There are endless stories to tell about the Chinese palaces. But the subject that people are interested in is still the story of the “handmaidens” of the “Chinese Emperor” During the Ming Dynasty, the palace was crowded with palace personnel. Especially the maid of honor According to records, there were as many as 9,000 maids of honor in the palace at that time, and the choice of “maids” was extremely intense.
According to records regarding the choice of courtesans and concubines in Chinese palaces Each dynasty has different details. For the Ming Dynasty, it is said that the Hongwu Emperor (Zhu Yuanzhang) needed to be protected from the relatives of his concubines and wives. The choice of concubines and royal wives had to come from among all the common people. Many records report on the state of the country during the selection period. The villagers are worried. Hurry up and get married to avoid being chosen. As a result, the population increased.
Meanwhile, the Qing Dynasty focused on preserving the royal bloodline. which is the ruling class Therefore, the royal family chose the concubines and consorts from the families of the 8 banner families (during the Qing Dynasty, the military divisions were divided into 8 groups, and the chiefs were those who belonged or n relatives of the emperor’s family and relatives in the Qing Dynasty) by choice. Every 3 years
The Qing Dynasty’s First “Nang Mai” Selection Ceremony It is held in the 11th year of the Shunzhi era, after Emperor Shunzhi onwards. Girls of the Nobles of the Eight Banners, Manchu, Mongol, and Han, aged 13-17, were required to join the selection process. If you have not passed the selection process, there is a strict ban on marriage. But when you’re over 17 and have never been chosen to marry? The person responsible for overseeing the work is the Ministry of Finance.
In addition, Zhao Guangchao, who wrote and collected information about the Forbidden City, recorded it in a book. “One Hundred Stories of the Forbidden Palace” explains that the Nei Wu Fu (Royal Palace Department) will be the one to select women from the Bao Yi from the three high-ranking banner departments. (The enslaved family of the flag chief, which is an aristocratic class) entering the palace to be a court maid of honor also belongs to the “beautiful selection” category as well. This group has the right to be promoted to the rank of concubine if they catch the emperor’s eye. When she gave birth to a son, she became a queen’s companion.
Regarding the number of wives and concubines of the “Chinese Emperor” during the Ming Dynasty, there were 12 levels, while the Kangxi Emperor There were 8 ranks in the Qing Dynasty, although the chosen one was considered to have the right to be a queen’s consort . But many fear for their lives in a remote, unknown corner. Or spend her youth in solitude as a royal concubine on the vast grounds of the palace. What is feared is not without its origin. Consider that her welfare is extensive. But with the harshness of the Ming Dynasty Although the maid of honor died, she did not leave the palace. For the aged maid of honor The body is weak. is sent to An Letang (During the Qing Dynasty, it was called Ji’an Suo) for life.
This time we must talk about the strict selection method of the Ming Dynasty. Not only is it strict in terms of criteria. In terms of number, it is considered to be chosen as 1 out of 100.
Example: Zhao Guangchao The story dates from the first year of the Tianqi Period, when Emperor Xizong held a wedding ceremony. Ji Xiaolan recorded in “Ming Yi’an Huanghou Waizuan” said that a total of 5,000 women aged 13-15 would be selected from all over the kingdom at the beginning. Then came the rigorous qualifying exam.
The record says that “You must get your teeth in order. The eunuch checks according to the criteria. He said some people’s teeth are too long Some people’s teeth are too short. Some people’s teeth are too fat. Some people’s teeth are too thin. All of these women were eliminated and 1,000 had to go home.
The next day, the girls stood just like the day before. Ask the eunuch to examine the ears, eyes, mouth, nose, hair, skin, arms, legs, waist, shoulders, back If any of these features do not qualify, they will not be selected. Furthermore, the women were asked to state their race, their surname, their year of birth, and their age If they sounded similar to men’s voices, The voice is too weak, the voice is too low, it the voice stammered. it will all be cut off 2,000 people were eliminated.
The next day, the eunuch brought measuring tools to measure the women’s hands and feet. When the measurement is complete, walk around for 10 steps to see the completeness. They will exclude women whose wrists are too short, whose feet are too big, and whose behavior is too clumsy. Another 1,000 people were eliminated in this round.
The remaining 1,000 will be called to the palace. Let the girls be the ones to choose by taking them into a closed room, examining their breasts, smelling their armpits. Tighten the skin to look wrinkled. Only 300 people were chosen, and all of them became women.
Throughout the period of 1 month stay in the palace Your personality and speech will be carefully observed to analyze various characteristics. together whether they were hard or soft people devoid of intelligence or intelligence Therefore, only 50 people were chosen, and all of them became royal concubines.”
It can be seen that the selection of “Nang Nai” during the Ming Dynasty The main criterion focused on “beauty”, while the Qing Dynasty emphasized on family origin and morality. to show that the emperor values morality Not obsessed with lust
Emperor Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty had 55 wives and concubines. The emperor is said to have told Da Xuezhi in the 49th year of the Kangxi era. There were 9,000 maids of honor in the Ming Dynasty and 100,000 eunuchs, and there was not enough food to distribute. Some days there are even people who starve to death. In those days, there were only 400-500 people left. Moreover, during the Qing Dynasty maids of honor who complete their term of service can return home and get married.
Source credit:silpa-mag
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