Tang Annals 20
Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government, Volume 204
Volume 204 [Tang Records 20] Beginning from the year dinghai (687 AD) and ending in the year xinmao (691 AD), covering a total of five years.
Empress Zetian Shunsheng, Part 1, Subsection: Chuigong Third Year (dinghai, 687 AD)
Spring, intercalary first month, day dingmao: The emperor’s sons Li Chengmei was enfeoffed as Prince of Heng, Li Longji as Prince of Chu, Li Longfan as Prince of Wei, and Li Longye as Prince of Zhao.
Second month, day bingchen: The Tujue (Turks) Gudulu and others invaded Changping. The court ordered the Left Eagle Strike General Heichi Changzhi to lead various armies to attack them.
Third month, day yichou: The Nayan (Grand Councilor) Wei Siqian retired with the honorary title of Grand Master for Palace Attendance.
Summer, fourth month: Su Liangsi was ordered to remain in the western capital (Chang’an) as (acting governor). At that time, the Shangfang Director Pei Feigong was in charge of inspecting the imperial parks and gardens, and he planned to sell the vegetables and fruits from the parks to profit. Su Liangsi said: "In the past, Gongyi Xiu, when serving as Chancellor of the state of Lu, still pulled up the sunflower plants in his own garden and dismissed his wife who wove silk (to show he would not compete with the people for profit). It has never been heard that the Son of Heaven, ruler of ten thousand chariots, would sell vegetables and fruits." Thus, the matter was stopped.
Day renxu: Pei Judao was appointed Nayan.
Fifth month, day bingyin: The Vice Minister of War, Jingzhao native Zhang Guangfu, was appointed Vice Director of the Phoenix Pavilion and co-manager of affairs.
The Vice Director of the Phoenix Pavilion and co-manager of affairs of the Phoenix Pavilion and Orchid Terrace, Liu Yizhi, privately said to the Phoenix Pavilion Secretary, Yongnian native Jia Dayin: "Since the Empress Dowager has deposed the foolish ruler and established a wise one, why must she still hold court and exercise the emperor’s authority? It would be better to return the government to the emperor to stabilize the hearts of the people." Jia Dayin secretly reported these words to the Empress Dowager, who was displeased and said to those around her: "Liu Yizhi was promoted by me, yet he turns against me!" Someone falsely accused Liu Yizhi of receiving gold from the Guicheng Prefectural Governor Sun Wanrong and also of having an illicit relationship with Xu Jingzong’s concubine. The Empress Dowager ordered the Suzhou Prefectural Governor Wang Benli to interrogate him. When Wang Benli read the Empress Dowager’s edict to Liu Yizhi, Liu Yizhi said: "This has not been issued through the Phoenix Pavilion and Orchid Terrace (the Central Secretariat and Chancellery); what kind of edict is this?" The Empress Dowager was enraged, considering this a defiance of the imperial envoy. On day gengwu, she ordered him to commit suicide at home. When Liu Yizhi was first imprisoned, Emperor Ruizong (Li Dan) submitted a petition pleading for him, and his relatives and friends congratulated him. Liu Yizhi said: "This precisely hastens my death." On the eve of his execution, he bathed, changed clothes, and remained calm and composed. He personally drafted a memorial of thanks, writing several sheets in one go. The Orchid Terrace Gentleman Guo Han and the Tutor for the Heir Apparent Zhou Sijun praised and admired his writings. When the Empress Dowager heard of this, she demoted Guo Han to Judicial Administrator of Wuzhou and Zhou Sijun to Warehouse Administrator of Bozhou.
Autumn, seventh month, day renchen: Wei Xuantong was appointed acting Nayan.
The native households of the Li people in Lingnan had originally only paid half the taxes. The Jiaozhi Protector Liu Yanyou forced them to pay the full amount. The Li households refused to comply, and Liu Yanyou killed their chief. Their followers, led by Li Sishen and others, rebelled, broke into the Annan Protectorate city, and killed Liu Yanyou. The Guizhou Marshal Cao Xuanjing led troops to attack Li Sishen and his followers, and beheaded them.
The Tujue Gudulu and Yuanzhen invaded Shuozhou. The court dispatched the Yanshan Circuit Grand Commander Heichi Changzhi to attack them, appointing the Right Eagle Strike General Li Duozuo as deputy. They heavily defeated the Tujue army at Huanghua Mound, pursuing them for over forty li, and the Tujue troops scattered and fled north of the desert. Li Duozuo had for generations been the chieftain of the Mohe tribe and had entered the palace as a guard due to military merit. Whenever Heichi Changzhi received rewards, he distributed them to his officers and soldiers. When a fine horse was injured by a soldier, his subordinate officials requested that the soldier be flogged. Heichi Changzhi said: "How can I flog an officer or soldier over a private horse?" Ultimately, he did not pursue the matter.
Ninth month, day jimao: Yang Chucheng of Guozhou falsely claimed to be a General of the Guards and forged an imperial decree in the marketplace to recruit men to go to Fangzhou to welcome Prince Luling (Li Xian). The matter was discovered, and he was executed.
Winter, tenth month, day gengzi: The Deputy General of the Right Palace Gate Guard, Cuan Baobi, engaged in battle with the Tujue Gudulu and Yuanzhen. His entire army was annihilated, and Cuan Baobi alone escaped on light horseback.
Cuan Baobi, seeing that Heichi Changzhi had achieved merit, submitted a memorial requesting to pursue the remaining Tujue bandits to exhaustion. The Empress Dowager issued an edict ordering him to consult with Heichi Changzhi and to provide remote support. Cuan Baobi, wanting to claim all the merit, did not wait for Heichi Changzhi and set out first with a crack force of 13,000 men. After advancing over 2,000 li beyond the border, he intended to make a surprise attack on the Tujue tribes. Upon arrival, he first sent people to inform them, allowing the Tujue to prepare a strong defense. The armies engaged, and the Tang forces suffered a great defeat. The Empress Dowager executed Cuan Baobi and changed Gudulu’s name to Buzulu.
Wei Xuantong was ordered to remain in the western capital (Chang’an).
Wu Chengsi again sent people to falsely accuse Li Xiaoyi of saying: "My name contains the character ‘tu’ (rabbit); the rabbit is a creature of the moon, and therefore I should have the Mandate of Heaven (a share of the imperial destiny)." Because Li Xiaoyi had merit, the Empress Dowager, on day wuyin of the eleventh month, commuted his death sentence, stripped him of his office and title, and exiled him to Danzhou, where he later died.
The Empress Dowager planned to send Wei Shidai to lead an army to attack Tubo (Tibet). The Vice Director of the Phoenix Pavilion, Wei Fangzhi, submitted a memorial requesting that, according to old regulations, imperial censors be dispatched to supervise the army. The Empress Dowager said: "In ancient times, when wise rulers dispatched generals, they entrusted all matters outside the camp to them. Recently, I have heard that when imperial censors supervise the army, both great and small military matters must be reported and requested from the censors. This subordinates the superior to the inferior and is not a good system. Moreover, how can we expect generals to achieve merit under such circumstances?" Thus, the proposal was abandoned.
This year, there was a great famine across the empire, especially severe in the Shandong and Guannei regions.
Empress Zetian Shunsheng, Part 1, Subsection: Chuigong Fourth Year (wuzi, 688 AD)
Spring, first month, day jiazi: Three ancestral temples for Gaozu, Taizong, and Gaozong were established in the divine capital (Luoyang), with seasonal sacrificial ceremonies identical to those in the western temple. Additionally, a Chongxian Temple was built to honor the ancestors of the Wu clan. The Empress Dowager ordered the relevant authorities to discuss the number of chambers for the Chongxian Temple. The Director of Ceremonies, Zhou Cong, requested the establishment of seven chambers and simultaneously proposed reducing the Tang imperial temple to five chambers. The Vice Minister of Rites, Jia Dayin, submitted a memorial stating: "According to ritual, the Son of Heaven has seven temples, and the feudal lords have five temples. This is an unchanging principle for a hundred kings. Now, Zhou Cong frivolously cites exaggerated arguments to expand divergent theories, merely promoting temporary rites suited to regency and not following the state’s constant laws. The Empress Dowager personally received the late emperor’s trust and has glorified and expanded the way of governance. The number of chambers for the Chongxian Temple should follow the standard for feudal lords, and the state’s ancestral temples should not be altered arbitrarily." The Empress Dowager then stopped the matter.
During the reigns of Taizong and Gaozong, there were repeated attempts to build a Bright Hall (Mingtang). Confucian scholars debated its design, but no decision was reached, and the plans were abandoned. When the Empress Dowager assumed regency, she discussed the design only with the Northern Gate Scholars and did not consult the Confucian scholars. The Confucian scholars held that the Bright Hall should be built to the south of the capital, in the bing-si direction, three li outside and seven li inside. The Empress Dowager considered this too far from the palace. On day gengwu of the second month, she demolished the Qianyuan Hall and built the Bright Hall on its site, appointing the monk Huaiyi as overseer, employing tens of thousands of laborers in total.
