The Empress of the Dynasty

*The Empress of the Dynasty*
The Empress of the Dynasty
Also known as	Yi Dai Nü Huang; Yi Dai Nü Huang Wu Zetian
Chinese	一代女皇 / 一代女皇武則天
Hanyu Pinyin	Yī Dài Nǚ Huáng / Yī Dài Nǚ Huáng Wǔ Zétiān
Genre	Historical drama
Screenplay by	Meng Tzu-yi; Tu-ku Hung; Lo Wen-chung
Directed by	Li Yueh-fung
Starring	Angela Pan
Theme music composer	Chang Yung-chiang
Opening theme	Yi Dai Nü Huang (一代女皇) performed by Jin Pei-shan
Country of origin	Taiwan
Original language	Mandarin
No. of episodes	40
Production
Executive producers	Li Jin-cheng; Peng Chao-min
Producer	Lin Hui-chun
Production location	Taiwan
Running time	60 minutes per episode (including commercials)
Production company	CTV
Original release
Network	CTV
Release	18 November 1985 –; 10 January 1986

The Empress of the Dynasty is a Taiwanese television series based on the life of Wu Zetian, the only female emperor in Chinese history. Directed by Li Yueh-fung and produced by Lin Hui-chun, the series starred Angela Pan as Wu Zetian. It was first broadcast in Taiwan on CTV from 18 November 1985 to 10 January 1986.

Plot

Wu Shiyue was surprised when his wife Lady Yang gave birth to a daughter. His daughter was foretold to be important in the future. His daughter, Wu Meiniang entered the palace at the age of fourteen to serve as a concubine to Emperor Taizong of Tang. He acknowledges these talents and favors her after the death of Empress Zhangsun. She instead develops feelings for his son Li Zhi. She helped him gain prominence over his brothers Li Tai and Li Chengqian.

After the Crown Prince is deposed, Meiniang helped Li Zhi become the Crown Prince, and eventually emperor. He rescued her from a convent, and she is taken back to the palace after Emperor Taizong dies. She faces enemies such as Empress Wang and Consort Xiao, and several of Li Zhi's officials. After the downfall of Consort Xiao and Empress Wang, Meiniang ascends as Empress Wu. Her life isn't easy, because her sister the Lady of Han has an affair with Li Zhi and she is despised by Zhangsun Wuji. Since Li Zhi is often ill, Meiniang is in charge of politics.

Cast

Angela Pan as Wu Zetian / Princess Taiping (young)
Liang Hsiu-shen as Emperor Taizong
Fan Jih-hsing as Emperor Gaozong
Ke Wei-chia as Li Xian
Hua Shao-chiang as Li Dan
Kao Pei-chun as Li Hong
Hou Kuan-chun as Li Xian
You Kuo-tung as Li Chengqian
Ting Hua-chung as Li Tai
Liu Lin as Li Yuanchang
Tsui Hao-jan as Ming Xuewen
Hsu Chia-jung as Cheng Nanying
Chen Pei-ling as Empress Wang
Liu Hsiao-ping as Lady of Han
Pan Chin-hao as Helan Minzhi
Kung Lien-hua as Consort Xiao
Sihung Lung as Zhangsun Wuji
Lin Hsiu-chun as Empress Zhangsun
Chang Pi as Xiaoshunzi
Chou Chung-lien as Shangguan Yi
Pei Hsin-yu as Shangguan Wan'er
Kuan Yi as Madam Liu
Li Yih-min as Zhikong (Feng Xiaobao)
Wang Jui as Chu Suiliang
Tieh Meng-chiu as Wang Renyou
Kao Chen-peng as Yuan Tiangang
Nan Chun as Li Chunfeng
Wu Fung as Di Renjie
Yu Heng as Zhang Wenguan
Min Min as Dai Zhide
Chen You-hsin as Pei Yan
Chen Cheng as Dahulu
Fang Mian as Wu Shihuo
Chang Chuan as Yao Lie
Lu Pi-yun [zh] as Madam Zheng / Madam Yang
Hu Wen-tou as eunuch