Wu Zetian Wu Zetian (17 February 624 – 16 December 705), personal name Wu Zhao, was the ''de facto'' ruler of the Tang dynasty from 665 to 705, ruling first through others and then (from 690) in her own right. From 665 to 690, she was first empres ...

was a

Chinese sovereign The Chinese sovereign was the ruler of a particular monarchical regime in the historical periods of ancient China and imperial China. Sovereigns ruling the same regime, and descended from the same paternal line, constituted a dynasty. Several t ...

, who ruled officially under the name of her self-proclaimed "Zhou Dynasty", from 690 to 705; however, she had previous imperial positions under both

Emperor Taizong of Tang Emperor Taizong of Tang (28January 59810July 649), previously Prince of Qin, personal name Li Shimin, was the second emperor of the Tang dynasty of China, ruling from 626 to 649. He is traditionally regarded as a co-founder of the dynasty ...

and his son

Emperor Gaozong of Tang Emperor Gaozong of Tang (21 July 628 – 27 December 683), personal name Li Zhi, was the third emperor of the Tang dynasty in China, ruling from 649 to 683; after January 665, he handed power over the empire to his second wife Empress Wu (the f ...

, of the

Tang Dynasty The Tang dynasty (, ; zh, t= ), or Tang Empire, was an Dynasties in Chinese history, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 618 to 907 AD, with an Zhou dynasty (690–705), interregnum between 690 and 705. It was preceded by the Sui dyn ...

China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, slightly ahead of India. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and ...

. Wu was a concubine of Emperor Taizong; after his death she married his successor and 9th son, Emperor Gaozong, officially becoming Gaozong's ''furen'', in 655, although previously having considerable political power prior to this. Gaozong had a debilitating stroke in 660, after which Wu Zetian ruled as effective sovereign until 705.Paludan, 96 Typical of historical Chinese imperial governments, the nation was mainly ruled by a formal bureaucratic government, under the (at least nominal) control of a sole sovereign, or ''huangdi''. In this system, the office of "

chancellor Chancellor ( la, cancellarius) is a title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the of Roman courts of justice—ushers, who sat at the or lattice work screens of a basilica or law cou ...

" was a relatively powerful position. Wu Zetian's "Zhou Dynasty" had various chancellors during her reign, these being shown by name and term of office in the following list: *

Cen Changqian Cen Changqian (; died November 7, 691), briefly known as Wu Changqian (武長倩) during the reign of Wu Zetian, formally the Duke of Deng (鄧公), was a Chinese military general and politician of the Tang and Wu Zhou dynasties of China, serving ...

(690–691) *

Wu Chengsi Wu Chengsi (Chinese: 武承嗣; Pinyin: Wǔ Chéngsì) (died July 22, 698), formally Prince Xuan of Wei (魏宣王), was a nephew of the Chinese sovereign Wu Zetian and an imperial prince of the Wu Zhou dynasty. He participated in her planning in t ...

(690–692, 697) *

Xing Wenwei Xing Wenwei () (died 690?All sources that referred to Xing Wenwei's death agreed that it was soon after his demotion in 690, implying, but not establishing conclusively, that he died in 690.) was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, ser ...

(690) *

Wu Youning Wu Youning (武攸寧), formally the Duke of Jiang (江公), was an imperial prince during the reign of Wu Zetian and served as chancellor both during her regency over her son Emperor Ruizong of Tang and her own reign. It is not known when Wu Youni ...

(690–691, 691–692, 698The table of chancellors in the ''

New Book of Tang The ''New Book of Tang'', generally translated as the "New History of the Tang" or "New Tang History", is a work of official history covering the Tang dynasty in ten volumes and 225 chapters. The work was compiled by a team of scholars of the So ...

'' had several entries with regard to chancellor movements during Wu Zetian's reign that were considered errant entries (as they were immediately duplicated within other subsequent entries) by both its commentators and

Sima Guang Sima Guang (17 November 1019 – 11 October 1086), courtesy name Junshi, was a Chinese historian, politician, and writer. He was a high-ranking Song dynasty scholar-official who authored the monumental history book ''Zizhi Tongjian''. Sima was ...

