What you want is Shangguan Wan'er, right?! To introduce her, we have to start with Wu Zetian
Wu Zetian ascended to the throne by virtue of the current situation and ability, and ruled China like an iron barrel for decades . As for Shangguan Wan'er, she started working as Wu Zetian's "secretary" at the age of 14. From the age of 19, she drafted "imperial edicts" and other important documents. She then decreed it and became the most powerful woman in the court except Wu Zetian. She followed Wu for 27 years and had a great influence on Wu's personal and national policies. She can be described as the "female prime minister" in front of the Queen.
Shangguan Wan'er was a native of Shaanxian County, Shaanxi Province, and the granddaughter of Shangguan Yi, the prime minister during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty. In the first year of Linde (AD 664), Shangguan Yi drafted an edict for Emperor Gaozong to depose Wu Zetian. He was killed by Empress Wu and his family was lost. The infant Shangguan Wan'er and her mother Zheng were driven into the Yeting Palace to serve as maids. Wan'er grew up under the narrow blue sky of Yeting Palace.
Wan'er's mother, Zheng Shisanniang, is the sister of Taichang Shaoqing Zheng Xiuyuan. She is literary and her mother is her first teacher. Although Wan'er was a slave, everyone, including the Wu family, knew very well about Shangguan Yi's injustice and "turned a blind eye." The imperial court sent the clever and enlightened Wan'er to study in the literature hall in the harem. Wan'er was "intelligent by nature and good at writing". The eunuch teacher at the Imperial Literature Museum liked her very much and valued her.
The palace teacher used Wu Zetian's development as an example in his lectures, and talked about Wu Zetian's greatness and extraordinaryness, which made the young Wan'er admire her infinitely.
Wan'er told Wu Zetian's story to her mother, and Mrs. Zheng shed tears. Wan'er didn't understand her life experience, so she placed her dreams on her enemies, "recognizing thieves as fathers." She didn't want to shatter her daughter's dream. She knows that Wan'er's growth needs to be supported by dreams. She could not let her daughter hold a grudge against Empress Wu. Once her daughter knew about it and held a grudge, her life would be in danger. She was the only one who secretly shed tears.
As Wan'er grew up, she became coquettish and gorgeous, graceful and light, with every frown and smile, her own style. In addition, she was born smart, her sight was remembered, her literary talent was outstanding, and she could write a thousand words. Because of the teacher's recommendation, Wan'er was finally summoned by Empress Wu when she was 14 years old. Wu Zetian made a proposition on the spot and asked her to write an article accordingly. Shangguan Wan'er's writing was completed in a matter of seconds without adding any details. It is round and smooth, with the harmonious sound of leaves, especially her calligraphy, which is beautiful and imitates hairpin flowers. Wu Zetian was overjoyed after seeing this, and immediately ordered her to be removed from her status as a slave and let her take charge of the palace's imperial edicts. Since then, most of the imperial edicts issued by Wu Zetian were written by Shangguan Wan'er.
Wan'er entered the imperial court from Yeting Palace and followed this great and extraordinary queen from then on. As a result, Wan'er's emotions are closely tied to politics and power.
Some people say that Shangguan Wan'er was born to become the "female prime minister". Legend has it that when Shangguan Wan'er's mother, Zheng Shisanniang, was pregnant with Wan'er, she dreamed that someone gave her a large scale. The dream interpreter said: "When a noble son is born, he will hold the power of the world." "Biographies of Concubines·Shangguan" in the New and Old Tang Books There are similar records in Zhaorong. "New Book of Tang" also records a detail: When Zheng Shisanniang was pregnant, she dreamed that a giant was holding a large scale and said, "With this scale, you can weigh the world."
Of course, there are factors of genius in Wan'er's growth, but it was Wu Zetian who truly created Wan'er, and it was Wu Zetian who gave him a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. She is gold, and it is Wu Zetian who makes her shine. She went from an orphan who was a criminal to becoming a world-famous person. Her growth came from her talent, her environment, and even more from Wu Zetian.
