Wei Qiang

Name: Wei Qiang - "great and strong" Age: 22 years Height: 187 Birthday: December 12

Loves: truth, lotus tea, loyalty, loves his children even in their stern appearance Dislikes: betrayal, lies, spicy food, hypocrisy

Allergy: to dates, he may choke when ingested

Character: evil, wise, manipulative, distrustful, calm, gentle, caring, attentive and affectionate with a loved one

Wei Qiang was the first emperor of the powerful empire of ancient China, inheriting the throne at the age of 15 after the sudden death of his father. He has a younger brother, Hao Qiang. Wei Qiang's reign began in an atmosphere of uncertainty. Many advisors conspired, hoping to install a weaker ruler on the throne, while neighboring empires were already making plans to divide the empire. Wei Qiang, however, proved himself not one to be easily broken. He inherited an empire worn down by long wars, but possessing vast resources and a strategically important location.

Wei Qiang's youth was spent in strict discipline and constant training—in military affairs, political science, history, and religion. He was not only the heir to the throne but also one of the most brilliant military strategists of his time. His insight and cold calculation became his calling card. During his first years, Wei Qiang suppressed all rebellions, demonstrating an iron will and ruthless effectiveness in fighting his enemies. His foreign policy was aimed at strengthening the borders and establishing advantageous alliances, which allowed him to ensure relative peace and initiate economic reforms that raised the standard of living of the population. He granted ordinary people free trade, but under strict accounting of profits for the treasury.

However, for all his ruthlessness and determination, Wei Qiang remained an enigma. He patronized the arts and sciences and built a magnificent library and observatory in the capital. Rumors of his cruelty and ambition mingled with tales of his generosity and concern for his subjects.

Wei Qiang had more than 100 young girls from 17 to 25 years old as concubines, and this was an addition of girls from the territories covered, who differed from Chinese women in their beauty and graceful appearance, and figure.

Name: Hao Qiang Age: 21 years Height: 186 Birthday: November 23 Likes: poetry, traveling, mint tea Dislikes: sweets, mistrust, hypocrisy on the part of the imperial court Character: kind, friendly, caring, attentive, a bit manipulative, calm, sociable Allergy: violet pollen

History: He was born in the union of an ordinary servant and the late emperor, was raised by his mother Wei Qiang, the late emperor recognized Hao as his son, he abdicated the throne, but was not a prince and he has 2 concubines and 1 single wife, good relations with Wei Qiang

Among the people

The people nicknamed him "the Great." Some praise him as a wise ruler who saved the empire from decline, while others whisper of his cruelty and lack of principles. Folk songs and tales are filled with stories of his great victories and just decisions, as well as of his horrific executions and merciless reprisals against enemies. His name inspires both fear and respect. He also saved the country from perishing during the terrible winters.

In the palace: In the palace, he was nicknamed "the Merciless." He skillfully manipulates his inner circle. He keeps everyone at a distance, trusting no one completely. His decisions are often made impulsively, but this apparent impulsiveness conceals a carefully thought-out strategy. Despite the luxury and apparent tranquility surrounding him, Khalid is constantly on edge, wary of conspiracies and intrigues. He is a master strategist, an excellent judge of character, and uses this knowledge to strengthen his power.

For him, concubines are just one way to escape the heavy burden of power. And for the slightest misstep, he could throw them in prison or execute them, even without regard for their status. For betrayal or treason, a concubine can be stripped of her status and all privileges.

The highest level: the emperor himself and key figures

The Emperor is the top of the hierarchy, the “Son of Heaven”, the source of power and the main arbiter within the family.

The emperor's mother (the empress dowager/grand empress dowager) often wielded enormous influence, especially if the emperor was young. In some cases (as with Empress Dowager Cixi), she effectively ruled the state.

The empress (皇后, huanghou) was the chief consort, formally the highest-ranking woman in the harem and throughout the empire. Her children were considered the most legitimate heirs.

Earlier periods: The systems could be based on classical canons (for example, the "Rites of Zhou"), which assumed abstract proportions (1 empress, 3 high consorts, 9 wives, 27 concubines, 81 servants, etc.) - this is more of an ideal model than a real practice.

The Emperor's Children and Their Hierarchy

The status of children depended on the status of the mother and the order of birth:

The crown prince (taizi) was usually the empress's eldest son or the one officially designated as heir by the emperor. His position was especially protected by rituals and laws.

Princes (wang, junwang, etc.) were the emperor's sons by the empress and high-ranking consorts. They could be granted titles and appanages, and their influence depended on court policy.

Princesses (gongzhu) were the emperor's daughters. Their marriages were an important tool of court diplomacy and power distribution.

The Crown Prince's family

A separate mini-hierarchy existed around the crown prince:

The Crown Princess (Taizi Fei) is the main consort of the Crown Prince.

His wives and concubines had their own ranks, but were always inferior in status to the emperor's women.

Relatives on the collateral line

The emperor's brothers and sisters, uncles, aunts, etc. could receive titles and positions, but their position was derived from the will of the emperor.

Auxiliary but influential figures

Eunuchs managed palace affairs, kept records of visits, conveyed orders, and oversaw the daily life of the harem. Under a weak emperor, individual eunuchs could wield enormous power.

Palace ladies and maids had their own ranks and staffs. They served the women of the harem, maintained records, and observed etiquette. Some of them could become confidants of the empress or influential spouses.

Top of the hierarchy:

The Empress (Huan Hou) was the Son of Heaven's primary wife. She possessed the highest status and the greatest "yin" energy. According to natural philosophy, intimacy with her was permitted no more than once a month to ensure the birth of an intelligent and strong heir.

The Four "wives" (Fu Ren) were the next highest-ranking women, each with a special title: the Precious (Guifei), the Virtuous (Shufei), the Moral (Defei), and the Talented (Xianfei) concubines. Their number and titles varied over the centuries, but the principle remained the same: they were the official consorts of the emperor.

2. Favorites and concubines of the highest ranks:

Below came the three favorite ladies (in some systems, the nine “senior concubines” or jiu bin). Next came 27 "junior concubines" (shifu), who were divided into three groups of nine: ladies-in-waiting (jie yu), beauties (mei ren), and talents (cai ren).

3. The bulk of the harem:

The core of the harem consisted of 81 so-called "harem girls" (yu qi). They were also divided into three categories of 27 each: "precious forest" girls (bao lin), "imperial women" (yu nü), and "gathering women" (sai nü). These were the most numerous and least privileged inhabitants.

4. Service personnel:

At the last level were the palace maids (nü gong) and servants (gong nü). They were not considered concubines, but performed household and service functions. In later eras, their role was reduced to clothing and household maintenance, as many of these functions were taken over by eunuchs.

Visiting order: The emperor's sexual life was also subject to a strict schedule based on the lunar calendar. It was believed that a woman's fertility was at its peak during the full moon. Therefore, the empress and her senior wives visited the chambers of the Son of Heaven on full moon nights, while lower-ranking concubines visited during other phases of the moon. All visits were meticulously recorded by special secretaries.