Scholars of past dynasties have been arguing endlessly about this issue, resulting in different lawsuits. Generally speaking, there are the following statements. First, Wu Zetian knows that she is in power, usurping power and restructuring, killing innocent people, being extravagant, sinful, and having no merit. It is better not to carve a word than to laugh at future generations. Secondly, Wu Zetian thinks that when she was in office, she fostered the cold and weak, attacked the rich and powerful, developed the imperial examination, rewarded farmers and mulberry, and succeeded to the rule of Zhenguan. The great achievements in history are far beyond the capacity of an inscription, leaving an empty monument to show that she has passed away. Thirdly, Wu Zetian was clever and alert all her life, and often made amazing moves and set up a tablet without words, which was intended to make a contribution to future generations and let them comment.

Scholars who hold the first view are experts in the history of Sui and Tang Dynasties, such as Cen, Yan and Yan. According to the famous scholar Zhu's A Compendium of Mirror and Ouyang Xiu's A Book of the New Tang Dynasty, they think that Wu Zetian "has no political achievements to record even if he ignores personal morality."

Scholars who hold the second view, such as Fan Wenlan and Jian Bozan. Generally, the historical materials of Hanyuan Collection by Lu Zhi, a political commentator in the Tang Dynasty, Rongzhai Essay by Hong Mai, a historian in the Southern Song Dynasty, and Continued Burning Books by Li Zhi, an outstanding thinker in the Ming Dynasty are quoted.

"Ganling pine and cypress kill, wild cattle and sheep spring grass qi; Only the dry person Huaide, wheat and rice worship every year. "

Scholars who hold the third view, on the basis of previous studies, have made textual research on the source of cultural relics excavated in Ganling after liberation. During the period of 1960, there was a debate and discussion in academic circles around Comrade Guo Moruo's new historical drama Wu Zetian. These scholars pointed out: "Zi, Song, Qing and others all admired Wu Zetian and spoke highly of her." It is believed that the foundation laid by Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty established a scale, and "Wu Zetian consolidated and developed this foundation. Without the 50 years when Wu Zetian played a role, there would be no "rule of kaiyuan" of Tang Xuanzong. Wu Zetian played a certain role in the history of the Tang Dynasty and the history of the motherland, which should be affirmed, but it cannot be generalized. Wu Zetian's mistakes were also serious, especially in the later period of his rule, when political affairs were corrupt and new wealth was formed. Because of the mixed merits and demerits, these scholars believe that "Wu Zetian is a smart person, and it is the best way to set up a monument without words and let future generations comment." Recently, in the book Famous Kings in China published by Henan People's Publishing House, Hu Ji pointed out in the article Wu Zetian, the only female emperor in the history of China: "This world-famous wordless monument has stood tall for more than 1000 years, which seems to symbolize Wu Zetian's confidence in her life and career.