From Obscurity to Opportunity: Wu Zetian’s Early Life

Wu Zetian entered Emperor Taizong’s harem at just fourteen years old as a fifth-rank cairen (talented lady), but despite demonstrating remarkable courage—famously taming a wild horse for the emperor—she failed to gain his lasting favor. For over a decade, she languished in the palace’s shadows while her contemporaries advanced. Historical records suggest this period hardened her resolve; where others might have resigned themselves to obscurity, Wu Zetian observed court politics with a strategist’s eye.

The death of Emperor Taizong in 649 CE marked a turning point. Following Tang dynasty customs, childless concubines like Wu were sent to Buddhist nunneries—in her case, Ganye Temple—to live as imperial widows. For most, this meant spiritual and social death. But Wu, now twenty-six, saw beyond the temple walls.

The Prince and the Concubine: An Unlikely Romance

Wu Zetian’s path to power began with an improbable relationship: a romantic connection with Emperor Taizong’s ninth son, Li Zhi (later Emperor Gaozong). Contemporary historians like Meng Man highlight three phases in their relationship:

1. Sickbed Attraction: During Taizong’s final illness, Wu and the crown prince Li Zhi grew close while tending to the dying emperor. The Old Book of Tang cryptically notes Li Zhi “became fond” of his father’s concubine—a dangerous liaison given their age gap (Wu was four years older) and their familial roles.

2. Letters from the Nunnery: At Ganye Temple, Wu composed The Song of Longing, a poem blending vulnerability with calculated appeal: “Seeing red as green, my thoughts scatter like petals / Gaunt and broken—all for missing you.” This masterpiece of emotional manipulation reached Li Zhi, now emperor, through discreet channels.

3. The Tearful Reunion: On the first anniversary of Taizong’s death, Emperor Gaozong visited Ganye Temple. Official records describe their tearful meeting—a public breach of protocol suggesting intense private feelings.

Breaking the Rules: How Wu Defied Social Norms

Wu Zetian’s relationship with Gaozong violated multiple Confucian principles:

– Filial Piety: Engaging romantically with his father’s concubine undermined ancestor worship traditions.
– Age Hierarchy: In a society valuing seniority, an older woman pursuing a younger emperor was scandalous.
– Religious Sanctity: As a nun, Wu had ostensibly renounced worldly attachments.

Yet these transgressions became advantages. Gaozong, often described as indecisive and emotionally dependent, found in Wu a combination of maternal comfort and political acumen absent from his sheltered upbringing.

The Making of an Empress: Political Genius Behind the Romance

Wu’s return to the palace (circa 651 CE) wasn’t merely romantic—it was a masterclass in opportunity creation:

1. Timing: She reconnected with Gaozong during his vulnerable early reign, as he struggled with governance.
2. Alliances: Court records suggest she cultivated supporters among eunuchs and mid-ranking officials.
3. Image Crafting: Her poetry and public tears framed her as a devoted lover rather than a schemer.

The death of Gaozong’s first wife, Empress Wang, in 655—officially from illness, though rumors implicated Wu—cleared her path to the throne. By 660, with Gaozong suffering strokes, Wu became de facto ruler, shattering 1,000 years of male-only imperial tradition.

Legacy: The Double-Edged Sword of Wu’s Rise

Wu Zetian’s ascent reveals much about Tang society:

– Social Mobility: Talent could overcome low birth (Wu came from a merchant family).
– Gender Paradox: While Confucianism restricted women, the Tang’s cosmopolitanism allowed exceptions.
– Power of Narrative: Wu controlled her story through poetry, patronage of Buddhist art, and later, state historiography.

Modern feminists debate her legacy. Some celebrate her as a proto-feminist who proved women could rule; others note she upheld patriarchal systems once in power. What’s undeniable is her unmatched ability to turn societal constraints into stepping stones—a lesson in resilience that transcends centuries.

The story of Wu Zetian’s rise reminds us that history’s most transformative figures often emerge from its margins, rewriting the rules as they climb. Her journey from neglected concubine to sovereign ruler remains one of history’s most extraordinary tales of ambition, intelligence, and sheer willpower.