Illustrated Gazetteer of the Maritime Kingdoms, Vol. 26

The laws once included a clause for the punishment of driving nails into the ground to cause death, but this has never actually been applied; if there are offenders, they are merely deposed and dismissed.

Those called the Ulama Ulama: transcribed as "Yùlǐmá" (玉里麻); the collective body of Muslim religious scholars and legists who managed the legal and educational systems specifically manage the official records. They are examined by the Mufti Mufti: transcribed as "Máfùdǐ" (麻富底); the supreme legal authority and interpreter of Islamic law, who submits their names for the King's final decision. In the adjudication of legal cases, bribery is frequent.

Within the palace, there are hundreds of concubines, most of whom are presented by the Pashas original: "Bāzhá" (巴札) of various vassal states, who compete to offer them as gifts to seek imperial favor. The King does not observe the traditional rites of betrothal or formal marriage, for his status is so supreme that no one is considered his equal Literally "no one can match his body" (無人敵體), reflecting the Ottoman concept that the Sultan was above common marriage contracts. He simply selects a Chief Consort from among the many beauties, along with seven other official concubines; the rest are all handmaid-concubines.

If a Chief Consort is deposed, she is immediately moved to the Old Palace Referring to the Eski Saray in Istanbul, where the households of former Sultans were retired, and another is established in her place. Upon the King’s demise, the succeeding King confines all of the previous King’s wives and concubines within the palace.

There are white eunuchs original: "bái yǎnrén" (白奄人) who guard the outer gates and black eunuchs original: "hēi yǎnrén" (黑奄人) who perform internal duties; because of their perceived ugliness, it is thought that no precautions are needed to prevent illicit behavior.

In the capital, high officials live in deep seclusion within their private residences, and they are always attended by servants standing by. These attendants are chosen from among those who are trustworthy and do not leak secrets, serving as the officials' confidants. Many of those who scheme to obtain these service positions do so through deceit.