The Age of Empress Wu Zetian- Inheriting the Heights : Part 1- 武則天 | 武周时代 1

Art (Top): 白人阿又

Music: Smoke Rises High

Lady with elaborate hairdo. ZhongZong/ Ruizong emperor's reign. Empress Wu dominated this period and women were very powerful in the Tang court. Rendered based on the Tang dynasty painted wooden head of a lady with makeup. The well- preserved painted sculpture was unearthed from the Astana Necropolis in Turpan- Xinjiang. Both Zhongzong Emperor and his successor Ruizong were merely front man for their influential mother and kingmaker~ the future Empress Wu, who would one day declare her own dynasty and become China's first and only openly declared female sovereign.

For Mr. José Luis Fernández-Blanco

This article will be a speed run of Empress Wu's own Zhou dynasty and a brief coverage of the leadup to its consecration. I want to be upfront in expressing that unlike most coverage of Wu, I'm not interested in the "gossipy" version of her rise to power in the back harems and also vigorous debunking of these gossipy accusations. It is a characterization trap that I myself find very tiring in both mainland Chinese and Western lib coverage of Wu's biography. 

Mainland TV biopics of her life (not academia, pop culture) - as a matter of course correction to previous centuries of exaggerated demonization of Wu's legacy now present her as a sin- free ingenue wading into a viper's nest of beautiful but insecure and evil competitors who all want to crush her but because of their wayward foibles and her unassailable virtue were all (somehow) destroyed while she's able to find her "true love" and become queen bee of them all. Aka Mary Sue but Chinese version. Similarly and ironically often that's the most versions from the west as well, except this time all the Chinese have far less agency, didn't respect women until she came along, then after. *Ah to be the "Female Empress that China Forgot" while being the most watched national TV show in China really is something right? Show them how things really are right?  ˋ( ° ▽、° )  I mean at least Wu personally has more agency, it's just that everyone else was struck with a hammer that made them cartoonishly boorish and incompetent. 

I find these versions fundamentally infantilizing, both toward her and her enemies. Well behaving obedient girls don't usually make history, and the smartest women are extremely accomplished problem solvers. So smart that they out-think out of constraints. In truth Wu was capable on many fronts, that even when her husband was overcame with frequent strokes was able to rule as a co-ruler in his stead. Wu Zetian practically exercised direct rule over the largest empire for a female leader - a record broken only by Catherine the Great more than 1000 years later. Never mind at her time the Tang was 1/4 of the global population. 

But this does not- and should not infantilize her challengers either. As a decisive sovereign (and most of all, a political outsider) it takes a deft mind to be able to almost endlessly outmaneuver oppositions and creating parallel institutions to stay in power for half a century. Wu was both an aspiring undeniable talent and also a clever gameswoman, all I want is a coverage that honors all sides of this complex and monumental (literally) sovereign.

And you know what's missing by an overwhelming margin in both of those coverages? Her timeframe as a sovereign. It's amazing really, both these versions still at the end treated her as little more than a novelty. I want to focus on the tangible, the tenure of Wu as empress, the circumstances and challenges she faced, the reforms and institutions she implemented, answers to some of the accusations leveled against her as an empress, high watermarks achieved during her era- especially for women, and lastly an assessment of her emperorship. 

Music: Distant Journey

CHILDHOOD AND EDUCATION

As previously mentioned, the biography of the rise of Wu Zetian will be extremely brief. Wu Zetian was born as Wu Zhao, her father was a timber merchant who made a rich living in Henan. During the final years of the Sui dynasty the founding Emperor of Tang Li Yuan greatly relied on her father- who had proven a trusted friend to the Lis and after the Tang victory in seizing imperial power generously elevated the Wu family. 

Wu Zhao's father was unorthodox in that he encouraged his daughter from a very early age to read on many subjects, including the classics, history, politics, and on governmental institutions. At the young age of 14 she was inducted in the harem of then Emperor Taizong. Her role was largely a secretarial position which allowed her to continue pursue her education. When Taizong died she then became the secret lover of his heir the future Gaozong Emperor.

A girl with hairstyle bracketing Wu's own Zhou (690 - 705) dynasty. Full body view, based from Astana Necropolis in Xinjiang.

