What's in a name? -- Historical preconditions for the ascent of a female emperor: Steppe culture, the Silk Road and Buddhism -- From the Sichuan countryside to the inner palace -- Empress Wu: a changing of the guard -- The two sages -- Celestial empress and grand dowager -- Wu Zhao as lover: lady of perfect satisfaction -- Sage mother rising -- Queen of terror -- Bodhisattva of mercy -- Emperor of the Zhou dynasty -- Octogenarian in retreat: succession, factionalism, and craneriding in the final years -- Conclusion: the vain quest for Wu Zhao.
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