釋氏稽古略 3.84

3.84

Her taboo name was Zhao (pronounced *zhi-shao fan*), of the Wu clan. She was Empress to Gaozong. She gave birth to Zhongzong, Ruizong, and Princess Taiping, three persons in all. When Gaozong died, Zhongzong was enthroned; she was honored as Empress Dowager. In the second month, on the *wuwu* day, of the first year of Zhongzong's reign, the Empress demoted Zhongzong to Prince of Luling and confined him in a separate residence. On the *jiwei* day, she enthroned Dan, Prince of Yu (Ruizong), as Emperor. The affairs of state were decided by the Empress Dowager. The Emperor was housed in a separate hall. In the fourth month of summer, she moved the Prince of Luling to Fangzhou, and moved him again to Junzhou. In the ninth month, on the *jiayin* day, she granted a general amnesty throughout the realm and changed the reign era to Guangzhai. Banners and flags all took gold as their color. Those of the eighth rank and below who formerly wore blue changed to wearing viridian. The Eastern Capital (Luoyang) was renamed the Divine Capital (Shendu). The palace was named Taichu. She also changed the Department of State Affairs (Shangshu sheng) to the Terrace of Literary Radiance (Wenchang tai), the Left and Right Vice Directors (Pushe) to the Left and Right Prime Ministers, and the Six Ministries (Liucao) to the Six Offices of Heaven, Earth, and the Four Seasons. The Chancellery (Menxia sheng) became the Phoenix Terrace (Luan tai), the Secretariat (Zhongshu sheng) became the Phoenix Pavilion (Feng ge), the Chancellors (Shizhong) became Receptionists (Nayan), and the Directors of the Secretariat (Zhongshu ling) became Inner Scribes (Neishi). The Censorate (Yushi tai) became the Left Stern Administration Terrace (Zuo Suzheng tai), and the Right Stern Administration Terrace was newly established. The rest of the departments, courts, directorates, and guards were all renamed according to related semantic categories. The Empress Dowager held court and ruled for twenty-one years, living to the age of eighty-one (*Tang shi*). Guangzhai (1 year), Chuigong (4 years), Yongchang (1 year), Tianshou, which was changed to Zaichu (2 years), Changshou (2 years), Yanzai (1 year), Tiance Wansui, which was changed to Zhengsheng (1 year), Wansui Tongtian, which was changed to Wansui Dengfeng (1 year), Shengong (1 year), Shengli (2 years), Jiushi (1 year), Chang'an (5 years).