Wu Zhou

Wu Zhou

Wu Zhou (690-705) is a dynasty established by Empress Wu Zetian. It is called Wu Zhou to distinguish it from the Zhou Dynasty in the pre Qin period. Wu Zetian is the only orthodox female emperor in Chinese history, who has been in power for 23 years.

In the first year of Hongdao (683), Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty died of illness in Zhenguan Hall of Ziwei city. Prince Li Xian ascended the throne for emperor Zhongzong of the Tang Dynasty. "Respecting Empress Wu as empress dowager, political affairs depend on Yan.". In September 684, Wu Zetian abolished Zhongzong as the king of Luling, and established Li Dan, the king of Zhongzong's brother Yu, as emperor. He changed guangzhai of the Yuan Dynasty, changed Dongdu into Shendu, and changed Ziwei city into Taichu palace.

On September 9, the first year of Zai Chu (690 A.D.), more than 60000 people, including Tang Ruizong, applied to change the name of the state. When Wu Zetian saw that the time had come, she changed the name of the state from Tang Dynasty to Zhou Dynasty, established the capital of Luoyang, and added the title of emperor Shengshen. In the first year of Shenlong (705 AD), Zhang Cambodian and others launched a coup to force Wu Zetian to abdicate. Zhongzong restored the old system of Tang Dynasty, and Wuzhou regime ended. In December 705, Wu Zetian died in Shangyang Palace at the age of 82.

During the reign of Empress Wu Zetian, the country had a greater development than the Zhenguan period, which is known as the legacy of Zhenguan in history. The continuous implementation of the equal field system promoted agricultural production, and the number of household registration increased from 3.8 million in 652 to 6.15 million in 705 when Wu Zetian abdicated. During the Wu Zhou period, the imperial examination system was further developed, and Wu Zetian initiated the palace examination and the military examination. Politically, in the early stage, she appointed cruel officials to fight against the opposition, and in the later stage, she knew people well. Lou Shide and di Renjie, who were known as "gentleman man Dynasty", and Yao Chong and song Jing, the virtuous prime ministers of Kaiyuan, were among them. Militarily, the four towns in Anxi were recovered and the Beiting capital was set up to protect the mansion. Guo Moruo, a historian, gave Wu Zhou a high evaluation, saying that he "initiated the Yuan Dynasty and governed the grand and Zhenguan."

National name

On September 9, the first year of Tianshu reign (690 A.D.), the grand ceremony of Empress Wu Zetian's accession to the throne was solemnly held in Shendu. There are two versions of Wu Zetian's "revolution of the Tang Dynasty" and the designation of the state as Zhou

First, according to the records of surname Zuan, Wu Zetian's surname came from the son of King Ping of Zhou Dynasty. As soon as Ji Wu, the youngest son of King Ping of Zhou, was born, there was a special pattern in his palm, which was like the word "Wu". Therefore, not only did he take Wu as his name, but also his descendants took Wu as their surname. Wu Zetian thinks she is the 40th generation of Ji Wu.

The other is to imitate the Zhou Dynasty, the prosperous and peaceful times in ancient China. In the eyes of Tang people at that time, it was only the Zhou and Han Dynasties. Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty advocated Han law, but Wu Zetian thought that she should inherit Zhou Dynasty and take "Zhou" as her name, which was also to show that she wanted to inherit Zhou Dynasty's governing strategy and political ambition. In ancient China, Confucius, who was regarded as "the most sage and forerunner of Dacheng", pursued "restoring the rites of Zhou Dynasty" in his whole life. Therefore, Wu Zetian was practicing Confucius' will by taking "Zhou" as her national name. Wu Zetian even ordered to build Ming Tang in Luoyi in the early Western Zhou Dynasty before she became emperor. Tang Ming Tang and Wu Zhou Ming Tang were built in Luoyang twice before and after that to publicize politics and religion and to show the world her attitude of reviving the ritual system of Zhou Dynasty.

history

Get ready to ascend the throne

Since the death of Emperor Gaozong, Prince Li Xian ascended the throne for emperor Zhongzong of the Tang Dynasty. Empress Wu, as the mother of the new emperor, was honored as empress dowager. Because of her disagreement with Zhongzong, Empress Dowager Wu soon abolished Zhongzong as the king of Luling and changed her fourth son, Li Dan, king of Yu, to Emperor Ruizong of Tang Dynasty. Since then, Empress Dowager Wu's political ambition has been expanding, and the emperor has been in other palaces to exercise his own political power.

