Tribute System and Rulership in Late Imperial China
Kauz, Ralph / Rossabi, Morris
Demanding and offering tribute is a most common feature in human societies and nothing special to China. In the course of the development of Neolithic societies social classes have developed where persons who achieved superior positions first could demand 'presents' or tribute from neighboring societies they defeated and then, with the assistance of sturdy 'servants' from their own people. China was certainly no exception to that principle and...