Li Shimin, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, was a powerful character who immediately raised the starting point of the Tang Dynasty. After the death of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, Wu Meiniang started to cause trouble. What exactly happened?

Tang Taizong Li Shimin was a powerful character, and he immediately raised the starting point of the Tang Dynasty . But Tang Taizong's concubine Wu Meiniang was not a fuel-efficient lamp. After the death of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, Wu Meiniang began to cause trouble. What exactly happened? What changes have occurred in the fate of the Tang Dynasty?

The previous article talked about the life of Emperor Taizong Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty, about his various internal and external achievements, and the sources of various labels on him, such as "Reign of Zhenguan", "Congjian Ruliu", " Tianhan Khan" " and so on.

After the death of Tang Taizong Li Shimin, Tang Taizong's son Li Zhi succeeded to the throne and became Tang Gaozong. And Tang Taizong's concubine Wu Meiniang became the queen of Tang Gaozong Li Zhi. Everyone is familiar with this period of history. My concubine became my son’s queen.

Tang Gaozong Li Zhi's performance in the early stage was not bad. He continued Tang Taizong's way of governing the country, which can be regarded as a continuation of the rule of Zhenguan. This period of history is also praised as "the rule of Yonghui".

Externally, Tang Gaozong Li Zhi successively destroyed the Western Turks, Baekje and Goguryeo . At this time, the Tang Dynasty's external reputation could not be higher than during this period. The territory of the Tang Dynasty was never larger than that of this period.

However, there is still a hidden danger outside. Tubo became stronger and stronger. Not only did it destroy Tuyuhun, it also captured the Anxi four towns of the Tang Dynasty..

But Tang Gaozong Li Zhi's performance in the later period was very poor. Li Zhi, Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty, had poor eyesight and could not see the memorial clearly. So Li Zhi, Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty, asked Wu Zetian to help read the memorials and deal with political affairs. Wu Zetian was a very politically ambitious person. Soon, Wu Zetian took control of the political power, walked from behind the scenes to the court, and together with Tang Gaozong, accepted the worship of ministers. Tang Gaozong Li Zhi was the emperor, while Wu Zetian was the queen. This is what is called "二圣 came ".

After Tang Gaozong Li Zhi died, Tang Gaozong and Wu Zetian's son Li Xian came to the throne, that is, Tang Zhongzong. During the reign of Emperor Zhongzong of the Tang Dynasty, Wu Zetian came to power and was called the emperor. But the next year, Tang Zhongzong Li Xian was deposed by Wu Zetian and became King of Luling .

Wu Zetian re-established himself and Tang Gaozong's other son Li Dan as emperor. Li Dan became and Tang Ruizong . During the reign of Emperor Ruizong of the Tang Dynasty, Wu Zetian also came to rule the dynasty. 6html One year later, Wu Zetian also abolished Tang Ruizong Li Dan.

In other words, although during the periods of Tang Zhongzong Li Xian and Tang Ruizong Li Dan, Wu Zetian came to rule. But Wu Zetian felt that it was not satisfying, so she deposed her two biological sons, Tang Zhongzong and Tang Ruizong, and became the emperor herself. 67-year-old Wu Zetian changed dynasties and became the founding emperor of Wu Zhou , calling himself the "Holy God Emperor". This period of history is the "Wuzhou Revolution".

Before she came to power, Wu Zetian also deliberately changed her name to and Wu Fu. Wu Zetian became the only orthodox female emperor in Chinese history.

Like Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, Wu Zetian also attached great importance to talents. For this purpose, she personally interviewed candidates and created the imperial examination in the imperial examination system. In addition, in order to select military talents, Wu Fu also created martial arts . But Wu Zetian was also very cruel to those who opposed her. She subjected her to all kinds of torture, including the unjust killing of many people.

What about external affairs? In the north, during the Wu and Zhou Dynasties, the Turks became powerful again.The Turkic silently sipped the Khan , occupying the north and south of the desert. They did not take the Tang Dynasty seriously at all, and even invaded Hebei. And Khitan leader Li Jinzhong was also causing trouble in Hebei. However, the Wuzhou court could not deal with the Khitan. Later, it was the Turkic Khan Mochu who took over Li Jinzhong of the Khitan.

Northeast, Mohe established Bohai State in the northeast. Mohe, the current Manchu , had many names in history, the more famous of which is "Jurchen". The name Mohe was the first name given by the ancestors of the Manchu people. At this time, the Tang Dynasty's prestige in the Northeast began to decline.

In the Tang Dynasty, the Andong Protectorate located in Pyongyang couldn't survive, so it was moved to Liaodong . The old lands of Goguryeo and Baekje were all taken away by Silla .

Southwest, although the four towns of Anxi have been restored. But in Qinghai, the Tang Dynasty's wars against Tubo always failed.

Wu Zetian was very entangled on the issue of passing positions. Should the throne of emperor be passed on to his nephew or his son? Wu Zhou naturally belonged to the world with the surname Wu. Wu Zetian initially wanted to pass the throne to his nephew Wu Sansi . But the words of Prime Minister Wu Zhou Di Renjie made Wu Zetian hesitate. Di Renjie said that he had never heard of his nephew offering sacrifices to his aunt.

Later, after Wu Zetian listened to Di Renjie's words, it was more reliable to pass the world on to his son. So Wu Zetian re-established her once-disposed son Li Xian as prince.

After becoming the emperor for 15 year, 82-year-old Wu Zetian became critically ill. At this time, there was an undercurrent in the court, and everyone had their own little plans, trying to make some profit from the situation. A bloody day is coming. So what was this big storm that Wu Zetian experienced before she died? What ending did she end up with? How did the world change from Wu to Li?

Let’s continue in the next article. I am the historical present. I use the vernacular and systematically talk about Chinese history according to the order of dynasties. If you like history, follow me.