Zhao Gao, Qin Dynasty
In the year AD 210, China's first emperor Qingshihuang died of
illness in Shaqiu. Eunuch Zhao Gao colluded with Li Si, premier of
Qinshihuang, and killed Prince Fu Su and General Meng Tian. They
helped Hu Hai gain power. After that, he brutally killed those who
held opposing views and also killed his former ally Li Si. Still
later he killed Hu Hai; after that the Qin Dynasty fell into
chaos.
Zhang Rang, Eastern Han Dynasty
In the later years of the Eastern Han Dynasty, a group of
eunuchs, headed by Zhang Rang, dominated the Court. Emperor Ling of
the Han called Zhang Rang "father." Zhang and his eunuch always
made up various false charges and killed officials along with those
holding different views. Their actions finally led to serious
disturbances in the later years of the Eastern Han Dynasty.
Liu Teng, Northern Wei Dynasty
Liu Teng came into power by betraying others. Through astute
flattery he pleased the Empress Dowager Hu but later on, he
murdered her lover, the then prime minister Yuan Yi. At sixty Liu
Teng died of illness. After his death, the Empress Dowager Hu
regained power. In fury she ordered Liu’s corpse to be exhumed from
his grave and thrown into the wildness. She also commanded that all
of his 40 and more adopted sons be put to death.
Gao Lishi, Tang Dynasty
Gao was one of the most powerful eunuchs during the Tang
Dynasty. He planned and helped Li Longji to kill former Empress Wei
and Princess Tai Ping and became the most loyal follower of Emperor
Ming during the Tang Dynasty. Gao contributed much to the
flourishing period in early Tang Dynasty, hence Gao is considered
"conspicuous" among all the eunuchs in ancient China.
Li Fuguo, Tang Dynasty
Li was smart, good at flattering but also very brutal. He
flattered the prince, premier, empress and emperor, but when he
thought they had no further use to him again, he would kill any of
them mercilessly. Eventually, he was torn apart limb from limb and
thrown into the wilderness.
Tong Guan, Northern Song Dynasty
After Emperor Huizong acceded to the throne, Tong Guan used
everything in his bag of tricks to flatter the emperor and rose
quickly. He colluded with Cai Jing to push out other officials in
the Court; he appointed their families and friends as officials in
different government departments. Tong controlled the military for
twenty years, lost many battles with Liao and Jin armies. But the
failures didn't cause him to lose any control over the
military.
Zheng He, Ming Dynasty
Zheng He was originally surnamed Ma, and later was known as San
Bao (Three Treasures). He was a native of Yunnan Province. During
the period of the reign of Emperor Chengzu he was castrated and
became a eunuch. He was given the surname Zheng by the emperor. He
commanded the Ming Dynasty's fleet of immense trading vessels on
expeditions – ranging from South Asia, India and Persia, all the
way to east Africa. His expeditions are famous even today, and are
recognized as great events during the early Ming Dynasty.
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Liu Jin, Ming Dynasty
Liu was one of the most famous eunuchs in China’s history. He
served Prince Zhu Houzhao when the Prince was young. After the
Prince acceded to the throne, he was promoted quickly to become the
leading eunuch in the Court. In place of the Emperor, he replied to
memorials to the throne and pushed out 56 upright officials. His
corruption drove the Ming Dynasty from bad to worse.
Wei Zhongxian, Ming Dynasty
Wei was a former hoodlum and illiterate, but he was highly
skilled at the art of flattery. Shortly after he was allowed into
the royal palace, Wei was promoted by the eunuch Wang An, giving
him the chance to get close to the Emperor Wanli. He maintained an
intimate relationship with the nanny of the emperor’s grandson Zhu
Youjiao, who later became Emperor Xizong. After Zhu Youjiao acceded
to the throne, Wei seized power and killed Wang An; he also jailed
many innocent people. He led the monarchy manipulated by eunuchs to
the peak.
Li Lianying, Qing Dynasty
Li Lianying spent 52 years in the royal palace. He was the most
favored servant of the Empress Dowager Cixi. Li was the highest
ranked, most powerful, and richest eunuch with the longest tenure
of service throughout the Qing Dynasty. Both his servility to his
master and his brutality over other officials were unsurpassable.
Li interfered with all state affairs. Officials in and out of the
palace scurried to curry his favor.
(China.org.cn December 7, 2007)