In the first year of guangzhai (684), Wu Zetian changed the eastern capital to Shendu, and Luoyang palace to Taichu Palace (Taichu implied a new starting point, marking the beginning of Wu Zetian's era), and changed the flags from gold, the colors of official uniforms and the names of provinces. In the same year, Xu Jingye called on Kuang Fu Tang Shi to raise his troops in Yangzhou to fight against the armed forces. In more than ten days, he gathered 100000 troops. Wu Zetian immediately led her army with 300000 soldiers to fight with the great general Li Xiaoyi of zuoyuqian. In November, Xu Jingye was defeated and committed suicide.

In the first month of the second year of chuigong (686), Wu Zetian was reproached by the Minister for her "long-time expertise in state affairs", so she issued an imperial edict to return to the Emperor Li Dan. Li Dan knew that it did not come from sincerity. Wu Zetian continued to call the system before the court, and since then no one in the court has mentioned the issue of returning the government.

In March, Wu Zetian ordered to make a bronze box (a small box made of copper) and put it in front of Luoyang palace city. It was divided into four parts: Yan en (offering Fu Song, those who seek official career), Zhao Jian (those who talk about the gains and losses of the Imperial government), redress injustice (those who have grievances) and Tong Xuan (those who talk about the Tianxiang disaster and the secret plan of military aircraft). She accepted the officials at any time. This move was open-minded and played an important role in stabilizing the government at that time.

At the same time, in order to supervise the officials and the imperial clan, Wu Zetian opened the door to informer, stipulating that anyone could informer. All informers should be provided with food and chariots. Even the farmer and woodcutter, Wu Zetian met in person. If the things told are in line with the will, they can be promoted. If the accusation is not true, there will be no charge. As a result, "the people sue the officials" has become a routine. Every time before going to court, ministers have to say goodbye to their families, and they are in constant panic all day long.

In 688 (the fourth year of chuigong), Li Chong, king of Langya, and Li Zhen, king of Yue, fought against Wu Zetian, but they were soon defeated by Wu Zetian. Wu Zetian took the opportunity to use the cruel officials to punish the descendants of the Tang clan and the old ministers of the Tang clan, and the rest of them learned to flow to Lingnan. After that, it was named "goddess of the goddess" and changed its name to Wu Tuo.

In December of the fourth year of chuigong (688), Mingtang was built with a height of 294 feet. "The iron Phoenix enters the clouds and the Golden Dragon conceals the fog", "you can see it from a distance more than a hundred miles away from the capital", which is known as the "Vientiane Palace" and makes all people empty. Wu Zetian allowed the people to visit the Vientiane temple in Ziwei City, and gave them wine and food to win the hearts of the people. Tubo and other countries around the world have sent envoys to celebrate.

From then on, it was only a matter of time before Empress Wu became emperor.

Wu Zhou Dynasty and Tang Dynasty

Wu Zhou Dynasty Tang Dynasty, also known as "Wu Zhou revolution".

In the autumn and July of the first year of Zaichu (690), Xue Huaiyi, faming and other Buddhist monks wrote the Dayun Sutra, calling Wu Zetian Maitreya Buddha and king of Tang Dynasty. So Empress Wu ordered the States to set up Dayun temple to publicize.

On September 3, the first year of Zaichu (690), Fu Youyi led more than 900 people from Guanzhong to Shendu and asked Wu Zetian to change the name of the state to Zhou and give the emperor the surname Wu, but Wu Zetian did not allow it. So more than 60000 people, including civil and military officials, Emperor zongqi, far and near common people, Siyi kings and Salmonella Taoists, all petitioned, and Tang Ruizong also asked himself to give the surname Wu.

