The words power and wealth are irresistible temptations for many.
However, in ancient China, the two were not only temptations, but also double-edged swords. "Meat plate", this seemingly bizarre term, is actually one side of this sword.
The "meat plate" is essentially the product of the "food" of the powerful and the "sacrifice" of women.
During the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, warlords fought in chaos, the people had no livelihood, and the people lived in hardship.
When the children of poor families could not eat, they would sell their daughters to dignitaries, first in exchange for money and food, and secondly to find a place for their daughters to eat.
In this way, the elite class has a source of handmaidens and lives more extravagant and corrupt.
Ordinary people eating is a problem, but these people are changing tricks to stimulate their appetite.
Sun Sheng, a powerful minister of the Southern Tang Dynasty, had a unique hobby, and he liked to have the prostitutes each hold a dish and serve it to his master.
This is the original "meat plate", this thing seems unremarkable, but these women who serve dishes are scantily dressed, which very stimulates the desire of the owner.
After Sun Sheng invented the "meat plate", the powerful people in the south of the Jiangnan competed to imitate it, and for a while, this custom prevailed, and the southern ruling class became even more absurd.
The most absurd was Gao Baoxuan, the king of the Southern Tang Kingdom, who had a strong taste, and every night he had to find a prostitute from outside, and then call a soldier from the barracks to make the two intersect, while he himself put his arms around his concubines and ministers to watch.
King Yanjun of Min Huizong was also very colorful, he often set up banquets with the empress, there was no table at the banquet, all used "meat plates", and when he was drunk, he would directly take off his clothes and intercourse with the palace maids.
At the same time, Han Xizai was also very excessive, and his family owned hundreds of prostitutes, who were completely unfree, and their fate was in the hands of their masters.
Therefore, the regime of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period was not long, which had a lot to do with the extreme corruption of the rulers.
"Meat plate", a seemingly ordinary dining method, but behind it hides the luxury of the powerful and the helplessness of women.
In ancient times, due to curfews and social restrictions, dignitaries often hosted banquets at home.
These banquets are not only a stage for displaying wealth and power, but also a means for the powerful to win over relations and consolidate their positions.
In this context, the "meat plate" came into being. Serving dishes by beautiful women is not only to make guests comfortable, but also a veiled power bargain and gender exploitation.
And the "meat screen" is the other side of gender exploitation.
Similar to the "meat plate", the "meat screen" was also a way for ancient magnates to display power and wealth. This "human screen" composed of beautiful women not only provides warmth to guests, but also allows them to enjoy food while getting visual satisfaction.
However, behind this lies the same tragic fate of women.
They were bartered for items, used as power game chips, and some were even forcibly removed from their homes.
Behind these seemingly gorgeous banquets and extravagant enjoyment is actually the bitterness and helplessness of countless women. They are denied their basic human rights and forced to fall victim to the power games of the powerful.
This not only reflects the low status of women in ancient society, but also allows us to see the darkness and cruelty behind power.
"Meat plate" and "meat screen", two seemingly peculiar terms, are actually microcosms of the complex power structure and gender inequality of ancient society. They warn us that power and wealth, while tempting, can also lead to moral decline.
While pursuing power and wealth, should we also be vigilant at all times, lest we embark on a road of no return and make more innocent people pay?