Summer, fourth month, day wuxu: The Heir Apparent Communications Officer Hao Xiangxian was executed. Hao Xiangxian was the grandson of Hao Chujun. Initially, the Empress Dowager held a grudge against Hao Chujun. Coincidentally, a household slave falsely accused Hao Xiangxian of plotting rebellion. The Empress Dowager ordered Zhou Xing to interrogate him and sentenced Hao Xiangxian to the extermination of his clan. Hao Xiangxian’s family went to the court and appealed to the Investigating Censor, Le’an native Ren Xuanzhi. Ren Xuanzhi submitted a memorial stating that there were no signs of rebellion by Hao Xiangxian, and as a result, Ren Xuanzhi was dismissed from office. When Hao Xiangxian was about to be executed, he fiercely cursed the Empress Dowager, revealing hidden scandals within the palace, and seized firewood from the market crowd to strike the executioners. The Golden Guard soldiers all advanced together and beat him to death. The Empress Dowager ordered his body to be dismembered, his father’s and grandfather’s tombs to be dug up, their coffins destroyed, and their bodies burned. From then on, as long as the Empress Dowager lived, whenever judges executed a prisoner, they would first stuff a wooden ball into the prisoner’s mouth.
Wu Chengsi had a white stone carved with the words: "The Holy Mother comes among men, and the Imperial Enterprise shall flourish forever." He then filled the characters with a mixture of purple stone powder and medicinal substances. On the day Gengwu, he had a man from Yongzhou named Tang Tongtai present a memorial offering this stone, claiming it was obtained from the Luo River. The Grand Dowager was greatly pleased, named the stone "Precious Chart," and promoted Tang Tongtai to the rank of Youji General. In the fifth month, on the day Wuchen, an edict was issued declaring that she would personally go to the Luo River to pay homage and receive the "Precious Chart"; hold a suburban sacrifice in the southern suburbs to first thank Heaven; and after the ceremonies concluded, she would receive the assembled officials in the Hall of Light. All regional governors, commandery governors, imperial clan members, and maternal relatives were commanded to assemble at the Divine Capital ten days before the Luo River homage. On the day Yihai, the Grand Dowager added the honorific title "Holy Mother Divine Emperor."
In the sixth month, on the day Dinghai, the first day of the month, a solar eclipse occurred. On the day Renyin, three imperial seals for the Divine Emperor were made.
The elder princess of Dongyang was stripped of her fief and, together with her two sons, exiled to Wuzhou. The princess had married Gao Luxing, and the Grand Dowager despised her because the Gao family was the maternal clan of Zhangsun Wuji.
The Grand Commissioner for Pacification of Henan Circuit and Vice Minister of Winter Offices, Di Renjie, because there were many improperly established shrines in the Wu and Chu regions, submitted a memorial to burn down over 1,700 of them, retaining only the shrines of Xia Yu, Wu Taibo, Ji Zha, and Wu Yuan.
In autumn, the seventh month, on the day Dingsi, a general amnesty was granted. The "Precious Chart" was renamed the "Heaven-Bestowed Sacred Chart"; the Luo River was renamed the Yongchang Luo River, and its deity was enfeoffed as Marquis Xiansheng, granted the special rank of Tejin, with a ban on fishing, and sacrificial rites equal to those for the Four Great Rivers. The place where the chart was obtained was named "Sacred Chart Spring," beside which the Yongchang County was established. Mount Song was also renamed the Divine Peak, and its deity was enfeoffed as King Tianzhong, bestowed with the titles Grand Preceptor, Commissioner with Imperial Credentials, and Grand Commander of the Divine Peak, with a ban on grazing. Additionally, because a propitious stone had previously been obtained from Sishui, Sishui was renamed Guangwu.
The Grand Dowager secretly planned to change the dynasty, gradually eliminating the imperial clan. The Inspector of Jiangzhou, King of Han Li Yuanjia; the Inspector of Qingzhou, King of Huo Li Yuangui; the Inspector of Xingzhou, King of Lu Li Lingkui; the Inspector of Yuzhou, King of Yue Li Zhen; as well as Li Yuanjia's son, the Inspector of Tongzhou, Duke Huang of Gong Li Zhuan; Li Yuangui's son, the Inspector of Jinzhou, Prince of Jiangdu Li Xu; the son of King of Guo Li Feng, the Inspector of Shenzhou, Duke of Dongguan Li Rong; Li Lingkui's son, Prince of Fanyang Li Ai; and Li Zhen's son, the Inspector of Bozhou, Prince of Langye Li Chong—all among the imperial clan were renowned for their talent and conduct, and the Grand Dowager was particularly wary of them. Li Yuanjia and the others were uneasy and secretly harbored intentions to restore the dynasty.
Li Zhuan forged a letter to Li Zhen, saying: "Your wife's illness is gradually worsening; you should treat it promptly. If it is delayed until this winter, I fear it will become a chronic ailment." When the Grand Dowager summoned the imperial clan to an audience at the Hall of Light, the various kings became alarmed and said to each other: "The Divine Emperor intends, during the grand sacrifice, to have someone inform against us, arrest all the imperial clan, and exterminate them." Li Zhuan also forged an imperial edict for Li Chong, saying: "I am imprisoned and restrained; the various kings should each raise troops to rescue me." Li Chong also forged an imperial edict, saying: "The Divine Emperor wishes to transfer the Li clan's dynasty to the Wu clan." In the eighth month, on the day Renyin, Li Chong summoned his chief administrator Xiao Decong and others, ordering them to recruit soldiers, and separately notified the kings of Han, Huo, Lu, and Yue, as well as the Inspector of Beizhou, King of Ji Li Shen, to each raise troops and together march on the Divine Capital. When the Grand Dowager heard of this, she appointed the General of the Left Golden Guard, Qiu Shenji, as the Grand General of the Qingping Circuit Pacification Expedition to suppress them.
Li Chong recruited over 5,000 soldiers and planned to cross the Yellow River to take Jizhou; he first attacked Wushui, where the county magistrate Guo Wuti fled to Weizhou for help. The magistrate of Shen County, Ma Xuansu, led 1,700 soldiers to intercept Li Chong, but fearing he was outmatched, entered Wushui and closed the gates to defend. Li Chong pushed carts of grass to block the south gate, set them on fire with the wind, and intended to charge in with the flames; but after the fire started, the wind turned, and Li Chong's army could not advance, thus their morale collapsed. A man from Tangyi, Dong Xuanji, who was leading soldiers for Li Chong to attack Wushui, said to others: "The Prince of Langye is fighting against the state—this is rebellion." When Li Chong heard this, he executed Dong Xuanji as a warning, but the soldiers, frightened, scattered into the marshes and could not be restrained, leaving only his household servants and a few dozen attendants. Li Chong fled back to Bozhou, and on the day Wushen, arriving at the city gate, he was killed by the gatekeepers, having raised troops for only seven days before failing. When Qiu Shenji reached Bozhou, the officials, wearing mourning clothes, came out of the city to welcome him, but Qiu Shenji drew his sword and killed them all, destroying over 1,000 households.
When the King of Yue Li Zhen heard that Li Chong had raised troops, he also raised troops in Yuzhou and sent soldiers to capture Shangcai. In the ninth month, on the day Bingchen, an order was issued appointing the Left Grand General of the Leopard Tactic Guard, Qu Chongyu, as Commander-in-Chief of the Central Army, and Cen Changqian as Commander-in-Chief of the Rear Army, leading 100,000 soldiers to suppress him, and also appointing Zhang Guangfu as Commander of All Armies. Li Zhen and Li Chong were stripped of their imperial clan membership and their surname was changed to Hui. When Li Zhen heard that Li Chong had failed, he wanted to bind himself and go to the court to confess, but just then his appointed official, the newly appointed magistrate of Xincai County, Fu Yanqing, recruited over 2,000 brave warriors, so Li Zhen announced to the crowd: "The Prince of Langye has already captured several prefectures like Wei and Xiang, with 200,000 troops, and will arrive soon." He conscripted soldiers from the counties under his jurisdiction, totaling 5,000, and divided them into five camps, placing the Deputy Magistrate of Ruyang County, Pei Shoude, and others in command, appointing over 500 officials above the ninth rank. These appointed officials were all coerced and had no fighting spirit; only Pei Shoude conspired with him, and Li Zhen married his daughter to him, appointing him Grand General and treating him as a confidant. Li Zhen had Daoist priests and monks chant sutras to ensure success, and his attendants and soldiers all wore talismans to avoid weapons. When Qu Chongyu's army reached 40 li east of Yuzhou city, Li Zhen sent his youngest son Li Gui and Pei Shoude to meet them, but their army was routed and returned. Li Zhen was terrified, closed the gates, and defended himself. When Qu Chongyu and the others reached the city walls, Li Zhen's attendants said: "How can Your Majesty sit and wait to be humiliated?" Li Zhen, Li Gui, Pei Shoude, and their wives all committed suicide. They were beheaded together with Li Chong and their heads displayed at the Eastern Capital palace gates.
