The Emperor Yang Ti of the Sui Dynasty (A.D. 581-617) was foremost in inventing and indulging sexual pleasures. After various military adventures he settled down to pursue amorous intrigue. He enjoyed one queen, two deputy queens, six royal consorts and seventy-two royal madames. There were also 3,000 palace maidens, hand-picked by special envoys throughout the land; and he included two of his late father's concubines in his harem. In particular he attached importance to novel ways of making love. When he travelled, he took with him a caravan of ten special chariots: in each a naked beauty lay on heavily padded red satin, awaiting his favour.