Gaozong: personal name Li Zhi was a well- meaning, albeit often indecisive emperor. The 9th son of Taizong he was not extensively groomed for the position of emperorship as his elder brothers. However when Taizong's 2 crown princes turned out to be treacherous, Taizong was forced to demote and banish them. Although Taizong deeply loved Li Zhi, the father long feared that the boy's greatest weakness was his gentleness. A friendly, filial, bookish boy, Li Zhi was deemed by many of the Emperor's closest advisors to be too nice and thus too soft-hearted for this critical position. Compounding the issue is that the boy was frequently wracked with dizziness, which could left him debilitated. Despite these reservations, Taizong did his best in gradually entrusting Li Zhi with increased authority. By this point it was likely Li Zhi already known or had a relation with Wu Zhao. When Taizong grew seriously ill and died in 649, the grieving Gaozong took over at the young age of 21. 

Some accounts suggested after Taizong's death Wu Zhao became a nun and while visiting the temple to grieve for his late father Li Zhi- by now the newly enthroned Gaozong Emperor saw her and both wept, then she was brought into the harem at the insistence of a powerful concubine eager to use her as a pawn to displace Gaozong's existing favorite. 

Art by Lin Sun (merasgar) The various ladies hairs are dated around 706- 1 year after Zhou dynasty of Wu was deposed. After this period for a time plump women became emblematic of Tang beauty standard.

Wu then joined Gaozong's harem. Although historians dispute this version which oozed staged scene invented in later eras in order to sanitize Gaozong's taboo of having relations with his father's concubine. Although harem women were numbered in the thousands and many of them- especially Wu Zhao were more attendant and secretaries it was still a significant taboo. Skeptical historians suggested she likely never left harem to began with and was already in a relation with Li Zhi before Taizong passed.

AS FAVORITE AND EXCERCISE OF POLITICAL POWER

After weathering through entire TV series- worth of harem intrigue and maneuverings~ 6 years later in 655, Wu became Tang Gaozong's new empress consort (皇后, húanghòu). The former, despite the high drama was largely personal and in the dimension of the harem. It was also during this period that Wu actively began to sway Gaozong to rubber stamp and approve her interests. From this point on she began to exert political sway on the Tang state. 

Tang Noblewoman from Zhongzong / Ruizong era and Wu's own dyansty. Similar to the earlier demonstrated style, this piled-up style also is raised high. Additionally it's surmounted by pearls. Contrarily to the stereotypical image of Rubenesque Tang dynasty women, the women of Early Tang (pre- Xuanzong) were often depicted as lithe and in simpler clothing and often with tighter sleeves that did not constrict movement.

Flashforward 10 years later: Tang ascension. The empire as of 660-663 AD with Tang (orange) and extended Protectorates (yellow) This was achieved by both Gaozong as well as Wu acting as his co-ruler. Together both ushered the greatest territorial extent of the empire. With an area of ​​12.37 million square kilometers. It stretched from the Taedong River in the Korean Peninsula in the east, to the Aral Sea in the west, to Lake Baikal in the north, and northern Vietnam in the south. In the far west the empire vassalized as far as modern Afghanistan.

She began by aggressive purging most of the consorts who opposed her ascension. Wu then deposed Gaozong's original crown prince (by another) and had him put under house arrest, in his stead, Wu had her own son by Gaozong made the new crown prince. It is also here that she began to actively extend her influence beyond the harem as well. People may have the impression that her rule was pegged to her own dynasty but it is not so by far. In reality Wu's rule began long before for some 30+ years prior. In order to outmatch opposition blocks and preclude to have her position threated by most harem concubines, she actively recommended officials who were loyal to her to be elevated into powerful positions, including the position of Chancellor.

In general, Gaozong was counted among one of the better remembered early Tang Emperors who presided over the empire's expansion and consolidation, culminating its greatest territorial extent in his early reign. However on a personal level his personage was mediocre. Fortunately for him this was compensated by the fact when Taizong died he left Gaozong with a court rife with talented ministers and generals who were personally loyal to the late Emperor and could be counted to play their talents as part of a grand orchestra. If Wu wanted the reins of the empire she would not only bump heads with some of them but also if push came to shove, come up with something as good as they were to the empire.

