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Wu Zhao

Wu Zhao is the only female emperor in Chinese history. Though her birth date was not documented, she was born in the WenShui Province during the Tang dynasty period. After Wu entered the imperial palace at a young teenage year, she demonstrated her talent in governing politics and was asked to become the emperor's secretary. After the first emperor was deceased, the new emperor promoted Wu to empress because of her beauty. A few years after succeeding the throne, the new emperor died of illness, which granted Empress Wu the opportunity to claim herself as Emperor. In the year 705, which was her 46th year claiming the throne, Wu was overthrown by her own trusted General, General Zhang Jian Zhi. In the same year, Wu Zhao died at the age of 81.

Family background

Wu was raised as the only child in an upper-class family. Both of her parents were low-mid tier government officials. Her mother's lineage derived from the royal family of the preceding dynasty, which was the fallen Sui dynasty. Her father held position as a "Ya Men" under the current imperial Tang dynasty. The political rank of a "Ya Men" during this era is equivalent to that of a mayor in today's society.

Early life; From a child to an empress

At age fourteen, Wu was chosen as a "Kai Ran" by the emperor. During this era, a "Kai Ran" is a female who (once the appropriate age of 20 is reached) is ordered to arrange a marriage with the emperor, merely because of her beauty. Due to chance, Wu was able to interact with the emperor soon after her arrival at the imperial court. As they spent time together, the emperor became aware that aside from Wu's physical attractiveness, she was well taught in politics and government administration. In the coming years, Emperor Tang Tai Zong asked Wu to serve as his secretary, because of her beauty and talent in politics.

Although Wu gained the emperor’s approval and praise as she performed her secretary duties adeptly, the emperor never promoted her to a higher official rank. She remained in position without promotion for the next 12 years. This is unusual since most of the preceding secretary-type officials, who came before her, were promoted within 5 years after serving in office. Twelve years later, when Emperor Tang Tai Zong passed his throne to his son, Tang Gao Zong, the new emperor promoted Wu's official position from secretary to empress. This promotion to empress was primarily due to Wu's physical attractiveness.

The Years to Claiming Emperor (Yr. 660 - 690)

Since the year 660, which was a few years after the new emperor, Emperor Tang Gao Zong, succeeded his father’s throne, he has been severely ill. Due to his poor health conditions, Tang Gao Zong was not able to carry out his responsibilities as an emperor. On the other hand, Empress Wu Zhao, due to her years serving as secretary for the previous emperor, already became familiar with an emperor’s responsibilities. As a result, Empress Wu Zhao began substituting for Emperor Tang Gao Zong’s role, by carrying out imperial orders and duties in the name of the Emperor.

Although Wu Zhao maintained her title as Empress, her political authority held was equivalent to that of Emperor Tang Gao Zong. In the year 683, Emperor Tang Gao Zong died of illness, and passed the throne to his son, Tang Zhong Zong. In the following 10 years, Wu Zhao continued to hold firmly onto her political authority, and did not share it with the new emperor, Emperor Tang Zhong Zong. During this time period, because of Wu Zhao’s relentless effort at carrying the emperor’s responsibilities and performing them well, she gained respect, trust, and approval from the majority of the high-ranking officials within the imperial court. As each year passes, she became more conscious of her increasing political authorities and competence in ruling the entire imperial court. Finally, in the year 690, Wu Zhao claimed herself Emperor. This marked her as the only female emperor in the history of China.

The Emperor’s Decline (Yr. 700 - 705)

In ancient Chinese tradition, an emperor should pass down the throne to his eldest son. However, during Emperor Wu Zhao’s later years, she was hesitant to pass her throne to her son because she favored her nephew alot more. Subsequently, her decision on the successor of the throne was delayed for years.

In the year 705, General Zhang Jian Zhi began a revolt, and overthrew Emperor Wu Zhao’s throne. A few months after her forced resignation, the emperor died at the age of 81.

Since Wu Zhao’s substitution of Emperor Tang Gao Zong’s imperial roles and authority until her forced step-down as emperor, she was in throne for 46 years.