Ep. 7 | Wu Zetian
This week we look at the Tang dynasty Empress Wu Zetian, the only woman from Chinese history to rule China as an emperor in her own name.
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Terms in Episode
| Pinyin/Term | Chinese | English/Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Wu Zetian | 武则天 | The only empress in China to rule in her own name |
| Wu Zhao | 武曌 | Wu Zetian’s personal name |
| Taiyuan | 太原 | Capital of Shanxi Province |
| Li Shimin | 李世民 | Name of the 2nd Tang Dynasty emperor who reigned as Tang Taizong 唐太宗 |
| Guifei | 贵妃 | 1st Rank 1st level concubine |
| Shufei | 淑妃 | 1st Rank 2nd level Concubine |
| Defei | 德妃 | 1st Rank 3rd level Concubine |
| Xianfei | 贤妃 | 1st rank 4th level Concubine |
| Wu Meiniang | 武媚娘 | Other name of Wu Zetian |
| Li Zhi | 李治 | Son of Emperor Taizong. Li Zhi reigned as Emperor Gaozong 高宗 |
| Ganye Temple | 感业寺 | Temple where Wu Zetian was sent to become a nun |
| Xiao Shufei | 蕭淑妃 | Concubine of Gaozong who was a rival of Wu Zetian |
| Empress Wang | 王皇后 | Wife and Empress of Tang Gaozong 唐高宗 |
| Li Hong | 李弘 | 5th son of Gaozong, 1st son with Wu Zetian. Became Emperor Xiaojing 孝敬皇帝 |
| Li Xian | 李顯 | 2nd son of Gaozong and Wu Zetian. Later the Zongzong Emperor 中宗皇帝 |
| Zaixiang | 宰相 | Chancellor (sort of like a prime minister) |
| Ersheng | 二圣 | The Two Sages (how Gaozong and Wu Zetian were referred to) |
| Shunsheng Huanghou | 順聖皇后 | Posthumous name given to Wu Zetian |
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Related Episodes
The series concludes in this Part 5 episode that takes Yunnan's history up to 1975.