Why did the ancient emperors have eunuchs around them?

Although eunuchs are different from normal men, they are still men in essence, and the concubines in the harem will naturally feel at ease, so the emperor will definitely choose eunuchs to serve them in order to maintain the stability and harmony in the palace.

Although the eunuch has some physical defects, he is still a man in essence, and his body is much better than that of a maid-in-waiting. Although castrated, it still needs daily physical training, such as running, boxing, weapons and so on. This is mainly to prevent assassins from suddenly appearing in the palace or to protect the emperor under special circumstances. After all, the chances of guards entering the palace are far less than those of eunuchs.

People who serve the emperor have high demands on physical strength and energy, and they should bear hardships and stand hard work. Most eunuchs around the emperor had a hard time. Every night, they put some xanthium on the soles of their feet to prevent themselves from falling asleep accidentally. You didn't wake up when the emperor called you, so you basically couldn't wake up.

2. Loyalty and care

Eunuchs will be in the palace all their lives, and eunuchs can only live by the emperor. Moreover, if anyone dares to do harm to the emperor, only eunuchs dare to tell the emperor directly. Most eunuchs have no relatives, and he will only be loyal to the emperor.

Moreover, the emperor will not worry that he will have children in the palace, philandering and making a mess, will not seek power and usurp the throne, and the emperor will have no worries. If the eunuchs and concubines are in chaos, how many cuckolders will the emperor bring?

After all, there is only one emperor, but there are countless beautiful women in the harem. The emperor only had sex with them and didn't want to have much communication with the concubines in the harem, so he called himself "I". Eunuchs often follow the emperor since childhood, so that they can better observe the inner world of the emperor and share their worries for him.

In addition, in the daily life of accompanying the emperor to deal with various domestic affairs, many aspects of the world need to be taken into account. The ladies-in-waiting need to rest for a few days every month, which will delay a certain schedule, and eunuchs are fully qualified.

Step 3 facilitate

The emperor often gives instructions or orders to ministers. At this time, someone will be asked to announce the order, and the eunuch's voice is sharp and loud. If it is a woman, it is not a joke, because in the feudal society where men are superior to women, women cannot be put on the table.

Of course, it is more convenient for eunuchs to perform their tasks than for maids. For example, preach the imperial edict for the emperor, go out to supervise the army, or spy on information. Relatively speaking, eunuchs are more convenient, and whether they are really fathers can be verified at once.

So in fact, eunuchs and ladies-in-waiting coexist in the palace, but nothing will happen between them. The emperor can also mind his own business and just concentrate on dealing with state affairs. Of course, arranging eunuchs to serve is also to prevent the emperor from being too indulgent, reduce his life span and let the emperor live for a few more years. The ancients really had good intentions.

Extended data

In China, the word "convex" appeared in Oracle Bone Inscriptions during the Yin and Shang Dynasties, and its meaning was similar to castration, indicating that the technique of castration was known at that time. The use of eunuchs began in the records of the Western Zhou Dynasty. In Zhou Li, there is a saying that "the palace is kept inside, and it is rejected by humanity". At that time, eunuchs were "temple people", "internal servants" and "people", but their numbers were small and their status was low. They were only responsible for handyman and messenger.

During the Warring States and the Qin Dynasty, "castration of male genitalia" became one of the important criminal laws, and the number of castrated people increased greatly, and the number of institutions using eunuchs also increased, mainly the imperial court. Because eunuchs are closely related to monarchs, they are favored to be in power, just as Zhao recommended Miao Xian of Lin Xiangru and Zhao Gao of Qin.

The Han Dynasty was the first period in China's history when eunuchs were authoritarian. Eunuchs in Han Dynasty were called "officials" or "eunuchs". But the early eunuchs were not necessarily eunuchs. After the Eastern Han Dynasty, eunuchs were completely used as eunuchs. It is said that the name comes from a constellation called "Guan" in the vault next to the Emperor of Heaven.

It was the first time that a large-scale eunuch took power at that time. At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, it became a stage for eunuchs and consorts to kill each other, which was called "the first eunuch era".

Resources China. Eunuchs don't just appear in China? It was found all over the world in ancient times! A country with eunuchs today!