Volume 6 Annals 6: Empress Wu Zetian

則天皇后武氏，諱曌，并州文水人也。父士彠，隋大業末為鷹揚府隊正。高祖行軍于汾、晉，每休止其家。義旗初起，從平京城。貞觀中，累遷工部尚書、荊州都督，封應國公。

Empress Wu Zetian, née Wu, bore the taboo name Zhao and came from Wenshui in Bingzhou. Her father Shi Yue, in the closing years of Sui, held the rank of captain in the Eagle-Forging Garrison. When Gaozu campaigned through Fen and Jin, he often lodged at their home. At the first raising of the rebel standard he joined the march that took the capital. Under Zhenguan he rose through the Ministry of Works and the Jingzhou governorship to the dukedom of Ying.

初，則天年十四時，太宗聞其美容止，召入宮，立為才人。及太宗崩，遂為尼，居感業寺。大帝於寺見之，復召入宮，拜昭儀。時皇后王氏、良娣蕭氏頻與武昭儀爭寵，互讒毀之，帝皆不納。進號宸妃。永徽六年，廢王皇后而立武宸妃為皇后。高宗稱天皇，武后亦稱天后。后素多智計，兼涉文史。帝自顯慶已後，多苦風疾，百司表奏，皆委天后詳決。自此內輔國政數十年，威勢與帝無異，當時稱為「二聖」。

When she was fourteen, Taizong, hearing of her beauty and grace, brought her to court and made her a cairen. After Taizong's death she took the tonsure and lived at Ganye Temple. Gaozong met her at the temple, recalled her to the palace, and created her Imperial Consort Zhaoyi. Empress Wang and Consort Xiao then fought Consort Wu for the emperor's favor, trading slanders; he believed neither side. She was promoted to Chen Consort. In Yonghui 6 Empress Wang was deposed and Consort Wu was raised to empress. Gaozong took the title Heavenly Sovereign; Empress Wu took that of Heavenly Empress. She was clever in counsel and well read in the classics and histories. After Xianqing the emperor was often crippled by wind sickness; every ministry memorial went to the Heavenly Empress for final ruling. For decades she shared rule from within; her power matched the emperor's, and contemporaries named them the Two Sages.

二月戊午，廢皇帝為廬陵王，幽於別所，仍改賜名哲。己未，立豫王輪為皇帝，令居於別殿。大赦天下，改元文明。皇太后仍臨朝稱制。庚午，廢皇太孫重照為庶人。太常卿兼豫王府長史王德真為侍中，中書侍郎、豫王府司馬劉禕之同中書門下三品。

On wuwu of the second month the emperor was demoted to Prince of Luling, shut away, and renamed Zhe. On jiwei Prince Lun of Yu was enthroned and lodged in a side palace. The court proclaimed a general amnesty and renamed the era Wenming. The empress dowager continued to rule from behind the curtain. On gengwu the heir's grandson Chongzhao was stripped to common rank. Wang Dezhen, grand master of ceremonies and chief administrator to the Prince of Yu, became attendant-in-chief; Liu Yizhi, secretariat vice director and the prince's marshal, joined the third rank at the Secretariat Chancellery.

三月，庶人賢死于巴州。夏四月，滕王元嬰薨。改封畢王上金為澤王，葛王素節為許王。丁丑，遷廬陵王哲於均州。閏五月，禮部尚書武承嗣同中書門下三品。秋七月，突厥骨咄祿、元珍寇朔州，命左威衛大將軍程務挺拒之。彗星見西北方，長二丈餘，經三十三日乃滅。九月，大赦天下，改元為光宅。旗幟改從金色，飾以紫，畫以雜文。改東都為神都，又改尚書省及諸司官名。初置右肅政御史台官員。故司空李勣孫柳州司馬徐敬業偽稱揚州司馬，殺長史陳敬之，據揚州起兵，自稱上將，以匡復為辭。冬十月，楚州司馬李崇福率所部三縣以應敬業。命左玉鈐衛大將軍李孝逸為大總管，率兵三十萬以討之。殺內史裴炎。丁酉，追削敬業父祖官爵，復其本姓徐氏。十二月，前中書令薛元超卒。殺左威衛大將軍程務挺。

In the third month the deposed heir Xian died in Bazhou. In the fourth summer month Prince Yuanying of Teng died. Prince Shangjin of Bi was made Prince of Ze; Prince Sunjie of Ge was made Prince of Xu. On dingchou Prince Zhe of Luling was exiled to Junzhou. In the intercalary fifth month Wu Chengsi, minister of rites, joined the third rank at the Secretariat Chancellery. In the seventh autumn month the Turks Kutlug and Yuanzhen struck Shuozhou; Cheng Wuting, general of the left majestic guard, was sent against them. A comet blazed in the northwest for thirty-three days, its tail longer than two zhang. In the ninth month the court proclaimed a general amnesty and renamed the era Guangzhai. Imperial banners were recolored gold, edged in purple, and painted with mixed emblems. Luoyang was renamed the Divine Capital, and the Secretariat together with many ministry titles were retitled. The court first staffed the Right Office for Censorial Reform. Xu Jingye, grandson of Li Ji and marshal of Liuzhou, posed as acting prefect of Yangzhou, murdered chief administrator Chen Jingzhi, seized the city, declared himself supreme commander, and marched under the banner of restoring Tang. In the tenth winter month Li Chongfu of Chuzhou rallied his three counties to Jingye's cause. Li Xiaoyi of the left jade-belled guard was named grand commander and marched with three hundred thousand men to crush the rebellion. Grand Secretary Pei Yan was put to death. On dingyou the court erased Jingye's ancestral honors and restored the clan name Xu. In the twelfth month the former grand secretary Xue Yuanchao died. Cheng Wuting, general of the left majestic guard, was executed.

垂拱元年春正月，以敬業平，大赦天下，改元。劉仁軌薨。三月，遷廬陵王哲于房州。頒下親撰《垂拱格》於天下。夏四月，內史騫味道左授青州刺史。五月，秋官尚書裴居道為內史，納言王德真配流象州，冬官尚書蘇良嗣為納言。詔內外文武九品已上及百姓，咸令自舉。是夏大旱。二年春正月，皇太后下詔，復政于皇帝。以皇太后既非實意，乃固讓。皇太后仍依舊臨朝稱制，大赦天下。初令都督、刺史並准京官帶魚。

In the first spring month of Chuigong 1, with Jingye defeated, the court proclaimed a general amnesty and fixed the new era name. Liu Ren'gui, the great commander, died. In the third month Prince Zhe of Luling was transferred to Fangzhou. Her personally drafted Chuigong Code was issued empire-wide. In the fourth summer month Grand Secretary Qian Weidao was demoted to prefect of Qingzhou. In the fifth month Pei Judao became grand secretary; Wang Dezhen was exiled to Xiangzhou; Su Liangsi became remonstrator. An edict commanded every official of the ninth rank or higher—and commoners as well—to put forward their own names. That summer a severe drought struck. In the first spring month of her second regnal year the empress dowager issued an edict the return of power to the emperor. Knowing her offer was not sincere, he refused it outright. She resumed regency as before and proclaimed another general amnesty. For the first time provincial governors and prefects were allowed the court fish tally worn by capital officials.