She was conflicted about Wu Zetian. This contradiction followed her throughout her life. Wu Zetian is her "father-killing enemy" and she is destined to hate her; Wu Zetian is also her "godmother", the only noble empress around her who is worth emulating, and the one who truly understands, appreciates and likes her.
She became Wu Zetian's "secretary" at the age of 14 and almost grew up with the princes. The beautiful and lovely Wan'er was loved by Li Xian, Li Xian and Li Dan. However, for Wan'er, politics is always greater than love, and love serves politics. Youth and beauty become the bait for Wan'er's politics. In the years to come, her relationship with Wu Sansi, Cui Shi, and Zhongzong could not be described as love. She is no longer attached to the relationship that can be called true love, it is just a show for the occasion.
The Queen began her glorious imperial career. Wan'er began her actual career as a "female prime minister", but she was still Wu Zetian's servant who could come and go at a moment's notice. This year the Queen is 62 years old and Wan'er is 26 years old. The harmonious and even beautiful relationship between monarch and minister was disrupted by a male favorite who fell out of favor. Wan'er was tattooed - tattooing on the face will disfigure her face.
It turns out that Wu Zetian’s male favorite Xue Huaiyi was rejected by his master. Xue Huaiyi felt deeply the pain of broken love and was greatly disappointed. One day, he walked along a secret passage in the palace and wanted to see the queen. Wan'er refused to inform him and turned away the disgraced "king on the bed". Xue Huaiyi was so angry that he personally burned down the Mingtang he built for the Queen with a huge fire. When Wu Zetian found out, she was furious and believed that Wan'er forced Xue Huaiyi to set the fire. The result was that "disobedience to the decree should be punished, but later on, we should cherish his talents and stop tattooing without killing him." From then on, Shangguan Wan'er served her carefully and catered to Wu Zetian's needs. Starting from the first year of the Holy Calendar, he was allowed to handle hundreds of memorials and participate in government affairs, and his power became increasingly powerful.
In 695 AD, the fifth year after Wu Zetian became queen, she assigned her nephews Wu Sansi and Shangguan Wan'er to compile the history of Zhou Dynasty and praise her. With her intelligence and knowledge, Wan'er provided a lot of help to Wu Sansi in the process of compiling history, which made Wu Sansi burst into tears and developed an inexplicable and deep feeling for this woman; Wan'er keenly saw that Wu Sansi The power of the clan is developing rapidly because of the Queen, becoming more and more unstoppable. She found a sense of security in Wu Sansi. Later, Wu Zetian assigned Wu Sansi to Shangguan Wan'er, who was already 35 years old.
Later, after Zhongzong was restored to power, Wan'er no longer knew what feelings were and what shame was. She catered to all men who liked her and needed her, and she regained her relationship with Zhongzong. of intimacy. She used the excellent control ability she learned from her "godmother" Wu Zetian to become Zhongzong's "friend in need", and she herself gained a "future" through this kind of giving. Not only was she not abandoned by "one emperor and one courtier", but she became a "roly-poly". Zhongzong granted Wan'er the title of Zhaorong, named Wan'er's mother Zheng the wife of Peiguo, and gave Wan'er the exclusive responsibility of drafting edicts.
Wan'er became the "leader" of the Wu Group. After Wu Zetian's death, with the help of Wan'er and Queen Wei, Wu Sansi transformed and became Sikong, one of the three princes of the Li Tang Dynasty, a veritable Prime Minister of the Tang Dynasty; Princess Taiping's husband Wu Youji also became a Situ, and also For Sangong. In addition to the Taiwei, two of the three official positions were occupied by the Wu family, and they were both positions of real power.
In fact, Zhongzong had been ignored by the women of the royal family at this time. These two women are Wan'er and Queen Wei.
Wan'er strives for her own power everywhere. She constantly advised Empress Wei to improve the status of women in society and politics, paving the way for Empress Wei to become empress in the future. Wan'er ignited Queen Wei's ambition to dominate. Wan'er also constantly requested to improve the status of the princesses, which not only pleased Empress Wei, but also won the hearts of the princesses. Wan'er convinced Princess Anle that she could inherit the throne. Although Zhongzong also had two princes, Li Chongjun and Li Chongmao, they were not born to Queen Wei. This provided the opportunity for Princess Anle, born to Queen Wei, to become the crown princess. Very possible.
