latelenovela Chapter 97 Is Zhen Xiaosi going to transmigrate into Mei Niang?
Chapter 97 Is Zhen Xiaosi going to transmigrate into Mei Niang?
Wu Zetian was the most successful female emperor in Chinese history and the only legitimate female emperor.
This "unique" phenomenon is quite strange.
Furthermore, official historical records made many women feel that even becoming an empress seemed too cruel, involving the killing of their own daughters. They thought, "We can't do that. We should just be good wives and mothers; there's no need to fight for power." A strong woman would lose everything.
In reality, female leaders are not uncommon in today's society, but they face far more gossip and pressure than men.
During Wu Zetian's reign, the early Tang Dynasty experienced significant economic growth.
Even today, the cultural industry driven by Empress Wu Zetian still contributes significantly to GDP.
History is written by men who were trampled underfoot by Wu Zetian. No matter how much male historians and archaeologists denigrate her, they cannot erase the fact that she became empress.
But it did play a role, and not a minor one, after all, these are authoritative and massive works like the Zizhi Tongjian, the Old and New Books of Tang, and the Records of the Grand Historian. But they certainly can't withstand close scrutiny, but who would bother to scrutinize them?
Wu Zetian was a wise woman. She erected a wordless stele because she understood that men with power would use her as a tool and would not miss the opportunity to criticize her. This was speaking for the interests of her interest groups, and the power of discourse was in their hands.
Wu Zetian's father was also quite intelligent and emotionally intelligent. Wu Shihuo, an unofficial small merchant, later became Li Yuan's best friend, a general, and followed Li Yuan into Guanzhong.
He was later granted the title of Grand Master of the Palace, and his name appeared on Li Yuan's list of meritorious officials.
This is not something that just anyone can do; not just anyone could be included in Li Yuan's register.
His inclusion in the register and the issuance of an official document were tantamount to giving his brother, Samurai Go, a second chance at life, meaning that even though he had committed a capital offense, he could be spared death once.
A timber merchant has transformed into a founding hero; this remarkable turnaround is just beginning.
His daughter, in the patriarchal Tang Dynasty, actually became an empress.
This achievement, which transcends class and gender and is unprecedented, is not something an ordinary woman could accomplish; it directly leads to the pinnacle of life and even historical records.
The concept of powerful clans is so important because no matter how capable or lucky an individual is, they cannot compare to the power of a large family to create traps, schemes, and manipulate public opinion to constantly stir up trouble. Therefore, if Wu Zetian wanted to make a comeback, she had to cultivate her own powerful team.
Wu Shiyue, a newly risen nobleman in a chaotic era, could hardly be considered to have a distinguished family background. Even a fallen camel is bigger than a colt.
After Wu Shihuo's wife left, Li Yuan found him a new wife—Yang Shi from Hongnong, the daughter of Yang Da, a high-ranking official in the Sui Dynasty. Wu Zetian was her second daughter.
In fact, Li Yuan did this to save face for his brothers and mainly to shut everyone up.
In fact, you can block it for a while, but you can't block it forever, for hundreds or thousands of generations!
In 635, Li Yuan passed away, and Wu Shihuo followed him.
Logically speaking, Wu Zetian's path to power was almost over.
Two years later, in 637, Wu Zetian was 14 years old. Because of her beauty, she was summoned to the palace and given the title of "Cairen" by Emperor Taizong of Tang.
Madam Yang felt a pang of sadness, a touch of bitterness rising in her heart. After all, her daughter had married someone a bit older, and the man she had entrusted her with was already advanced in years, his future uncertain. She couldn't help but feel melancholy.
"Why is Mother acting this way? Others desire but cannot obtain, yet you shed tears on this joyous occasion. Is this not a day of great celebration? Childish sentiments are utterly meaningless. True nobility lies in wielding power!"
(In an ancient palace at night, in a quiet bedroom, two young eunuchs, Zi'an and Xiao Si, sat by the bed, the candlelight flickering and casting a faint light through the window.)
Xiao Si: Zi An, did you know that Wu Zetian had already set her life goals very clearly when she was a child, as clear as water? Sister-in-law is truly a visionary woman.
Zi'an: Oh? What goal? Could it be that she dreamed of becoming an emperor when she was a child?
Xiao Si: Even more "high-end" than that! She thought back then, "You have power, so I need to get some too. Whether I use it or not, getting it is the most important thing!" She had a high-level perspective and a clear understanding from a young age. Like my father, she first bundled up all the usable resources, got that beautiful 14-year-old girl, bestowed upon her the title of "Talented Lady," whether she used it or not was unimportant. Power is something you only feel secure with in your hands.