三月，初置匭於朝堂，有進書言事者聽投之，由是人間善惡事多所知悉。夏四月，岑長倩為內史。六月，蘇良嗣為文昌左相，天官尚書韋待價為文昌右相，並同鳳閣鸞台三品。右肅政御史大夫韋思謙為納言。三年春正月，封皇子成義為恆王，隆基為楚王，隆範為衛王，隆業為趙王。二月，韋思謙請致仕，許之。夏四月，裴居道為納言，夏官侍郎張光輔為鳳閣侍郎、同鳳閣鸞台平章事。庚午，劉禕之賜死於家。秋八月，地官尚書魏玄同檢校納言。

In the third month complaint boxes were placed in the audience hall; anyone with a petition could deposit it, and court and country alike learned what the people knew. In the fourth summer month Cen Changqian became grand secretary. In the sixth month Su Liangsi became left minister of state and Wei Daibao right minister, each of third rank at Phoenix Pavilion and Terrace. Wei Siqian, censor-in-chief of the Right Office for Censorial Reform, became remonstrator. In the first spring month of the third year Chengyi was made Prince of Heng, Longji Prince of Chu, Longfan Prince of Wei, and Longye Prince of Zhao. In the second month Wei Siqian asked to retire and was allowed. In the fourth summer month Pei Judao became remonstrator and Zhang Guangfu, vice minister of summer affairs, joined the Phoenix Terrace as vice minister and chancellor. On gengwu Liu Yizhi was ordered to take his own life at home. In the eighth autumn month Wei Xuantong, minister of earth, was appointed acting remonstrator.

四年春二月，毀乾元殿，就其地造明堂。山東、河南甚饑乏，詔司屬卿王及善、司府卿歐陽通、冬官侍郎狄仁傑巡撫賑給。夏四月，魏王武承嗣偽造瑞石，文云：「聖母臨人，永昌帝業。」令雍州人唐同泰表稱獲之洛水。皇太后大悅，號其石為「寶圖」，擢授同泰遊擊將軍。

In the second spring month of the fourth year Qianyuan Hall was torn down and the Bright Hall raised in its place. With Shandong and Henan in famine, Wang Jishan, Ouyang Tong, and Di Renjie were sent to inspect, relieve, and provision the stricken regions. In the fourth summer month Prince Wu Chengsi of Wei forged a prophetic stone that read, "The Holy Mother rules mankind; the imperial house shall flourish forever." Tang Tongtai of Yongzhou reported its discovery in the Luo River. The empress dowager rejoiced, named the stone the Treasure Chart, and made Tongtai a general of the mobile guard.

五月，皇太后加尊號曰聖母神皇。秋七月，大赦天下。改「寶圖」曰「天授聖圖」，封洛水神為顯聖，加位特進，並立廟。就水側置永昌縣。天下大酺五日。八月壬寅，博州刺史、琅邪王沖據博州起兵，命左金吾大將軍丘神勣為行軍總管討之。庚戌，沖父豫州刺史、越王貞又舉兵於豫州，與沖相應。九月，命內史岑長倩、鳳閣侍郎張光輔、左監門大將軍鞠崇裕率兵討之。丙寅，斬貞及沖等，傳首神都，改姓為虺氏。曲赦博州。韓王元嘉、魯王靈夔、元嘉子黃國公譔、靈夔子左散騎常侍范陽王藹、霍王元軌及子江都王緒、故虢王元鳳子東莞公融坐與貞通謀，元嘉、靈夔自殺，元軌配流黔州，譔等伏誅，改姓虺氏。自是宗室諸王相繼誅死者，殆將盡矣。其子孫年幼者咸配流嶺外，誅其親党數百餘家。十二月己酉，神皇拜洛水，受「天授聖圖」，是日還宮。明堂成。

In the fifth month she took the added honorific Holy Mother, Divine Sovereign. In the seventh autumn month the court proclaimed a general amnesty. The Treasure Chart was retitled the Chart Bestowed by Heaven; the Luo spirit was enfeoffed Manifest Sage with special advancement and given a temple. Yongchang County was founded on the riverbank. The empire feasted for five days. On renyin of the eighth month Prince Chong of Langye, prefect of Bozhou, rebelled; Qiu Shenji of the left golden crow guard was named campaigning commander against him. On gengxu Chong's father Zhen, Prince of Yue and prefect of Yuzhou, rose at Yuzhou in support. In the ninth month Cen Changqian, Zhang Guangfu, and Ju Chongyu were ordered to march against them. On bingyin Zhen, Chong, and their fellows were executed; their heads were displayed in the Divine Capital and the clan renamed Hui. Bozhou alone received a partial amnesty. Princes Yuancheng of Han and Lingqian of Lu, their sons Chan and Ai, Prince Yuan'gui of Huo and his son Xu, and Rong of Dongguan, son of the late Prince Yuanfeng of Guo, were judged complicit with Zhen; Yuancheng and Lingqian took their own lives, Yuan'gui was exiled to Qianzhou, and the rest were executed—the clan renamed Hui. Thereafter imperial princes were killed in succession until the house was nearly extinct. Young heirs were exiled beyond the mountains; kin and allies of hundreds of families were put to death. On jiyou of the twelfth month the Divine Sovereign worshipped the Luo and received the Chart Bestowed by Heaven, then returned to court the same day. The Bright Hall was finished.

六月，令文武官五品已上各舉所知。秋七月，紀王慎被誣告謀反，載以檻車，流于巴州，改姓虺氏。韋待價坐遲留不進，士卒多饑饉而死，配流繡州。八月，左肅政御史大夫王本立同鳳閣鸞台三品。辛巳，誅內史張光輔。九月，納言魏玄同賜死於家。冬十月，春官尚書范履冰、鳳閣侍郎邢文偉並同鳳閣鸞台平章事。改羽林軍百騎為千騎。

In the sixth month every civil and military official of the fifth rank or higher was ordered to nominate a worthy man. In the seventh autumn month Prince Shen of Ji was denounced for treason, carted in a cage to Bazhou, and renamed Hui. Wei Daibao was punished for slow marching; his troops starved in great numbers, and he was exiled to Xiuzhou. In the eighth month Wang Benli, censor-in-chief of the Right Office for Censorial Reform, joined the third rank at Phoenix Pavilion and Terrace. On xinsi the court executed Grand Secretary Zhang Guangfu. In the ninth month Remonstrator Wei Xuantong was ordered to die at home. In the tenth winter month Fan Lubing and Xing Wenwei were both made chancellors of the Phoenix Terrace. The Imperial Guard's hundred riders were expanded to a thousand.