, the lead editor of the ''

Zizhi Tongjian ''Zizhi Tongjian'' () is a pioneering reference work in Chinese historiography, published in 1084 AD during the Northern Song dynasty in the form of a chronicle recording Chinese history from 403 BC to 959 AD, covering 16 dynast ...

'', and accordingly, those entries are not considered here. Further, it gave no date for the end of Lu Yuanfang's second stint as chancellor, but the ''Zizhi Tongjian'' did. See ''New Book of Tang'', vol. 61.–699) *

Fu Youyi Fu Youyi (傅遊藝) (died August 24, 691), known as Wu Youyi (武遊藝) during the reign of Wu Zetian, was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, serving as a chancellor briefly after she took the throne in 6 ...

(690–691) *

Shi Wuzi Shi Wuzi (史務滋) (died January 2, 691) was a Chinese politician of the Chinese Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, serving briefly as chancellor during Wu Zetian's reign. It is not known when Shi Wuzi was born, but it is known that he w ...

(690–691) *

Zong Qinke Zong Qinke (宗秦客) (died 691?) was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, serving briefly as chancellor during Wu Zetian's reign. Among other things, he is particularly noted for his role in developing cert ...

(690) *

Le Sihui Le Sihui (樂思晦) (died 691) was an official during Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, briefly serving as chancellor. It is not known when Le Sihui was born. His father Le Yanwei served as chancellor during the reign of Wu Zetian's husband Emperor Gaozo ...

(691) *

Ren Zhigu Ren or REN may refer to: Abbreviations * Orenburg Tsentralny Airport, IATA code REN, civil airport in Russia * Redes Energéticas Nacionais (REN), Portuguese company * Renanthera, abbreviated as Ren, orchid genus * Ringer equivalence number (R ...

(691–692) *

Ge Fuyuan Ge Fuyuan (格輔元; died November 7, 691) was a Chinese politician of the Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, serving briefly as a chancellor during Wu Zetian's reign. It is not known when Ge Fuyuan was born, but it is known that he was fr ...

(691) *

Ouyang Tong Ouyang Tong (歐陽通) (died November 7, 691), formally the Viscount of Bohai (渤海子), was a Chinese calligrapher and politician of the Tang and Wu Zhou dynasties of China, serving briefly as chancellor during Wu Zetian's reign. Background I ...

(691) *

Pei Xingben Pei Xingben (裴行本) was a Chinese politician of Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, serving briefly as chancellor. Despite Pei's high status, little is firmly established about his background or career except for the time that he served as chancellor— ...

(691–692) *

Di Renjie Di Renjie (630 – November 11, 700), courtesy name Huaiying (懷英), formally Duke Wenhui of Liang (梁文惠公), was a Chinese politician of Tang and Wu Zhou dynasties, twice serving as chancellor during the reign of Wu Zetian. He was one of ...

(691–692, 697–700) *

Yang Zhirou Yang Zhirou (楊執柔) (died 692?) was an official of Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, serving briefly as chancellor. It is not known when Yang Zhirou was born. What is known is that his grandfather Yang Xu (楊續), a member of Tang Dynasty's predeces ...

(692) * Li Youdao (692) *

Yuan Zhihong Yuan Zhihong (袁智弘) was an official of Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, briefly serving as chancellor. Despite Yuan high status, little is firmly established about his background or career except for the time that he served as chancellor—as, unusu ...

(692) *

Cui Shenji Cui Shenji (崔神基), formally the Duke of Qingqiu (清丘公), was a Chinese official of the Tang dynasty and the Wu Zhou dynasty, briefly serving as chancellor during Wu Zetian's reign. It is not known when Cui was born, but it is known that hi ...

(692) * Cui Yuanzong (692–694) *

Li Zhaode Li Zhaode (李昭德) (died April 28, 697) was a Chinese politician in Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty and at one point served as chancellor. He was known for his abilities and strong will, which eventually led to a conflict with Wu Zetian's secret police ...

(692–694) *

Yao Shu Yao Shu (姚璹) (632–705), courtesy name Lingzhang (令璋), formally Count Cheng of Wuxing (吳興成伯), was a Chinese politician of the Tang and Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, serving twice as chancellor during Wu Zetian's reign. He is not to b ...

(692, 694–697) *

Li Yuansu Li Yuansu (李元素) (died October 26, 696) was an official of Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, serving twice as chancellor. Li Yuansu was the younger brother of Li Jingxuan, who served as chancellor during the reign of Wu Zetian's husband Emperor Gaozo ...