Zi'an: Haha, that's quite modern! But it sounds like she's a scheming girl. She's probably thinking, "Rather than staying in this declining family and being schemed against and bullied by these ignorant relatives every day, it's better to go and have some fun with the old emperor. At least there I'd have a chance to broaden my horizons."
Xiao Si: That's right! No matter the era, relatives in the family always stage a "power struggle drama" every day over trivial matters. My sister-in-law told me that her stepmother's brothers and sisters bullied and made things difficult for her every day, and she had to be subservient to them. They didn't even have any rights, almost like they were constantly fighting and didn't even get to eat lunch.
Zi'an: Oh dear, the key issue is that her father is dead, and the family's future is uncertain. Those relatives don't even realize they should seize this opportunity to fight back; instead, they're creating internal chaos. Wu Zetian probably thinks these people are too "unreliable," so it's much better to find an opportunity elsewhere than to waste energy on them pointlessly!
Xiao Si: Yes, yes, yes! My sister-in-law Wu Zetian must have been thinking at the time:
"I'm not going to waste my time with these people. They don't even have a shred of sense of crisis. They're willing to tear each other apart for a little bit of profit. It's not worth wasting my brain cells on them!"
Zi An: What she was thinking was, "Why not come and see how mighty your father is as an emperor? Even just a glance at him might allow me to become a 'special supporting actor for the emperor'." Unexpectedly, she actually found a way out.
That day, Yonghui Si came to visit Wu Zetian's palace.
Wu Zetian (sitting on a large chair, with a serious expression):
"It's one thing for them to wrongly accuse me of fabricating my family history, but those influential people outside, those who can write history, are even going so far as to attack my mother! They're saying my mother and grandson have a 'murky' relationship, what kind of logic is that?! What kind of grandmother would avoid talking about her own grandson...?"
Yang (sitting to the side, holding a cup of tea, seemingly indifferent):
"Oh, Wu'er, don't be impatient. I've been in this man's world for a long time, so it's not that I'm thick-skinned, but I'm used to it. Look at those men, they want to sleep with any beautiful woman they see, and if they can't get her, they say it's sour grapes. As for women with power, they're even more troublesome! They can't show their team spirit without taking us women down with them. Your father has been dead for so many years, and I haven't seen my beloved father show his face, but my grandson Helan Minzhi is talked about by everyone every day, always trying to link this old man with me... No need to say more, it's all just talk."
Yang (also a wise woman): "To be honest, I am quite ambitious and resourceful. How could these men not bite people with their own ulterior motives? With me, Yang, here, and with my daughter being so wise, would these men dare to disobey?! No matter what the public opinion is about me and your father, we are the pillars of this world! People are afraid of becoming famous, but women are even more afraid of the expansion of power."
Wu Zetian (rolled her eyes, waved her hand, her face clearly saying "I don't want to talk about this anymore"):
"Alright, alright, Mother, stop talking. Since we've come this far, I'll just ignore the history written by later generations. Who believes these 'scholars'? What 'history'! They've only written tools to whitewash those in power, especially our history as women—it's just something to be smeared. They say society started as a matriarchal society? But in the blink of an eye, it became a patriarchal society. Those guys who always talk about 'filial piety,' I've never seen them being very filial to their mothers. If they were truly filial, they should always 'listen to their mothers,' shouldn't they?!"
Madam Yang (raised an eyebrow, a helpless smile on her lips): "Our second daughter is indeed extraordinary! Once the standard for 'filial piety' is set, those with ulterior motives will use it to their advantage, and there's nothing but scheming behind it."
Wu Sansi (touched his chin and forced a smile):
"Confucius said it well: 'Those who are clever with words and flattering in appearance are rarely benevolent.' I've long understood that all this stuff about power and intrigue is just a bunch of flowery words and superficial projects; there are hardly any genuine people involved."
Yang (glancing sideways at Yonghui Si, who was playing nearby):
"Yes, daughter, Confucius also said, 'A gentleman should be slow to speak but quick to act.' — Be cautious in your speech and quick in your actions. Keep your eyes wide open and see the situation clearly. Start by doing more for the Emperor!"
Wu Zetian (hands on hips, expression as arrogant as ever, slightly pursing her lips):
“Well said! But look, ‘When everyone knows beauty as beauty, ugliness is already present; when everyone knows goodness as goodness, evil is already present.’ This means that if everyone says something is good, then it is no longer good; if everyone says something is good, then it is no longer good. Don’t blame me for being blunt, but the more people admire something, the more easily it becomes distorted—beauty, ugliness, goodness, and evil are all ruined.”
She pouted, struck a pose that said "I really know" in the air, narrowed her eyes, and glanced at Yonghui Si, as if she could see through everything.