載初元年春正月，神皇親享明堂，大赦天下。依周制建子月為正月，改永昌元年十一月為載初元年正月，十二月為臘月，改舊正月為一月，大酺三日。神皇自以「曌」字為名，遂改詔書為制書。春一月，蘇良嗣為特進，武承嗣為文昌左相，岑長倩為文昌右相，裴居道為太子少傅，並依舊同鳳閣鸞台三品。鳳閣侍郎武攸甯為納言，邢文偉為內史。秋七月，殺豫章王亶，遷其父舒王元名於和州。有沙門十人偽撰《大雲經》，表上之，盛言神皇受命之事。制頒于天下，令諸州各置大雲寺，總度僧千人。丁亥，殺隨州刺史澤王上金、舒州刺史許王素節並其子數十人。

In the first spring month of Zaichu 1 the Divine Sovereign sacrificed at the Bright Hall and proclaimed a general amnesty. Adopting the Zhou calendar, the zi month opened the year; Yongchang 1's eleventh month became Zaichu 1's first month, the twelfth became the year-end month, and the old New Year month was redesignated the First Month; the court feasted for three days. Because she had adopted the character Zhao as her name, edicts were renamed imperial pronouncements. In the new first month Su Liangsi became special advancement; Wu Chengsi left minister of state; Cen Changqian right minister; Pei Judao junior tutor to the heir—all of third rank at Phoenix Pavilion and Terrace. Wu Youning became remonstrator; Xing Wenwei became grand secretary. In the seventh autumn month Prince Dan of Yuzhang was executed and his father Prince Yuanming of Shu was exiled to Hezhou. Ten monks forged the Great Cloud Sutra and presented it, proclaiming at length that Heaven had chosen the Divine Sovereign. A pronouncement ordered every prefecture to found a Great Cloud Monastery and ordain a thousand monks empire-wide. On dinghai Princes Shangjin of Ze and Sunjie of Xu, with dozens of their sons, were put to death.

九月九日壬午，革唐命，改國號為周。改元為天授，大赦天下，賜酺七日。乙酉，加尊號曰聖神皇帝，降皇帝為皇嗣。丙戌，初立武氏七廟於神都。追尊神皇父贈太尉、太原王士彠為孝明皇帝。兄子文昌左相承嗣為魏王，天官尚書三思為梁王，堂侄懿宗等十二人為郡王。司賓卿史務滋為納言，鳳閣侍郎宗秦客為內史。給事中傅遊藝為鸞台侍郎，仍依舊知鳳閣鸞台平章事。令史務滋等十人分道存撫天下。改內外官所佩魚並作龜。冬十月，改并州文水縣為武興縣，依漢豐、沛例，百姓子孫相承給復。

On renwu, the Double Ninth, Tang's mandate was cast off and the dynasty renamed Zhou. The era was renamed Tianshou; the court proclaimed a general amnesty and granted seven days of feasting. On yiyou she took the title Holy Divine Emperor and reduced the emperor to imperial heir. On bingxu the Wu ancestral shrine was founded in the Divine Capital for the first time. She posthumously ennobled her father Shi Yue—late grand marshal and Prince of Taiyuan—as Emperor Xiaoming. Her nephew Chengsi became Prince of Wei; Sizan, minister of celestial offices, Prince of Liang; and twelve kinsmen including Yizong were enfeoffed as commandery princes. Shi Wuzi, director of ceremonial guests, was made chief counselor; Zong Qinke, Fengge vice minister, Secretariat Director. Fu Youyi, palace attendant, became Luantai vice minister while keeping his Fengge-Luantai associate councilorship. She dispatched Shi Wuzi and ten others on separate circuits to comfort and inspect the realm. Court tally badges—fish for all inner and outer officials—were changed to turtles. In the tenth winter month Wenshui in Bingzhou became Wuxing County; like Han Feng and Pei, its people's descendants received hereditary tax relief.

二年正月，親祀明堂。春三月，改唐太廟為享德廟。夏四月，令釋教在道法之上，僧尼處道士女寇之前。六月，命岑長倩率諸軍討吐蕃。左肅政御史大夫格輔元為地官尚書，鸞台侍郎樂思晦並同鳳閣鸞台平章事。秋七月，徙關內雍、同等七州戶數十萬以實洛陽。分京兆置鼎、稷、鴻、宜四州。夏官尚書歐陽通知納言事。九月，傅遊藝下獄死。右羽林衛大將軍、建昌王攸寧為納言，洛州司馬狄仁傑為地官侍郎、同鳳閣鸞台平章事。

In the first month of her second year she personally sacrificed at the Bright Hall. In the third spring month the Tang ancestral temple was retitled the Temple of Honored Virtue. In the fourth summer month Buddhism was placed above the Way: monks and nuns took rank before Daoist priests and nuns. In the sixth month Cen Changqian was ordered to lead the armies against Tibet. Ge Fuyuan, left censor-in-chief, became minister of terrestrial offices; Yue Sihui, Luantai vice minister, joined the Fengge-Luantai council. In the seventh autumn month a hundred thousand households from seven Guanzhong circuits including Yong and Tong were relocated to swell Luoyang. Jingzhao was split into the four prefectures Ding, Ji, Hong, and Yi. Ouyang Tong, minister of summer offices, was assigned to handle chief counselor affairs. In the ninth month Fu Youyi was thrown into prison and died there. You Ning, right general of the Feathered Forest and Prince of Jianchang, became chief counselor; Di Renjie, Luozhou vice prefect, became terrestrial vice minister and Fengge-Luantai associate councilor.

冬十月，制官人者咸令自舉。殺文昌左相岑長倩、納言歐陽通、地官尚書格輔元。

In the tenth winter month an edict required every officeholder to nominate himself for appointment. Cen Changqian, left chancellor, Ouyang Tong, chief counselor, and Ge Fuyuan, minister of terrestrial offices, were put to death.