Earlier, the Prince of Fanyang Li Ai sent messengers to Li Zhen and Li Chong, saying: "If the various kings from the four directions rise simultaneously, nothing will fail." The kings exchanged messages and made mutual pledges, but before they were finalized, Li Chong acted first, and only Li Zhen responded hastily; the other kings dared not move, so it failed.
When Li Zhen was about to raise troops, he sent a messenger to inform the Inspector of Shouzhou, Zhao Huan. Zhao Huan's wife, the Princess of Changle, said to the messenger: "Tell the King of Yue for me: In the past, when Emperor Wen of Sui was about to usurp the Northern Zhou royal house, Yuchi Jiong, as a maternal nephew of Northern Zhou, still raised troops to save the dynasty. Though his enterprise did not succeed, his might shook the realm, and he was enough to be called loyal and heroic. How much more so for you kings, who are sons of the late emperor—how can you not think of the dynasty! Now the Li clan's danger is like morning dew; you kings do not sacrifice your lives for righteousness but still hesitate to act—when do you intend to wait! Disaster is about to come; a great man should die as a loyal ghost, not die in vain."
When Li Zhen failed, the Grand Dowager wanted to exterminate all the kings like the King of Han and the King of Lu, and ordered the Investigating Censor from Lantian, Su Xiang, to examine the documents of their conspiracy. Su Xiang interrogated them but found no clear evidence. Someone accused Su Xiang of conspiring with the King of Han and the King of Lu, so the Grand Dowager summoned him and questioned him, but Su Xiang argued frankly and would not yield. The Grand Dowager said: "You are a refined gentleman; I will have other uses for you, and this case need not be handled by you." She then ordered Su Xiang to serve as supervisor of the army in Hexi, and instead sent Zhou Xing and others to investigate. They then arrested the King of Han Li Yuanjia, the King of Lu Li Lingkui, Duke Huang of Gong Li Zhuan, and the Princess of Changle, brought them to the Eastern Capital, forced them all to commit suicide, changed their surname to "Hui," and their relatives and associates were all executed.
The Left Chancellor of the Civil Affairs Office, Di Renjie, was appointed as the Inspector of Yuzhou. At that time, when trying the partisans of the King of Yue Li Zhen, those who should be implicated numbered six or seven hundred households, and those whose property was confiscated and who were enslaved numbered 5,000. The Judicial Office urged the execution of the sentence. Di Renjie secretly submitted a memorial, saying: "They are all implicated. If I wish to openly submit a memorial, it seems like I am pleading for rebels; knowing the truth but not speaking out, I fear it would violate Your Majesty's benevolent and compassionate intentions." The Grand Dowager specially pardoned them, and they were all exiled to Fengzhou. When they passed through Ningzhou, the elders of Ningzhou came to welcome and console them, saying: "It was our Commissioner Di who saved you, wasn't it?" They supported each other and wept before the stele of virtuous governance, held a three-day vegetarian feast, and then departed.
At that time, Zhang Guangfu was still in Yuzhou. The officers and soldiers, relying on their merits, made many exorbitant demands, which Di Renjie did not comply with. Zhang Guangfu angrily said, “Does the prefect of the province despise the supreme commander?” Di Renjie replied, “The one who threw Henan into chaos was none other than the Prince of Yue, Li Zhen. Now that one Li Zhen is dead, ten thousand Li Zhens have arisen!” Zhang Guangfu demanded an explanation for his words. Di Renjie said, “You, Illustrious Sir, command an army of three hundred thousand, yet the killings have been limited to the Prince of Yue alone. When the people in the city heard that the imperial troops were coming, they climbed over the walls to surrender, trampling out paths in all directions. You, Illustrious Sir, have allowed your officers and soldiers to plunder and pillage violently, killing those who had already surrendered to claim merit, so that blood has stained the wilderness red. If this is not ten thousand Li Zhens, what is it? I only wish I had the executioner’s sword of the Imperial Censor, to place it on your neck, Illustrious Sir. Even if I die, it would be like returning home!” Zhang Guangfu could not reproach him. After returning to court, he submitted a memorial stating that Di Renjie had been disrespectful, and Di Renjie was demoted to be the Prefect of Fuzhou.
On the Dingmao day, the Left Chief Censor of the Censorate, Luan Weidao, and the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, Wang Benli, were simultaneously appointed as Tong Ping Zhang Shi.
When the Empress Dowager summoned the imperial clansmen to the Bright Hall for an audience, the Duke of Dongguan, Li Rong, secretly sent an envoy to ask Gao Zigong, the Assistant Instructor of the Directorate of Education. Gao Zigong said, “If you come, you will surely die.” Li Rong therefore pleaded illness and did not go. When the Prince of Yue, Li Zhen, raised an army, he sent an envoy to make an appointment with Li Rong. Li Rong, in the haste of the moment, could not respond. Pressured by his subordinates, he seized the envoy and reported him, and was promoted to be the Right Adviser to the Heir Apparent. Shortly afterward, he was implicated by his partisans. In winter, in the tenth month, on the Jihai day, he was executed in the marketplace, and his family property was confiscated. Gao Zigong was also executed for this reason.
The Prefect of Jizhou, Xue Yi; Xue Yi’s younger brother, Xue Xu; and Xue Xu’s younger brother, the Commandant-Escort Xue Shao, were all in secret communication with the Prince of Langye, Li Chong. When Xue Yi heard that Li Chong had raised an army, he manufactured weapons and recruited personnel. After Li Chong’s failure, he killed the Recording Secretary Gao Zuan to silence him.
In the eleventh month, on the Xinyou day, Xue Yi and Xue Xu were executed. Xue Shao, because of the Princess Taiping, was given one hundred strokes with the heavy rod and starved to death in prison.
In the twelfth month, on the Yiyou day, the Minister over the Masses and Prefect of Qingzhou, the Prince of Huo, Li Yuangui, was found guilty of conspiring with the Prince of Yue. He was deposed and exiled to Qianzhou, to be transported in a prison cart. When he reached Chencang, he died. The Prince of Jiangdu, Li Xu, and the Chamberlain for the Palace Revenues, Cheng Gong Pei Chengxian, were both executed in the marketplace. Pei Chengxian was the grandson of Pei Ji.
An order was given for Pei Judao to remain behind to guard the Western Capital.
The Left Chief Censor of the Censorate and Tong Ping Zhang Shi, Luan Weidao, had always been discourteous to the Palace Censor Zhou Ju, repeatedly saying that he was incompetent. At this time, someone fabricated accusations and reported Luan Weidao. The Empress Dowager ordered Zhou Ju to investigate. Zhou Ju said to Luan Weidao, “You often reproached me for being incompetent. Today I will handle this matter for you.” On the Yihai day, Luan Weidao and his son Luan Ciyu were both executed.
On the Jiyou day, the Empress Dowager performed a sacrifice to the Luo River and received the “Treasure Diagram.” The Emperor and the Heir Apparent both followed. All civil and military officials, both internal and external, and barbarian chieftains, were arranged according to their respective directions. Rare birds, strange beasts, and various precious objects were displayed in front of the altar. The splendor of the ritual regalia and military escort had never been seen since the founding of the Tang Dynasty.
On the Xinhai day, the Bright Hall was completed. It was two hundred and ninety-four feet high and three hundred feet on each side. It had a total of three levels: The lower level imitated the four seasons, each with its directional color. The middle level imitated the twelve two-hour periods. Above it was a round roof, supported by nine dragons. The upper level imitated the twenty-four solar terms. It also had a round roof, on which was placed an iron phoenix, ten feet high, decorated with gold. In the center was a huge tree ten arm-spans in girth, which pierced through from top to bottom. The beams, pillars, and brackets all relied on it for support. Below, an iron channel was installed to symbolize the Circular Moat. It was called the Hall of Ten Thousand Spirits. A banquet was given and rewards bestowed upon the assembled officials. A general amnesty was proclaimed, and the people were allowed to enter and view it. Henan County was renamed Hegong County. To the north of the Bright Hall, a five-story Heavenly Hall was built to house a large Buddha image. When it reached the third story, one could look down on the Bright Hall. The monk Huaiyi was, on account of his merit, appointed General of the Left Valiant Guard and created Duke of Liang.
