As Chinese men become richer, some take mistresses, for whom they provide apartments, monthly allowances, gifts and even cars. But, however much they enjoy the attention and sexual favours, they still face the centuries-old headache of how to manage the women competing for their time.
If such men need guidance, they should visit the sprawling estate built in Shenyang by warlord Zhang Zuolin, who in 1926 was one of the most powerful men in China. He controlled much of northeastern China.
In his 36,000-square-metre residence, Zhang installed five of his six wives - his first died in 1912 before it was built - and there raised the eight sons and six daughters they gave him. Asked by puzzled male visitors how a man even as fierce as Zhang could control five wives under the same roof, the tour guide points to the general's 10 rules, hanging on the wall.
They banned several things: discussing politics or repeating what you hear in the bedroom; gossiping in public places that could lead to the spreading of rumours; birthday celebrations, which could lead to gifts and the demand for favours; and permission to stay outside the house after 10pm.
In addition, all the wives were to be treated equally and given the same allowance; they were not to maltreat servants; they must not eat together but must take their food with their own children; and boys and girls were to receive the same good education.
A chart traces how the six wives fared under this Spartan regime. No1 died at 38; No2 survived to 94; No3 had a hot temper, and quarrelled often with Zhang. She was forced to leave, without a child, and became a nun. The others all outlived Zhang, who died at 54 when the Japanese army blew up a train in which he was travelling.
