Wu Ze Tian — Was She A Killer At Heart or A Woman Longing For Love?
The pivotal relationship that changed the Tang dynasty forever
As an Asian Chinese, I grew up watching stories of Chinese dynasties, folklore, and pugilists. I secretly admired the grace, strength, and talents of female characters. Perhaps it was because they defied the odds of a patriarchal society with strong Confucian practices about how women should be obedient, quiet, and ladylike in decorum and appearance.
But there is only one woman in more than 3000 years of history of China who often piqued my interest.
She was and still is the only female that ever rose to power. She single-handedly ran a dynasty with a population as big as 50 million people during an era touted as one of China’s Golden Age. She was well-known for her ruthless, authoritative, manipulative ways. She meted harsh punishments. She killed her own daughter and half-brothers.
This lady was none other than Empress Wu Ze Tian (武则天).
