During the feudal period in China, imperial power was highly centralized, and the emperor had the absolute right to speak.
The social hierarchy is strict, and the bloodline becomes the proof of supremacy. As a result of the productivity and the war, the idea of male superiority and inferiority prevailed, and women were reduced to the private property of men.
The emperor has 3,000 palace maids, known as the harem beauties, for the purpose of reproducing heirs. During the feudal period, blood relations strengthened the rule of the royal family, and the centralization of power required the emperor to have relatives to help consolidate his rule, so the emperor needed to have many heirs, and the harem concubines were naturally indispensable.
However, in history, there is an emperor who favors one wife for life and does not accept other concubines, he is Zhu Youzhu of Ming Xiaozong. This was not influenced by his father, but rather by the environment in which he grew up.
Zhu Youzhang's mother, Ji, was left in the cold because she was pregnant with a prince, and Zhu Youzhu grew up in a poor environment. His father, Ming Xianzong, never had a prince, and Zhu Youzhu learned of his background when he was six years old and was considered the legal heir of the royal family.
However, his mother Ji died early, and Zhu Youzhu remained kind in the face of family changes. His wife was the crown princess during the crown prince's period, and the two had a deep relationship. Despite the imperial power in hand, Ming Xiaozong was not arrogant and lascivious, diligent and loved the people, and favored one wife all his life.
Zhu Youzhang's behavior is rooted in his childhood experience, he refuses to kill innocent people indiscriminately, and does not want his children to suffer. By favoring one wife alone, he proved that the emperor did not need to sit on the beauties of the six palaces, nor did he need to harm the innocent to strengthen the imperial power.
In feudal history, Ming Xiaozong's attitude of loving one person is really rare, and his kindness and affection have left a unique mark on history.