Imperial Mind

 "...Dr Foo Check Teck’s presumably fictitious tale of Empress Wu’s mind is told through the scrolls of a hapless scholar who was kidnapped one stormy night to transcribe the ramblings of the Empress’ fallen-from-grace Chief Eunuch, now languishing in the palace gaol. Through the eyes of the petrified scholar, Empress Wu is evil personified, but one that Heaven has destined, hence the reason for her good fortune and propitious timing. He is terrified and overawed by her, choosing to refer to her as S?he (a female he).

 The Chief Eunuch, “Chief”, as the scholar calls him, recounts the Empress’ life from the early days when she was a concubine to the previous emperor. She was beautiful (a characteristic without which no woman can presume to succeed), intelligent and resourceful.

 After falling out of favour with the Emperor (emperors being fickle about favourite concubines, after all), she chose to demote herself to be his personal maid so that she could remain in his presence. Blind loyalty? The Chief thinks not. He notes that by staying at the Emperor’s side as his personal maid, she learnt first-hand about the administration of the country and how to devise strategies against enemies..."