FACT CHECKER: WHAT DO WE REALLY KNOW ABOUT WU?

This post proposes three claims about Wu and her rule. The evidence relating to the claims are investigated and a verdict given on how reliable these claims are.

A great Empress’ contribution to society: How Wu thrived Chinese art and culture

Culture is a powerful driver of quality of life and determines the overall well-being for both individuals and society - it is a crucial ingredient for the development of a successful country. Wu paid great attention on cultural development; an important contributor for creating shared value, social development, and raising the standard of living. During …

Agriculture development: Wu’s strategies then and now

Apart from Wu’s successful policies in the imperial examination (see here), her agricultural reforms are also regarded as one of her great contributions to the Tang dynasty’s economic development as a world superpower. In this blog post, we will not only be discussing her strategies towards agricultural development in her time, but also in light …

Can your talent be recognized and valued in Wu’s dynasty?

Wu was officially crowned emperor at the venerable age of 67. Her effectiveness in ruling the country was demonstrated through her innovations and reforms in politics, the economy, culture and military, which contributed to the Tang dynasty’s long-term peace and stability. A significant example of her strategic thinking is her reforms of the old, restrictive …