Music: In Revel We Find Pain

CULTIVATING PERSONAL POWER & ESTABLISHING PARALLEL INSITUTIONS

Taizong's old guards. After Taizong's death the generals and strategists that won the realm under him formed his court. Their young sons were enrolled in the imperial guard and many of their daughters became concubines and consorts in the harem. Wu had already traded blows with many of such concubines- her political maneuvering against these families were an extension of the struggle she already experienced in the harem. For this reason she divided them into an ally camp and the rest were obstacles to be sidelines or diluted.

This old guard: composed of proven warrior aristocracy from the northwest (around Chang'an) that won the empire would be the next obstacle against Wu's personal interests. Much of this phase of her maneuvering would be designed against this well connected brotherhood. First she angled by forming a parallel center of power away from the entrenched nobles.

A lover of Henan. In 658, Empress Wu persuaded Gaozing to include Luoyang- the ancient capital of both Zhou and Han dynasties to become a second capital. Luoyang would be the seed for a parallel court- and later during her reign the capital of her dynasty.

Previously the imperial exam system had an interview phase and recommendation, although ostensibly unbiased, in fact its very favorable to those with personal connections, prestigious pedigrees, and familiarity with the heartland elite. In 655, Wu Zetian helped to graduate 44 candidates with the jìnshì degree (進士)- the highest achievers of imperial exam fit for the highest offices of the land. Wu lavished favors on the newly graduated jinshi degree-holders, increasing the prestige associated with this path of attaining a government career, and clearly began a process of opening up opportunities to success for a wider population pool, including inhabitants of China's less prestigious southeast regions (modern Vietnam.) 

An interesting millennial lasting beneficiary of her attempt to outmaneuver the entangled warrior- aristocracy was her investment in a parallel apparatus that would elevate meritorious talents, while having them still largely owe everything to her. In late 659, she proposed to Emperor Gaozong that the Imperial Civil Exam be opened to invest talented people from the lower nobles as government officials. This reduced the power of the aristocracy. She would greatly expand upon this posture later during her own reign as Emperor of her own dynasty. 

Parallel cabinet: Through this process, Wu would began to accumulate a group of her own scholars who were exceptionally gifted with literary talent: by the latter part of Gaozong's reign they would be commissioned to compose many literary works on her behalf. Collectively they became known as the "North Gate Scholars" (北门学士) because they resided in the Daming Palace itself which is situated on the north eastern tip of the metropolis. In truth, they served as Wu's own mini parallel secretariat, able to draft memorials and policies that were once the purview of the Chancellors and the imperial executive.

It was also during this era Wu convinced Gaozong to reside more in Luoyang, uncharitable versions have insinuated that she did so to have exclusive influence on him and eventually poisoned him while he succumbed to sickness and~ in turn she took over greater and greater share of the responsibility of governance.

CO-RULERSHIP APEX OF EARLY TANG POWER

In 660, at the age of 32 Gaozong's physical conditions significantly deteriorated. His earlier dizziness now frequently became seizures and stroke that render him comatose or barely able to function. Often in such crises, the court- by then largely consisting of several influential ministers personally loyal (and elevated) by her delegated powers for her to handle. Despite this, Tang fortunes for the decade was mostly on the upswing. That same year the Tang army crushed the Khitans and re-vassalized them, capturing their chief and brought him back to Luoyang.

Music: Wise Voice

Haloed Tibetan warrior in heavy lamellar armor- Jokhang Temple. He wears an elaborate belt bedecked with multi- colored inlays and at his side straps a highly ornate jewel- encrusted straight cutting sword.

Compounding Gaozong's problem, it was during this middle reign that Tang's neighbors and vassals took advantage of the situation and aggressively exerted external pressure, Tibetan empire invaded Tang vassal states, and then took the war to Tang directly a decade later. 

Tang fought Yamato Japan for the first time in 663 and won the naval Battle of Baekgang 백강 전투 | 白江口 | 白村江の戦い when both sides backed opposing Korean kingdoms. At the time Korea was in the final phase of its own 3 kingdom period between the kingdom of Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla. Goguryeo: the most militarily capable of the 3 proved itself a formidable rival to Tang ambitions and frequently achieved lopsided victories against Chinese polities including Sui and Gaozong's own father. 

