Wu Zetian (624-705) was born in Wenshui, Bingzhou (Wenshui, Shanxi). In the eleventh year of Zhenguan reign of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, "Taizong heard that her beauty stopped, so he summoned her to the palace and established her as a talented person" (Old Tang Book, Volume 6, "Records of Queen Zetian"). After the death of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty in May of the 23rd year of Zhenguan, Wu Zetian entered Ganye Temple with his concubines and became a nun. In 654 (the fifth year of Yonghui), Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty incorporated Wu Zetian into the harem and worshiped her as Zhaoyi. In October of the sixth year of Yonghui (655), she became queen. In February 684, Zhongzong was deposed as King of Luling, and Li Dan was established as emperor, which was Ruizhong. "Ruizong lives in a separate hall, and no predictions are allowed." In May 690, hundreds of officials, relatives of the emperor's family, and common people near and far More than 60,000 people including Siyi chiefs, ascetics, and Taoist priests petitioned Wu Zetian to become emperor. Emperor Li Dan also petitioned to be given the surname Wu. Therefore, Wu Zetian approved the request of the emperor and his ministers, ascended the throne of emperor, changed the name of Tang Dynasty to Zhou Dynasty, and became the only female emperor in Chinese history.
2. The reasons why Wu Zetian was able to claim the title of emperor
1. She was "well-versed in literature and history, adaptable and wise", had superhuman courage, fearless courage, and high cultural quality and outstanding political ability. This is the basic condition for her to be emperor.
2. She had a close relationship with Tang Gaozong and gained his trust. He participated in the government affairs and "worried about the world" for 24 years, and formed a "two saints" situation with Emperor Gaozong. He not only received the support of many ministers, but also accumulated rich experience. This laid the foundation for Wu Zetian to proclaim himself emperor.
3. Before his death, Emperor Gaozong issued an edict: "Those who are undecided on military and state affairs will be subject to the punishment of the Queen of Heaven." This gave her the power to "call the emperor in court". During the six years she was in power, she became the de facto supreme ruler. She used her iron fist to put down rebellions, attack political opponents, and eradicate dissidents. On the other hand, she vigorously selected talents and expanded her ruling base. Cleared the way to become emperor.
4. After taking full control of the state power, she promoted Buddhism, rewarded Fu Rui, administered political reforms, actively created public opinion for the change of dynasty, and made a lot of preparations for becoming emperor.
5. In 690, the preparations were basically completed. With the support of civil and military officials and the chiefs of the various barbarians, he finally "changed the Tang Dynasty to the Zhou Dynasty" and became the "Holy Emperor" of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
3. Social conditions in Wu Zhou
During Wu Zetian’s reign, politics were relatively clear. This is fully reflected in the formulation of policies, the appointment and dismissal of officials, and the handling of class conflicts. Wu Zetian inherited and improved various important systems formulated by Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, and carried out several reforms on this basis to make the country's policies more suitable for social development. In addition, Wu Zetian is also good at handling class conflicts and ethnic relations. During the decades when Wu Zetian was in power, except for the rebellions of Xu Jingye and others and several intrusions by ethnic minority nobles, society was quite stable.
During Wu Zetian’s reign, the economy experienced significant development. In terms of agriculture, many large water conservancy projects were built across the country during this period, the cultivated land area was further expanded, and grain production also increased significantly. In terms of handicrafts, the foundry, porcelain and textile industries have made great progress. In terms of commerce, with the development of cities and the increase in population, the merchant class has become more active, and commodity trade has become quite frequent. There has even been a situation where "trade and exchanges remain unclear forever".
During Wu Zetian’s reign, culture was revitalized. According to historical records, Wu Zetian was good at poetry and prose, proficient in calligraphy, and wrote a lot. She is well aware of the importance of culture, so she attaches great importance to the development of academic culture. At that time, some new phenomena appeared in the fields of philosophy, religion, history, literature, art and science and technology, among which religion, literature and art were more prominent.
During Wu Zetian’s reign, the country was also very powerful. From the time she assisted Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty, Wu Zetian realized the importance of strengthening national defense. After taking power, the government paid more attention to its relations with surrounding ethnic minorities and neighboring countries.