三年正月，親祀明堂。春一月，冬官尚書楊執柔同鳳閣鸞台平章事。三月，五天竺國並遣使朝貢。四月，大赦天下，改元為如意，禁斷天下屠殺。秋七月，大雨，洛水泛溢，漂流居人五千餘家，遣使巡問賑貸。八月，魏王承嗣為特進，建昌王攸寧為冬官尚書，楊執柔為地官尚書，並罷知政事。秋官侍郎崔元琮為鸞台侍郎，夏官侍郎李昭德為鳳閣侍郎，檢校天官侍郎姚璹為文昌左丞，地官侍郎李元素為文昌右丞，並同鳳閣鸞台平章事。九月，大赦天下，改元為長壽。改用九月為社，大酺七日。并州改置北都。冬十月，武威軍總管王孝傑大破吐蕃，復龜茲、於闐、疏勒、碎葉鎮。

In the first month of the third year she again sacrificed at the Bright Hall in person. In the first spring month Yang Zhirou, minister of winter offices, joined the Fengge-Luantai council. In the third month all five Indic realms sent envoys to court with tribute. In the fourth month she proclaimed a general amnesty, changed the era to Ruyi, and forbade slaughter throughout the realm. In the seventh autumn month heavy rains made the Luo overflow and swept away more than five thousand households; envoys were sent to inquire and grant relief. In the eighth month Prince of Wei Chengsi became special advance; Prince of Jianchang You Ning, minister of winter offices; Yang Zhirou, minister of terrestrial offices—all left the council. Cui Yuanzong became Luantai vice minister; Li Zhaode, Fengge vice minister; Yao Shuo, left secretariat aide; Li Yuansu, right secretariat aide—all joined the Fengge-Luantai council. In the ninth month she proclaimed a general amnesty and changed the era to Longevity. The autumn she rite was fixed in the ninth month, and the court feasted for seven days. Bingzhou was re-established as the Northern Capital. In the tenth winter month Wang Xiaojie, Wuwei protector-general, crushed Tibet and recovered Kucha, Khotan, Kashgar, and Suyab.

二年春一月，親享明堂。癸亥，殺皇嗣妃劉氏、竇氏。臘月，改封皇孫成器為壽春郡王，恆王成義為衡陽郡王，隆基為臨淄郡王，衛王隆範為巴陵郡王，隆業為彭城郡王。春二月，尚方監裴匪躬坐潛謁皇嗣，腰斬於都市。秋九月，上加金輪聖神皇帝號，大赦天下，大酺七日。辛丑，司賓卿豆盧欽望為內史，文昌右丞韋巨源同鳳閣鸞台平章事，秋官侍郎陸元方為鸞台侍郎、同鳳閣鸞台平章事。

In the first spring month of the second year she personally offered at the Bright Hall. On guihai the Imperial Heir's consorts, the Ladies Liu and Dou, were executed. In the twelfth month her grandsons were re-enfeoffed: Chengi Prince of Shouchun, Chengyi of Hengyang, Longji of Linzi, Longfan of Baling, Longye of Pengcheng. In the second spring month Pei Feigong, director of imperial manufactories, was cut in two at the waist in the marketplace for secretly visiting the Imperial Heir. In the ninth autumn month she took the added title Golden Wheel Sage Spirit Emperor, proclaimed amnesty, and feasted for seven days. On xinchou Doulu Qinwang became Secretariat Director; Wei Juyuan and Lu Yuanfang joined the Fengge-Luantai council.

三年春一月，親享明堂。三月，鳳閣侍郎李昭德檢校內史，鸞台侍郎蘇味道同鳳閣鸞台平章事。韋巨源為夏官侍郎，依舊知政事。四月，夏官尚書王孝傑同鳳閣鸞台三品。五月，上加尊號為越古金輪聖神皇帝，大赦天下，改元為延載，大酺七日。秋八月，司賓少卿姚璹為納言。左肅政御史中丞楊再思為鸞台侍郎，洛州司馬杜景儉為鳳閣侍郎，仍並同鳳閣鸞台平章事。梁王武三思勸率諸蕃酋長奏請大征斂東都銅鐵，造天樞於端門之外，立頌以紀上之功業。九月，內史李昭德左授欽州南賓縣尉。冬十月，文昌右丞李元素為鳳閣鸞台平章事。

Again in the first spring month of the third year she sacrificed at the Bright Hall in person. In the third month Li Zhaode became acting Secretariat Director; Su Weidao joined the Fengge-Luantai council. Wei Juyuan became summer offices vice minister while retaining his seat on the council. In the fourth month Wang Xiaojie, minister of summer offices, was made deliberative third rank with Fengge-Luantai. In the fifth month she added the title Transcendent Golden Wheel Sage Spirit Emperor, proclaimed amnesty, changed the era to Extended Reign, and feasted seven days. In the eighth autumn month Yao Shuo, vice director of ceremonial guests, became chief counselor. Yang Zaisi became Luantai vice minister and Du Jingjian Fengge vice minister; both joined the Fengge-Luantai council. Prince of Liang Wu Sizan urged the frontier chiefs to petition for a great levy of copper and iron in the eastern capital to cast the Celestial Axis outside the Vermilion Gate and raise a monument to her achievements. In the ninth month Li Zhaode was demoted to captain of Nanbin County in Qin Prefecture. In the tenth winter month Li Yuansu, right secretariat aide, joined the Fengge-Luantai council.

證聖元年春一月，上加尊號曰慈氏越古金輪聖神皇帝，大赦天下，改元，大酺七日。戊子，豆盧欽望、韋巨源、杜景儉、蘇味道、陸元方並左授趙、鄜、集、綏等州刺史。丙申夜，明堂災，至明而並從煨燼。庚子，以明堂災告廟，手詔責躬，令內外文武九品已上各上封事，極言正諫。春二月，上去慈氏越古尊號。秋九月，親祀南郊，加尊號天冊金輪聖神皇帝，大赦天下，改元為天冊萬歲，大辟罪已下及犯十惡常赦所不原者，咸赦除之，大酺九日。

In the first month of Proof of Sagacity 1 she added the title Maitreya Transcendent Golden Wheel Sage Spirit Emperor, proclaimed amnesty, changed the era, and feasted seven days. On wuzi Doulu Qinwang, Wei Juyuan, Du Jingjian, Su Weidao, and Lu Yuanfang were all demoted to prefects of Zhao, Fu, Ji, Sui, and the like. On bingshen night the Bright Hall caught fire; by dawn it was nothing but ash. On gengzi she reported the blaze to the ancestral temple, issued a hand-edict blaming herself, and ordered civil and military officials of the ninth rank and above to submit sealed memorials with the frankest remonstrance. In the second spring month she dropped the Maitreya and Transcendent portions of her title. In the ninth autumn month she sacrificed at the southern suburb, added the title Heaven-Enregistered Golden Wheel Sage Spirit Emperor, proclaimed amnesty even for capital crimes and the ten abominations, changed the era to Heaven-Enregistered Ten Thousand Years, and feasted nine days.

