As the only female emperor in the history of China, Wu Zetian has always had different views on her. I think that judging the merits and demerits of ancient emperors should not be based on her lifestyle and ruling style, but on whether what she did during the ruling period was conducive to social development, national unity and national unity. Those who meet this standard are wise monarchs, and vice versa.

Major achievements

1, pay attention to farming

In terms of water conservancy ditch construction, Wu Zetian built 19 water conservancy projects during her reign. Guanzhong area is vast and sparsely populated, and it is difficult to rectify the land equalization system. Therefore, under the voluntary situation of the people, local officials organized Guanzhong residents to immigrate to Henan Road.

2. Consolidate the frontier

Wu Zetian also made a lot of efforts for national peace during her reign. During her several years in power, she was good at appointing generals, pacifying the Turks, setting up a northern court to protect the country, cracking down on Tubo, opening military camps and consolidating the frontier. Adhering to the frontier army's policy of reclaiming farmland plays a positive role in developing frontier areas, reducing people's traffic burden and consolidating frontier defense.

3. Pay attention to culture and create a martial arts palace examination.

Wu Zetian attaches great importance to selecting talents and appointing people, regardless of family background, and always uses them according to the amount. Through various measures, it broke the original traditional system and created more opportunities for the broad masses of the lower classes to participate in politics.

Wu Zetian also selected a group of outstanding talents through various channels such as imperial examinations, bootstrapping and recommendation by others, and these people also became the mainstay of the Wu Zhou regime. At the same time, a large number of documents and works were completed during this period, such as Le Shu's notes, Xuan Lan, and Liao Bai's new commandments.

After Wu Zetian proclaimed himself emperor, she made an exception and opened the martial arts examination, that is, in the same year of the imperial examination, she took the martial arts examination at the same time, including riding and shooting, step shooting, janjawid, weight bearing and so on. Those who pass the exam can be appointed as military attache and so on.

Mistakes and shortcomings

1, playing politics and reusing cruel officials

In order to clear the obstacles to her succession, Wu Zetian wantonly killed the royal forces in Li Tang. She played politics, suspected that her subjects were unfaithful to her, and rewarded informers with cruel officials such as Suo Yuanli, Zhou Xing and Lai Junchen, which made many corrupt officials run amok. Although these measures have eliminated some political enemies, they can't help killing innocent people. She let go of the election of officials, which led to a sharp increase in bureaucratic groups and an expansion of bureaucratic institutions, which increased the burden on the people.

2, cronyism, luxury life

Wu Zetian worshiped Buddhism, built temples, built Tang Ming, built Shu Tian and cast Jiuding, which wasted a lot of manpower and material resources. In her later years, Wu Zetian even liked to listen to rumors, was overjoyed, lived a luxurious life and consumed a lot of money and labor. Zhang Changzong and Zhang Yizhi brothers, on the surface, are congenial, but secretly they are eyeing up. Wu Zetian used Wu, Wu Sansi and other people from the Wu family.

All the mistakes and historical achievements are made public. Although Wu Zetian is not a virtuous and stigma-free emperor, she can also be called "an outstanding female politician in feudal times", worthy of the name.