Now, in many people's impression, eunuchs are "eunuchs" and are the root cause of many dynasties to disrupt the dynasty. But in fact, in history, many eunuchs were the objects of concubines' favor, so why?

"The road is full of arrogance, and the horse is shining with the dust." This is a poem written by Bai Juyi to expose the arrogant and luxurious life and domineering eunuch after he took power.

Now, in many people's impression, eunuchs are "eunuchs" and are the root cause of many dynasties to disrupt the dynasty. But in fact, in history, many eunuchs were the objects of concubines' favor, so why?

The origin of eunuch

"eunuch", in fact, was originally a serious official title. During the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang Dynasty, the emperor ordered eunuchs to serve as eunuchs and young prisoners. At this time, the eunuch's "Tao" was actually written as "big", that is, "big sect", which itself had nothing to do with the eunuch.

As for the evolution of the meaning of the word eunuch, it can be traced back to Ming Dynasty . At that time, there were twelve prisons in the palace of the Ming Dynasty, and the chief officer of each prison was called eunuchs, and at this time, the "eunuchs" were already held. The system of continued to . At that time, people used the honorific title of "eunuch" to all eunuchs, so eunuchs gradually became the exclusive synonym for eunuchs.

As for the so-called "eunuchs", they are people who have suffered "castration".

Although there are various palace maids in the palace that can be used by the master, as women, they are still less powerful than men. They can't do some heavy and rough work in the palace. Even if they really do it, it will take a long time to complete it. Therefore, some male manpower is needed in the palace.

But the palace is full of the emperor's concubines, so the emperor naturally is not at ease with some ordinary men to go in to do work, and the guards and others cannot enter accordingly. Therefore, the royal family came up with a way to "clean up the body" and selected a group of "eunuchs" who were not threatened to enter the palace.

At that time, the master in charge of cleaning was called "Daerjian". Since there was no modern medical technology at that time, people could only drink marijuana water for anesthesia, but the effect was not thorough. People would not faint completely, but could still detect most of the painful semi-awake state. After

, the knife maker will tie the hands and feet of these people tightly, put eggs on their mouths, and then carry out the corresponding process. Finally, use pepper powder, wood ash , etc. to clean the wound.

However, "purifying your body" is naturally not a one-time and for all. Many eunuchs will have problems such as urination and incontinence, so the smell on their bodies will naturally not smell very pleasant.

Eunuchs and Emperor

So, why do the concubines force themselves to get along with these eunuchs with strange smells on them? There are two most important reasons.

First of all, many eunuchs grew up with the emperor since childhood. They have a deep friendship and eunuchs are very good at speaking in front of the emperor.

For example, The famous eunuch of the Tang Dynasty Gao Lishi , he was originally the second generation of officials, and his grandfather had also served as Duke Geng. It’s a pity that once his family fell, Gao Lishi was attacked by a Lingnan named Li Qianli, and was sent to the palace as a eunuch.

At that time, Gao Lishi was left by Wu Zetian , but he quickly made a mistake. Fortunately, he was saved by Gao Yanfu, the eunuch under Wu Sansi , and then he survived.

Soon, Gao Lishi was transferred to Ziwang Li Longji again. At that time, Li Longji was inconspicuous in both his identity and status. He was just an ordinary prince. Gao Lishi never looked down on him and kept silently following him, gradually becoming one of Li Longji's most capable confidants.

Later, because Li Longji was deeply involved in court struggles, Gao Lishi stood up many times, regardless of his life, and took huge risks to convey important messages to Li Longji.

So, until he became emperor, Li Longji always remembered that Gao Lishi silently supported him since his low status, and the two gradually got along with each other and became friends.

At this time, Gao Lishi still did not give up his sincerity towards Li Longji. In daily life, every time Li Longji travels, Gao Lishi will conduct a carpet-style search first, and every time Li Longji eats, Gao Lishi will send someone to test the drugs, so Li Longji trusts Gao Lishi more.

Therefore, if the emperor had such a trusted eunuch around him, he might have just mentioned someone's name in front of the emperor, and the emperor would pay more attention to this person. This is undoubtedly a crucial opportunity for the concubines in the harem!

After all, many times, the emperor could not remember some unpopular concubines. But if the eunuchs around the emperor could say a few more beautiful words to the concubine, and the emperor favored the concubine again, and the concubine successfully gave birth to a dragon heir, then the future would be guaranteed.

So, the concubines are naturally willing to endure the odor of the eunuch and have to make friends with each other.

The power of eunuchs

As for the second reason, it is that the emperor himself gave these eunuchs the rights in the harem.

There was a set of its own management system in the courts of all dynasties, and eunuchs were a very important part of it. In the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang formulated a very complete set of harem laws at the beginning of the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, which made the emperor's daily itinerary very closely arranged, and it can be said that even his private life time was limited.

With the development of time, in the Qing Dynasty, this management system was handed over to a special institution for mastery. This institution is Jingshifang , and the highest person in charge is called Jingshifang eunuch.

Their work content includes arranging, recording the time the emperor favors the concubines, checking the pregnancy status of the concubines, making green head , etc.

According to the process, when the emperor uses dinner, the eunuchs in the Jingshifang will put the green-headed cards in a huge silver tray and serve them with the dinner. After dinner, if the emperor wants to favor the concubines, he will choose one of the green head cards, turn it over and put it back on the tray. The process of

seems to be rigorous, but in fact it still has a lot of operational space.

For example, if a concubine can have a good relationship with the eunuch in Jingshifang, then the other party can put the green head sign for her in a conspicuous place, attracting the emperor's attention in Yong'anli. Or, find the right reason to help her remove some of the threatening competitors’ greenheads.

Therefore, most concubines will take the initiative to make friends with eunuchs in the Jingshifang, and appropriately curry favor with them when they have the opportunity, and even give gifts. Even some concubines with low status are the same. After all, no one wants to be inexplicably in trouble.

For the benefit that may be obtained, temporarily enduring the odor on the eunuch's body is nothing.

Conclusion

To sum up, the concubines do not smell or dislike the odor on the eunuchs, but they can tolerate and temporarily ignore it for longer-term benefit.

So, the relevant system of eunuchs was originally a tool used by the emperor to better manage the harem, but people still found loopholes and exploited them.

But whether it is the existence of eunuchs or the three palaces and six courtyards, they are all bad habits left over from the feudal dynasty. We who live in the new era must face it face and resolutely resist similar cultural dregs.

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