At Baekgang the Yamato brought 800 warships and according to "Nihon Shoki" Tang brought 170 ships but were mostly larger. Yamato soldiers ranged from 27,000 by conservative estimate to 42,000. The figures of respective Korean allies also varied or was unrecorded. "Old Book of Tang" recorded the Tang commander burned 400 of Yamato's warships. Despite this upset, Asuka Japan (then later Nara Japan) aggressively adopted Tang customs and Chinese institutions. Example of a large none- combat oriented mission ship from Japan of this era, initially adopted from Sui- Tang templates. These often ferried important diplomatic and Buddhist missions.

The kingdom of Silla to the east frequently allied with the Tang to use it as a counterweight against its 2 other rivals. Baekje, which was suddenly destroyed by the Tang (as part of an unpredicted grand Tang flanking maneuver to hit Goguryeo from the southern front) had for centuries fostered deep ties with Yamato Japan hence the cassus belli for Tang- Silla vs Yamato and Baejke irredentists.

Lady of Tang dynasty from this period wearing a lapelled riding cloak. During this era many Tang women wore veiled hats called Weimao during travel. Long versions that reached the ladies knees were called Mili and once were only worn by ladies of noble families- however by this era women of lower strata began to wear shoulder lenghed veiled hats called Weimao.

Reenactor: 陈喜悦耶

Because Wu was well read in both literature and stately affairs the rein of power fell into her stead and she- with Gaozong's permission began to draft edicts and preside over petitions and attend court in her husband's stead. From 660 on imperial power was was in her grasp and would remain so for 20 years until Gaozong's death. In this era Tang reached its largest territorial extent. If Gaozong was well, he would still accept Empress Wu's help, asking her to read the documents to him, he consulted with her on important matters and she wrote down the rulings he had issued. As his sickness worsened, he allowed her to draft policies in his name. 

At one point that Gaozong became suspicious of her increasing power and tried to curtail her in her tracts. In 664, when Gaozong was angered by her meddling and her outreach, the the chancellor Shangguan Yi (who attained his position because Wu's sycophantic previous appointee had been expelled due to gross corruption) suggested that Gaozong depose Wu. Thus he had Shangguan draft an edict. 

However he was caught red handed by Wu with the edict in hand. Wu began to cry and protested innocence. In a panic, the indecisive Gaozong blamed all of this plot on Shanguan Yi. After this episode Wu had most of Shangguan Yi's family executed, leaving only his wife and infant daughter behind to be slaves in the palace. Since Shangguan Yi also worked for Gaozong's now deposed crown prince. Wu used this as pretext and forced the already house- arrested former crown prince to commit suicide. Gaozong never challenged his wife again.

After this assertion of power, Wu took her office to the imperial court itself. Inside the court Wu would sit behind a pearl screen behind him to hear the same reports. She became involved in affairs ranging from military campaigns to bureaucratic reforms, from economic policies to petitions from vassals and foreign dignitaries. She and Gaozong were thereafter referred to as the "Two Saints" (二圣, Er Sheng) both inside the palace and in the empire. In order to expedite the growth of her own power bloc and also rapidly fill up talents in key sectors of the empire, she rapidly promoted new talents to imperial offices.

"Whenever the emperor was ill, the affairs of the state were left to the empress to decide. The court and the country called them "Two Saints" (二聖, Er Sheng). Each time the emperor personally addressed court matters, a curtain hung in the hall and both the emperor and empress presided over the court together. It is up to empress's to decide who will be promoted and demoted, die and survive, and the emperor will carry it out. In the last years of the emperor's life, he was unable to do anything due to illness and everything was managed by the empress." - New Book of Tang:

Music: A World Unseen

Unprecedently, Wu also began to attend Emperor's imperial rites as well. Before this moment all were solely conducted by the sovereign. During the ostentatious and exorbitantly expensive grand sacrifice jointly held by Gaozong and Empress Wu at Mounta Tai in 666, Yamato Japan, Indian kingdoms, the Persian court in exile, the 3 Korean kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje, Silla, the Turkic Khaganate, Tarim's Tang vassal kingdom of Khotan, the Khmer, and the Umayyad Caliphate all had representatives attending.

