The Political Ascent of Wu Zetian

By 664 CE, Wu Zetian had achieved an unprecedented position in Tang Dynasty politics. As co-ruler with Emperor Gaozong under the title “Two Sages,” she wielded significant influence over state affairs through her curtained participation in court sessions. With Emperor Gaozong’s health deteriorating, the empire increasingly relied on Wu’s sharp political instincts and administrative capabilities. This period marked a crucial turning point where Wu transitioned from imperial consort to de facto ruler, carefully cultivating her power base while maintaining the emperor’s trust.

The year 674 CE witnessed Wu’s boldest political maneuver yet – the creation of the revolutionary title “Celestial Empress” (天后). This wasn’t merely a symbolic gesture but a calculated power play that redefined traditional imperial hierarchy and signaled Wu’s growing ambitions.

Inventing Imperial Titles: A Masterstroke of Political Theater

Wu Zetian’s proposal for new honorific titles began with what appeared to be filial devotion. She approached Emperor Gaozong with a seemingly modest suggestion: “Your Majesty, we govern through filial piety, but have we shown sufficient respect to our ancestors?” When the emperor expressed confusion, Wu elaborated that their forebears’ magnificent achievements remained unrecognized in their posthumous titles.

This initiated a comprehensive renaming of Tang ancestors:
– Founding Emperor Gaozu became “Divine and August Emperor” (神尧皇帝)
– Emperor Taizong received “Civil and Martial Sage Emperor” (文武圣皇帝)
– Their respective empresses received equally grandiose titles

Having established this precedent, Wu then proposed that living rulers couldn’t possibly share titles with these glorified ancestors. Her solution? Emperor Gaozong would become “Celestial Emperor” (天皇) while she took “Celestial Empress” – a title rich with layered meanings that went far beyond its surface interpretation.

Decoding the “Celestial Empress” Title

While contemporaries likely viewed “Celestial Empress” as simply the consort to the “Celestial Emperor,” Wu Zetian imbued it with profound political significance:

1. Mandate of Heaven Claim: The character for “celestial” (天) connected Wu directly to the concept of heavenly mandate, traditionally reserved for emperors alone. By associating herself with celestial authority, Wu positioned herself as more than just an empress consort.

2. Separation from Imperial Hierarchy: As “Heaven’s Consort,” Wu placed herself on par with cosmic forces rather than subordinate to the emperor. This clever wording created conceptual space for her eventual solo rule.

3. Precedent for Female Rule: In Chinese cosmology, heaven (yang) and earth (yin) were complementary equals. By aligning herself with heaven, Wu subtly challenged gender norms that associated women with passive yin energy.

Building a Power Base: The Rehabilitation of the Wu Clan

With her new title established, Wu began systematically consolidating power. Her most surprising move was rehabilitating previously disgraced Wu family members – a stark reversal from her earlier suppression of relatives.

### The Failed Experiment: He Lan Minzhi

Wu first turned to her nephew He Lan Minzhi, son of her beloved sister. Despite his reputation as a dissolute playboy and lingering resentment over Wu’s role in his sister’s death, Wu:
– Granted him the prestigious title Duke of Zhou
– Appointed him to high office (rank 3a)
– Had him adopt the Wu surname

However, He Lan proved disastrous:
– Seduced Crown Prince Li Hong’s betrothed
– Assaulted attendants of Princess Taiping
– Committed scandalous acts during his grandmother’s funeral
– Was eventually executed for incest with the elderly Lady Yang

### The Rise of Wu Chengsi

After He Lan’s disgrace, Wu turned to her paternal nephews, particularly Wu Chengsi, whom she:
– Recalled from exile
– Appointed as Duke of Zhou
– Made Director of the Imperial Clan – a position traditionally reserved for Li family members

This last appointment particularly signaled Wu’s intention to elevate the Wu clan above imperial relatives.

The “Twelve Point Memorial”: A Political Masterpiece

In 675 CE, Wu presented her comprehensive governing platform addressing four key constituencies:

### 1. Farmer Welfare
– Suspended military campaigns to allow agricultural production
– Reduced public works projects to minimize labor demands
– Exempted capital region residents from corvée labor

### 2. Bureaucratic Reforms
– Ended verification of military merit awards
– Increased salaries for rank 8+ officials
– Promoted long-serving lower officials

### 3. Familial Authority
– Mandated three-year mourning for mothers regardless of father’s status
– Subtly elevated maternal authority to strengthen her future position

### 4. Imperial Flattery
– Required officials to study the Daodejing (venerated by the Li family)
– Promoted austerity in court expenditures

Legacy of the Celestial Empress

Wu Zetian’s 674-675 political maneuvers established critical precedents:
– Created conceptual space for female rule through innovative titulature
– Built administrative experience and public support through pragmatic reforms
– Established a loyal power base within the bureaucracy and Wu clan
– Demonstrated sophisticated political strategy that balanced tradition with innovation

These foundations would prove essential when Wu eventually became China’s only female emperor in 690 CE. The “Celestial Empress” period represents not merely a stepping stone to the throne, but a masterclass in political theater and institutional transformation that reshaped Tang governance and challenged Confucian gender norms.

Wu’s ability to simultaneously honor tradition while subverting expectations, to appear deferential while accumulating unprecedented power, marks her as one of history’s most skilled political operators. The title “Celestial Empress” wasn’t just a name – it was the first act in a revolutionary redefinition of imperial authority.