Conclusion

State-sanctioned violence was the foundation of political legitimacy in early China, but was not sufficient to ensure stable rule. A dynastic ruler not only had to be powerful, but also had to demonstrate that he or she was benevolent and had heaven's blessings.

All political actors, whether emperors, officials, eunuchs or palace women, assumed that violent purges of real or potential political enemies were needed to consolidate power. Once on the throne or ruling from behind it, coercive force created emotions of fear and awe that were necessary to gain the acquiescence of the military, officialdom and general populace. However, to demonstrate the dynasty's sacred mandate to rule, the army and the legal system had to become instruments to maintain domestic peace. In addition, collection of taxes and delivery of salaries and rewards to retainers, bureaucrats and soldiers created respect for the leader's benevolence and generosity and forestalled palace coups and military rebellions. China shared these characteristics of legitimacy with most premodern states.^{^[214]} If state violence in the early medieval period has a distinguishing characteristic in Chinese history, it may be the bloody patrimonial politics of the palace that contributed to the relatively frequent usurpations of power, and high degree of political division and rebellion.

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Source: Gordon Matthew, Kaeuper Richard, Zurndorfer Harriet (eds.). The Cambridge World History of Violence. Volume 2: AD 500-AD 1500. Cambridge University Press,2020. — 696 p.. 2020

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