Wu Zetian not only sent envoys to Korea, Japan, India, Persia, and other food-rich countries, but also personally received foreign envoys, and even thought carefully about their travel expenses. Wu Zetian also adopted supportive policies for domestic ethnic minorities such as Khitans, Turks, and Tubos, and actively helped the development of ethnic minority areas. However, Wu Zetian resolutely cracked down on the intrusions and rebellions launched by ethnic minority nobles. Through these measures, international relations and ethnic relations have been strengthened, border defense has been consolidated, and the country's vast territory has been safeguarded. During Wu Zetian's reign, the Tang Dynasty had the largest territory. The sixty-one statues of Fan ministers erected in Qianling Mausoleum are historical witnesses of the strong national power at that time.
4. Evaluation of Wu Zetian
As a political figure, Wu Zetian had the ability to know people and accept advice. She valued knowledge, was good at employing people, and was able to concentrate the collective wisdom of the ruling class. Therefore, she rarely makes mistakes in decision-making, is effective in administration, and everything she does is basically beneficial to social development. Wu Zetian played an important role in the specific historical stage of the Tang Dynasty. During the more than 40 years since she participated in and been in power, politics has been relatively clear, the economy has developed, culture has been revitalized, and national strength has been strong. All of these laid a solid foundation for the emergence of the "Kaiyuan Golden Age" and wrote a glorious page in Chinese history.
Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang; Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang
Concubine Zhuang, the Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, was a legendary figure in the history of the Qing Dynasty. She helped Fulin, who was only six years old, win the battle. Dorgon and other powerful opponents ascended to the throne and helped Kangxi eliminate Obai. Before the Qing Dynasty entered the customs, the most legendary legend about Concubine Zhuang was that she persuaded Hong Chengchou, the governor of Jiliao in the Ming Dynasty, who had vowed not to surrender.
After the defeat in the Battle of Songjin and being captured, Hong Chengchou was imprisoned in the Sanguan Temple inside the Forbidden City. Huang Taiji sent people many times to persuade him to surrender, but Hong Chengchou ignored him and even went on a hunger strike to seek death. Later, Fan Wencheng, a Han official who surrendered to the Qing Dynasty, went to persuade Hong Chengchou to surrender. He found that Hong Chengchou dusted off his clothes several times, so he went back and told Huang Taiji that Hong Chengchou "must die", and the beautiful woman's plan to persuade him to surrender began. In the dead of night, Hong Chengchou was lying on the bed, when a charming young woman walked up to him, called "Sir" in a soft voice, and then expressed her admiration for Hong Chengchou's integrity in vowing to die. Hong Chengchou immediately felt the warmth of being cared for. There was such a beautiful woman in the world who understood him so well. He couldn't help but think of the majesty of commanding thousands of troops and the beautiful wives and concubines at home. His desire to die was immediately shaken. The beauty saw the opportunity and gave her a cup of fragrant tea. Hong Chengchou, who had not eaten for many days, immediately became more energetic after drinking it. After the beauty left, Hong Chengchou felt that the world was beautiful and decided to surrender to the Qing Dynasty.
According to legend, this beauty is Concubine Zhuang. Tong Yue introduced that these are legends in unofficial history and there is no written evidence. Historical data records that Huang Taiji personally visited Hong Chengchou at Sanguan Temple and put a mink coat on Hong Chengchou with his own hands. Hong Chengchou then knelt down and proclaimed himself a minister. Tong Yue analyzed that before Huang Taiji persuaded him to surrender, a beautiful woman might have done the preparatory work for the surrender, and it was also possible that Zhuang Fei persuaded him to surrender.
Queen Lu; Queen Lu (24 BC - 180 BC), named Zhi, was the wife of Liu Bang. She was a native of Shanfu County (now Dongdan County, Shandong Province). Liu Bang proclaimed himself emperor and established Lu Pheasant as his queen. He played a great role in cutting off princes with different surnames. After Emperor Gaozu died, Empress Lu thought that Emperor Hui was still young, so she planned to kill all the old officials and gain actual political power from them. He also poisoned King Zhao Ruyi to death, cut off Mrs. Qi's hands and feet, made her mute, and placed her in the toilet, naming her "human pig". Emperor Hui was dissatisfied with what Empress Lu did and died of depression. Empress Lu then took the title of emperor and became the first person in China's imperial dictatorship.
Queen Lu could be called a virtuous woman in her early years. She went through hardships and narrowly escaped death for Liu Bang. When she married Liu Bang, Liu Bang was just a swimming pavilion chief in Peixian County, and the pavilion chief was equivalent to today's police station chief. It was the birthday of Empress Lu's father. Empress Lu's father was a good friend of the magistrate of Pei County. Liu Bang wanted to flatter him, so of course he wanted to celebrate his birthday. Liu Bang didn't have much money, but he was thick-skinned and courageous. He even pretended to give a gift and sat down to celebrate his birthday. .
