Wu Zetian (624–705) was a concubine in the harem of Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, and later became the second empress of Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi. In 690, she became emperor of the Wuzhou dynasty she founded, which lasted until 705, interrupting the Tang dynasty. She was the mother of two subsequent emperors, Emperor Zhongzong of Tang, Li Xian, and Emperor Ruizong of Tang, Li Dan.
The lovers of Wu Zetian. Video : Kai Jian
The Old Book of Tang, a book compiled by historians of the Later Jin Dynasty (907-960) about the history of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), records that Wu Zetian kept a male concubine. Her criteria for becoming a male concubine were a strong body and a handsome face.
Wu Zetian had four famous male concubines in her life. The first was Feng Xiaobao, who sold medicinal herbs in Luoyang. Feng Xiaobao was the lover of a maid in the palace of Princess Tianjin, Wu Zetian's adopted daughter.
The maid secretly brought Feng Xiaobao into the palace for a date and was discovered by Princess Tianjin. Princess Tianjin wanted to please her adoptive mother, so she presented Feng Xiaobao to Wu Zetian. With his strong body, handsome appearance and eloquence, Feng Xiaobao immediately caught Wu Zetian's eye.
To avoid gossip, she changed Phung Tieu Bao's name to Tiet Hoai Nghia, made him a monk as an excuse to summon him to the palace to discuss Buddhism, and at the same time ordered the son-in-law of Princess Thai Binh , her biological daughter, to accept him as her adoptive father.
A painting of Wu Zetian. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The third male favorite was Zhang Zongchang, presented by Princess Taiping to the then-70-year-old female emperor. Zhang Zongchang was described as young and handsome, with a "face like a lotus flower". Zhang Zongchang took the opportunity to introduce his older brother Zhang Yizhi to the emperor. Zhang Yizhi was also described as "fair-skinned, handsome, and in his early 20s".
According to Zhang Changzong, Zhang Yizhi was a talented person, skilled in alchemy. Wu Zetian summoned Zhang Yizhi to the palace, made him her male favorite, and also appointed both brothers as dukes. The two often wore makeup and beautiful clothes.
In 698, Wu Zetian established the Konghejian, nominally a place for discussion and literary development, but in reality it was the empress's harem. Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong divided the management and were granted third-rank official ranks. The Konghejian had 43 members, including Wu Zetian's male concubines and literati. By mid-700, it had become a place for entertainment, gambling, and drinking. When its bad reputation spread, Wu Zetian changed its name to Fengshenfu.
Under the emperor's indulgence, the two Zhang brothers stirred up the court, formed factions, and were corrupt, causing discontent among many officials. Since 704, Wu Zetian fell ill, ignored state affairs, and let the Zhang brothers decide everything.
In 705, fearing that the Zhang brothers would rebel, the reigning prime minister Zhang Jianzhi and his ministers launched a mutiny, forcing Wu Zetian to abdicate and placing Emperor Zhongzong of Tang on the throne, resuming the Tang dynasty.
Hong Hanh (According to China News, Baike )
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