preface
Few women in Chinese history have been as powerful as Wu Zetian. From an ordinary woman to an emperor, Wu Zetian not only broke through the shackles, but also blazed a trail of women in history with a resolute attitude.
However, we tend to pay more attention to Wu Zetian's outstanding talent and edge on the political stage. And as an ordinary woman, we know very little about her inner fragility and longing.
First, Wu Zetian was called emperor, and the loneliness in the palace was unbearable
In 683, Wu Zetian officially proclaimed himself emperor, establishing the Zhou Dynasty and becoming the first female emperor in Chinese history. However, at the same time that Wu Zetian's power was tilting towards the opposition, her heart lacked comfort. This female emperor, who was more than half a hundred years old, had no children under her knees, and the palace was empty and deserted. Every time in the dead of night, no matter how wise Wu Zetian is, it is inevitable that he will be stunned.
Wu Zetian is a woman with great political skills and ambitions, but as a woman, she also has normal physiological needs. It's just that years of widowhood have made Wu Zetian almost forget this longing. However, once she declared the emperor in power, the emptiness and loneliness in her heart would be magnified.
As an emperor, Wu Zetian could have entered the palace at will. But she has always been self-sufficient and has never taken a concubine easily. Even if some beautiful women with both talents were sent to the palace, Wu Zetian only regarded them as palace maids or talents, and rarely got too close.
Day after day, when Wu Zetian was in the dead of night, he could only face the empty palace and dormitory alone. Even if the food is popular, Wu Zetian often has no appetite; Even if she lies in the dormitory in a Chinese costume, she can't sleep. Wu Zetian is a woman with a skilful and thoughtful mind, and she needs a confidant with whom she can talk freely and a partner who can relieve her boredom. It's a pity that the people who can enter the imperial dormitory don't seem to be the person she dreamed of.
At this time, a thought quietly arose, and Wu Zetian wondered whether he should raise a handsome male pet in the palace like other kings? Once this idea appeared, it made Wu Zetian unable to calm down for a long time. She hesitated again and again, but finally chose to go with her own desires. After all, she had spent a long time in the cold, and as a woman, she also needed warmth and comfort.
Second, Princess Qianjin presented Feng Xiaobao, and Wu Zetian loved it very much
It is not easy for Wu Zetian to find a suitable male pet. It took Wu Zetian a lot of thought to find a candidate who was both young and handsome and able to serve decently.
While Wu Zetian was racking her brains for this, a chance change her troubles. It turned out that the Li family's Qianjin princess also raised a male pet in her palace, named Feng Xiaobao. This is a young man born in the city who makes a living selling herbs in the market. Princess Qianjin had a maid who had a close relationship with her, and was accidentally glimpsed by the princess one day, so she left Feng Xiaobao in the palace.
Princess Qianjin is unfounded, has an open personality, and has a good impression of this strong and handsome young man. She took Feng Xiaobao as a male pet and entertained her day and night. Seeing that Wu Zetian was in need of a suitable partner, Princess Qianjin moved wisely and sent the privacy of her palace into the palace and dedicated it to Wu Zetian.
Unexpectedly, Feng Xiaobao, who was a herb dealer at the beginning, actually made Wu Zetian love it very much as soon as he tried his skills. Perhaps it was too long without men and women lingering, Wu Zetian was particularly fond of this young man. She gave him the legal name Huaiyi and made him a general of Zuo Wuwei, and he was favored day by day. Finally, Wu Zetian's lonely and unbearable life in the palace radiated joy because of Feng Xiaobao.
Third, the power is added, and Xue Huaiyi is arrogant and domineering
At first, Xue Huaiyi, who was born in the city, was extremely obedient and humble to Wu Zetian. He served the empress day and night, tried his best to please Wu Zetian, and tried his best to cater to all her preferences. Gradually, Wu Zetian became deeply attracted to this young and handsome male pet.
In order to consolidate imperial power, Wu Zetian began to use Xue Huaiyi and constantly promoted his official position and status. He was first made a general of Zuo Wuwei, and later promoted to prominent official positions such as general of the auxiliary state and pillar state. Perhaps it was fame and fortune, and his power rose, and Xue Huaiyi's behavior began to become domineering.
He is no longer humble and low-key, but no one in sight, and he is domineering with Wu Zetian's favor. He even openly insulted the ministers in the court and ordered his subordinates to oppress the people. However, out of favor, Wu Zetian only turned a blind eye to what Xue Huaiyi did, and let him do something wrong.
Gradually, Xue Huaiyi, who had gained power, no longer served Wu Zetian as diligently as before. He no longer deliberately catered to Wu Zetian, nor did he hide his temperament. Instead, he began to indulge in the benefits of official position and power, chasing more money and beauty.
Xue Huaiyi married many beautiful wives and concubines, ate, drank and had fun all day, and lived a life of sound dogs and horses. He no longer served Wu Zetian carefully, and even sometimes Wu Zetian summoned, he deliberately found excuses to shirk. Gradually, Xue Huaiyi became a little tired of Wu Ze, who was over half a hundred years old, and was no longer as attentive and thoughtful as when he first met.
Fourth, Xue Huaiyi disliked Wu Zetian and was eventually given death
The gain of power obviously made Xue Huaiyi's mind dizzy, and he even suspected that Wu Zetian was coming. Facing this female emperor who was more than half a hundred years old, he no longer obeyed and flattered, but showed obvious impatience and weariness.
Once, Wu Zetian was so excited that he asked Xue Huaiyi to untie her wide clothes and prepare to enjoy a cloud and rainy time. In the past, Xue Huaiyi would come to serve enthusiastically, but today he only reluctantly agreed.
That day, Wu Zetian was in a good mood, and was about to entangle with Xue Huaiyi, but saw him kneeling stiffly, not saying a word for a long time, and his expression revealed obvious displeasure. Wu Zetian was furious, and angrily rebuked Xue Huaiyi on the spot: "Ru and others are clearly afraid of old age!"
Xue Huaiyi actually disliked himself, and this anger and humiliation suddenly awakened Wu Zetian. Only then did she discover that her favor and indulgence in Xue Huaiyi had made this man from the city soar and domineering, and he even dared to dislike his age.
Since then, Wu Zetian's affection for Xue Huaiyi has gradually faded. In its place was anger and disgust, and she realized that she had invested too much affection in Xue Huaiyi, but the other party only wanted to be Lilu.
Fifth, the empress decisively executed Xue Huaiyi, and her reputation rose
In the winter of 695, Wu Zetian finally lost his patience with Xue Huaiyi completely. She began to re-favor the imperial physician Shen Nanying, and ordered people to build a luxurious treasure pavilion in the palace.
Xue Huaiyi, who was jealous, actually set fire to the palace and burned down Wu Zetian's most beloved Ming Hall. This splendid era turned to ashes in the sea of fire, and also became the last straw that crushed the camel.
Wu Zetian thoroughly saw Xue Huaiyi's true face, so he decisively ordered him to die. This once domineering male pet of the Great Tang disappeared in the palace.
I thought that Xue Huaiyi could fly up the branch and become a phoenix, but I didn't expect that he would turn against him after being satisfied, and finally kill himself. This court turmoil ended with the death of Xue Huaiyi. And Wu Zetian also dealt with this big trouble, his reputation rose, and he had no worries.
epilogue
While Wu Zetian is making history, we also see the fragility and longing in a woman's heart. But that vulnerability was soon hidden by Wu Zetian's decisive wrist. Empresses in history books are often majestic and unforgiving. And we can only imagine the conflict and firmness in a woman's heart after the imperial costume through such a bland court story.