This is rare. When Empress Lu's father knew about it, he came out with some anger to drive him away, but he was shocked when he saw it, because Empress Lu's father was good at reading people's faces (that is, reading faces), and Liu Banglong was very accurate. He could tell at a glance that Yan had a bright future, and he made a prompt decision, regardless of his wife's objections, to marry his beloved daughter to Liu Bang, a petty official who was as sesame as a mung bean.
After Liu Bang married Empress Lu, he often did not see anyone for three days because of official duties and dealing with friends. He weaved and plowed the fields, cooked and washed, and fulfilled his responsibilities of filial piety and raising children. My mind fell on Empress Lu alone.
In his early years, Liu Bang could be said to be a bit of a rogue. He often wore a homemade bamboo hat and wandered around, stealing food and drink. Once he was escorting a prisoner, but because he was drunk, the prisoner escaped, and he had no choice but to live in exile. The swampy area below the mountain. In addition to supporting the family independently, the virtuous Empress Lu also traveled long distances from time to time to deliver clothes and food to her husband. It is said that the place where Liu Bang hides is often shrouded in clouds. If Empress Lu follows it, she will definitely find Liu Bang.
At the end of the Qin Dynasty, the world was in chaos. Liu Bang led his troops into Peixian County and was elected as Pei Gong. Empress Lu was also honored as Mrs. Lu at that time. When Liu Bang invaded Xianyang, she was appointed as Pei Gong by Xiang Yu, the overlord of Western Chu. The King of Han and Queen Lu were promoted to princesses.
But Empress Lu did not live a comfortable life because of this. In the subsequent Chu-Han War where Liu Bang and Xiang Yu fought in confusion, Empress Lu became a prisoner of Xiang Yu, and even after Xiang Yu took Empress Lu to the two armies. Before the battle, when he threatened Liu Bang with cooking and killing Empress Lu, Liu Bang actually said with a smile, "Kill if you like, please do as you please." I think Queen Lu must have felt as cold as ice at that time, and her bones were as cold as ice. During the four-year Chu-Han War, Empress Lu was imprisoned as a hostage by the Chu army. She was tortured and humiliated, and struggled on the edge of life and death. This severely damaged her psychologically and spiritually, which also caused her to become suspicious and suspicious in the future. The sequelae of a lack of security become a narrow-mindedness, nervousness and fear, viciousness, and a temperament and approach to everything that is preemptive.
When Chu and Han made peace with each other and divided the world equally using the chasm as the boundary, Xiang Yu returned Empress Lu to Liu Bang. To Empress Lu, it was like a lifetime ago.
Later, Liu Bang broke the contract and repeated provocations. Finally, he defeated Xiang Yu in the Battle of Gaixia and established the Western Han Dynasty. Liu Bang became the emperor, and Queen Lu naturally became the queen.
Empress Lu was a strategic person. In the early Han Dynasty, Empress Lu helped Liu Bang kill Han Xin, Peng Yue and other kings with different surnames to eliminate the separatist forces and consolidate the unified situation. In 195 BC, Liu Bang died and Emperor Hui was established. Empress Lu was honored as the empress dowager. Emperor Hui was weak and benevolent, so Empress Lu actually took charge of the government. In 188 BC, Emperor Hui died and he established a young emperor. He stayed in power for eight years. His biological mother was killed by Empress Lu, and she complained. Empress Lu chased the young emperor to death and made Liu Yi, the king of Changshan, the emperor. "As soon as the order came from the Queen Mother," Empress Lu was in power for sixteen years. She was the first of the three major female rulers in Chinese history (Queen Lu, Wu Zetian, and Empress Dowager Cixi).
During the reign of Empress Lu, the Huang-Lao politics originated from Liu Bang was further promoted. Before Liu Bang died, Empress Lu asked Liu Bang about his posthumous arrangements. She asked Xiao He who could succeed him as prime minister, and Liu Bang told Cao Shen that he could succeed him; Cao Shen had Wang Ling and Chen Ping behind him, but he could not be alone; Zhou Bo was loyal and honest, but his education was not high. If there is a crisis in the Liu family, the Liu family must be in peace. This is Zhou Bo, who can be appointed as Taiwei. Although Empress Lu actually held power, she abided by the important person arrangements made by Liu Bang before his death, and successively appointed Xiao He, Cao Shen, Wang Ling, Chen Ping, Zhou Bo and other founding heroes. However, these ministers all governed by doing nothing, following the people's desires and never working for the people. Economically, light taxation is implemented. Implement liberal policies for industry and commerce. During the reign of Empress Lu, a solid foundation was laid for the "Government of Wen and Jing" in all fields, including politics, legal system, economy, ideology and culture.
