In 690, Wu made her boldest move.
She ended the Tang dynasty—temporarily—and declared the founding of her own Zhou Dynasty.
Then she proclaimed herself Huangdi.
Not empress.
Emperor.
The same sacred title held by male rulers for centuries.
This was unprecedented.
To legitimize her rule:
She commissioned new Chinese characters.
She promoted loyal officials from humble backgrounds.
She suppressed conspiracies through a powerful secret police network.
She encouraged economic development and agricultural reforms.
Her reign was not chaotic. It was administratively effective.
But fear existed alongside order.
Informants operated throughout the court. Accusations could mean exile or execution.
Stability had a price.