History RoyallyScrewedUp / RealLifeChina

** Eventually, Empress Wu became UsefulNotes/WuZetian, after deposing two of her sons. She is said to have been fond of torturing her political opponents. In her old age, she became smitten with the brothers Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong, who eventually reigned supreme in politics. Anyone who expressed dissatisfaction with the Zhang brothers was punished [[note]] For example, when her grandson, granddaughter, and granddaughter's husband (who was also [[KissingCousins her grandnephew]]) were accused of criticising the Zhang brothers, they were all executed (though the granddaughter's epitaph says she suffered DeathByChildbirth. Some have theorised she miscarried or went into premature labour in grief over her husband and brother's deaths) Many chancellors also met the end of their career by going against the Zhang brothers. [[/note]] Eventually Wu Zetian was deposed in favour of her son Li Xian (not to be confused with the crown prince Wu Zetian executed, whose name has a different character). However, despite this, Wu Zetian is now regarded as a wise and fair empress who gave greater opportunities for those of lower backgrounds to influence politics by reforming the imperial examination system, and many of her crimes are now regarded to have been made up by her political opponents. Even the most misogynistic of later historians begrudgingly admitted she was a good leader with a good eye for talent.