(692, 694–696) *

Wang Xuan Wang Xuan (; February 5, 1937 – February 13, 2006), born in Wuxi, Jiangsu, was a Chinese computer scientist. He was a computer application specialist and innovator of the Chinese printing industry, as well as an academician at both the Chinese ...

(692) *

Lou Shide Lou Shide (; 630–699), courtesy name Zongren (宗仁), formally Viscount Zhen of Qiao (譙貞子), was a Chinese military general and politician of the Chinese Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, twice serving as chancellor during Wu ...

(693–696, 697–699) *

Wei Juyuan Wei Juyuan (韋巨源) (631 – July 22, 710), formally Duke Zhao of Shu (舒昭公), was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, serving multiple times as chancellor during the reigns of Wu Zetian, her son Emp ...

(693–694, 700) *

Lu Yuanfang Lu Yuanfang (陸元方) (639 - March 20, 701), courtesy name Xizhong (希仲), was an official of Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, twice serving as chancellor. It is not known when Lu Yuanfang was born, but it is known that his family was from Su Prefectu ...

(693–694, 699–700) *

Doulu Qinwang Doulu Qinwang () (630?Doulu's biography in the '' Old Book of Tang'' indicated that he died "more than 79 years old," but his biography in the '' New Book of Tang'' indicated that he died at age 79. Compare ''Old Book of Tang'', vol. 90 with ''N ...

(693–694, 697–698, 699–700) *

Su Weidao Su Weidao (; 648?–705?Su Weidao's biographies in the ''Old Book of Tang'' and the ''New Book of Tang'' both stated that he died at the age of 57, shortly after he was made the secretary general at Yi Prefecture for the second time. The ''Old Bo ...

(693–694, 698–704) *

Wang Xiaojie Wang Xiaojie (王孝傑) (died February 8, 697), formally the Duke of Geng (耿國公), was a Chinese military general and politician of the Chinese Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, serving in campaigns against Tibet, Eastern Turks, and ...

(693–696) * Wei Shifang (694) *

Yang Zaisi Yang Zaisi (楊再思) (died 709), formally Duke Gong of Zheng (鄭恭公), was a Chinese politician serving several times as chancellor of Tang Dynasty, chancellor during the reigns of Wu Zetian and her son Emperor Zhongzong of Tang, Emperor Zhongz ...

(694–699, 704–705) *

Du Jingjian Du Jingjian ()The name of "Jingjian" is per the '' Old Book of Tang'' and the ''Zizhi Tongjian''. The '' New Book of Tang'' gave his name as Du Jingquan (杜景佺) and also asserted that he was originally named Du Yuanfang (杜元方). was an off ...

(694, 697–698) *

Zhou Yunyuan Zhou Yunyuan (周允元) (died January 29, 695), courtesy name Ruliang (汝良), was an official of Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, briefing serving as chancellor. It is not known when Zhou Yunyuan was born, but it is known that he was from Yu Prefecture ...

(694–695) * Sun Yuanheng (696) *

Wang Fangqing Wang Fangqing (王方慶) (died 702), formal name Wang Lin (王綝) but went by the courtesy name of Fangqing,''New Book of Tang'', vol. 72, part 2. formally Duke Zhen of Shiquan (石泉貞公), was a Chinese politician during the Tang Dynasty and ...

(696–698) *

Li Daoguang Li Daoguang (李道廣), courtesy name Taiqiu (太丘),''New Book of Tang'', vol. 72. formally Marquess Cheng of Jincheng (金城成侯), was an official of Wu Zetian's Zhou dynasty, serving as chancellor for about two years. Background It is not ...

(696–698) *

Wang Jishan Wang Jishan (王及善) (618 – August 28, 699), formally Duke Zhen of Xing (邢貞公), was a Chinese military general and politician of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during Wu Zetian's re ...

(697–699) *

Zong Chuke Zong Chuke (宗楚客) (died July 24, 710), courtesy name Shu'ao (叔敖), was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, serving as chancellor during the reigns of Wu Zetian, her son Emperor Zhongzong, and her ...

