Golden and jade leaves of the harem

Author: Xiang Si
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-05-01
Features: Chinese emperors throughout history have placed great emphasis on having many offspring. Court officials who rose to prominence through Confucianism have consistently shown full attention to the emperor's efforts to expand his lineage. The focus on expanding lineage requires early marriage and multiple births. Of course, most Chinese emperors indulged in sensual pleasures, often using the pretext of expanding lineage. It seemed as if their indulgence in beauty was also part of their historical duty to preserve the state and the empire. However, to say that the primary goal of Chinese emperors in seizing and ruling the throne was not to indulge in the pleasures of food, clothing, and sexual desires would be a lie. Therefore, it is not surprising that emperors surrounded by women spent their days indulging in sexual pleasures. Young emperors and crown princes were no exception.