The Attending Censor Wang Qiuli submitted a memorial, saying: “The ancient Bright Hall had a thatched roof that was not trimmed, and beams of unhewn catalpa wood. Now it is adorned with pearls and jade, painted with cinnabar and azure. The iron phoenix soars into the clouds, and the golden dragons are hidden in the mist. The Jade Terrace of King Zhou of Shang and the Jasper Chamber of Jie of Xia could not surpass it.” The Empress Dowager did not reply.
The Empress Dowager wished to conscript the people of Liang, Feng, Ba, and Dan, to open a road through the mountains from Yazhou, to attack the raw Qiang tribes, and then take the opportunity to raid Tibet. The Corrector, Chen Ziang, submitted a memorial, arguing: “The Qiang people on the borders of Yazhou have not committed brigandage since the founding of the dynasty. Now, if they are killed without any crime, their resentment will surely be deep. Moreover, fearing extermination, they will inevitably swarm up and become bandits. If the bandits of the western mountains arise, then the border cities of Shu will have to be continuously garrisoned and defended. The warfare will drag on without end. I foolishly believe that the calamity for Western Shu will begin from this. I have heard that Tibet covets the wealth of Shu and has long desired to plunder it, but only because of the mountains and rivers blocking the way and the passes being impassable, the situation has not allowed them to act. Now, the state disturbs the border Qiang, opens up dangerous roads, and allows them to gather their fleeing tribes and use them as guides to attack the frontier. This is to lend strength to the enemy and open a path for the rebels, delivering the whole of Shu to the foe. Shu is the state’s treasure house, capable of supplying the Central Plains. But now those in power are plotting for temporary profit to engage in affairs with the Western Qiang. Even if they obtain that land, they cannot grow crops on it; its wealth is not sufficient to enrich the state. It is a complete waste, of no benefit to the sagely virtue, and moreover, the success or failure of the undertaking is still unknown! What Shu relies on is its strategic passes; the reason the people are peaceful is that there are no forced labors. Now, if the state opens up its strategic passes and employs its people, once the passes are opened, it will be convenient for the enemy, and employing the people will damage their resources. I fear that before we even see the Qiang and Rong, there will already be traitors and bandits among us. Moreover, the people of Shu are weak and emaciated, unfamiliar with warfare. The mountains and rivers are vast and empty, and the region is far from the Central Plains. If we now create trouble with the Western Qiang and Tibet without reason, I see that within a hundred years, Shu will become a land of the Rong people. The state recently abolished the Anbei Protectorate, dissolved the Chanyu Protectorate, abandoned Qiuci, and dismissed Shule. The whole empire unanimously considered this a virtuous act, because Your Majesty devotes yourself to nurturing the people and does not aim at expanding the territory. Now, there is famine in Shandong and desolation in Guannei and Longyou. Yet you follow the advice of those greedy for profit, plotting to raise an army and start a great conscription. From ancient times to the present, no state has been destroyed or family ruined that was not due to exhausting the military and indulging in warfare. I hope Your Majesty will consider this deeply.” Shortly afterward, this project was not carried out.
Empress Zetian Shunsheng, the First Year of the Yongchang Era (Ji Chou, 689 CE)
In spring, the first month, on the first day of the month (Yimao), a grand sacrifice was held in the Hall of Ten Thousand Spirits. The Empress Dowager, wearing the imperial robe and crown, with the large jade tablet tucked in her girdle and holding the ceremonial tablet of the ruler, acted as the primary sacrificer. The Emperor acted as the secondary sacrificer, and the Heir Apparent acted as the final sacrificer. They first went before the throne of the Supreme Emperor of August Heaven, then before the thrones of Gaozu, Taizong, and Gaozong, then before the thrones of the former kings of the Wei state, and then before the thrones of the Five Directional Emperors. The Empress Dowager went in person to the Zetian Gate and proclaimed a general amnesty, changing the reign title. On the Dingji day, the Empress Dowager visited the Bright Hall and received congratulations. On the Wuyi day, government decrees were promulgated in the Bright Hall, and nine admonitions were issued to instruct the hundred officials. On the Jiwei day, she visited the Bright Hall and feasted the assembled officials.
In the second month, on the Dingyou day, the Wei Zhongxiao King was posthumously honored as Zhou Zhongxiao Taihuang, and his mother as Zhongxiao Taihou. The Wen Shui Mausoleum was called Zhangde Ling, and the Xianyang Mausoleum was called Mingyi Ling. The officials of the Chongxian Fu were established. On the Wuxu day, the Duke of Lu was posthumously honored as Taiyuan Jing Wang, the Prince of Beiping as Zhao Sugong Wang, the Prince of Jincheng as Wei Yikang Wang, and the Prince of Taiyuan as Zhou Ancheng Wang.
In the third month, on the Jiazi day, Zhang Guangfu was appointed acting Neiyan.
On the Renshen day, the Empress Dowager asked the Corrector, Chen Ziang, about the urgent matters of governing the state. After leaving the court, Ziang submitted a memorial, stating: “The state should relax punishments, esteem virtue, cease warfare, reduce taxes and corvée labor, comfort the imperial clan, and let them each be at peace.” His words were tactful, his intention sincere, and his exposition was very complete, amounting to nearly three thousand characters.
On the Guiyou day, the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Office, Wu Chengsi, was appointed Neiyan, and Zhang Guangfu was appointed acting Neishi.
In summer, the fourth month, on the Jiachen day, the Deputy Prefect of Chenzhou, the Prince of Runan, Li Wei; the Deputy Prefect of Lianzhou, the Duke of Poyang, Li Yin; and ten other imperial clansmen were killed. Their families were exiled to Xi Prefecture. Li Wei was the son of Li Yun; Li Yin was the son of Li Yuanqing.
On the jiyou day, Tian Guan Shilang Lan Tian Ren Deng Xuanting was executed. Xuanting's daughter was the wife of Li Dan, and he was also on good terms with Li Wei. Li Dan conspired to go to Luling to welcome Zhongzong and once asked Xuanting about this matter; Li Wei also once said to Xuanting, "If I want to carry out an urgent plan, what about it?" Xuanting did not answer either time. For this reason, he was convicted of knowing about a rebellion without reporting it, and was killed along with them.
In the fifth month, on the bingchen day, Wen Chang You Xiang Wei Daijun was appointed as Anxi Dao Xingjun Da Zongguan to attack Tubo. The twenty-five tribes of the Langqiong Prefecture, led by the Man chieftain Pang Shixi, had previously submitted to Tubo, but now came to surrender; Pang Shixi was appointed Langqiong Prefectural Governor and ordered to command his people.
On the jisi day, the monk Huaiyi was appointed as Xinping Jun Da Zongguan to march north against the Turks. The army advanced to the Zi River, but seeing no enemy, they carved an inscription on a stone at Chanyu Tai to record their achievement and returned.
When the various princes raised troops, only the Bei Prefectural Governor, Prince Ji Li Shen, did not participate in the planning, but for this reason he was also convicted and imprisoned. In autumn, the seventh month, on the dingsi day, he was sent in a prison cart to Ba Prefecture, his surname changed to Hui, and he died when he reached Pu Prefecture. His eight sons, including Xu Prefectural Governor, Prince of Dongping Li Xu, were killed one after another, and their families were exiled to Lingnan.
His daughter, Dongguang County Mistress Li Chuyuan, was known from a young age for her filial piety and caution. She married Siyi Lang Pei Zhongjiang, and the couple respected each other like honored guests. When her mother-in-law was ill, she personally tasted the medicines and food. She got along well with her sisters-in-law and won their affection. At that time, the daughters of the imperial clan all vied with each other in pride and luxury, mocking Chuyuan for being alone in her diligence and frugality, saying, "The value of wealth and honor lies in being able to follow one's desires. Now you alone hold fast to hardship and thrift—what are you seeking?" Chuyuan said, "From childhood I have loved propriety; now I practice it—is that not following my desires? Look at women from ancient times to the present; all take respect and frugality as virtue, and indulgence and waste as vice. I fear bringing shame to my parents—what else is there to seek? Wealth and honor are things that come by chance; what is there to be proud of before others?" The others were all ashamed and convinced. When the news of Li Shen's death arrived, Chuyuan wailed bitterly, vomiting several sheng of blood. After completing the mourning period, she did not apply rouge or powder for nearly twenty years.
Wei Daijun's army reached the Yinshijia River, where they engaged Tubo and were severely defeated. It happened to snow heavily, and the transport of grain supplies could not keep up. Daijun lacked the talent of a general; he was flustered and at a loss, and many soldiers died of cold and hunger, so he led the army in retreat. The Empress Dowager was greatly angered. On the bingzi day, Daijun was stripped of his rank and exiled to Xiu Prefecture, and the Deputy Da Zongguan, Anxi Da Duhu Yan Wengu, was executed. The Anxi Deputy Duhu Tang Xiuji gathered the remaining troops and pacified the Western Regions. The Empress Dowager appointed Xiuji as Xi Prefectural Governor.