萬歲登封元年臘月甲申，上登封于嵩嶽，大赦天下，改元，大酺九日。丁亥，禪於少室山。己丑，又制內外官三品已上通前賜爵二等，四品已下加兩階。洛州百姓給復二年，登封、告成縣三年。癸巳，至自嵩嶽。甲午，親謁太廟。春三月，重造明堂成。夏四月，親享明堂，大赦天下，改元為萬歲通天，大酺七日。以天下大旱，命文武官九品以上極言時政得失。五月，營州城傍契丹首領松漠都督李盡忠與其妻兄歸誠州刺史孫萬榮殺都督趙文翽，舉兵反，攻陷營州。盡忠自號可汗。乙丑，命鷹揚將軍曹仁師、右金吾大將軍張玄遇、右武威大將軍李多祚、司農少卿麻仁節等二十八將討之。秋七月，命春官尚書、梁王三思為安撫大使，納言姚璹為之副。制改李盡忠為盡滅，孫萬榮為萬斬。秋八月，張玄遇、曹仁師、麻仁節與李盡滅戰于西硤石黃麞穀，官軍敗績，玄遇、仁節並為賊所虜。九月，命右武衛大將軍、建安王攸宜為大總管以討契丹。并州長史王方慶為鸞台侍郎，與殿中監李道廣並同鳳閣鸞台平章事。吐蕃寇涼州，都督許欽明為賊所執。庚申，王方慶為鳳閣侍郎，仍依舊知政事。李盡滅死，其党孫萬斬代領其眾。

On jiashen of the twelfth month in Ten Thousand Years Ascent-Feng 1 she performed the feng rite on Mount Song, proclaimed amnesty, changed the era, and feasted nine days. On dinghai she performed the shan rite at Mount Shaoshi. On jichou she decreed that officials of the third rank and above receive two noble ranks counting prior honors, and those of the fourth rank and below two steps in rank. The people of Luozhou received two years' tax relief; Dengfeng and Gaocheng counties, three. On guisi she returned from Mount Song. On jiawu she personally visited the ancestral temple. In the third spring month the Bright Hall was rebuilt. In the fourth summer month she offered at the Bright Hall, proclaimed amnesty, changed the era to Ten Thousand Years Penetrating Heaven, and feasted seven days. Because of a great drought throughout the realm, she ordered civil and military officials of the ninth rank and above to speak frankly on the gains and losses of current policy. In the fifth month the Khitan leader Li Jinzhong and his brother-in-law Sun Wanrong, governor of Guicheng, killed the protector Zhao Wenshui, rose in revolt, and seized Ying Prefecture. He proclaimed himself khan. On yichou she ordered twenty-eight generals, including Cao Renshi, Zhang Xuanyu, Li Duozuo, and Ma Renjie, to campaign against them. In the seventh autumn month Prince of Liang Wu Sizan was made pacification commissioner and Yao Shuo chief counselor his deputy. An edict changed Li Jinzhong's name to Li Exterminate-All and Sun Wanrong's to Sun Ten-Thousand-Beheadings. In the eighth autumn month Zhang Xuanyu, Cao Renshi, and Ma Renjie fought Li Exterminate-All at Huangzhang Valley west of Xiashi Pass; the government army was routed and Zhang and Ma were captured. In the ninth month Prince of Jian'an You Yi, right general of the Martial Guard, was made grand commander to campaign against the Khitan. Wang Fangqing, Bingzhou chief administrator, became Luantai vice minister; Li Daoguang, palace director, joined the Fengge-Luantai council. Tibet raided Liang Prefecture and captured its protector Xu Qinming. On gengshen Wang Fangqing became Fengge vice minister while retaining his seat on the council. Li Exterminate-All died, and Sun Ten-Thousand-Beheadings took command of the rebels.

冬十月，孫萬斬攻陷冀州，刺史陸寶積死之。十一月，又陷瀛州屬縣。

In the tenth winter month Sun Ten-Thousand-Beheadings seized Ji Prefecture and killed its governor Lu Baoji. In the eleventh month he also overran the counties subordinate to Ying Prefecture.

二年正月，親享明堂。鳳閣侍郎李元素、夏官侍郎孫元亨坐與綦連耀謀反，伏誅。原州都督府司馬婁師德為鳳閣侍郎、同鳳閣鸞台平章事。春二月，王孝傑、蘇宏暉等率兵十八萬與孫萬斬戰于硤石谷，王師敗績，孝傑沒於陣，宏暉棄甲而遁。夏四月，鑄九鼎成，置於明堂之庭，前益州大都督府長史王及善為內史。五月，命右金吾大將軍、河內王懿宗為大總管，右肅政御史大夫婁師德為副大總管，右武威衛大將軍沙吒忠義為前軍總管，率兵二十萬以討孫萬斬。

In the first month of the second year she personally offered at the Bright Hall. Li Yuansu, Fengge vice minister, and Sun Yuanheng, summer offices vice minister, were executed for plotting rebellion with Qilian Yao. Lou Shide, Bingzhou protector staff officer, became Fengge vice minister and Fengge-Luantai associate councilor. In the second spring month Wang Xiaojie and Su Honghui led a hundred and eighty thousand men against Sun Ten-Thousand-Beheadings at Xiashi Valley; the imperial army was crushed, Wang Xiaojie fell in battle, and Su Honghui fled without his armor. In the fourth summer month the Nine Cauldrons were cast and set up in the Bright Hall courtyard; Wang Jishan, former chief administrator of Yizhou, became Secretariat Director. In the fifth month Prince of Henei Wu Yizong was made grand commander, Lou Shide deputy grand commander, and Shazha Zhongyi vanguard commander, with two hundred thousand men to campaign against Sun Ten-Thousand-Beheadings.

八月，突厥默啜以延秀非唐室諸王，乃囚於別所，率眾與閻知微入寇媯、檀等州。命司屬卿高平王重規、右武威衛大將軍沙吒忠義、幽州都督張仁亶、右羽林衛大將軍李多祚等率兵二十萬逆擊，乃放延秀還。己丑，默啜攻陷定州，刺史孫彥高死之，焚燒百姓廬舍，遇害者數千人。魏王承嗣卒。庚子，梁王三思為內史，狄仁傑為納言。九月，建昌王攸寧同鳳閣鸞台平章事。默啜攻陷趙州，刺史高睿遇害。丙子，廬陵王哲為皇太子，令依舊名顯，大赦天下，大酺五日。令納言狄仁傑為河北道行軍元帥。辛巳，皇太子謁太廟。天官侍郎蘇味道鳳閣侍郎、同鳳閣鸞台平章事。癸未，默啜盡殺所掠趙、定州男女萬餘人，從五回道而去，所至殘害，不可勝紀。

In the eighth month the Turkic khan Mojie, holding that Wu Yanxiu was no prince of the Tang house, imprisoned him separately and led his horde with Yan Zhiwei to raid Gui and Tan and other prefectures. She ordered Prince of Gaoping Chonggui, Shazha Zhongyi, Zhang Renyan, and Li Duozuo and others to lead two hundred thousand men against them, whereupon Yanxiu was released. On jichou Mojie seized Ding Prefecture; Governor Sun Yan'gao was killed, commoners' houses burned, and thousands perished. Prince of Wei Chengsi passed away. On gengzi Wu Sizan became Secretariat Director and Di Renjie chief counselor. In the ninth month Prince of Jianchang You Ning joined the Fengge-Luantai council. Mojie seized Zhao Prefecture and killed its governor Gao Rui. On bingzi Prince of Luling Zhe was made crown prince and ordered to resume his former name Xian; amnesty was proclaimed and the court feasted five days. Di Renjie was ordered to serve as Hebei campaign marshal. On xinsi the crown prince visited the ancestral temple. Su Weidao, celestial offices vice minister, became Fengge vice minister and Fengge-Luantai associate councilor. On guiwei Mojie slaughtered more than ten thousand men and women he had seized in Zhao and Ding and withdrew by the Five-Turns road, ravaging everywhere he passed beyond count.