Bottom Art by ★陸曼陀★ LuDanling. At its height, the vast metropolis of Chang An during the Tang dynasty was the largest city in the world and was a vast melting pot of all different cultures and races. ❖ Han. ❖ Kuchanese (of the Tarim kingdom of Kucha,) ❖ "Rakshasas," ❖ Tocharians (of the Tarim Basin,) ❖ Hindu Indians, ❖ Uyghurs, ❖ Japanese, ❖ Persians, ❖ Tibetans, ❖ Koreans (of the kingdom of Silla,) ❖ Byzantine Romans (Daqin is the ancient Chinese name for Rome and also, later Byzantine Empire, and more specifically largely refers to the Syriac region) ❖ Sogdian, ❖ Cham Vietnamese, though the image is that of known depiction of Andamanese Africans, and ❖ Turks.

Afrasiab murals depicting Tang riders- some scholars interpreted this as a depiction of Chinese Emperor and his companions hunting leopards. The riders wore silk round collar riding coats called Yuanlingpao and are armed with bows and lances, their arrows are stored in a tubular arrow case called húlù 胡禄. The hierarchical proportion used for the top right figure led some to conclude the prominent personage may either be the martial Taizong or other have suggested was his son Gaozong. Leopards were exotic pets during the Tang and were brought over by Sassanian and other Central Asian merchants to Tang as gifts.

Music: 【瀚州】

TANG'S CHALLENGES

Top: Goguryeo cataphract by Jack Huang. In matters of foreign policy in 668, Tang annexed Goguryeo, which had long repelled both the Sui and the Tang. When the powerful Goguryeo general Yeon Gaesomun died in 666, Tang saw opportunity then invaded the kingdom in 667, by 668 Pyongyang was captured ending the ancient kingdom and many of its people resettled. With Goguryeo's fall- Tang's previous ally Silla became increasingly anxious about the potential of Tang encirclement and annexation (and miffed about being snubbed of promised Goguryeo territories) began to stoke anti- Tang insurrections in the rest of the peninsula. However when Wu and Gaozong recieved reports detailing Silla's subterfuge Tang stripped the Silla king of previously conferred Tang titles and threatened to depose him with his brother. The Silla King Munmu apologized and paid tribute and the matter was resolved.

In the west the Tibetan empire invaded and snatched a large section of Qinghai- what once was the Tuyuhun kingdom away from the Tang. When the Tang launched a large punitive response but due to high level infighting between commanders the Tang was dealt a crushing defeat by the Tibetans. Because of the extreme aridness of the region and lack of development and transportation, the Tang forgo attempt to reconquer this region. The refugees of Tuyuhun origin were allowed to shelter and resettle in Tang. Further west, the Tibetan Empire launched repeated incursions into the Tang held Tarim Basin and would continue to invade the region for the next 150 years.

During the late 670s Silla and Tang went into war and Silla managed to repel the Tang from southwest Korean then united all of Korean south of the Taedong river. Silla then tried to secure what was former territories of Goguryeo by fostering rebellions while Tang tried to stabilize the region with former Goguryeo nobles to act as Tang proxies. 

During this period the Sassanian prince Peroz III- the escaped son of the last reigning Shah Yazdegerd III was received by Gaozong. He served as a Tang general and his descendants would marry into the imperial Li clan of the Tangs. The Sassanian refugees who escaped from the Arab conquest were allowed to resettle in Tang.

It should be stated that although externally Tang would face gradual struggles on the external front- internally Gaozong's reign (presided by Wu by now) was still the golden age of Tang. Chang'an was the largest city in the world, the empire was 1/4th the global population, and Daming Palace where Gaozong and Wu resided in the largest palace in the world at the time. Even though despite its splendor Wu often complained of having nightmares (said to be of seeing the ghost of Empress Wang and others she had executed earlier) and she and Gaozong mostly lived in the eastern capital of Luoyang while delegating the administration of the capital to their crown prince Li Hong.

For context: The Forbidden City is currently the largest palace in the world, the Daming Palace was 4.5 times the size of Forbidden City. Chang'an was host to a multitude of ethnicities and races and multiple faiths were respected. Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism were respected in synchronicity. During Taizong's reign the monk Sanzang (Tripitaka) returned from India carrying an extensive corpus of sacred Buddhist teachings and later translated them for the empire. Sanzang would be mythologized as the literary protagonist of the fantastical "Journey to the West" where the Monkey King Sun Wukong was a fan favorite. 

