Hua Ruyi nodded, "Indeed, power struggles have always been a fight to the death. When women clash, they are often more ruthless than men."
He then changed his tone, "However, it is precisely because of this that both we, modern people, and the ancients, are easily influenced by subjective thinking, believing that for women to consolidate power, they must act ruthlessly, and that they cannot secure their position without persecuting their love rivals to death."
"Historically, there have been three prominent female rulers: Empress Lü Zhi, Empress Wu Zetian, and Empress Dowager Cixi. If we were to sift through unofficial histories, and even some so-called official histories recognized by scholars, we would be surprised to find that these three empresses all used the same method to persecute their love rivals: the 'human pig' torture."
"Lü Zhi harmed Consort Qi, Wu Zetian harmed Empress Wang and Consort Xiao Shufei, and Cixi harmed a concubine who entered the palace on the same day as her, namely Consort Li Halata of Emperor Xianfeng. I recall that about twenty years ago, a film about Cixi was shot, and in it, Consort Li was depicted as being killed in this manner. Have you seen it?"
Upon hearing Hua Ruyi's question, Wang Qiang pondered for a moment and nodded, "Yes, I have. That movie was called 'Regent,' and the visuals were very grim. The scene where Consort Li was placed in a wine vat was also a childhood nightmare for me. It was too terrifying."
Hua Ruyi chuckled, "Many unofficial histories claim that Wu Zetian and Cixi imitated Empress Lü in persecuting their love rivals, portraying these three women as heinous villains. However, a few years ago, when I visited the Eastern Qing Tombs and saw Cixi's luxurious tomb, I also visited the tomb of her love rival, Consort Li. I discovered that after Emperor Xianfeng's death, Consort Li was posthumously honored by Cixi as Imperial Noble Consort and lived until Emperor Guangxu ascended the throne. After her death, she was buried in the most honored position in the imperial concubines' burial ground. Consort Li's daughter was also enfeoffed as a Princess Gūlun by Cixi and Empress Dowager Ci'an and married off."
"Anyone familiar with Qing Dynasty history knows that only princesses born to the Empress can be conferred the title of Princess Gūlun. Those born to concubines are only granted the title of Princess Heshuo. Consort Li's daughter was initially bestowed the title of Princess Gūlun. If Cixi truly held a grudge against Consort Li, would she have treated her love rival so well?"
"History books can be fabricated and altered, but tombs cannot lie. Consort Li was buried with great ceremony, which proves that Cixi had no animosity towards her. While Cixi was undeniably a wicked old hag who brought disaster to the nation, we shouldn't attribute every ill to her."
"Similarly, the 'Old Book of Tang' clearly states that Empress Wang committed suicide by hanging herself with a white silk scarf. Considering Empress Wang's status as a woman from the five great clans, Li Zhi would not have dared to allow Wu Zetian to humiliate the legitimate daughter of the Taiyuan Wang clan in such a manner. This allows us to infer which account, that of the 'New Book of Tang' or the 'Old Book of Tang,' is more in line with historical facts."
"From beginning to end, only Consort Qi was subjected to the 'human pig' torture. All other victims were fabricated!"
Hua Ruyi spoke word by word, his pronouncements like pearls, resounding with conviction.
Wang Qiang, hearing this, silently admired his meticulous historical interpretation, "Director Hua is absolutely right. One truly cannot believe everything in history."
Hua Ruyi added, "I know discussing history can be dry. Let me give you another well-known example: 'The Case of the Beheaded Bao.' Have you heard of it?"
Wang Qiang smiled, "How could I not have heard of it? I've seen it countless times since childhood, it's a classic among classics. I've watched it dozens of times, and I can even recite its operatic lines. It's so satisfying to see the scumbag get beheaded by Magistrate Bao!"