Shengshi Fengyun - Exploring the Tang Dynasty Empire

Author: Jiang Jianping
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-09-01
Features: History, in its journey, has left behind many mysterious and beautiful legacies for later generations. However, due to the erosion of time and other reasons, these mysteries and beauties have been shrouded in layers of fog. The study of history is essentially a process of exploration, uncovering the truths behind these stories—some grand and majestic, some poignant and moving, or tragic and touching... The author selects influential figures from the Tang Dynasty's political and literary circles as starting points, broadening the scope based on historical records to judge their merits and demerits. While showcasing the dynamics of the prosperous era and striving to trace the historical context, the book also hopes to inspire modern readers to learn from history and transform the wisdom of the past into present-day insights.
The Tang Dynasty was a period of great prosperity in Chinese history, marked by military strength, vibrant economy, and open culture. During this time, renowned rulers, virtuous ministers, talented scholars, heroic figures, brave warriors, and beautiful women converged, weaving a series of epic tales. Among them stands the extraordinary woman—Wang Guan'er.
In the Tang Dynasty, a unique and puzzling phenomenon emerged, with a concentration of powerful women or female politicians (ambitious figures) during the reigns of Emperor Gaozong, Wu Zetian, Emperor Zhongzong, and Emperor Ruizong over a few decades. Wu Zetian, Empress Wei of Emperor Zhongzong, Princess Taiping, Princess Anle, and Wang Guan'er took turns in the spotlight. In the long history of feudal China, this was a very special and curious phenomenon, worthy of study. Among these female politicians (ambitious figures), Wang Guan'er's life was particularly extraordinary, making it difficult to summarize her in a few words.
Wang Guan'er was from Shang County, Shang Prefecture (now part of Henan Province) and the granddaughter of Shang Yi, the prime minister during Emperor Gaozong's reign. In the first year of the Linde era (664 AD), Emperor Gaozong grew increasingly dissatisfied with Wu Zetian's autocratic rule. He secretly plotted with Shang Yi, the prime minister, to depose her, ordering him to draft an edict for the impeachment. Upon learning of this from his trusted spies, Wu Zetian rushed to Emperor Gaozong's side, snatching the edict and berating him. The weak Emperor Gaozong, helpless and stammering, claimed, "This is not my intention; it was Shang Yi who taught me to do so." Undeterred, Wu Zetian instructed Xu Jingzong to submit a memorial accusing Shang Yi of conspiring with the former crown prince Li Zhong to plot rebellion. As a result, the entire Shang family was executed, with Shang Yi and his son Shang Tingzhi among them. Shang Tingzhi's wife, Zheng Shi, and daughter, Wang Guan'er, were enslaved according to the customs of the time.
Wang Guan'er was beautiful and intelligent and was selected to serve as a palace maid. Her mother, Zheng Shishiniang, was the sister of Zheng Xiuyuan, the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, who possessed literary talent. From a young age, her mother taught her to read and write, and she was "naturally gifted and skilled in writing." As she grew older, she composed essays and poems in the palace, earning praise from everyone as a talented woman. At the age of fourteen, Wu Zetian summoned her for an impromptu writing competition. Wang Guan'er's prose flowed effortlessly, completed in no time, and was exquisitely crafted with elegant language. Impressed, Wu Zetian issued an edict to free her from slavery, appointing her as a female official in the palace to oversee imperial decrees. From then on, Wang Guan'er became Wu Zetian's political secretary, participating in decision-making and gaining increasing power.
The exceptionally intelligent Wang Guan'er, of course, was fully aware that Wu Zetian was the enemy who had killed her grandfather and father. Wu Zetian, in turn, was well aware that Wang Guan'er was the descendant of Shang Yi. Why did these two exceptionally brilliant women reconcile their hatreds and collaborate so closely? Especially why could Wang Guan'er forget her deep-rooted grievances and live in peace by Wu Zetian's side for so long—devoting herself to serving Wu Zetian while also holding authority in the palace, drafting imperial decrees and edicts on her behalf? What were the deeper reasons behind this? Some believe it was Wu Zetian's magnanimity that moved Wang Guan'er. Wu Zetian was a heroic woman, displaying unique charm in her governance. She once remarked with composure after reading Lu Binwang's memorial against her, "It is the fault of the prime minister; such talent should not be allowed to drift in obscurity." Wang Guan'er was deeply impressed. Wu Zetian's ability to set aside personal grievances to evaluate others, lamenting the talent of her political rivals, truly demonstrated her exceptional political acumen and her hunger for talent. From then on, Wang Guan'er completely gave up her desire for revenge, wholeheartedly following Wu Zetian and quickly becoming