As the wheels of history roll forward, the millennium of past events is like a lake swept by the wind, leaving layers of ripples. Wu Zetian, a legendary woman across the Tang Dynasty, her name is like a lightning bolt that pierces the sky of history, which not only illuminates the possibility of women's rise, but also reflects the epitome of a turbulent era. She is multifaceted: on the one hand, she is the embodiment of power, and on the other hand, she plays out her own drama in the private harem.
Wu Zetian, the only female emperor, and her story is particularly intriguing in a patriarchal society. Her political manoeuvres and power struggles are well known, but the details of her private life are always shrouded in a veil of mystery. Her harem is said to have 3,000 macho men, a number that, although exaggerated, is a metaphor for how extraordinary she is in her private life.
According to historical records, after Wu Zetian ascended the throne, in order to stabilize power and satisfy personal desires, he did recruit many male favorites. The brothers Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong were favored by her because of their beauty like flowers; Shen Nanmu came into her eyes with his talent; and Xue Huaiyi became Wu Zetian's favorite retainer by virtue of his handsome appearance and unfathomable wisdom. These men, either because of their outstanding appearance, or because of their talents, or because of their superior resourcefulness, were recruited to her side like stars, and became pawns in her game of power and strategy, and also the sustenance in her emotional world.
Wu Zetian's selection of male favorites is not just a selection in the palace one by one. She also sent loyal officials of the court quietly into the people, looking for men with skills or good looks. The recommendation of her daughter, the courtier's flattery, and the intertwined entanglement inside and outside the palace form a net that spans the court and the world, capturing men who meet her aesthetics and needs.
In addition to enjoying these favors, Wu Zetian did not really invest in emotions. She is well aware that in the game of power, love is nothing more than a luxury, and can even become a fatal weakness. Therefore, she chose to maintain the loyalty of these male pets with favor and reward, rather than emotional bondage. These male pets are not only objects of desire satisfaction, they sometimes take on the role of participating in decision-making and administrative affairs. Wu Zetian used these male favorites to enforce his political will and consolidate his rule.
However, even if power is supreme, Wu Zetian's favor for these male favorites has also aroused the opposition and obstruction of many courtiers. They are worried about the influence of these beautiful and talentless men on the government and the fact that national affairs will become child's play. Despite this, Wu Zetian, with her own power and wisdom, successfully suppressed these opposing voices, and still insisted on her own way, and no one could shake her determination.
Through the fog of thousands of years, Wu Zetian's image seems to be more and more vivid. What we see is how she, as a woman, swims against the tide in a male-dominated society, and how she accurately weighs her status and desires on the scales of power. Wu Zetian's story is not only about the acquisition and exertion of power, but also about how a woman can create her own legend with extraordinary wisdom and skill under limited conditions.
In conclusion, Wu Zetian's story is an interweaving of power, desire and wisdom, and although the legend of her harem macho man 3,000 is exaggerated, it also reflects her wandering between power and selfishness. Her reign is characterized by both iron-blooded political struggles and a flowery harem life. In this legendary woman, we see the epitome of an era, and also see the survival and struggle of women in the ultimate environment. Wu Zetian, her name, seems to be the most shining symbol of that turbulent era, and she defined the queen's demeanor in her own way.