冬十月，夏官侍郎姚元崇、麟台少監李嶠並同鳳閣鸞台平章事。是月，閻知微自突厥叛歸，族誅之。

In the tenth winter month Yao Yuanchong, summer offices vice minister, and Li Qiao, vice director of the Forest Terrace, joined the Fengge-Luantai council. That same month Yan Zhiwei fled back from the Turks; his entire clan was executed to the last man.

二年春二月，封皇嗣旦為相王。初為寵臣張易之及其弟昌宗置控鶴府官員，尋改為奉宸府，班在御史大夫下。左肅政御史中丞魏元忠為鳳閣侍郎，吉頊為天官侍郎，並同鳳閣鸞台平章事。戊子，幸嵩山，過王子晉廟。丙申，幸緱山。丁酉，至自嵩山。

In the second spring month of the second year the Imperial Heir Dan was enfeoffed as Prince of Xiang. She first established the Control-Crane Bureau for her favorites Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong; it was soon renamed the Attendant-Court Bureau, ranking just below the censor-in-chief. Wei Yuanzhong, left censor, became Fengge vice minister, and Ji Xu celestial vice minister; both joined the Fengge-Luantai council. On wuzi she went to Mount Song and passed the shrine of Prince Zijin. On bingshen she visited Mount Gou. On dingyou she returned from Mount Song.

夏四月，吐蕃大論贊婆來奔。秋七月，上以春秋高，慮皇太子、相王與梁王武三思、定王武攸寧等不協，令立誓文於明堂。八月，王及善為文昌左相，豆盧欽望為文昌右相，仍並同鳳閣鸞台三品。冬十月乙亥，幸福昌縣。王及善薨。

In the fourth summer month Zanpo, Tibet's grand councilor, fled to the court. In the seventh month, now aged, the Emperor feared strife between the crown prince, the Prince of Xiang, and the Liang Prince Wu Sansi, the Prince of Ding Wu Youning, and their factions; she had them swear an oath in the Bright Hall. In the eighth month Wang Jishan was made left director of the Wenchang Platform and Dou Lu Qinwang right director, each retaining third-rank standing at Fengge and Luantai. On yihai of the tenth winter month she visited Xingfuchang County. Wang Jishan died at court.

三年正月戊寅，梁王三思為特進，天官侍郎吉頊配流嶺表。臘月辛巳，封皇太子男重潤為邵王。狄仁傑為內史。戊寅，幸汝州之溫湯。甲戌，至自溫湯、造三陽宮於嵩山。春三月，李嶠為鸞台侍郎，知政事如故。

On wuyin of the first month of the third year Wu Sansi of Liang was promoted to specially advanced rank and Ji Xu, vice minister of the palace ministry, was banished to Lingbiao. In the twelfth month, on xinsi, the crown prince's son Chongrun was created Prince of Shao. Di Renjie was appointed director of the Secretariat. On wuyin she traveled to the hot springs at Wen in Ruzhou. On jiaxu she returned from the springs and ordered the Three Yang Palace built on Mount Song. In the third spring month Li Qiao was made vice minister of Luantai and kept his previous duties in government.

夏四月戊申，幸三陽宮。五月癸丑，上以所疾康復，大赦天下，改元為久視，停金輪等尊號，大酺五日。六月，魏元忠為左肅政御史大夫，仍舊知政事。是夏大旱。秋七月，至自三陽宮。天官侍郎張錫為鳳閣侍郎、同鳳閣鸞台平章事；其甥鳳閣鸞台平章事李嶠為成均祭酒，罷知政事。壬寅，制曰：「隋尚書令楊素，昔在本朝，早荷殊遇。稟凶邪之德，有諂佞之才，惑亂君上，離間骨肉。搖動塚嫡，寧唯握蠱之禍；誘扇後主，卒成請蹯之釁。隋室喪亡，蓋惟多僻，究其萌兆，職此之由。生為不忠之人，死為不義之鬼，身雖倖免，子竟族誅。斯則奸逆之謀，是為庭訓；險薄之行，遂成門風。刑戮雖加，枝胤仍在，何得肩隨近侍，齒列朝行？朕接統百王，恭臨四海，上嘉賢佐，下惡賊臣。常欲從容于萬機之余，褒貶於千載之外，況年代未遠，耳目所存者乎！其楊素及兄弟子孫已下，並不得令任京官及侍衛。」九月，內史狄仁傑卒。冬十月甲寅，復舊正朔，改一月為正月，仍以為歲首，正月依舊為十一月，大赦天下。韋巨源為地官尚書，文昌左丞韋安石為鸞台侍郎、同鳳閣鸞台平章事。丁卯，幸新安，曲赦其縣。壬申，至自新安。十二月，開屠禁，諸祠祭令依舊用牲牢。

On wushen of the fourth summer month she went to the Three Yang Palace. On guichou of the fifth month, declaring herself recovered, she proclaimed a general amnesty, renamed the era Jiusi, dropped the Golden Wheel and other exalted titles, and granted five days of public revelry. In the sixth month Wei Yuanzhong was made left censor-in-chief of the Bureau of Integrity while retaining his seat in government. That summer a severe drought struck. In the seventh month she returned from the Three Yang Palace. Zhang Xi, vice minister of the palace ministry, was made Fengge vice minister and co-equal chief minister of Fengge and Luantai; his nephew Li Qiao, chief minister of Fengge and Luantai, was made rector of the Directorate of Education and left the council of state. On renyin an edict declared: "Yang Su, Sui minister-over-ministers, once served this dynasty and in youth received exceptional grace. He carried a treacherous heart and a flatterer's wit; he bewildered his lord and set kin against kin. He unsettled the lawful heir—as if grasping witchcraft were not crime enough. He goaded the later sovereign until the offense of begging flesh from one's own body was fully ripened. The house of Sui fell because wickedness multiplied; trace the first seed of ruin and it leads here. Living, he was faithless; dead, he is an unrighteous ghost. Though he himself was spared, his sons were wiped out to the last clan. Thus treachery became the lesson taught at home; cunning and shallow conduct became the family way. Though the law struck them down, their line still stood—how could their descendants walk shoulder to shoulder with close attendants and take their places in court? We, inheriting the hundred kings and facing the four seas in reverence, honor the worthy above and hate traitors below. We have long wished, between the myriad affairs, to judge the dead across a thousand years—how much more when the age is near and the living still remember! Yang Su and his brothers' sons and grandsons and all below them are forbidden to hold office in the capital or serve as palace guards. In the ninth month Di Renjie, director of the Secretariat, died. On jiayin of the tenth winter month she restored the old calendar, made the first month again the year's beginning and the former first month the eleventh, and proclaimed a general amnesty. Wei Juyuan was made minister of earth; Wei Anshi, left assistant of Wenchang, was made Luantai vice minister and co-equal chief minister. On dingmao she visited Xin'an and granted a partial amnesty to the county. On renshen she returned from Xin'an. In the twelfth month she lifted the ban on slaughter; all sacrifices were again to use oxen and sheep.