Empress Lu had the demeanor of a statesman. The Huns took advantage of Liu Bang's death and wrote a letter to humiliate Empress Lu, saying: "You have lost your husband and I have lost my wife. The two masters will not be happy. Because I am worried, I am willing to give up what I have and what I have lost." Empress Lu adopted Ji Bu's advice, suppressed her anger, and calmly wrote back: "I have become old and worn out, my teeth have deteriorated, and it is not convenient to walk.
” Then they offered chariots and horses as gifts, but politely declined, finally turning the conflict into friendship. The Xiongnu felt guilty for being disrespectful and sent an envoy to admit their mistake to the Han Dynasty.
In her later years, Queen Lu had no descendants and was afraid that the descendants of Emperor Gaozu would bully the Lu family, so she made all her relatives, Lu, marquises. In 180 BC, Empress Lu died at the age of sixty-two and was buried in Changling together with Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty. Zhu Lu wanted to cause chaos, but Zhou Bo and Chen Ping put them to death.
Song Qingling; On January 27, 1893, Soong Qingling was born in Shanghai to a family of pastors and industrialists. Her father, as Sun Yat-sen's friend and comrade, was her first enlightenment teacher. When she was a teenager, she went to study in a foreign country, received a "European-style education" in the United States, and was baptized by democracy. The Revolution of 1911 overthrew the autocratic rule of the Qing Dynasty, making her full of longing for the independence, freedom, democracy and prosperity of the motherland. The steady stream of letters and newspaper clippings sent by her father built a bridge in her heart with the revolutionary cause led by Sun Yat-sen. However, the Republic of China was strangled in the cradle, the revolutionary tide had receded, and Soong Ching Ling's ambition to return to China to reform and build the motherland after completing her studies could not be carried out. She went directly to Tokyo, where exiled revolutionaries were concentrated, and soon served as Sun Yat-sen's assistant, beginning her 70-year revolutionary career.
On October 25, 1915, despite the opposition of her parents, Soong Ching Ling decided to marry the exiled Sun Yat-sen, and followed Sun Yat-sen with firm steps and without hesitation in the arduous struggle to defend the Communist Party and the system. course. Sun Yat-sen died in Beijing on March 12, 1925. He handed over the task of "peace, struggle, and saving China" to Soong Ching Ling and his comrades.
In August 1927, Soong Ching Ling visited the Soviet Union, and then lived in Europe for four years, inspecting the world's first socialist country and several major capitalist countries, studying Marx's works, and interacting with people in exile in Europe Many Chinese revolutionaries studied the core issues of the Chinese revolution - the land and peasant issues, and made a qualitative leap in their thinking.
When Japanese imperialism continued to expand its aggression against China and national conflicts became the main contradiction in society, Soong Ching Ling quickly made scientific judgments and correct decisions, believing that "the national crisis is facing us, and we should put aside our past resentments. We must The whole country should unite to resist Japan and strive for final victory." Her thoughts on national unity in the war of resistance are consistent with the strategic policy of the Communist Party of China to establish an anti-Japanese national united front after overcoming "left" dogmatism. She also paved the way for the second cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, playing an irreplaceable special role.
From September 21 to 30, 1949, the first plenary session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference was held in Beijing. Soong Ching Ling was elected vice chairman of the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China and vice president of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Standing member of the First National Committee of the Consultative Conference.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Soong Ching Ling has been responsible for a large number of state affairs activities for a long time. At the same time, she devoted a lot of energy to the culture, education, health and welfare of women and children. Since then, she has served as the honorary chairman of the All-China Democratic Women's Federation, the honorary chairman of the All-China Women's Federation of the People's Republic of China, and the chairman of the Chinese People's National Committee for the Defense of Children. In 1950, she was elected to the World Peace Council. In 1952, he was elected chairman of the Asia and Pacific Liaison Committee.