On the wuyin day, Wang Benli was appointed Tong Fengge Luantai Sanpin.
After Xu Jingye's defeat, his younger brother Jingzhen was exiled to Xiu Prefecture but later escaped. He was about to flee to the Turks when, passing through Luo Prefecture, Luo Prefecture Sima Gong Siye and Luoyang County Magistrate Zhang Siming provided him with funds for his journey. When he reached Ding Prefecture, he was captured by officials, and Siye hanged himself. Siming and Jingzhen implicated many friends and acquaintances at court and in the provinces, claiming they had rebellious intentions, hoping thereby to avoid the death penalty. Consequently, many scholar-officials inside and outside the court were implicated, convicted, and executed. Siming falsely accused Neishi Zhang Guangfu, saying, "When you campaigned against Yu Prefecture, you privately discussed charts and prophecies and astronomical phenomena, harboring divided loyalties." In the eighth month, on the jiashen day, Guangfu, together with Jingzhen, Siming, and others, was executed, and their properties were confiscated.
On the yiwei day, Qiu Guan Shangshu Taiyuan Man Zhang Chujin, Shan Prefectural Governor Guo Zhengyi, Fengge Shilang Yuan Wanqing, and Luoyang County Magistrate Wei Yuanzhong were all spared death and exiled to Lingnan. Chujin and the others were all implicated by Jingzhen, who said they had secretly colluded with Jingye. At the execution ground, the Empress Dowager sent Fengge Sheren Wang Yinke on a fast horse to proclaim a pardon. When the proclamation reached the execution ground, those about to be executed all jumped for joy, shouted loudly, and could not stop moving. Only Yuanzhong sat calmly without moving. Someone told him to stand up, and Yuanzhong said, "It is not yet known whether it is true or false." When Yinke arrived, he again told him to stand up, and Yuanzhong said, "Wait until the pardon is fully proclaimed." Only after the proclamation was completed did he slowly rise, perform the ritual bows, and showed no expression of worry or joy throughout. That day, dark clouds covered everything, but after Chujin and the others were released, the sky cleared.
In the ninth month, on the renzi day, the monk Huaiyi was appointed as Xinping Dao Xingjun Da Zongguan, leading an army of 200,000 to campaign against the Turk Gudulu.
At the beginning, during the reign of Gaozong, Zhou Xing was summoned as Heyang County Magistrate. Gaozong wanted to promote and employ him, but someone memorialized that he was not of pure origin, so it was dropped. Zhou Xing did not know this and repeatedly waited for appointments at the Mingtang. The various chancellors did not speak. Di Guan Shangshu, Jianjiao Nayin Wei Xuantong, who was then Tong Pingzhangshi, said to him, "County Magistrate Zhou may leave." Zhou Xing thought Xuantong was obstructing him and harbored a grudge. Xuantong had always been on good terms with Pei Yan, and contemporaries called them the "Enduring Friends" because of their unchanging relationship. Zhou Xing submitted a memorial falsely accusing Xuantong, saying, "The Empress Dowager is old—it would be more enduring to serve the heir apparent." The Empress Dowager was greatly angered. In the intercalary month, on the jiawu day, she ordered him to commit suicide at home. The supervising censor, Fang Ji, said to Xuantong, "Why not inform against someone, hoping to be summoned, so you can defend yourself?" Xuantong sighed and said, "What difference is there between being killed by a man and being killed by a ghost? Could I become an informer?" He then met death calmly. Also, in a hidden place, Xia Guan Shilang Cui Cha was executed. Many other court officials, both inside and outside, were convicted, executed, exiled, or demoted.
Peng Prefecture Changshi Liu Yicong was also implicated by Xu Jingzhen. On the wushen day, he was executed in Peng Prefecture. Yicong was benevolent, filial, loyal, and cautious by nature. When he was about to be executed in the marketplace, officials and common people pitied his innocence. People from far and near rushed there, vying to take off their clothes and throw them on the ground, saying, "Praying for blessings for the Changshi." The relevant authorities appraised them, valuing them at more than one hundred thousand.
Zhou Xing and others falsely accused You Wuwei Da Jiangjun Yan Duke Heichi Changzhi of rebellion, arrested him, and threw him into prison. In winter, the tenth month, on the wuwu day, Changzhi hanged himself.
On the jiwei day, six members of the imperial clan, including E Prefectural Governor, Prince of Si Zheng Li Jing, were executed. On the gengshen day, six others, including Prince of Si Teng Li Xiuqi, were spared death and exiled to Lingnan.
On the dingmao day, Chun Guan Shangshu Fan Lübing and Fengge Shilang Xing Wenwei were both appointed Tong Pingzhangshi.
On the jimao day, an edict was issued that Tai Mu Shen Empress and Wen De Sheng Empress should be jointly worshipped with the Earth God, and Zhong Xiao Empress Dowager should also be worshipped accordingly.
You Wei Cao Canjun Chen Ziang submitted a memorial, stating: "The 'Zhou Song' eulogizes Kings Cheng and Kang, and the Han dynasty praised Emperors Wen and Jing—all because they were able to stop punishments. Now, although Your Majesty's governance is utterly good and beautiful, in a time of peace, those above and below delight in transformation; there should not be rebellious ministers and treacherous sons daily inviting Heaven's punishment. Lately, major cases have increased, and the rebels have become more widespread. I, your foolish minister, stubborn and dull-witted, initially thought all were true, until the fifteenth of last month, when Your Majesty specially reviewed and found prisoners like Li Zhen innocent. The hundred officials celebrated with joy and all congratulated Your Majesty's sagely brilliance. I then realized that there were also innocent people caught in the loose net of the law. Your Majesty strives for a generous code, but the prison officials strive for harsh penalties, thereby harming Your Majesty's virtue and staining the peace of government. I privately regret this. Furthermore, the edict of the twenty-first of the ninth month pardoned the death sentences of Chujin and others. At first there was wind and rain, then it turned to auspicious clouds. I have heard that the image of gloom and severity is punishment, and the image of sunlight and ease is virtue. The sage imitates Heaven, and Heaven also helps the sage. Heaven's intent is thus—how can Your Majesty not comply with it? Now again there are continuous rains, and I fear the fault lies with the prison officials. All prisoners in custody are mostly sentenced to death. Among the discussions on the roads, some say they are guilty, some say they are not. Why does Your Majesty not summon them all and personally interrogate their crimes? For those with verified evidence, publicly execute them; for those wronged, severely punish the officials. This will cause the world to submit in heart, and people will know the government's penalties. Is this not the manifestation of ultimate virtue?"
Tian Shou First Year (Gengyin, 690 CE), Second Part of the Reign of Zetian Shunsheng Empress Shang.
In the eleventh month, on the gengchen day of the new moon, the sun reached its southernmost point. The Empress Dowager performed a sacrifice in the Hall of Ten Thousand Spirits and granted a general amnesty. She began to use the Zhou calendar, changing the eleventh month of the first year of Yongchang to the first month of the first year of Zaichu, making the twelfth month the twelfth month, and the first month of the Xia calendar the first month. The descendants of the Zhou and Han dynasties were established as the two royal houses, the descendants of Shun, Yu, and Cheng Tang as the three guests, and the descendants of the Zhou and Sui dynasties were treated on par with the other states.
Fengge Shilang, a native of Hedong named Zong Qinke, modified twelve characters including "heaven" and "earth" and presented them. On the dinghai day, they were put into use. The Empress Dowager named herself Zhao () and changed the word zhao () to zhi (). Zong Qinke was the son of the Empress Dowager’s maternal aunt.
On the yiwei day, Sixing Shaoqing Zhou Xing submitted a memorial requesting the removal of the Tang imperial clan from the imperial family register.
In the twelfth month, on the xinwei day, the monk Huaiyi was appointed General of the Right Guard and granted the title Duke of E.
In the spring, in the first month, on the wuzi day, Wu Chengsi was promoted to Left Prime Minister of the Wenchang Terrace, Cen Changqian was promoted to Right Prime Minister of the Wenchang Terrace and Tongfengge Luantai Sanpin, Fengge Shilang Wu Youning was appointed Nayan, Xing Wenwei acted as Neishi, and the Left Suzhou Daifu and Tongfengge Luantai Sanpin Wang Benli was dismissed and appointed Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. Wu Youning was the grandson of Wu Shihuo’s elder brother.
