In the last episode, we introduced the Four Beauties of ancient China and how most of them were used as mere tools for political struggles.

Welcome to the fourth episode of Yin The Dynasties! We'll be talking about poweful women in court, featuring Wu ZeTian. This woman started her journey as a lady in waiting in the imperial palace when she was fourteen, how did she end up on the throne, becoming China’s first and only female emperor, and creating a new dynasty? Was she as cruel and ruthless as how historians portrayed her?

Credits:

The Demonization of Empress Wu— by Mike Dash, The Smithsonian Magazine

Wi Zetian biography—by World History Encyclopedia

Wu Zhao: Ruler of Tang Dynasty China— by Yuen Ting Lee, Association for Asian Studies

Was China’s Empress Wu the richest woman ever?— Douglas Parkes, South China Morning Post

Music

故宫的记忆by 神思者

卧龙吟 by Zi De guqin Studio

长安幻世绘by Zi De guqin Studio

女皇 by Joey Yung