In September 1954, Soong Ching Ling was elected vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the First National People's Congress. On April 7, 1959, the first session of the Second National People's Congress was held, and Soong Ching Ling was elected Vice Chairman of the People's Republic of China. In January 1965, the Third National People's Congress was held, and she once again served as Vice Chairman of the People's Republic of China. In January 1975, she was re-elected vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress at the Fourth National People's Congress. In February 1978, he was re-elected as Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Fifth National People's Congress. On August 30, 1980, he served as the executive chairman of the Third Session of the Fifth National People's Congress.
On May 14, 1981, Soong Ching Ling's coronary heart disease and chronic lymphocytic leukemia worsened. On the 15th, the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China announced the acceptance of Soong Ching Ling as an official member of the Communist Party of China. On the 16th, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress awarded Song Qingling the honorary title of Honorary Chairman of the People's Republic of China. He died of illness in Beijing at 20:18 on May 29, 1981.
Princess Wencheng; the envoy of Sino-Tibetan friendship - Princess Wencheng
Princess Wencheng (?-680), the daughter of Li Shimin, Taizong of the Tang Dynasty. Han nationality. She is smart and beautiful. She has been influenced by her family since she was a child. She has learned culture, knows books and rituals, and believes in Buddhism.
Songtsen Gampo is a hero in Tibetan history who rose to prominence in the Yalong Valley area in the middle reaches of the Tibetan River (today’s Brahmaputra River). He unified the Tibetan areas, became the Tibetan Zanpu (meaning "king"), and established the Tubo Dynasty. In the 14th year of Tang Zhenguan's reign (640), he sent his prime minister Lu Dongzan to Chang'an, donated 5,000 taels of gold and hundreds of treasures, and proposed marriage to the Tang Dynasty. Taizong promised to marry his eldest daughter, Princess Wencheng.
In the fifteenth year (641), Princess Wencheng left Chang'an for Tubo, accompanied by Li Daozong, the younger brother of King Taizong of Jiangxia, the Tang envoy, and Lu Dongzan, the Tubo envoy to welcome the bride. Songtsen Gampo personally welcomed him in Baihai (now Maduo County, Qinghai Province), paid an audience with Daozong, and treated him as son-in-law. After that, he returned to Luoche (today's Lhasa) with Princess Wencheng. Princess Wencheng has lived in Tubo for nearly 40 years and has always been highly respected.
According to books such as "The Hereditary Mingjian of the Tubo Dynasty", when Princess Wencheng entered Tibet, the team was very large, and Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty's dowry was very generous. There are "Sakyamuni Buddha statues, treasures, gold and jade bookcases, 360 volumes of classics, and various gold and jade ornaments." He was also given a variety of cooking foods, brocade quilts with various patterns, 300 divination classics, clear guides for identifying good and evil, 60 works on construction and engineering techniques, 100 prescriptions for treating diseases, 4 medical treatises, and 5 diagnostic methods. , 6 types of medical devices. Also carries a variety of grains and turnip seeds, etc.
In the first year of Yonghui (650), after the death of Songtsen Gampo, Princess Wencheng has been living in Tibet. She loves Tibetan compatriots and is deeply loved by the people. She designed and assisted in the construction of Jokhang Temple and Ramoche Temple. Under her influence, Han crafts such as milling, weaving, pottery, papermaking, and winemaking were gradually introduced to Tubo; she brought poems, agricultural books, Buddhist scriptures, history books, medical texts, calendars and other classics, which promoted the Tubo economy. , the development of culture has strengthened the friendly relations between the Han and Tibetan people. The gold statue of Sakyamuni Buddha she brought is still worshiped by the Tibetan people.
In the first year of Yonglong (680), Princess Wencheng passed away. The Tubo Dynasty held a grand funeral for her, and the Tang Dynasty sent envoys to Tubo to pay tribute. There are still statues built by Tibetans in memory of her in Lhasa, which have a history of more than 1,300 years.
There is also a Princess Wencheng Temple in Yushu County, Qinghai Province. The seated statue of Princess Wencheng in the center of the temple sits on a lion and lotus pedestal. It is 8 meters tall, has a vivid image and fine carvings. There is constant incense here all year round, butter lamps are lit day and night, and Tibetan and Han people come to worship in an endless stream. It is said that Princess Wencheng stayed here for a long time on her way to Lhasa and was grandly welcomed by the local Tibetan leaders and people. She was deeply moved and decided to stay longer and teach the local people farming and weaving techniques. Now Princess Wencheng Temple has been listed as a national cultural relic protection unit.
There are many more that I won’t go into details!