At that time, Wu Chengsi and Wu Sansi held power, and the chancellors all acted submissively toward them. Dibu Shangshu and Tongfengge Luantai Sanpin Wei Fangzhi was ill, and Wu Chengsi and Wu Sansi went to visit him. Wei Fangzhi leaned on his bed and did not bow. Someone advised him otherwise, but Wei Fangzhi said, "Life and death are determined by fate. How can a great man humble himself to serve close relatives and in-laws in order to avoid disaster?" Soon after, he was framed by Zhou Xing and others. On the jiawu day, he was exiled to Danzhou, and his family property was confiscated.
In the second month, on the xinyou day, the Empress Dowager personally examined the tribute scholars at Luocheng Hall. The palace examination for tribute scholars began from this time.
On the dingmao day, Dibu Shangshu Wang Benli died.
In the third month, on the dinghai day, Tejin and Tongfengge Luantai Sanpin Su Liangsi died.
In the summer, in the fourth month, on the dingsi day, Chunguan Shangshu and Tongping Zhangshi Fan Lübing was convicted for having recommended rebels, imprisoned, and executed.
A man from Liquan named Hou Sizhi initially made his living selling cakes, then served as a servant to Youji General Gao Yuanli. He was always cunning and unscrupulous. The governor of Hengzhou, Pei Zhen, caned a judge, and the judge instructed Hou Sizhi to accuse Pei Zhen of plotting rebellion with the Prince of Shu, Yuanming. In the autumn, in the seventh month, on the xinsi day, Yuanming was thus deposed and exiled to Hezhou. On the renwu day, his son, Li Dan, the Prince of Yuzhang, was killed. Pei Zhen was also exterminated. Hou Sizhi was promoted to Youji General. At that time, informants often received fifth-rank official positions. Hou Sizhi requested to be made a censor. The Empress Dowager said, "You cannot read—how can you serve as a censor?" He replied, "When did the xiezhi (a mythical goat that could discern good from evil) know how to read? It could only touch evil and flattery." The Empress Dowager was pleased and appointed him as Chaosan Daifu and Shi Yushi. Another day, the Empress Dowager bestowed on him a previously confiscated mansion, but Hou Sizhi did not accept it, saying, "I detest rebels and do not wish to live in their house." The Empress Dowager appreciated him even more.
A man from Hengshui named Wang Hongyi was always of bad character. He once begged for melons from a neighbor, and when the neighbor refused, he reported to the county magistrate that there was a white rabbit in the melon field. The magistrate sent people to search, trampling the melon field, which was immediately destroyed. He then traveled to Zhao Prefecture and Bei Prefecture. Seeing village elders holding a vegetarian feast, he accused them of plotting rebellion, resulting in the deaths of over two hundred people. He was promoted to Youji General and soon after became Dianzhong Shiyushi. Someone accused the governor of Shengzhou, Wang Anren, of plotting rebellion. The Empress Dowager ordered Wang Hongyi to investigate. Wang Anren refused to confess, so Wang Hongyi cut off his head while he was still in the cangue. He then arrested Wang Anren’s son, who had just arrived, also beheaded him, packed the heads in a box, and brought them back. Passing through Fenzhou, Sima Mao Gong was eating with him. Moments later, Wang Hongyi ordered Mao Gong down the steps and killed him, carrying his head into Luoyang on a spear. All who saw this were shocked and terrified. At that time, a special prison was set up inside the Lijing Gate. Anyone who entered this prison could not leave alive, and Wang Hongyi mockingly called it the "Lijing Gate." Court officials were all in fear, not daring to speak when meeting, only exchanging glances on the road. Sometimes they were suddenly secretly arrested while attending court. Every time they went to court, they would bid farewell to their families, saying, "I do not know if we will see each other again."
At that time, judicial officials vied to be harsh, only Sixing Cheng Xu Yougong and Du Jingjian remained fair and lenient. Those who were accused said, "If you encounter Lai Junchen or Hou Sizhi, you will surely die; if you encounter Xu Yougong or Du Jingjian, you will surely live."
Xu Yougong was the grandson of Xu Wenyuan. His given name was Hongmin, but he was known by his style name. He initially served as Puzhou Sifa, governing with leniency and not using caning. The clerks made a pact that if anyone was caned by Sifa Xu, everyone would jointly condemn him. By the end of his term, he had not caned a single person, yet his duties were well handled. He was repeatedly promoted to Sixing Cheng. For those falsely accused by cruel officials, Xu Yougong would overturn their convictions, saving dozens or hundreds of families. Once, he argued a case at court. The Empress Dowager sternly interrogated him, and those around trembled, but Xu Yougong’s expression did not change, and he debated even more earnestly. Although the Empress Dowager loved killing people, she knew Xu Yougong was upright and greatly respected him. Du Jingjian was a native of Wuyi.
Sixing Cheng, Li Rizhi, a native of Xingyang, also valued fairness and leniency. Shaoxing Hu Yuanli wanted to kill a prisoner, but Li Rizhi thought it was wrong. After several days of argument, Hu Yuanli angrily said, "As long as I, Hu Yuanli, do not leave the Ministry of Justice, this prisoner will have no way to live!" Li Rizhi said, "As long as I, Li Rizhi, do not leave the Ministry of Justice, this prisoner will have no way to die!" In the end, they submitted their two memorials together, and Li Rizhi was proven correct.
The monk Faming of the Eastern Wei Kingdom Temple and others composed four volumes of the Great Cloud Sutra and presented them, stating that the Empress Dowager was the incarnation of Maitreya and should replace the Tang as the ruler of Jambudvipa (the human world). The Empress Dowager ordered it to be promulgated throughout the empire.
Wu Chengsi instructed Zhou Xing to fabricate accusations against the governor of Suizhou, Li Shangjin, the Prince of Ze, and the governor of Shuzhou, Li Sujie, the Prince of Xu, for plotting rebellion, summoning them to the temporary palace. Li Sujie departed from Shuzhou, and upon hearing people weeping for a funeral, he sighed and said, "How could death by illness ever be achieved? Why must there be weeping?" On the dinghai day, when he reached Longmen, he was strangled. Li Shangjin committed suicide. All their sons and followers were executed.
The Empress Dowager wanted to marry Princess Taiping to Wu Youji, the grandson of her uncle Wu Shirang. Wu Youji was then the Right Guard Zhonglang Jiang. The Empress Dowager secretly sent someone to kill his wife and then married the princess to him. The princess had a broad forehead and full cheeks, was highly strategic, and the Empress Dowager thought she resembled herself, favoring her deeply. She often secretly discussed major matters of the empire with her. According to precedent, the fiefs of princes did not exceed one thousand households, and those of princesses did not exceed three hundred fifty households. Only Princess Taiping’s fief was increased to three thousand households.
In the eighth month, on the jiayin day, the Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent and Nayan Pei Judao was killed. On the guihai day, Shangshu Zuocheng Zhang Liankan was killed. On the xinwei day, twelve members of the imperial clan, including Li Ying, the Prince of Nan’an, were killed. The two sons of the former heir apparent, Li Xian, were also beaten to death. By this time, the Tang imperial clan was almost completely annihilated. Those who survived, being young or weak, were exiled to Lingnan, and their relatives and followers were also killed in several hundred families. Only the Princess of a Thousand Gold survived by flattery, requesting to become the Empress Dowager’s daughter and changing her surname to Wu. The Empress Dowager loved her and changed her title to the Grand Princess of Yan’an.
In the ninth month, on the bingzi day, Shiyushi, a native of Ji, Fu Youyi, led over nine hundred people from Guanzhong to the palace gate to submit a memorial requesting that the name of the dynasty be changed to Zhou, and that the emperor be given the surname Wu. The Empress Dowager did not permit it. Fu Youyi was promoted to Jishizhong. Then, over sixty thousand people, including officials, imperial clan members, people from far and near, chieftains from the four directions, monks, and Daoists, all submitted memorials with the same request as Fu Youyi. The emperor himself also submitted a memorial requesting to be given the surname Wu. On the wuyin day, the assembled officials said: "A phoenix flew from the Bright Hall into the Shangyang Palace, then flew back and perched on a wutong tree in the Left Terrace for a long time before flying southeast. Also, tens of thousands of red sparrows gathered in the court hall."
On the gengchen day, the Empress Dowager agreed to the request of the emperor and the assembled officials. On the renwu day, she ascended the Zetian Gate, granted a general amnesty, changed Tang to Zhou, and changed the reign title. On the yiyou day, she assumed the honorific title of Holy and Divine Emperor, made the emperor the Heir Apparent, and gave him the surname Wu. The imperial heir was made the imperial grandson.
