Editing Wu Zetian (section)

== Removal and death ==
[[File:Qianling.jpg|thumb|upright|Located to the east of Phoenix Gate within the [[Qianling Mausoleum]]–built near [[Chang'an]] in 706 to house the remains of [[Tang Gaozong]], Empress Wu, and other royal members of the Chinese [[Tang dynasty]]–is the large Blank Tablet or Wordless Stele. This tablet is 6.3 meters tall and weighs 98 metric tons. Although no written inscriptions adorn this edifice (hence its name), the sides of the tablet feature carved dragons while the top features carved oysters.]]

In autumn 704, accusations of corruption began to be levelled against Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong, as well as their brothers Zhang Changqi, Zhang Changyi, and Zhang Tongxiu ({{lang|zh|張同休}}). Zhang Tongxiu and Zhang Changyi were demoted, but even though the officials Li Chengjia ({{lang|zh|李承嘉}}) and [[Huan Yanfan]] advocated that Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong be removed as well, Wu Zetian, taking the suggestion of the chancellor [[Yang Zaisi]], did not do so. Subsequently, charges of corruption against Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong were renewed by the chancellor [[Wei Anshi]].<ref name="ZZTJ207" />
[[File:Qianling Mausoleum 38 2013-08.JPG|thumb|left|upright|Side view of the Blank Tablet]]

In winter 704, Wu Zetian became seriously ill for a period, and only the Zhang brothers were allowed to see her; the chancellors were not. This led to speculation that Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong were plotting to take over the throne, and there were repeated accusations of treason. Once her condition improved, Cui Xuanwei advocated that only Li Xian and Li Dan be allowed to attend to her—a suggestion she did not accept. After further accusations against the Zhang brothers by Huan and [[Song Jing]], Wu allowed Song to investigate, but before the investigation was completed, she issued a pardon for Zhang Yizhi, derailing Song's investigation.<ref name="ZZTJ207" />

By spring 705, Wu was seriously ill again. [[Zhang Jianzhi]], [[Jing Hui]], and [[Yuan Shuji]] planned a coup to kill the Zhang brothers. They convinced the generals [[Li Duozuo]], Li Zhan ({{lang|zh|李湛}}), and Yang Yuanyan ({{lang|zh|楊元琰}}) and another chancellor, [[Yao Chong|Yao Yuanzhi]], to be involved. With agreement from Li Xian as well, they acted on 20 February,<ref>{{cite book|last1=Jinhua|first1=Chen|title=The Statues and Monks of Shengshan Monastery: Money and Maitreyan Buddhism in Tang China|page=14|url=https://www2.ihp.sinica.edu.tw/file/1439DHZTyaC.pdf|access-date=29 August 2020|archive-date=25 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025110047/https://www2.ihp.sinica.edu.tw/file/1439DHZTyaC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> killing [[Zhang Yizhi]] and [[Zhang Changzong]], and had Changsheng Hall ({{lang|zh|長生殿}}), where Wu was residing, surrounded. They then reported to her that the Zhang brothers had been executed for treason, and forced her to yield the throne to Li Xian. On 21 February, an edict was issued in her name that made Li Xian regent, and on 22 February, an edict was issued in her name passing the throne to him. On 23 February, Li Xian formally retook the throne, and the next day, under heavy guard, Wu was moved to the subsidiary palace, Shangyang Palace ({{lang|zh|上陽宮}}), while still honored with the title of Empress Regent Zetian Dasheng ({{lang|zh|則天大聖皇帝}}).<ref name="ZZTJ207" /> On 3 March, the restoration of the Tang dynasty was celebrated, thus ending the Zhou.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Jinhua |first1=Chen |url=https://www2.ihp.sinica.edu.tw/file/1439DHZTyaC.pdf |title=The Statues and Monks of Shengshan Monastery: Money and Maitreyan Buddhism in Tang China |page=9 |access-date=29 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025110047/https://www2.ihp.sinica.edu.tw/file/1439DHZTyaC.pdf |archive-date=25 October 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ZZTJ208">{{harvp|Zizhi Tongjian|1084|loc= [[:zh:s:資治通鑑/卷208|vol. 208]]}}.</ref>

Wu died on 16 December,<ref name=":0" /> and, pursuant to a final edict issued in her name, was no longer called empress regnant, but instead "Empress Consort Zetian Dasheng" ({{lang|zh|則天大聖皇后}}).<ref name="ZZTJ208" /> In 706, Wu's son [[Emperor Zhongzong of Tang|Emperor Zhongzong]] had his father, Emperor Gaozong and Wu interred in a joint burial at the [[Qianling Mausoleum]], near the capital [[Chang'an]] on Mount Liang. Zhongzong also buried at Qianling his brother [[Li Xian (prince)|Li Xián]], son [[Li Chongrun]], and daughter Li Xianhui ({{lang|zh|李仙蕙}}) the Lady Yongtai (posthumously honored as the Princess Yongtai)—victims of Wu's wrath.