大足元年春正月，制改元。二月，鸞台侍郎李懷遠同鳳閣鸞台平章事。三月，姚元崇為鳳閣侍郎，依舊知政事。丙申，鳳閣侍郎張錫坐贓配循州。夏五月，幸三陽宮。命左肅政御史大夫魏元忠為總管以備突厥。天官侍郎顧琮同鳳閣鸞台平章事。六月，夏官侍郎李迥秀同鳳閣鸞台平章事。辛未，曲赦告成縣。秋七月甲戌，至自三陽宮。九月，邵王重潤為易之讒構，令自死。

In the first year of Dazu, on the first spring month, an edict changed the era name. In the second month Li Huaiyuan, vice minister of Luantai, joined the council as co-equal chief minister. In the third month Yao Yuanchong was made Fengge vice minister and kept his seat in government. On bingshen Zhang Xi, Fengge vice minister, was banished to Xun Prefecture on a charge of graft. In the fifth summer month she went to the Three Yang Palace. She ordered Wei Yuanzhong, left censor-in-chief, to serve as commander-in-chief against the Turks. Gu Cong, vice minister of the palace ministry, joined the council as co-equal chief minister. In the sixth month Li Jiongxiu, vice minister of the summer office, joined the council as co-equal chief minister. On xinwei she granted a partial amnesty to Gaocheng County. On jiaxu of the seventh month she returned from the Three Yang Palace. In the ninth month Prince of Shao Chongrun, framed by Zhang Yizhi, was ordered to kill himself.

冬十月，幸京師，大赦天下，改元為長安。

In the tenth winter month she went to the capital, proclaimed a general amnesty, and renamed the era Chang'an.

二年春正月，突厥寇鹽、夏等州，殺掠人吏。秋九月乙丑，日有蝕之，不盡如鉤，京師及四方見之。冬十月，日本國遣使貢方物。十一月，相王旦為司徒。戊子，親祀南郊，大赦天下。

In the first month of the second year the Turks raided Yan, Xia, and other prefectures, slaughtering officials and people. On yichou of the ninth month the sun was eclipsed, not quite to a hook; the capital and the realm beheld it. In the tenth winter month Japan sent envoys with tribute. In the eleventh month the Prince of Xiang, Dan, was made minister of works. On wuzi she sacrificed at the Southern Suburb in person and proclaimed a general amnesty.

三年春三月壬戌，日有蝕之。夏四月庚子，相王旦表讓司徒，許之。改文昌台為中台。李嶠知納言事。六月，寧州雨，山水暴漲，漂流二千餘家，溺死者千餘人。秋七月，殺右金吾大將軍唐休璟。秋九月，正諫大夫硃敬則同鳳閣鸞台平章事。戊申，相王旦為雍州牧。是月，御史大夫兼知政事、太子右庶子魏元忠為張昌宗所譖，左授端州高要尉。京師大雨雹，人畜有凍死者。冬十月丙寅，駕還神都。乙酉，至自京師。

On renxu of the third spring month of the third year the sun was eclipsed. On gengzi of the fourth summer month the Prince of Xiang, Dan, asked to resign as minister of works and was allowed. The court renamed the Wenchang Platform the Central Platform. Li Qiao took charge of the directorate of proclamations. In the sixth month Ning Prefecture was flooded; mountain torrents swept away more than two thousand households and drowned more than a thousand people. In the seventh month Tang Xiujing, right general of the golden guards, was put to death. In the ninth month Zhu Jingze, direct remonstrator, joined the council as co-equal chief minister. On wushen the Prince of Xiang, Dan, was made governor of Yong Prefecture. That month Wei Yuanzhong, censor-in-chief, councilor, and right vice tutor to the heir, was slandered by Zhang Changzong and demoted to defender of Gaoyao in Duan Prefecture. A great hailstorm struck the capital; people and livestock froze to death. On bingyin of the tenth winter month the court returned to Shendu. On yiyou she returned from the capital.

四年春正月，造興泰宮于壽安縣之萬安山。天官侍郎韋嗣立為鳳閣侍郎、同鳳閣鸞台平章事。硃敬則請致仕，許之。三月，進封平恩郡王重福為譙王，夏官侍郎宗楚客同鳳閣鸞台平章事。夏四月，韋安石知納言事，李嶠知內史事。丙子，幸興泰宮六月，天官侍郎崔玄暐同鳳閣鸞台平章事；李嶠為國子祭酒，知政事如故。七月丙戌，楊再思為內史。甲午，至自興泰宮。宗楚客左授原州都督。

In the first spring month of the fourth year she built Xingtai Palace on Mount Wan'an in Shou'an County. Wei Silizhi, vice minister of the palace ministry, was made Fengge vice minister and co-equal chief minister. Zhu Jingze asked to retire and was permitted. In the third month Chongfu, prince of Ping'en commandery, was raised to prince of Qiao, and Zong Chuke, vice minister of the summer office, joined the council as co-equal chief minister. In the fourth summer month Wei Anshi took charge of proclamations and Li Qiao took charge of the Secretariat. On bingzi she visited Xingtai Palace. In the sixth month Cui Xuanwei, vice minister of the palace ministry, joined the council as co-equal chief minister; Li Qiao was made rector of the Directorate of Education while retaining his seat in government. On bingxu of the seventh month Yang Zaisi was appointed director of the Secretariat. On jiawu she returned from Xingtai Palace. Zong Chuke was demoted and sent to govern Yuan Prefecture.