On the bingxu day, the Seven Ancestral Temples of the Wu clan were established in the Divine Capital. Posthumous honors were conferred: King Wen of Zhou was honored as the Progenitor Wen Emperor, with his queen, the lady Si, as Wen Ding Empress; the younger son of King Ping, Wu, was honored as Rui Zu Kang Emperor, with his queen, the lady Jiang, as Kang Hui Empress; the Prince of Taiyuan, Jing, was honored as Yan Zu Cheng Emperor, with his queen as Cheng Zhuang Empress; the Prince of Zhao, Su Gong, was honored as Su Zu Zhang Jing Emperor; the Prince of Wei, Yi Kang, was honored as Lie Zu Zhao An Emperor; the Prince of Zhou, An Cheng, was honored as Xian Zu Wen Mu Emperor; the Supreme August of Loyalty and Filial Piety was honored as Tai Zu Xiao Ming Gao Emperor. All queens were titled empresses according to their husbands' posthumous names. Wu Chengsi was made Prince of Wei, Wu Sansi Prince of Liang, Wu Youning Prince of Jianchang, and the grandsons of Wu Shihu's elder brother—Wu Yougui, Wu Zhonggui, Wu Zaide, Wu Youji, Wu Yizong, Wu Sizong, Wu Youyi, Wu Youwang, Wu Youxu, and Wu Youzhi—were all made commandery princes. All aunts and sisters were made grand princesses.
Further, Si Binqing Shi Wuzi of Liyang was appointed as Nayan, and Fengge Shilang Zong Qinke acted as Neishi. Jishizhong Fu Youyi was made Luantai Shilang and Pingzhangshi. Fu Youyi, together with Cen Changqian, You Yujinwei Da Jiangjun Zhang Qianxu, Zuo Jinwu Da Jiangjun Qiu Shenji, and Shiyushi Lai Zixun, were all granted the surname Wu. Zong Qinke secretly advised the Empress Dowager to change the dynasty, and thus he was the first to serve as Neishi. Fu Youyi, within a single year, successively wore official robes of green, green, vermilion, and purple, and was called by contemporaries the "Four Seasons Official."
An edict was issued to change zhou (prefectures) into jun (commanderies). Someone said to the Empress Dowager: "Your Majesty, at the very beginning of the dynastic change, abolishing zhou is inauspicious." The Empress Dowager hastily rescinded the order. Shi Wuzi and nine others were ordered to pacify the various circuits. On the guimao day, the Empress Dowager made her elder brother's grandsons, Wu Yanji and five others, commandery princes.
Winter, tenth month, on the jiazi day, Acting Neishi Zong Qinke was demoted to the post of Magistrate of Suihua County for corruption. His younger brothers, Zong Chuke and Zong Jinqing, were also exiled to Lingnan for treachery and corruption.
On the dingmao day, the exiled person Wei Fangzhi was executed.
On the xinwei day, Neishi Xing Wenwei was implicated in Zong Qinke's crimes and demoted to Prefect of Zhenzhou. Shortly after, when an imperial messenger arrived at the prefecture, Xing Wenwei, thinking he was to be executed, hastily hanged himself.
On the renshen day, an edict ordered one Dayun Monastery to be established in each of the Two Capitals and all prefectures, to house the Dayun Sutra. Monks were to ascend high seats to expound it. The monks who composed the commentaries, including Yunxuan and eight others, were all granted the title of District Duke and given purple cassocks and silver turtle pouches.
An order was issued that all members of the Wu clan throughout the empire were exempted from taxes and corvée labor.
The Ten Surnames of the Western Turks, since the Chuigong era, had been plundered by the Eastern Turks and were nearly all scattered and lost. The Mengchi Protector, Jiwangjue Kehan Huselu, gathered his remaining followers, some sixty to seventy thousand people, and entered the interior to settle. He was appointed Left Weiwei Da Jiangjun and given the new title of Jiezhong Shizhu Kehan.
Li Xingbao, the Prefect of Daozhou, and his brother were framed by harsh officials and were to be executed with their clan. Qiuguan Langzhong Xu Yougong argued strenuously but could not save them. Qiuguan Shilang Zhou Xing memorialized that Xu Yougong had deliberately exonerated a rebel prisoner and should be beheaded. Although the Empress Dowager did not approve this, she dismissed Xu Yougong from his post. However, the Empress Dowager had always valued Xu Yougong, and after a long time, she reinstated him as Shiyushi. Xu Yougong prostrated himself, weeping, and firmly declined, saying: "I have heard that a deer runs in the mountain forest, but its life hangs in the kitchen—circumstances make it so. Your Majesty has appointed me as a judge; I dare not bend the law for personal gain, and I will surely die in this office." The Empress Dowager insisted on appointing him, and those far and near who heard of it congratulated one another.
In this year, Right Weiwei Da Jiangjun Quan Xiancheng was appointed Left Weiwei Da Jiangjun. The Empress Dowager brought out gold, silver, and treasures and ordered five skilled archers from the Southern and Northern Garrisons to compete in archery. Quan Xiancheng came first but yielded to You Yujinwei Da Jiangjun Xue Duomo, who in turn yielded back to Quan Xiancheng. Quan Xiancheng then memorialized: "Your Majesty ordered the selection of skilled archers. Now, most of them are not Han officials; I privately fear that the barbarians of the four quarters will despise the Han people. I request that this archery competition be stopped." The Empress Dowager approved and followed his advice.
Zetian Shunsheng Huanghou, Part Two, the First Year of Tian Shou (Xinmao, 691 AD)
First month, on the guichou day (new year's day), the Empress Dowager began to receive the honorific title at the Wànxiàng Shéngōng. Banners favored the color red. On the jiaxu day, the altars of the Soil and Grain were re-established in the Divine Capital. On the xinsi day, the spirit tablets of the Wu clan were placed in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. The former Tang Imperial Ancestral Temple in Chang'an was renamed Xiangde Temple. Only the three temples of the emperors from Gaozu onwards were to be sacrificed to in the four seasons; the other four chambers were closed and not sacrificed to. The former Chongxian Temple in Chang'an was renamed Chongzun Temple. On the yiyou day, the winter solstice, a great sacrifice was held in the Hall of Brightness, offering to the Supreme Heavenly Emperor, with the hundred spirits accompanying the sacrifice. The Wu ancestors were matched in receiving offerings, and the three Tang emperors also received offerings alongside them.
Yushi Zhongcheng, acting as Dafuzhishi, Li Sizhen, seeing the harsh officials running rampant, submitted a memorial stating: "Now, accusations are numerous and confused; false ones are many and true ones few. I fear there are treacherous villains plotting to estrange Your Majesty from your ministers. In ancient times, after a case was decided, the nobles and high officials participated in the hearing. The sovereign would thrice grant leniency before executing the punishment. Recently, prison officials, acting alone on imperial orders, conduct the trial and pass judgment; the judicial officials then execute the sentence without allowing a retrial. Sometimes, they make arbitrary decisions on the spot and no longer memorialize for instructions. In this way, power falls into the hands of subordinates. This is not a careful and thorough method. If someone is wronged, how could it be known? Moreover, allowing a ninth-rank official to exclusively handle trials and reviews, wielding the power of life and death, usurping the sovereign's authority—when trials and reviews are neither under the Ministry of Justice nor submitted to the Chancellery for review, the state's power is lightly entrusted to others. This may become a calamity for the state." The Empress Dowager did not heed his advice.
Yao Zhengyuwei Yao Zhenglang and several hundred others submitted a memorial requesting that the Empress Dowager be given the honorific title of Supreme Sage and Great Spirit Emperor. The Empress Dowager did not approve.
Shiyushi Lai Zixun falsely accused Shangyi Fengyu Liu Xinggan and his brother of plotting rebellion. They were both sentenced to death. Spring, first month, Diguan Shangshu Wu Siwen, together with 2,800 court-gathering envoys, submitted a memorial requesting the performance of the Fengshan sacrifices at Mount Song, the Central Marchmount.
On the jihai day, the administrative offices for the mausoleums of Xingning, Yongkang, and Yinling of the Tang dynasty were abolished, and only a modest number of guarding households were retained.
Zuo Jinwu Da Jiangjun Qiu Shenji was executed for crimes.
Nayan Shi Wuzi, together with Lai Junchen, tried the case of Liu Xinggan. Lai Junchen memorialized that Shi Wuzi was intimate with Liu Xinggan and intended to conceal his rebellion. The Empress Dowager ordered Lai Junchen to try Shi Wuzi as well. On the gengzi day, Shi Wuzi, in fear, committed suicide.
Someone accused You Changyou Cheng Zhou Xing of secretly colluding with Qiu Shenji in a plot. The Empress Dowager ordered Lai Junchen to interrogate him. Lai Junchen and Zhou Xing were jointly hearing a case and sitting together at a meal. Lai Junchen said to Zhou Xing: "Most prisoners are unwilling to confess. What method should be used?" Zhou Xing said: "This is easy to do. Take a large vat, heat it all around with charcoal fire, and make the prisoner enter the vat. What matter would he then not confess?" Lai Junchen then had a large vat brought, lit a fire around it according to Zhou Xing's method, then stood up and said to Zhou Xing: "There is an imperial order for me to interrogate you. I invite you, elder brother, to enter this vat." Zhou Xing, terrified, kowtowed and confessed. According to law, he was to be executed, but the Empress Dowager spared him. In the second month, he was exiled to Lingnan. On the road, he was killed by an enemy.
