Sui and Tang · Tang Empress and Ruler

Empress Wu 武後

Wǔ Hòu

Attested AD 701 - AD 704

Passages: 4
Chapters: 1
Histories: 1

Overview

Empress Wu was a Tang Empress and Ruler.

Life and dates

Attested activity

AD 701 to AD 704 長安中
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passages 157-158

Places and affiliations

Polity Tang 唐 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 158

Events and relationships

Built Xingtai Palace on Mount Wanan
Construction · Commissioner
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 158
Rejected remonstrance
Political · Ruler · With Lu Zangyong (盧藏用)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 165

References in the histories

New Book of Tang, Chapter 123Volume 123 Biographies 48: Li, Xiao, Lu, Wei, Zhao, He · 4 passages

武後作興泰宮於萬安山，上疏諫曰：「陛下離宮別觀固多矣，又窮人力以事土木，臣恐議者以陛下為不愛人而奉己也。 When Empress Wu built the Xingtai Palace on Mount Wan'an, he remonstrated: "Your Majesty already has many detached palaces; to exhaust human labor again on timber and earth—I fear critics will say you do not love the people but serve yourself.

陛下巡幸，訖靡休息，斤斧之役，歲月不空，不因此時施德布化，而又廣宮苑，臣恐下未易堪。 Your tours never cease; timber work never leaves the year idle. If you do not spread virtue at such a time but instead expand palaces and parks, I fear the people cannot bear it.

今左右近臣，以諛意為忠，犯忤為患，至令陛下不知百姓失業，百姓亦不知左右傷陛下之仁也。 Those near you take flattery for loyalty and offense for harm, until you do not know the people's loss of livelihood and the people do not know how your courtiers wound your benevolence.

陛下誠能發明制，以勞人為辭，則天下必以為愛力而苦己也。 If Your Majesty issues a clear edict citing the burden on the people, the realm will surely see you as loving their strength yet suffering for yourself.