With Wan'er's help, the powerful women in the palace each attracted a group of court officials and formed their own forces. She also had ulterior motives in belittling and ostracizing the prince Li Chongjun, and promoted the Wu clan headed by Wu Sansi, successfully creating public opinion in the court calling for the prince to be deposed. The young prince couldn't bear it anymore. In July 707 AD, Li Chongjun, together with Li Duozuo, the general of the Zuo Yulin Army, sent more than 300 Yulin Army soldiers to attack Wu Sansi's palace that night and killed him. Lost Wu Sansi and his son Wu Chongxun. At that time, Wan'er was in Zhongzong's main hall, accompanying Shengshang Bo Opera with Empress Wei and Princess Anle. Seeing this, Zhongzong and Weishi were furious and refused to hand over Wan'er as the prince demanded. Zhongzong took Wan'er and his wives and daughters to the Xuanwu Gate in a hurry to avoid the soldiers. He first sent Liu Jingren, the general of the Youyu Lin Army, to quickly mobilize two thousand Yulin soldiers to camp in front of the Taiji Hall and defend themselves behind closed doors. When the rebels came to Xuanwu's gate, he followed Wan'er's instructions and loudly persuaded the rebels to surrender. The rebellious Yulin army defected on the spot and killed the prince.
After that, Shangguan Wan'er often persuaded Zhongzong to set up a large number of Zhaowenguan bachelors, summoned officials of the dynasty's Ci studies, gave many banquets and entertainments, and composed poems and songs. Shangguan Wan'er replaced Zhongzong, Empress Wei and Princess Anle at the same time every time, and composed several poems together. The poems were beautiful, and most people at that time recited and sang them. Zhongzong also ordered Shangguan Wan'er to evaluate the poems written by ministers. Those who ranked first were often rewarded with golden titles, which were extremely valuable. Therefore, reciting poems and composing poems became a common practice both inside and outside the imperial court. Zhongzong also sent people to carve and decorate the place where Shangguan Wan'er lived, often entertaining the ministers. At that time, the palace restrictions were relaxed and palace officials were allowed to come and go at will. Shangguan Wan'er then bought and built mansions outside the palace with some palace officials, and often hung out with some dandy children. Some people sought high-ranking positions because of this.
Cui Shi, the assistant minister of Zhongshu, was later taken as a prime minister because he had an affair with Shangguan Wan'er outside his house. Soon after, Cui Shi made many mistakes when presiding over the election. He was impeached by the imperial censor Li Shangyin and was demoted to the Sima of another state. However, Shangguan Wan'er and Princess Anle appealed for their rights and were reinstated.
Princess Taiping played tricks on them. On the one hand, she restrained and slowed down the development of their power as a princess, and on the other hand, she secretly helped her nephew Li Longji. Li Longji has always been supported by famous ministers such as Yao Chong and Song Li, and his wings have gradually grown, and now he has the support of Princess Taiping. In the fourth year of Tang Jinglong's reign (AD 710), Li Longji (later Xuanzong) launched a coup and launched an army to punish Queen Wei and her party members. Shangguan Wan'er and Queen Wei were executed together. Shangguan Wan'er was only 46 years old. At the beginning of Kaiyuan (AD 713), Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty Li Longji praised her articles again, ordered the collection of Shangguan Wan'er's works, compiled 20 volumes of the collection, and asked the generous Yan Guogong Zhang Shuo (Yue) to write a preface to her articles. In the preface, it is said that Shangguan Wan'er's "elegance and elegance have been heard forever", and he speaks highly of his writing and persona.
Although Shangguan Wan'er once enjoyed all the glory and power, she still has to look up to the emperor, queen, and princess, and still has to flatter them. I'm afraid only she knows the joys and sorrows of this. She used her talents, wisdom and superb political skills to maneuver in the power field, maintaining a difficult "balance" in the crisis-ridden palace battles. This is something that many men and women cannot do. But she still did not escape bad luck and became a victim of the struggle for imperial power.