Peasants and Slaves
Throughout all of China’s history, the largest group has been the peasants. They were respected for growing the food that fed the empire (and thus were higher up socially than artists and merchants, who were only creating paintings and selling goods), but often led very hard lives. People living near rivers had to deal with flooding, which could be beneficial but also destructive. Other had to worry about drought. Generally, farmers lived in villages of 100 families. They mainly grew millet and rice. Although some wealthier families had oxen and dogs to work, most people worked with a hand plow. For one month every year, peasants had to work for the government, either in the military or maintaining public works projects, such as the Great Wall. Taxes were paid in percentages of their crops.
Lowest on the social chain were slaves. During the Han Dynasty, slavery expanded. Some slaves were captured on raids with neighboring enemies. Others were sold into it to pay off debts. Surprisingly, the government owned most slaves. They performed menial tasks, and children were used as entertainers. The emperor Wang Mang was the first to set out rules concerning the slave trade. Sometimes, by these rules, a criminal was made a slave as punishment. Often, these people were castrated as well. Many slaves were forced to build the Great Wall and died as a result of the harsh conditions.
Lowest on the social chain were slaves. During the Han Dynasty, slavery expanded. Some slaves were captured on raids with neighboring enemies. Others were sold into it to pay off debts. Surprisingly, the government owned most slaves. They performed menial tasks, and children were used as entertainers. The emperor Wang Mang was the first to set out rules concerning the slave trade. Sometimes, by these rules, a criminal was made a slave as punishment. Often, these people were castrated as well. Many slaves were forced to build the Great Wall and died as a result of the harsh conditions.