ABSTRACT
Empress Wei (d. 710 a . d . ) was the ruthlessly ambitious wife of Emperor Zhongzong in the Tang dynasty. Her grandfather, Wei Hongbiao, was a military official; her father, Wei Xunzheng, was sent into exile by Empress Wu Zetian; her mother was Madam Cui; and her four brothers were all killed by Ning Chengji and his brothers, who were leaders of the minority pop ulation in Qinzhou.