The Li imperial clan considered themselves to be patrons of both Daoism and Buddhism, soon, during the reign of Wu herself Buddhism would gain further prominence. Furthermore, Christianity and Islam began to gain traction in the empire. Taizong was traditionally thought to have welcomed Christianity and encouraged its proselytization and by traditional Chinese Hui accounts Islam was welcomed by Gaozong. Manicheanism, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism were also all worshiped in the empire.

In 673, Wu provided 20,000 from her own imperial coffers for the construction of a gigantic statue of Maitreya at Longmen Grottoes. Completed in 676, the main Vairocana's features are plumpish and of peaceful and natural expression. According to traditional accounts the likeness of the Buddha was based from Wu Zetian herself.

Painted wooden Avalokitesvara sculpture in Tang style. Shuanglin Temple, Pingyao China, the temple was built in the 6th century with many exquisitely painted and preserved painted sculptures. 

Top: Nestorian Cross. Constans II: Bo duoli (波多力; the name derived from the Emperor's fabled magnificent beard Kōnstantinos Pogonatos Κωνσταντῖνος ὁ Πωγωνάτος, "Constantine the Bearded" sent envoys to Taizong's court bearing gifts. Further Eastern Roman embassies were received during this period.

Music: Black Cloud, Red Fire

GOKTURK REBELLIONS-

A CAROUSEL  OF TANG CROWN PRINCES & TURKIC KHAGANS

Gaozong's later rule was marked by the loss of several crown prince candidates. First, his crown prince Li Hong died in 675. Li Hong was Wu's first son with Gaozong. Gaozong grieved greatly after his passing. Uncharitable historians have attributed his death to Empress Wu although without damning evidence. More damning however was Wu's maneuvering against Li Hong's replacement Li Xian, Li Xian was also born to Wu and Gaozong and their 2nd son. However by the time of his elevation he have became estranged with his domineering mother. 

Unfortunately for him one of the court sorcerers whom Gaozong and Wu trusted greatly also spoke out against his position, with recommendations that he be passed over. When the sorcerer was later assassinated suspicion fell on Li Xian- Wu then used further indiction against him by others as a pretext and searched his mansion. 

To which hundreds of suits of armor were found (highly suspicious because early Tang still employed the Fubing system in that soldiers pay and field their own armors and weapons. Possession of such a large number of armors spelled coup intent.) Wu advised punishment against Li Xian and Gaozong reluctantly agreed and demoted him, putting him under house arrest. Whatever Li Xian's real motives, it is likely that Wu had a role in sidelining him because his replacement~ Li Zhe, the 3rd son was much more malleable. 

It was also in this final phase of Gaozong's life that the Gokturks in the north frequently erupted in rebellions. Gaozong's martial father was successful in defeating, annexing, then releasing the Khaganate under Tang sway, and was elected the Tengri Khagan (Heavenly Khagan) by the Gokturk princes. Gaozong ensured its vassalage in 650 at his ascension. However after 3 decades, soon multiple rebellions would erupt in 676, 680, 681, and finally in 682.

Frequently, the Tang remedy would be both diplomatic as well as militaristic. Tang excelled at courting competing candidates against the instigating party and often used them as counterweight against the rebel faction. This would be aided by cunning and experienced Tang generals like Pei Xingjian 裴行儉 who was able to crush multiple revolts and install Tang- back candidates into position. 

Pei Xingjian 裴行儉- a decisive veteran Tang general. When a Tang appointed Gokturk commander rebelled in 676 and declared himself Khagan, allied with the Tibetan empire and pillaged Tang west. He used the ruse of escorting Peroz's son Narsieh to the west (ostensive to fight the Umayyads) with a small inconspicuous contingent, however during the trek he snuck out to find the other Turkic tribes opposing to the newly minted Khagan and rallied a grand anti- Khagan army that crushed the rebellion. He would crush multiple other attempts later.

