Actually, the "Wordless Monument" is not wordless. If you look closely, you will find that there are many words densely engraved on it. These are all inscriptions added by people since the Song and Jin Dynasties due to the regret of "no words". Empress Wu Zetian built a monument to Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty and set up a biography. Why didn’t she build a monument to herself and not write a biography? Since the Tang Dynasty, people have had various opinions on this for more than a thousand years.

The first theory is that Wu Zetian erected the "wordless monument" to show off herself and to express her great achievements and virtues that cannot be expressed in words. From the time she became queen in 655 AD until she was forced to abdicate in 705 AD, Wu Zetian participated in and held the highest power for fifty years. If we count from the time of Tang Gaozong's death, it will be twenty-one years. She was the only outstanding female emperor in Chinese history. She attacked wealthy families politically, and developed the imperial examination system, which allowed a large number of talents to enter the political arena and inhibited the monopoly of wealthy families. She rewarded farmers and mulberry trees, built water conservancy projects, alleviated corvee labor, and rectified The land equalization system has made the social economy continue to rise and the number of households continue to grow; she knows people well and appoints them in an unconventional manner. She encourages officials at all levels to recommend talents and accept advice humbly. Because of their duties, "the tired dynasty has many scholars." She strengthened the border defense of feudal countries and improved relations with all ethnic groups on the border. In short, Wu Zetian was a person rich in political talent and ideals. During her reign, she did many things that were in the interests of the people, stabilized and developed the "Reign of Zhenguan", advanced history by a big step, and played a great role in the subsequent "Reign of Kaiyuan". "It serves as a link between the past and the future.

The second theory is that Wu Zetian erected the "wordless monument" because she knew that her sin was serious and felt that it was better not to write an inscription. First, Wu Zetian used flattery to gain trust, climbing from a low-status "talent" to a powerful queen, and finally to the throne. Second, cultivate party members, establish a court traitor group, and eliminate dissidents under the banner of Li Tang's "court". Third, they appointed cruel officials and implemented the terrorist policy of informing and indiscriminate punishment. Fourth, the socio-economic development in the early Tang Dynasty was in a saddle shape, and it was at its lowest point when Wu Zetian was in power. Fifth, during his administration, he lost four towns in Anxi, jeopardizing the unity of the country. Because of her position, Wu Zetian could not write a biography for herself, but could only use the "wordless monument" to set the tone for future generations.

The third theory is that Wu Zetian is a self-aware person, and erecting a "wordless monument" is a smart move. It is the best way to let future generations comment on the merits and demerits. Because there are things that can be affirmed about Wu Zetian, and there are also things that should be denied. During Wu Zetian's reign, the trend of economic development since Zhenguan continued; in dealing with the complex situation before and after the death of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty, she showed extraordinary personal talents; in terms of "accepting advice" and "employing people", even many people with the ability People with feudal orthodox ideas marveled at it. However, Wu Zetian's negative side is also very prominent. In order to consolidate her personal position, she appointed "cruel officials", killed innocent people indiscriminately, believed in Buddhism, and was extravagant and wasteful. Especially in the later period of the reign, court politics became increasingly corrupt, forming a group of new privileged aristocrats who were connived and supported by Wu Zetian. Wu Zetian was forced to hand over power and return power to Tang Zhongzong. She knew that people would have various opinions about her life, and it was difficult to write good or bad inscriptions, so she decided to erect a "wordless monument" to be passed down by future generations. to evaluate.