Zhou Xing, together with Suo Yuanli and Lai Junchen, vied in cruelty and harshness. Zhou Xing and Suo Yuanli each killed several thousand people. Lai Junchen destroyed over a thousand families. Suo Yuanli was especially cruel, and the Empress Dowager also had him killed to pacify the people.
Zuo Weiwei Da Jiangjun, Prince of Qiancheng, Wu Youji, was enfeoffed as Prince of Ding.
Li Guangshun, son of the late Crown Prince Li Xian, was made Prince of Yifeng.
On the jiazi day, the Empress Dowager ordered that the tomb of the Progenitor be called De Ling, the tomb of Rui Zu be called Qiao Ling, the tomb of Yan Zu be called Jie Ling, the tomb of Su Zu be called Jian Ling, the tomb of Lie Zu be called Jing Ling, the tomb of Xian Zu be called Yong Ling. Zhangde Ling was renamed Hao Ling, and Xianyi Ling was renamed Shun Ling.
The official titles and ranks of Li Junxian were posthumously restored.
Summer, fourth month, on the renyin day (new year's day), a solar eclipse occurred.
On the guimao day, an edict declared that Buddhism had initiated the revolutionary step (referring to the Wu Zhou dynasty replacing the Tang) and elevated its status above that of Daoism.
Jian'an Wang Wu Youyi was ordered to remain in Chang'an as its guardian.
On the bingchen day, a large bell was cast and placed at the northern gate of the palace.
Fifth month, Cen Changqian was appointed as Wuwei Dao Xingjun Da Zongguan to attack Tubo, but he was recalled midway, and the army ultimately did not set out.
Sixth month, Zuo Suzheng Daifu Ge Fuyuan was appointed Diguan Shangshu, and together with Luantai Shilang Le Sihui and Fengge Shilang Ren Zhigu, they were all made Tong Pingzhangshi. Le Sihui was the son of Le Yan□.
In autumn, the seventh month, several tens of thousands of households from within the passes were relocated to fill Luoyang.
On the wushen day of the eighth month, the Nayan Wu Youning was dismissed and appointed General of the Left Feather Forest Army; the Minister of War Ouyang Tong was made Minister of Rites and acting Nayan.
On the gengshen day, General of the Jade Sceptre Guard Army Zhang Qianxu was executed. Lai Junchen interrogated Zhang Qianxu’s case. Zhang Qianxu made a personal appeal to Xu Yougong; Lai Junchen, enraged, ordered the guards to hack him to death with knives and then exposed his head in the marketplace.
Prince Yifeng Li Guangshun, Prince of Yong Li Shouli, Prince of Yong’an Li Shouyi, the County Princess Changxin, and others were all given the surname Wu. Together with Emperor Ruizong’s sons, they were imprisoned in the palace and could not leave the palace gates for over ten years. Li Shouli and Li Shouyi were Li Guangshun’s younger brothers.
Someone accused the Minister of State Domains Wu Siwen of having secretly conspired with Xu Jingye. On the jiazi day, Wu Siwen was exiled to Lingnan and restored to his original surname Xu.
On the yihai day of the ninth month, the Governor of Qizhou Yun Hongsi was executed. Lai Junchen interrogated him without a single word of confession, first cutting off his head, then forging the case documents to present to the throne. He had killed Zhang Qianxu in the same way. The Grand Dowager’s decrees all followed his wishes, and no one in the empire dared to speak.
The Vice Director of the Chancellery and co-Chancellor Fu Youyi dreamed of ascending the Zhanlu Hall and told a close associate, who then reported him. On the renchen day, he was imprisoned and committed suicide.
On the guisi day, the General of the Left Feather Forest Army and Prince of Jianchang Wu Youning was appointed Nayan, and the Sima of Luozhou Di Renjie was made Vice Minister of State Domains, both serving as co-Chancellors along with the Vice Minister of Winter Works Pei Xingben. The Grand Dowager said to Di Renjie, "When you were in Runan, you had excellent governance. Do you wish to know who slandered you?" Di Renjie declined, saying, "If Your Majesty believes I was at fault, I beg to correct it; if you know I was not at fault, that is my fortune. I do not wish to know who slandered me." The Grand Dowager deeply admired him.
Previously, the Secretary of the Phoenix Pavilion, a man of Xiuwu named Zhang Jiafu, had instructed a man of Luoyang named Wang Qingzhi and several hundred others to submit a petition requesting that Wu Chengsi be made Heir Apparent. The Chief Minister of the Right of the Ministry and co-Chancellor Cen Changqian argued that the Imperial Heir (Li Dan) was already in the Eastern Palace, and such a proposal should not be entertained. He petitioned to sternly rebuke the petitioners and disperse them. The Grand Dowager also consulted the Minister of State Domains and co-Chancellor Ge Fuyuan, who firmly held it was impermissible. This greatly offended the various Wu clan members, so they demoted Cen Changqian and sent him on a western expedition against the Tibetans. Before he had even arrived, he was recalled and thrown into the prison of the Censorate. Wu Chengsi further slandered Ge Fuyuan. Lai Junchen then coerced Cen Changqian’s son Cen Lingyuan into implicating the Minister of Rites and acting Nayan Ouyang Tong and several dozen others, all accused of plotting rebellion. Ouyang Tong was interrogated by Lai Junchen, subjected to all kinds of torture, but never changed his confession. Lai Junchen then forged Ouyang Tong’s confession. In winter, the tenth month, on the jiyou day, Cen Changqian, Ge Fuyuan, Ouyang Tong, and others were all executed for this.
Wang Qingzhi appeared before the Grand Dowager, who said, "The Imperial Heir is my son. Why should he be deposed?" Wang Qingzhi replied, "The spirits do not partake of sacrifices not of their kind, and the common people do not sacrifice to those not of their clan. Now that the empire is possessed by someone, how can a member of the Li clan be the heir?" The Grand Dowager dismissed him. Wang Qingzhi prostrated himself on the ground, weeping and pleading on his life, refusing to leave. The Grand Dowager then gave him a stamped document, saying, "If you wish to see me, show this to the gatekeeper." From then on, Wang Qingzhi repeatedly sought audiences. The Grand Dowager grew angry and ordered the Vice Director of the Phoenix Pavilion Li Zhaode to administer the bastinado to Wang Qingzhi. Li Zhaode took him outside the Guangzheng Gate and said to the court officials, "This villain wants to depose our Imperial Heir and install Wu Chengsi!" He ordered him beaten until his eyes and ears bled, then clubbed him to death. His faction then dispersed.
Li Zhaode then said to the Grand Dowager, "The Celestial Emperor (Gaozong) was Your Majesty’s husband; the Imperial Heir is Your Majesty’s son. Your Majesty possesses the empire and should pass it down to descendants as a foundation for ten thousand generations. How can a nephew be made the heir? Since ancient times, it has never been heard that a nephew, upon becoming the Son of Heaven, would establish a temple for his aunt! Moreover, Your Majesty received the Celestial Emperor’s trust. If you hand the empire to Wu Chengsi, then the Celestial Emperor will not receive sacrifices." The Grand Dowager also thought this was correct. Li Zhaode was the son of Li Qianhu.
On the renchen day, the Vice Director of the Chancellery and co-Chancellor Le Sihui and the General of the Right Guard Li Anjing were executed. Li Anjing was a grandson of Li Gang. When the Grand Dowager was about to change the dynasty, all the princes and officials submitted memorials urging her to do so; only Li Anjing sternly refused. When he was thrown into the prison of the Censorate and Lai Junchen interrogated him about the charges of rebellion, Li Anjing said, "Because I am an old minister of the Tang family. If you want to kill me, then kill me! If you ask me about rebellion, there is truly nothing to confess!" Lai Junchen ultimately killed him.
The Imperial Academy student Wang Xunzhi submitted a memorial requesting leave to return home. The Grand Dowager granted it. Di Renjie said, "I have heard that those who rule the people only do not delegate the power of life and death to others; everything else belongs to the appropriate departments. Therefore, the Left and Right Vice Directors do not handle cases punishable by penal servitude or less; the Left and Right Chancellors only decide cases punishable by exile or more—this is because their positions are gradually elevated. That student’s request for leave is a matter for the Vice Rector or Registrar. If the Son of Heaven issues a decree for this, then how many decrees would be needed to handle all the affairs of the empire? If you must not refuse his wish, please establish a general regulation for all students." The Grand Dowager praised his words.