Biography of Wu Zetian

Author: Lin Yutang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-10-01
Features: This woman lived to the age of eighty-two, wielding immense power in China for half a century. She remained calm in crisis, calculated with precision, acted steadily, and never lost her composure. Cruelty and intelligence, madness and calmness—on this unparalleled woman, these qualities were astonishingly united. Different people would offer various evaluations of this Chinese empress. Those who admire the art of winning would view this bold and daring woman as a hero of the world. Feminists would show great disdain for charges like incest and debauchery leveled against Wu Zetian. Historians would condemn her for eliminating rivals, executing ministers, believing in omens, promoting Buddhism, building temples, constructing the Bright Hall, creating the Celestial Axis, and casting the Nine Tripod Bronzes. Yet, they would be convinced by her measures to encourage agriculture and silk production, reduce taxes, end warfare, ban frivolous crafts, minimize labor duties, promote literature, and value scholarly works. We have too many reasons to care about this woman, and we would be happy to explore the history surrounding her.