#88 - Tang 7: Empress Wu Behind The Curtain

The History of China

Chris Stewart

History

4.6 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 23 January 2016

⏱️ 40 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

The more than two-decade period following Wu Zhao’s ascension as Emperor Gaozong’s empress-consort will serve to point out three things: how weak the emperor is, how powerful Empress Wu has become, and how there is absolutely nothing she won’t do to keep it that way. By the middle of the episode, she’ll be considered even at the time the co-equal ruler of her husband, on of the so-called “Two Holy Ones.” But power is a slippery fish to hang on to… especially when you have no legal means of maintaining it, and several sons just waiting in the wing to snatch it all away.Time Period Covered:656-683 CEMajor Historical Figures:Emperor Gaozong of Tang (Li Zhi) [r. 649-683]Empress Consort Wu Zhao Crowned Prince Li Hong (Emperor Xiaojing [posthumous title]) [652-675]Crowned Prince Li Xián [653-684]Crowned Prince Li Xiǎn (Emperor Zhongzong) [b. 656- , r. 684]Li Zhong, Prince of Liang [d.665]Chancellor Zhangsun Wuji [d. 665]Chancellor Shangguan Yi [d. 665]Chancellor Xu Jingzong [retired 670, d. 673]Major Sources:Dash, Mike. “The Demonization of Empress Wu” in The Smithsonian. http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-demonization-of-empress-wu-20743091/?no-istJiang, Chen An. Empress of China: Wu Ze Tian.Karem Skaff, Jonathan. Sui-Tang China and Its Turko-Mongol Neighbors: Culture, Power, and Connections, 580-800.Sima, Guang. Zizhi Tongjian.Weschler, Howard. The Cambridge History of China. “Kao-Tsung (Reign 649-83) and the Empress Wu: The Inheritor and the Usurper.”Old Book of Tang.New Book of Tang. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	You're listening to an Airwave Media Podcast.
0:05.0	Hey everyone, before we launch in today, first some fairly significant news.
0:10.0	You may have noticed that latest little addition to the show's title card, and it's true, all of it.
0:16.0	The history of China has officially joined up with some of the best and most interesting other history podcasts across all of the internet,
0:22.0	as a member of the Agora Podcast Network.
0:25.9	What that means for the show is that you might occasionally hear me suggesting other fine works
0:29.6	from the network members and potentially serve as a way for us all to earn a bit more
0:33.7	revenue together than we could attract individually. What it means for you is the
0:38.4	opportunity to hear great collaborations between myself and the likes of Royfield
0:42.3	Brown, Travis Dow, Stephen Guerra,
0:44.8	Zach Twamley, and many others. There are dozens of us. Dozens.
0:49.9	Otherwise, the show will not be changing one iota.
0:54.0	We're still found at the History of China.
0:56.0	WordPress.com, as well as on Facebook at slash the history of China,
1:01.0	and on Twitter under the handle at THOC Podcast. But please, after the show, also
1:06.8	check us all out at W.W.orga Podcast Network.com, that is A-G-O-R-O-R-A- Podcast Network.
1:15.0	dot com. Thanks once again and enjoy the show. Hello and welcome to the history of China.
1:27.0	Episode 88, Empress Wu behind the curtain.
1:37.0	Last time, we chronicled the concubine from rural Sichuan, Wu Jao, rapidly climbed the ranks of Emperor Gao Zong's imperial harem, until at last she got the top job as Empress Consort.
1:48.0	And then we watched in horror as she, with her new-found power, brought a terrible vengeance on those who had dared to stand in her way,
1:55.3	former Empress and High Official alike.
1:58.0	So, first off, there is a lot to cover here, so much that I could not possibly fit it into one single show at my usual length.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Chris Stewart, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Chris Stewart and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.