뉴스레터

Wu Zetian

Wu Zetian [則天武后, 624~705], a Tang dynasty empress, rests in the Qianling Mausoleum, located some 85km from Xi'an in China's Shaanxi province. The mausoleum complex also houses the tomb of Emperor Gaozong. The Qianling Mausoleum never fell prey to tomb robbers and is touted as one of only two royal tombs in China (the other being the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor) that remains perfectly preserved. Based on pertinent records left behind by subsequent generations and assessments by historians (refer to the Critical biography of Wu Zetian written by Zhào Wén Rùn[趙文潤] etc.), this essay traces and reviews Empress Wu Zetian's life and achievements, notable anecdotes, and her connections to Korean history.

The Tang dynasty marked the golden period of ancient Chinese history. In 624, 30 years after the dynasty's founding, We Zetian was born as the second daughter to Wu Shihuo, who was of She origin but had become an influential figure in the Tang court due to a series of distinguished achievements. According to CuīRóng[崔融], Wu was "an exceptional beauty with a forehead indicating great wealth and honor." Thanks to her alluring looks, she became Emperor Taizong's concubine at the age of 14.

Wu Zetian came to learn the art of governance by observing Emperor Taizong. She also received strict court training and also became versed in the cultural arts. As Emperor Taizong's health deteriorated, Crown Prince Li Zhi (later, Emperor Gaozong) often came to call on the emperor and was captivated by Wu's beauty. He fell in love with a woman four years her senior and nominally, his mother. Eventually, the love was reciprocated.

The empress who led Tang to the pinnacle of its glory…deemed cruel and ruthless by some

After Empress Taizong's death, Wu Zetian, along with other concubines, became a Buddhist nun at Ganye Temple in accordance with the customs of the time. Emperor Gaozong often came to Ganye Temple to see her. Given her standing, it was very difficult for Wu to return to the palace. It was Empress Wang, Emperor Gaozong's wife, who brought Wu back to the palace to regain the Emperor's affection from Xiāo shū[蕭淑妃, a royal concubine] Wu was 29 years old.

Upon her second entry into the imperial palace, Wu Zetian was showered with Emperor Gaozong's love and attention. She gave birth to a daughter in 653. One day, after the Empress Wang had return after visiting Wu's chamber to see the little princess, Wu Zetian secretly strangled her own daughter to death and framed the Empress for the murder. Wu managed to depose the Empress Wu and took her place despite fierce opposition from the court ministers.

Emperor Gaozong suffered ill health for a long time. After a series of strokes, Emperor Gaozong felt heavy in the head and could no longer see well, so Empress Wu began assisting him with state matters in 660. By the time Emperor Gaozong died in 683, Empress Wu had become as powerful as any emperor. While Crown Prince Li Zhe [李哲] succeeded the throne as Emperor Zhongzong, he accepted Wu Zetian as Empress Dowager; she made all the final decision regarding state affairs. However, in less than two months, Wu ousted him and demoted him to King of Luling [廬陵王] for attempting to form his own faction. Wu continued to manage the affairs of the state.

In a dramatic overhaul of the court, Wu changed the colors of official court robes as well as the names of government titles. A royal edict issued five years later (689) contains a new script Wu created. She moved the capital from Chang'an to Luoyang. On the Double Ninth Festival (September 9 of the lunar calendar), she stood before the people and proclaimed the founding of the Zhou dynasty and declared herself emperor.

During her reign, Empress Wu Zetian placed great importance on agricultural production. She introduced two new agricultural tax systems and constructed new irrigation channels. With improved agricultural productivity, the population grew by over 37 million and the handicraft manufacturing, commerce, and transportation sectors also flourished. Naturally, there were great cultural advances as well. Empress Wu considered the study of Chinese classics, history, and literature important and also worked to elevate the status of women.

Unfortunate ties with Korea

Empress Wu Zetian Qianling Mausoleum,
which houses the tombs of Empress
Wu Zetian and Empress Gaozong

All the three kingdoms on the Korean peninsula at the time—i.e., Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla—had close ties with Tang China, so Empress Wu Zetian makes frequent appearances in Korea history. While not yet in direct control, Wu Zetian exercised her authority as the empress and had a hand in Emperor Gaozong's decision to put pressure on Goguryeo and provide Tang assistance to Silla's battle against Baekje in 661. She also played a role in the alliance forged by Tang and King Munmu of Silla to bring down Baekje in 662 and in the fall of Goguryeo in 668. Five years after the fall of Goguryeo, Tang set out to invade Silla for aiding Goguryeo migrants. When Xue Ren'gui, who had been at the Protectorate-General to Pacify the East, returned to Tang to take part in the campaign against the Tufan, Geom Mojam started a Goguryeo revival movement. Wu Zetian was behind Tang's decision to strike Silla in 678. Wu was directly involved in Tang's relations with Balhae. When Dae Jo-yeong's father Dae Jung-sang (or Qiqi Zhongxiang) went into exile to the east with the Baishan Mohe leader Qisi Piyu and the remaining peoples of Goguryeo, it was Wu Zetian who had Qisi Piyu killed and ordered Li Kaigu to invade Balhae.

Although Empress Wu Zetian is not a likeable figure in Korean history, many Chinese historians laud her political accomplishments. She is known to have appointed many talented individuals to government posts, provided relief to the people in times of disasters, and paid heed to opposing opinions and counsel. She set up an agency through which the people could file grievances against the government. She also wrote Guidelines for Imperial Subjects [臣軌] in which she calls on government officials to develop their virtue and hone their skills to become loyal servants to the emperor and loving governors to the people. Wu also strengthened the legislative system. Most historians are in agreement that Wu Zetian did her utmost to invigorate the Tang dynasty.

Needless to say, critical assessments about Wu also abound. In her later years, she recalled King of Luling to the capital and reinstated him as a crown prince. A coup ensued, and she was deposed. When Emperor Zhongzong took the throne in 705, she was forced to move to the subsidiary palace. At the age of 82, she met a lonely death in seclusion. Wu receives harsh criticism for having killed many to get to the top; she was cruel and ruthless in eliminating her rivals. She is also criticized for having been immoral, enjoying the company of numerous men well into her later years.

Empress Wu Zetian was the only female ruler among the 240 emperors of China. There stands a stele free of inscriptions at the Qianling Mausoleum. This Wordless Monument [無字碑] to Wu Zetian is said to be blank because her remarkable feats are too numerous to list. On the flipside, one may wonder if she had ordered the monument to be left blank right before her death, remorseful for having ruthlessly killed even her own child to rise to the top and fearful that such terrible deeds may be recorded.