The phenomenon of tyrannical rule, which has been a serious problem for many generations in china, has been analysed and discussed in depth by the historian zhao wing in his book, the twenty-second shigeki。
Zhao wing pointed out that, despite the fact that in the period between east han and the previous days, the authority of the zhao officials had become so serious, until tang dynasty, the eunuchs had reached an unprecedented level of power and even reversed the relationship between the emperor and the eunuchs. During this period, the eunuch's powers transcended the emperor himself and became a significant force within and outside the court. This situation, which has historically been seen as an unprecedented change, is a special phenomenon in the ancient history of china。
The roots of the eunuch system can be traced back to the qin dynasty. At that time, the duties of the eunuchs were limited to chores in the palace and did not involve the political affairs of the country. With the passage of time, the eunuch system has evolved, particularly into the hanton period, and the castration system has been introduced to ensure the eunuch's loyalty to the royal family, thus facilitating the administration of the harem. Initially, the duties of eunuchs were relatively simple, but as the system deepened, their roles and powers gradually expanded and eventually became central to power within the court。
In tang dynasty, the role of eunuchs became more complex and diverse, not only in important positions in the harem, but also in various parts of the court and even in military positions. Tang dynasty has a wide variety of eunuchs, who share a variety of functions ranging from post-mortem management to military service, and have gradually accumulated unimaginable powers and privileges. Although these eunuchs are made of material by castration, their power expands as rapidly as snowballs and even begins to abuse their authority and interfere in the affairs of the court。
Tang dynasty's eunuch system can be said to have peaked. The eunuchs not only have exclusive powers in the harem but have gradually gained greater political and economic resources by penetrating other branches of the court. Some eunuchs have even joined the military ranks and held military positions, making them a force that cannot be ignored in the court. In an attempt to achieve their own promotion, many court officials began to favor the eunuchs, seeking their asylum and support, creating a delicate power deal between eunuchs and officials. The consequences of the tyrannical regime are serious and particularly remarkable. First, eunuchs have seriously affected the lives of the population by intervening in market prices and abuse of power. They have become plunderers of wealth through the miyagi system and the five house system, which have disrupted the market order and plunged the population into deep distress. Secondly, the authoritarian situation of the eunuchs has exacerbated political chaos and has resulted in the destruction of the emperor and even the planning of assassinations, leading to instability and political instability in the dprk. Especially during the period of constitutional and homage, the eunuchs were directly involved in the emperor's murder, making the court even more corrupt and corrupt。
Why, then, did the emperor of tang dynasty continue to rely on the eunuchs, knowing that the latter's monopoly would harm the country? This phenomenon can be explained in many ways。
First, there was widespread suspicion among the emperor of tang dynasty and intense rivalry within the court, making it difficult for the emperor to fully trust the officials around him. The eunuchs have become close to the emperor, acting as intermediaries for the transmission of information in complex court struggles, monitoring the movement of the eunuchs and providing important information. As a result, eunuchs have become an important tool for safeguarding centralization. Secondly, the deep divisions within the dynasty of tang dynasty, as well as the often violent conflicts between bureaucratic groups over power, have led to a declining confidence of the emperor in officials. As a relatively independent power group, the eunuchs, by virtue of their special position in the harem and the court, can provide more stable and direct support to the emperor。
Although the emperor of tang dynasty was aware of the seriousness of the eunuch problem, they had to rely on eunuchs to maintain the functioning and stability of the court because of the complex internal and external situation at the time. Not only did the eunuch become a close friend of the emperor, but he also provided the emperor with the necessary services and support through his vast institutions and networks, albeit often with many dark aspects。
Over time, however, the issue of eunuchs ' monopoly has worsened in tang dynasty, ultimately leading to chaos throughout the political system and social unrest. Instead of being mere servants of the harem, the eunuchs have gradually become an independent political bloc that has profoundly affected the functioning of the entire court. The corruption of power, political imbalances and social unrest have been exacerbated by the eunuchs ' monopoly until it is impossible to do so。
