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SPEAKER_04: Hello, from Wonder Media Network, I'm Jenny Kaplan, and this is Encyclopedia Wamanica. Today's leader is the only female emperor in the history of China. Though she implemented major reforms, expanded Chinese territory, and increased trade during her time on the throne, she's remembered as one of China's most controversial rulers. Let's talk about Empress Wu Zetian. Wu was born in Shanxi Province in 624. Her mother descended from a powerful family, and her father served as a chancellor of the Tang dynasty. Her family grew increasingly wealthy over the course of her childhood, and Wu grew up in significant privilege. Though it was quite uncommon during this period for women to receive a formal education, Wu's father insisted she break the norm. Wu learned to read and write, and was instructed in a variety of subjects, including oratory, music, and poetry, that were usually reserved for men. Wu was also an exceptional beauty. When she was just 14 years old, she moved to the royal court to become one of the concubines of Emperor Taizong. Wu was first given a job working in the laundry. When the emperor realized that his new concubine was both educated and quite brilliant, he made her his personal secretary. This put Wu at the center of state affairs, and increased her exposure to the politics and power players of the empire. During that period, Wu began an affair with the emperor's son. Though the two were apparently deeply in love, it was impossible for them to be together, because Wu was a concubine of the emperor, and the emperor's son was married. When the emperor died in 649 CE, he was succeeded by his son, who was known from then on as Gaozong. In accordance with common practice, Wu and the other concubines of the deceased emperor were sent to a temple to live the rest of their lives as nuns. But Gaozong was in love with Wu, and now as emperor, he could do what he pleased. So he broke all conventions, and immediately brought her back and made her his premier consort. That didn't please his wife. Wu gave birth to two sons in quick succession, and then in 654 CE, she had a daughter. But soon after the baby's birth, the little girl was found strangled in her crib. Wu accused the emperor's wife of murdering the baby out of jealousy, claiming that the wife had been the last one in the room. The accused was subsequently found guilty and exiled. Wu was then promoted to first wife and empress of China, and her sons became the next in line for the throne. Interestingly, some later Chinese historians believe Wu strangled her own baby and then framed the emperor's wife for the murder to get the wife out of the way. More modern historians, however, seem reluctant to draw that conclusion. As empress, Wu was reserved in public, but it was common knowledge that she held real power. This troubled many of the emperor's ministers and counselors who believed a woman holding such power upset the balance of nature. Shortly after she took the throne, an earthquake rocked the country. The haters took this as confirmation of their concerns. Wu disagreed with their assessment, and dealt harshly with those she saw as enemies. By 660 CE, Wu's husband had become ill and sight impaired, so she took over the daily business of running the empire. She made all major decisions on her own, including about a series of military campaigns on the Korean peninsula. When the emperor died in 683, Wu installed her eldest son on the throne. Unfortunately for him, he didn't get along particularly well with his mother. He also had a wife with her own thirst for power. Wu eventually had her son charged with treason and exiled along with his wife. Wu replaced her exiled first son with her second eldest son. He didn't last long either, and was forced by his mother to abdicate in the year 690. With no sons left, Wu went ahead and took the throne for herself. Adopting the name Emperor Zetian, she became the first and only woman to rule China alone, and by her own authority. Her new chosen name, Zetian, means follower of the Heaven's laws. During her reign, Wu ruled with an iron fist, but also made much needed reforms and expanded both territory and trade in China. Wu overhauled the education system by standardizing teaching methods and creating a core of professional teachers. She improved the system of agriculture by redistributing land more fairly, building irrigation ditches and reforming the tax structure to reward yield. Wu also attempted to remove nepotism from military appointments, and instituted a program of required military exams to ensure that commanders were qualified to hold their positions. She even reopened the Silk Road trade route, which had been shut down by plague. By 697, Wu was increasingly paranoid about those around her. She also spent most of her time with a series of young lovers rather than on governmental affairs. Though it was common practice for emperors to have a harem of young women at their beck and call, the public was outraged by Wu's affairs, probably because of her gender. Wu's paranoia eventually led to a court purge. Anyone she believed to be disloyal was either exiled or executed. By the year 704, remaining court officials had enough. They murdered her favorite lovers and forced Wu to abdicate in favor of the eldest son she had previously exiled. Wu, who was already ill at the time of her abdication, died a year later in the year 705. She's buried underneath a giant stone slab that later historians were meant to inscribe with the highlights of her rule. To this day, it remains blank. Despite the prosperity and progress she brought to her country, Wu is still seen by many as exclusively a villain. This episode of Encyclopedia Womanica is brought to you by HoneyBook. If you're a creative business owner, you know how to make your clients look good. But who's helping you look good? With HoneyBook, you can take on the day knowing everything is in one place, so you stay organized and always look professional. HoneyBook is an online business management tool that organizes your client communications, bookings, contracts, and invoices, all in one place. With HoneyBook, you can automate your busy work. They have easy-to-use templates for emails, proposals, brochures, and invoices. Right now, HoneyBook is offering our listeners 50% off when you visit tryhoneybook.com slash encyclopedia. Payment is flexible, and this promotion applies whether you pay monthly or annually. Go to tryhoneybook.com slash encyclopedia for 50% off your first year. That's tryhoneybook.com slash encyclopedia. As always, we'll be taking a break for the weekend. Today is the final day of our month of leaders. Tune in on Monday to hear the first episode of our brand-new theme, Warriors. Special thanks to Liz Kaplan, my favorite sister and co-creator. Talk to you on Monday.
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