In ancient Chinese marriage customs, having multiple partners was not just accepted — it was expected, especially if you had wealth and social status. The Song Dynasty, known for its luxurious lifestyle, saw many civil officials living large and adding concubines to their households.
Enter Wang Anshi and Sima Guang, two respected officials who stood out for their commitment to their wives. Their stories offer a glimpse into a different approach to relationships when monogamy was rare among the elite.
Wang Anshi: Rejecting a concubine bought by his wife
Wang Anshi (1021-1086) was a prominent politician, writer, and thinker of the Northern Song Dynasty. By 22, he had passed the imperial exams and climbed the career ladder rapidly, becoming the prime minister at 46 and holding the position for eight years.
Despite his high social status, Wang Anshi adhered strictly to monogamy. One day, while serving as the Imperial Edict Examiner, his wife, Lady Wu, bought a young concubine to help him due to his busy schedule. When Wang Anshi returned home and saw the unfamiliar young woman, he was startled and asked: “Who are you? What are you doing here?”
The young woman explained that Lady Wu had bought her to serve him. She shared her story: She was the wife of a military officer who had sold her to pay off debts after a disastrous mission. Moved by her plight, Wang Anshi asked: “How much did Lady Wu pay for you?”
She replied: “Nine hundred thousand coins.” Without hesitation, Wang Anshi ordered someone to bring her husband to him. When he arrived, Wang Anshi told the young couple to reunite and live their life. He not only did not ask for the money back, but also gave them additional funds to start anew.
Throughout his life, Wang Anshi had only one wife. After this incident, Lady Wu never attempted to buy him another concubine.
Sima Guang: The historian who refused a concubine
Sima Guang (1019-1086) was a renowned historian, writer, and politician of the Northern Song Dynasty, best known for compiling Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government, China’s first chronological general history.
In his mid-thirties, Sima Guang was childless. His benefactor, Pang Ji, who then served as the governor of Bingzhou, suggested arranging a concubine for Sima Guang to continue his family line. After much consideration, Sima Guang’s wife, Lady Zhang, agreed, promising not to mistreat the concubine.
One day, the Pang couple brought the chosen concubine to Sima Guang’s residence. However, Sima Guang ignored her. Pang Ji initially thought Lady Zhang was interfering, so he invited her to his residence to admire flowers, leaving the concubine alone with Sima Guang.
Understanding the situation, Lady Zhang advised the concubine to dress up and go to Sima Guang’s study. When the concubine arrived, Sima Guang was surprised and asked: “Madam has gone out. Why are you here?” He quickly sent her away.
Sima Guang’s wife never bore children, and he never took concubines. He ultimately adopted a relative’s son as his heir.
The legacy of ancient China’s faithful husbands
Wang Anshi and Sima Guang stuck to their one-woman policy till the end. In a world where multiple partners were the norm for the rich and powerful, they remained committed to their wives. Their stories serve as a testament to the power of fidelity and the strength of their character.
Translated by cecilia
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