A cunning, fox like figure capable in diplomacy as well as warfare. He would prove decisive in personally stomping down multiple such rebellions. He scored a remarkable strings of victories against both the Tibetan Empire and also Gokturk rebels in the late 670s and early 680s. In 681 the Tibetan empire invaded the Tang's western lines in Qinghai they were also defeated and expelled.

When the Gokturks rebelled again in 682, Gaozong again summoned for Pei, however by this time the old general had died. Despite having been vassalized by the Tang for half a century the Gokturks established its 2nd Khaganate under Ashina Qutlugh who was named Ilterish Kaghan. It will be a matter that Gaozong's sons and Wu will contend with in the coming years.

The last year of Gaozong's reign was marked by crippling incapacity with him succumbing to terrible spells of sickness and strokes. Despite being attended by physicians at Luoyang his conditions grew so bad that eventually Wu had to took over most reins of power. Meanwhile the crown prince Li Zhe was invested to govern the western capital at Chang'An. 

Wu eventually forbade most people from seeing him, leading to the latter historians to frame Gaozong's death as poisoning by his wife (as well as the previous accusations that she had poisoned him for years.) On the last week of 683 in winter, Gaozong died, writing a will that demanded his heir Li Zhe follow the advice of several key ministers and respect his mother's counsel in all critical matters. 

Music: Nonsense

 DOWAGER EMPRESS | KINGMAKER

The rebuilt tower: the famous Giant Wild Goose Pagoda of Xian (Chang'An) built during the reign of Gaozong, however the tower eventually collapsed. Wu later rebuilt it and added 5 additional stories to it. The current 7 stories that remained were left behind after a major earthquake from the Ming dynasty that reduced it by 3 stories.

If it was indeed Gaozong that issued the edict, he needn't have insisted the matter, Li Zhe- the future Zhongzong would not have much power to refuse anyway. Li Zhe, the 3rd son by Wu with Gaozong was indeed susceptible to influence, however this proved a double sword in regards to Wu. Li Zhe (we shall from now refer to him by his temple name as Zhongzong Emperor) was also deeply susceptible to his own wife: Empress Wei: born from the powerful Wei family. And Wu (by now Empress Dowager) grew to instantly dislike Wei. Not in the least because Wei was in many aspects a miniature version of Wu, she was also beautiful, plotting, and ruthlessly ambitious. Within only weeks after Zhongzong's ascension, he made her father- his father-in-law into the new Prime Minister, and installed a number of her family into unprecedented heights of government. 

Dowager Empress- by now 60, Wu had been exercising executive power for 1/4 of a century by now. She would rule through her 2 weak sons for a decade while consolidating personal power.

Art: 白人阿又

Zhongzong very likely did this as a prepared counterweight against Wu's entrenched position and one day use these assets to maneuver her out of her power. However Wu denied him his chance, with the support of a number of senior ministers, she deposed Zhongzong and forced him into exile, the court then stripped him of his emperorship and demoted the elevated Wei family. Zhongzong, Empress Wei and her family would be banished to the far southern frontiers of modern Vietnam. Instead, Wu transferred the throne to her youngest son Li Dan, who proved to be even more malleable than his predecessors. 

During this time the 2nd son (under house arrest for possession of armor from supposed conspiracy) was forced to commit suicide. Unlike with Zhongzong, when Li Dan ascended the throne (temple name Ruizong) Wu did not try to hide the fact she was the real power behind the throne. Ruizong was not present at imperial functions and it was she who all the ministers consulted with on key matters. No longer was she the matron behind curtains, she was the empire in all but name. During this time Luoyang was made the full eastern capital. By the end of the decade she would declare her own dynasty- the only Chinese dynasty to be founded by a woman.

Palace Temple: Mingtang- or "Hall of Brightness" 明堂: built in 688 AD, the centerpiece of Wu's massive Ziwei Palace at Luoyang. The massive round pagoda behind (alternatively to the west) of the Mingtang was the Tiantang (Heavenly Hall.) The structure was built under Wu's instructions and incorporated various architectural philosophy and school of thought. Aside from palatial functions the building was also a temple and held important state ceremonies, including sacrificial rites like those performed from Spring and Autumn. In terms of size Mingtang dwarfed the size of many Sui and Tang palace structures. It's verticality was unique for an East Asian palace.

Photo by Ghrkya

CONTINUED IN PART 2

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