Empress Wu Zetian: Sure.
Maya: How long did you rule?
Empress Wu Zetian: I ruled for over half a century.
Maya: How and when did you become close with Emperor Taizong?
Empress Wu Zetian: When I was 14 years old I beacme his concubine and when he found out that I knew how literature, and history I was noticed right away by the Emperor Taizong and I was told to work in the imperial study. At the imperial stusy I saw alot of official documents.
Maya: What happened when Emeperor Taizong die?
Empress Wu Zetian: EMperor Taizong died in 649, when I was 26 years old. After this his son Gaozong became the new emperor. The old emperor's concubines were sent to a nunnery. Emperor Gaozong was amazed by my talent and beauty and usually came to visit me. After three years i was called to the palace and became the concubine of the Emperor Gaozong.
Maya: What did you do to win the competetion between you and Empress Wang?
Empress Wu Zetian: After I gave birth to two sons, I began to fight with Empress Wang for the love of the emperor. To win I killed the other favorite concubines of Emperor Gaozong and to get rid of the empress I killed her baby daughter and blamed it on Empress Wang. And the emperor knew nothing about this.
Maya: In your political career how did you help the dynasty?
Empress Wu Zetian: Then Wu Zetian began her political career in earnest for her goal was to become the first female-emperor of China.I uhad ability and inteligence. I was admired by my husband. I gave and accepted new ideas about agriculture, tax reduction, social reforms and effective labor saving practices.
Maya: When dod yoiu take over the administration of the court?
Empress Wu Zetian: When my husband suffered a stroke in 660 I took over the administration of the court. I Showing no mercy toward anyone who failed to follow my wishes,I had them thrown into prison or executed. My harshness extended to members of my family too.
Maya: Thanks for your time.
Empress Wu Zetian: Your welcome.
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