For those who are very interested in Wu Zetian’s life, the History Encyclopedia editor brings detailed articles for your reference. Wu Zetian met so many men in her life, who was the man she loved the most in her life?
Wu Zetian’s life can be said to be full of various legendary colors, and any such character’s private life must have many interesting aspects. Especially regarding the question of who was the man she loved the most in her life, it has been speculated by later generations whether she loved the talented and resourceful Emperor Taizong Li Shimin, Emperor Gaozong Li Zhi who rescued him from the Gan Ye Temple, or the various male pets who could satisfy her private life in the later period?
Firstly, Emperor Taizong of Tang is undoubtedly a timeless emperor and a hero of his time. For such a man, how could a woman not love him? When Wu Zetian first entered the palace, she was only fourteen or fifteen years old and knew nothing. She could easily be conquered by the personal charm of Emperor Taizong.
However, it is puzzling that Wu Zetian assisted Emperor Taizong for twelve years, but failed to give birth to a son and a daughter for him. What exactly is going on here? This is mainly because once, while training horses, Wu Zetian showed too much competitiveness at a young age, and her sharpness was fully exposed; Only then did Emperor Taizong become wary of her and not favor her for a long time.
Wu Zetian, who was neglected by Emperor Taizong, realized that she must find a life-saving straw, otherwise her life would be ruined. Fortunately, at this critical moment, she happened to meet Li Zhi, who was four years younger than her, in the palace. At this moment, the two fell in love at first sight, but Wu Zetian’s infatuation may have had other intentions.
When Crown Prince Li Zhi succeeded to the throne as Emperor Gaozong of Tang, she, under the pressure of courtiers, brought Wu Zetian back from the Gan Ye Temple. Wu Zetian, who was favored by Emperor Gaozong, began to rise rapidly from then on. First, she tried her best to replace Empress Wang, and then took advantage of Li Zhi’s poor health to reach out to the court and eventually became known as the Two Saints along with him. After Li Zhi’s early death, he began to monopolize the court as the Empress Dowager and eventually embarked on the path of proclaiming himself emperor.
In her later years, Wu Zetian also kept many male pets. For these male pets, it should not be considered love, but only for the satisfaction of her private life. For the talented and strategic Emperor Taizong, who had long neglected Wu Zetian, it was unlikely that he would fall in love with her.
Therefore, the only man Wu Zetian fell in love with may have been Emperor Gaozong Li Zhi. Although Li Zhi had a weak personality, without him, Wu Zetian would probably have spent the rest of her life in the Gan Ye Temple, let alone later becoming known as Empress Dowager. It was Li Zhi who helped her climb to the top of power despite rumors and gossip, so it is not surprising that Wu Zetian fell in love with Li Zhi.
