On September 9, the first year of Zaichu of the Tang Dynasty (689), the bells and alarms in the Hanyuan Palace in the capital Chang'an were ringing, and all officials bowed and a woman wearing a crown and a yellow robe announced that she would change the country's name to Zhou and called herself " Holy Emperor ". She is the only female emperor Wu Zetian in ancient Chinese history.
Wu Zetian, also known as Wu Ying (Pan was her own character, meaning the sun, moon and sky), was from Wenshui, Jiaozhou. His father once followed Li Yuan and to fight against Sui Dynasty and was the newest of the Tang Dynasty. Wu Zetian was born with beauty and charming. At the age of 14, he was selected as a palace and named "talented person". Emperor Taizong of Tang gave him the title " Wu Mei ". Later, Emperor Taizong of Tang passed away and she went to Ganye Temple and became a nun.
In 649 AD, Prince Li Zhi succeeded to the throne, namely Emperor Gaozong of Tang . Li Zhiyuan fell in love with Wu Mei, and after ascending the throne, she recalled her to the palace and made her a concubine, and was very fond of her.
6 was made queen again. Later, Emperor Gaozong of Tang fell ill and entrusted Wu Zetian to deal with the government affairs. So she gradually took over the power. In order to preserve power, the prince Li Hong and Li Xian were abolished. After Emperor Gaozong's death, she abolished Tang Zhongzong Li Xian and established the young Ruizong Li Dan , with the purpose of herself being able to continue to control the power of the state. But she did do something that was good for the country during her time in power.
She selected talents in an unconventional manner, presided over the examination in the palace, took measures to improve the status of the juren in the examination, and opened martial arts subjects, and developed the imperial examination system. Therefore, the court was full of talents, including Prime Minister Di Renjie , Yao Chong , Zhang Jianzhi , etc., Wu had border generals Tang Xiucan, Lou Shide , Guo Yuanzhen and others. Govern the country safely and work hard to govern. She also attached great importance to agricultural production and ordered the compilation of "Master of Industry and Industry" to promote and improve agricultural technology.
At the same time, we also pay attention to the construction of water conservancy, and have built many gates, dams, ditches and canals in Shaanxi, Sichuan, Qinghai and other places. She stipulated that all prefectures and counties that have a lot of land and people have surplus grain will be given rewards and promotions to local officials. All prefectures and counties that have poor governance and people move will be punished. Wu Zetian participated in politics as the queen at the age of 32 and was 82 at the age of 82. He was in power for a total of 50 years. During her rule, the country's economy developed steadily and made full preparations for the later " Kaiyuan Governance ".
Such a visionary, smart, capable, extremely ambitious and courageous female politician, before her death, asked someone to establish a " wordless stele " in front of the mausoleum.
Historically, she has mixed reviews. Some people appreciate her wisdom because she knows people and responsibilities. Some people admire her courage in doing things; some people say she is sinister and easy to kill, and curse her cruelty; some people criticize her for being arrogant because of her many men. Later generations used her intention to erect the " wordless stele " based on her tendency to evaluate her merits and demerits. They roughly had the following views:
First, Wu Zetian erected the wordless stele to boast about herself, indicating that her merits and virtues are beyond words. It is manifested in: 1. Support the emerging landlord class and attack the wealthy families. 2. Reward agriculture and sericulture, build water conservancy, reduce corvee labor and rectify the equal-land system, so as to develop the economy. 3. Use people in an extraordinary manner and accept advice humbly. 4. Strengthen border defense and improve relations with ethnic minorities.
Secondly, Wu Zetian erected the wordless monument because he knew that his sin was too great, so he felt that it was better not to write the inscription. 1. She herself climbed to the position of queen by means of flattery and finally stole the throne
. 2. Cultivate her gangs and eliminate dissidents.
3. Appoint cruel officials and implement terrorist policies of informing and abuse of punishment.
4. When Wu Zetian was in power, the social economy was in a stagnant state
5. Losing , the four towns of Anxi , endangering national reunification. Therefore, Wu Zetian's rule was a reversal in history. She had no face to write a biography for herself, so she could only use a stele without words to make excuses.
Sixth, Wu Zetian is a smart man. The meaning of erecting a stele without words is: let future generations comment on merits and demerits, this is the best way. Because Wu Zetian has something to be affirmed and there are things to be negative.
During Wu Zetian's rule, the economy continued to develop.In dealing with the complex situation before and after the death of Emperor Gaozong of Tang, she showed extraordinary talent. Even many people with feudal orthodox ideas were amazed by the two points of "admissing advice" and "employed people". However, Wu Zetian's negative aspects are also very prominent. In order to consolidate her personal dominance, she appoints cruel officials, kills innocent people indiscriminately, worships Buddhism, and is extravagant and wasteful. Especially in the late period of her rule, the court politics became increasingly corrupt, forming a group of new privileged nobles that Wu Zetian condoned and supported.
Wu Zetian was forced to hand over power when she died and returned to power by Emperor Zhongzong of Tang. She knew that people would have various evaluations in her life. It was difficult to write good inscriptions well and bad inscriptions. Because of these, they decided to erect a stele without words, and the merits and demerits were judged by later generations.
Wu Zetian erected a stele without words to later generations, and it is difficult to make the case.
