed to rise to positions of power and influence despite many social and cultural obstacles.
Shangguan Wan'er came from a well-known family, and her father was a heavy minister of the Tang Dynasty. She is well educated and speaks fluent Chinese and Xixia. At the age of 15, she entered the palace as a palace maid, and soon attracted the attention of Empress Wu Zetian, who ruled the Tang Dynasty at the time.
Wu Zetian is a controversial figure in Chinese history, as she was the only female emperor in Chinese history. She is known for her ruthless character and ambition to consolidate power. However, she also recognized Shangguan Wan'er's talent and appointed her as a minor official of the imperial court. Shangguan Wan'er quickly rose through the ranks and became one of Wu Zetian's most trusted advisers.
As a writer, Shangguan Wan'er is known for her poetry. She wrote several works that were highly regarded for their literary value and social evaluation.
One of her most famous works is "The Long Hate Song," a long narrative poem about a Tang dynasty concubine who fell in love with the emperor and was eventually expelled from the court. The poem is considered a masterpiece of Chinese literature and has been adapted into various art forms, including opera and film.
Shangguan Wan'er's achievements are also remarkable, and she has been instrumental in implementing a number of reforms aimed at improving the lives of women and other marginalized groups in society. For example, she advocated the establishment of girls' schools and the abolition of the practice of concubinage. She is also committed to promoting greater social mobility and equal opportunities for all, regardless of social status or gender.
Eventually, Shangguan Wan'er fell out of favor and was exiled to a remote province. Despite her exile, she continued to write and advocate for social and political reforms. She died in 710 AD at the age of 52.
In contemporary society, Shangguan Wan'er is still seen as a feminist icon and a symbol of female empowerment. Her life story is a reminder of the challenges women face in a patriarchal society and the importance of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity.
All in all, Shangguan Wan'er is an outstanding figure in Chinese history who has achieved great success as both a writer and politician. Her life story is a testament to the resilience and determination of ancient Chinese women, and her legacy continues to inspire and empower women around the world.
Bibliography:
Shangguan Wan'er's Political Image in Epitaph and Historical Biography Dai Xiaoqin Qianling Cultural Studies 2021
On the Aesthetic Characteristics and Poetic Historical Significance of Shangguan Wan'er's Poetry Ma Zhenzhen, Journal of Wuyi University, 2021