(697–698, 704) *

Wu Sansi Wu Sansi (died August 7, 707), known posthumously as Prince Xuan of Liang (), was a Chinese prince and politician of the Tang and Wu Zhou dynasties. Wu Sansi served as a chancellor and imperial prince during the reign of his aunt, Empress Wu Zetian ...

(697, 698–700) *

Yao Chong Yao Chong (; 650 – September 28, 721), né Yao Yuanchong (姚元崇), known 700s–713 by the courtesy name of Yuanzhi (元之), formally Duke Wenxian of Liang (梁文獻公), was an official of the Chinese Tang dynasty and Wu Zetian's Wu Zhou ...

(698–704, 704–705) * Li Jiao (698–700, 703–704) *

Ji Xu Ji Xu () was a Chinese politician during Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, serving briefly as chancellor. Background It is not known when Ji Xu was born, but it is known that he was from the Zhou capital Luoyang. He was said to be tall, good at hiding ...

(699–700) *

Wei Yuanzhong Wei Yuanzhong (魏元忠) (died 707), né Wei Zhenzai (魏真宰), formally Duke Zhen of Qi (齊貞公), was an official of the Chinese Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, serving as chancellor during the reigns of Wu Zetian and her son Empe ...

(699–703) * Zhang Xi (700–701) *

Wei Anshi Wei Anshi (; 651–714), formally Duke Wenzhen of Xun (), was an official of the Chinese Tang dynasty and Wu Zetian's Zhou dynasty, serving as a chancellor several times, during the reigns of Wu Zetian, her sons Emperor Zhongzong and Emperor Rui ...

(700–705) *

Li Huaiyuan Li Huaiyuan () (died 706), courtesy name Guangde (), formally Duke Cheng of Zhao Commandery (), was an official of the Chinese Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, serving twice as chancellor during the reigns of Wu Zetian and her son Emperor ...

(701) * Gu Cong (701–702) *

Li Jiongxiu Li Jiongxiu (李迥秀), courtesy name Maozhi (茂之), was a Chinese military general and politician of the Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, serving as chancellor during Wu Zetian's reign. Background It is not known when Li Jiongxiu wa ...

(701–704) *

Zhu Jingze Zhu Jingze (朱敬則; 635–709), courtesy name Shaolian (), was an official of China's Tang dynasty and Wu Zetian's Zhou dynasty, serving as a chancellor during Wu Zetian's reign. Background Zhu Jingze was born in 635, during the reign of Empe ...

(703–704) *

Tang Xiujing Tang Xiujing (唐休璟; 627–712), formal name Tang Xuan () but went by the courtesy name of Xiujing, formally Duke Zhong of Song (), was an official and general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, serving as chancell ...

(703–705) *

Wei Sili Wei Sili (韋嗣立; 654–719), courtesy name Yan'gou (延構), formally Duke Xiao of Xiaoyao (逍遙孝公), was an official of the Chinese Tang dynasty and Wu Zetian's Zhou dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Wu Zetian, her so ...

(704) *

Cui Xuanwei Cui Xuanwei (崔玄暐; 638–706), né Cui Ye (崔曄), formally Prince Wenxian of Boling (博陵文獻王), was an official of the Chinese Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Wu Zetian and her so ...

(704–705) *

Zhang Jianzhi Zhang Jianzhi (張柬之) (625Zhang's birth year of 625 is based on his biographies in the ''Old Book of Tang'' and the ''New Book of Tang'', both of which indicated that he was 81 at the time of his death in 706. However, the ''New Book of Tang'' ...

(704–705) *

Fang Rong Fang Rong (房融) per the biography of his son Fang Guan. See '' New Book of Tang'', vol. 139.) was an official of Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, briefly serving as chancellor. Despite Fang's high status, little is firmly established about his career ...

(704–705) *

Wei Chengqing Wei Chengqing (韋承慶; 640?–706?Wei Chengqing's biographies in the ''Old Book of Tang'' and ''New Book of Tang'' imply, but do not state for certain, that he died in 706 and did not give a birth date or death age for him. See ''Old Book of ...

(704–705) *

Yuan Shuji Yuan Shuji (袁恕己) (died 706), formally Prince Zhenlie of Nanyang (南陽貞烈王), was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, serving as chancellor during the reign of Emperor Zhongzong. He was a key ...

(705)

Notes and references

Sources

* ''

'', vols.

7

{{refend Chancellors under Wu Zetian, * Wu Zetian