Wu Zetian: A heroine or a usurper?
Wu Zetian, the only female emperor in Chinese history, her name has left a strong mark on Chinese history. For her, later generations have mixed reviews. Some people praised her as a heroine among women who made outstanding contributions to the country; Others accuse her of being a usurper and deviating from traditional morality. So, is Wu Zetian a heroine among women or a usurper?
First, let's take a look at Wu Zetian's achievements and contributions. During her reign, the Tang Dynasty's economy, culture, and science and technology were further developed. She implemented the imperial examination system and selected meritocracy, so that more talents could emerge. She also paid attention to the development of agriculture, built water conservancy, and reduced taxes, so that the people's lives were improved. In addition, she actively promoted cultural prosperity and encouraged literary creation, which brought Tang poetry to its peak during this period. These achievements undoubtedly prove that Wu Zetian was a talented and far-sighted female emperor, and her reign made an important contribution to the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty.
However, there are also those who believe that Wu Zetian is a usurper. She was originally the empress of Tang Taizong and Gaozong, but after Gaozong's death, she gradually seized the power of the imperial court and eventually established herself as emperor. This process was considered a betrayal of traditional morality and ethics, so she was accused of being a usurper. In addition, she also used some harsh measures to consolidate her power during her reign, such as setting up "copper boxes" to collect whistleblowing letters, and using cool officials to suppress the opposition. These actions also left her in the image of brutality in history.
So, how should we evaluate Wu Zetian as a historical figure? I think we should look at her from multiple angles. First of all, she was an outstanding statesman and ruler whose talents and vision contributed significantly to the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty. Secondly, she is a woman, and it is undoubtedly a great challenge and achievement for her to stand out in a society where men are inferior to women and become a female emperor. However, she also has some shortcomings, such as her excessive lust for power, and she has adopted some drastic measures to consolidate her power. These deficiencies also divide our evaluation of her.
Overall, Wu Zetian is a figure with a complex personality and great historical influence. Her achievements and contributions make us have to admire her talent and vision, but her usurpation and harsh methods also make us question her moral character. Therefore, we should comprehensively and objectively evaluate Wu Zetian, a historical figure, and see not only her contributions and achievements, but also her mistakes and flaws. Only in this way can we better understand, understand, and learn from history.