八月，姚元崇為司僕卿，知政事；韋安石檢校揚州大都督府長史。冬十月，秋官侍郎張柬之同鳳閣鸞台平章事。十一月，李嶠為地官尚書，張柬之為鳳閣鸞台平章事。自九月至於是，日夜陰晦，大雨雪，都中人有饑凍死者，令官司開倉賑給。

In the eighth month Yao Yuanchong was made director of palace studs and kept his seat in government; Wei Anshi was made acting governor-general of Yangzhou metropolitan prefecture. In the tenth winter month Zhang Jianzhi, vice minister of the autumn office, joined the council as co-equal chief minister. In the eleventh month Li Qiao was made minister of earth and Zhang Jianzhi chief minister of Fengge and Luantai. From the ninth month until now the skies stayed dark; heavy snow and rain fell; in the capital some froze or starved; the court ordered the granaries opened for relief.

神龍元年春正月，大赦，改元。上不豫，制自文明元年已後得罪人，除揚、豫、博三州及諸逆魁首，咸赦除之。癸亥，麟台監張易之與弟司僕卿昌宗反，皇太子率左右羽林軍桓彥範、敬暉等，以羽林兵入禁中誅之。甲辰，皇太子監國，總統萬機，大赦天下。是日，上傳皇帝位於皇太子，徙居上陽宮。戊申，皇帝上尊號曰則天大聖皇帝。冬十一月壬寅，則天將大漸，遺制祔廟、歸陵，令去帝號，稱則天大聖皇后；其王、蕭二家及褚遂良、韓瑗等子孫親屬當時緣累者，咸令復業。是日，崩于上陽宮之仙居殿，年八十三，諡曰則天大聖皇后。二年五月庚申，祔葬於乾陵。睿宗即位，詔依上元年故事，號為天后，未幾，追尊為大聖天后，改號為則天皇太后。太后嘗召文學之士周思茂、範履冰、衛敬業，令撰《玄覽》及《古今內範》各百卷，《青宮紀要》、《少陽政範》各三十卷，《維城典訓》、《鳳樓新誡》、《孝子列女傳》各二十卷，《內軌要略》、《樂書要錄》各十卷，《百僚新誡》、《兆人本業》各五卷，《臣範》兩卷，《垂拱格》四卷，並文集一百二十卷，藏于秘閣。

In the first year of Shenlong, on the first spring month, she proclaimed a general amnesty and changed the era name. The Emperor fell ill; she decreed that from the era of Civil Exaltation onward all the condemned—save the three prefectures of Yang, Yu, and Bo and the ringleaders of rebellion—were pardoned and released. On guhai Zhang Yizhi, director of Lintai, and his brother Changzong, director of palace studs, rose in rebellion; the crown prince led the left and right forest guards—Huan Yanfan, Jing Hui, and others—into the inner palace with armored troops and put them to death. On jiazi the crown prince assumed regency over all affairs of state and a general amnesty was proclaimed. That same day the Emperor abdicated in favor of the crown prince and withdrew to Shangyang Palace. On wushen the Emperor was honored as August Emperor Zetian the Great Sage. On renyin of the eleventh winter month Zetian was failing; her testament ordered temple enshrinement and burial in the imperial tomb, and stripped away the title of emperor—she was to be styled Empress Zetian the Great Sage; the Wang and Xiao clans and the sons, grandsons, and kin of Chu Suiliang, Han Yuan, and others implicated in those days were all ordered restored to their professions. That day she died in the Hall of Immortal Dwelling at Shangyang Palace, aged eighty-three; her posthumous title was Empress Zetian the Great Sage. On gengshen of the fifth month of the second year she was enshrined and buried at Qianling. When Emperor Ruizong ascended, an edict following the Shangyuan precedent styled her Empress of Heaven; soon she was posthumously honored Great Sage Empress of Heaven, then retitled Empress Dowager Zetian. The empress dowager once summoned the scholars Zhou Simao, Fan Lübing, and Wei Jingye and ordered them to compile the Mysterious Overview and the Inner Canon of Past and Present at one hundred scrolls each; the Essentials of the Eastern Palace and the Standards of the Young Yang at thirty each; the Canon of the Moated City, the New Admonitions of the Phoenix Tower, and the Biographies of Filial Sons and Exemplary Women at twenty each; the Essentials of Inner Rule and the Essentials of Music at ten each; the New Admonitions for the Hundred Officials and the Basic Occupations of the Myriad People at five each; the Model for Ministers in two scrolls; the Chuihong Regulations in four; and her collected writings in one hundred twenty scrolls—all lodged in the secret archive.

史臣曰：治亂，時也，存亡，勢也。使桀、紂在上，雖十堯不能治；使堯、舜在上，雖十桀不能亂；使懦夫女子乘時得勢，亦足坐制群生之命，肆行不義之威。觀夫武氏稱制之年，英才接軫，靡不痛心于家索，扼腕于朝危，竟不能報先帝之恩，衛吾君之子。俄至無辜被陷，引頸就誅，天地為籠，去將安所？悲夫！昔掩鼻之讒，古稱其毒；人彘之酷，世以為冤。武后奪嫡之謀也，振喉絕繈褓之兒，菹醢碎椒塗之骨，其不道也甚矣，亦奸人妒婦之恆態也。然猶泛延讜議，時禮正人。初雖牝雞司晨，終能復子明辟，飛語辯元忠之罪，善言慰仁傑之心，尊時憲而抑幸臣，聽忠言而誅酷吏。有旨哉，有旨哉！

The historian writes: Whether the age is ordered or chaotic depends on the times; whether a house survives or falls depends on circumstance. Had Jie and Zhou held the throne, even ten Yao could not have brought order; had Yao and Shun held it, even ten Jie could not have thrown the realm into chaos; let a timid man or a woman seize the moment and gain power, and it is enough to sit in command of every life and wield unrighteous might at will. In the years of Wu's rule, talent crowded the court in endless file, yet all grieved for ruined houses and clenched their fists at a court in peril—still they could not repay the late emperor's grace or defend their sovereign's son. Soon the innocent were trapped, necks offered to the blade—Heaven and Earth themselves were the cage; where could they flee? How lamentable! The old tale of the nose-covering slander was called poison itself; the horror of the Human Pig the world counted as a crying wrong. In her bid for the throne she strangled babes in their wraps and ground the bones of rival consorts to paste—wicked beyond measure, yet the old habit of a jealous, vicious woman. Still she kept frank counsel in circulation and at times paid honor to upright men. Though at first the hen ruled the dawn, in the end she restored her son and set the throne in order; she answered slander to clear Yuan Zhong, soothed Ren Jie with gracious words, exalted the law of the time and reined in favorites, heeded loyal counsel and put cruel officers to death. There is truth in this—truth indeed!

贊曰：龍漦易貌，丙殿昌儲。胡為穹昊，生此夔魖？奪攘神器，穢褻皇居。窮妖白首，降鑒何如。

【Eulogy】 The eulogy says: Dragon seed took another face; the eastern palace swelled with heirs. Why did Heaven above breed this ogre and goblin? She snatched the sacred vessel and fouled the imperial halls. Her demonry ran to a white-haired end—what verdict will Heaven hand down?

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