In September 5th, the group of ministers said, "there are Phoenix from Ming Tang to the upper palace of Yang, and fall on the Wutong tree of Su Zheng Tai." Wu Zetian then went to watch. After a long time, the Phoenix flew southeast, just when Wu Zetian arrived. At this time, tens of thousands of rosefinches gathered in the court hall and refused to leave. Seeing this scene, a minister immediately fell to his knees and explained to Wu Zetian, "Phoenix symbolizes the emperor. It flies to suzhengtai and leaves when it sees you. It implies that you ascend the throne and change the name of the state to Zhou. These rosefinches represent our subjects. If you still don't ascend the throne, it's against the will of heaven. Rosefinches won't leave, and we won't get up on our knees ！”

At Gengchen on September 7, Wu Zetian approved the request of Tang Ruizong and other officials.

On September 9, Empress Wu ruled the gate of heaven, granted amnesty to the whole world, changed the Tang Dynasty to Zhou Dynasty, changed the Yuan Dynasty to heaven, and established the capital of Shendu (Luoyang).

On September 11, he was given the title of emperor Shengshen and descended to the emperor as his heir. He was given the surname Wu. Next day, he established seven temples of Wu in Shendu.

Rule of Wu Zhou

Wu Zetian was good at governing the country, initiated the imperial examination system of imperial examination, and knew people well. She could reuse Di Renjie, Lou Shide, Zhang Cambodian, Huan yanfan, Jinghui, Yao Chong, etc. During the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, the country had stable policies, proper military strategy, cultural renaissance, sufficient food and clothing, and lived and worked in peace and contentment, which laid an extremely important foundation for the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty.

In February of the first year of Ruyi (692), more than ten thousand people of Tubo Dangxiang tribe came to Wuzhou, and Wu Zetian divided them into ten states. In May, he Su, the leader of Tubo, led his tribe to ask for surrender. Wu Zetian sent Zhang Xuanyu to meet him with 20000 elite soldiers. Unexpectedly, Huo Su's affairs leaked out and was captured by the Chinese. At this time, it happened that minchui, the leader of Qiang nationality, led more than 8000 people to come back, and Zhang Xuanyu set up laichuan Prefecture with his tribe.

Although Wu Zetian is tall in spring and autumn, she is good at making up and always looks radiant. Even the left and right servants can't feel her aging.

In September of the first year of longevity (692), General Wang Xiaojie and Ashi Nazhong were sent to the northwest. In October, Wang Xiaojie smashed Tubo and recovered the four towns of Anxi, such as kuci, Shule, Yutian and Suiye, and set up the mansion of Anxi capital in kuci. With the unanimous opposition of all the officials, Wu Zetian resolutely increased her troops by 30000 to the four towns in Anxi. This measure made the four towns in Anxi stable from then on, and there was no repetition until Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty.

In the first month of the second year of longevity (693), Wu Zetian personally presided over the ceremony in the Vientiane temple. She made her own palace music and dance "grand music of the palace" and selected 900 dancers.

In the first month of the third year of longevity (694), Wu Zetian sent General Li duozuo to break down Shiwei. In February, Wang Xiaojie was sent to smash the Tubo polo, discuss Zan blade, Turkic Khan kuzi, and other 30000 people; Han Sizhong, the garrison envoy of broken leaves, smashed Xue yantuoni, and so on. In August, King Wu Sansi of Liang led the "four Yi chieftains" to cast Tianshu with copper and iron and stand outside duanmenwai to praise Wu Zetian's merits. The monarchs and ministers of all countries gathered millions of dollars to buy all the copper and iron in the world. After the completion of the stele, the names of civil and military officials and heads of state of all nations are inscribed. Wu Zetian personally inscribed "Da Zhou Wan Guo song de Tian Shu", implying that Wu Zhou is the central hub of the world and dominates all nations.

In the twelfth month of the first year of Zhengsheng (695), Wu Zetian set out from the capital of God, granted the Song Mountain of Chan, granted amnesty to the whole world, and ascended the title of Gaiyuan long live.

In April of the second year of longevity Tongtian (697), Wu Zetian cast nine tripods, which were dragged into Ziwei city from Xuanwu Gate, and ordered the prime minister and all the other officials

Chinese PinYin : Wu Zhou