明代遴選后妃及其規制

The Imperial Concubine Selection System during the Ming Dynasty

本文分為三部份，首先考察歷次選后妃的情況及其變化，接著討論採選標準、經費，與宦官在採選中的角色。明代自天下遴選后妃，始於洪武二十七年，採選範圍涉及許多省份；至於選太子妃，初期亦涉及多省，但後期則僅在京師及北直隸。整體而言，採選範圍主要在北京、華北五省及南直隸。明代採選后妃，除明世宗在位時曾派文官之外，均是遣宦官至各地進行初選，其後再將獲選的數百名或數十名淑女，送至紫禁城中複選、決選。每逢採選之年，各縣必須負擔造冊紙張，及蒞臨官員食宿等費用，而北京由於採選頻率最高，加上每次決選均在北京，更較其他地方負擔要重。明代甄選后妃的年齡，多半在十四至十六歲之間。其採選標準，除要求德性賢淑、舉止合宜之外，也必須是身材較高、五官端正，牙齒整齊，頭髮明潤，身無瘢痕及疾病者，甚至聲音、皮膚、乳房、性器官、體味等也在品評項目之內。而宦官因被派往各處進行初選，常有騷擾地方並勒索錢財之事。在紫禁城複選至決選的過程中，主事太監因可以參與意見，故常成為賄賂的對象，甚至影響到最後的排名。 This article consists of three parts, of which the first part analyzes the circumstances and changes for the imperial concubine selection in the past, the second part discusses about the expenditure and the aesthetic standards in the beauty selection, the three part trace the role of eunuchs during the selection process. Since 1394, the national selection of imperial concubines during the Ming Dynasty covered many provinces. At the initial stage, the selection of the crowned princess also involved many provinces, but it was only held in Beijing and Bei Zhili at a later stage. As a whole, the main areas for the imperial concubine selection were in Beijing, the five provinces in north China and Nan Zhili. During the imperial concubine selection, eunuchs would usually go to different places to carry out the first round of selection, except during the Ming Emperor Shizong, where the civil officers were dispatched for the first round of selection. Tens or hundreds of the selected ladies would then be sent to the Forbidden City for the second and final round of selection. During the selection year, every district would be responsible for the expenses for the brochure stationary, food and accommodation for the officials. Beijing had the highest selection frequency. Moreover, the final selection was held in Beijing every year, so the expenses were usually higher as compared to the other places. The age of the candidates ranged mainly from 14 to 16. The selection criteria, besides being based on virtues and conduct, required that the candidates should also be of above average height, with good features, neat teeth, shiny hair, scar-less and illness-free physique. Even the voice, skin, breast, reproductive organ, body odor, etc were also included in the judging criteria. When the eunuchs were dispatched to different places for the first round of selection, there would often be cases of harassment and blackmail. During the process from the second round to the final round of selection in the Forbidden City, the eunuch in-charge would give his opinions. Therefore, they naturally became the target for bribery and this would even affect the final placement of the concubines.

This article consists of three parts, of which the first part analyzes the circumstances and changes for the imperial concubine selection in the past, the second part discusses about the expenditure and the aesthetic standards in the beauty selection, the three part trace the role of eunuchs during the selection process. Since 1394, the national selection of imperial concubines during the Ming Dynasty covered many provinces. At the initial stage, the selection of the crowned princess also involved many provinces, but it was only held in Beijing and Bei Zhili at a later stage. As a whole, the main areas for the imperial concubine selection were in Beijing, the five provinces in north China and Nan Zhili. During the imperial concubine selection, eunuchs would usually go to different places to carry out the first round of selection, except during the Ming Emperor Shizong, where the civil officers were dispatched for the first round of selection. Tens or hundreds of the selected ladies would then be sent to the Forbidden City for the second and final round of selection. During the selection year, every district would be responsible for the expenses for the brochure stationary, food and accommodation for the officials. Beijing had the highest selection frequency. Moreover, the final selection was held in Beijing every year, so the expenses were usually higher as compared to the other places. The age of the candidates ranged mainly from 14 to 16. The selection criteria, besides being based on virtues and conduct, required that the candidates should also be of above average height, with good features, neat teeth, shiny hair, scar-less and illness-free physique. Even the voice, skin, breast, reproductive organ, body odor, etc were also included in the judging criteria. When the eunuchs were dispatched to different places for the first round of selection, there would often be cases of harassment and blackmail. During the process from the second round to the final round of selection in the Forbidden City, the eunuch in-charge would give his opinions. Therefore, they naturally became the target for bribery and this would even affect the final placement of the concubines.