Ep. 272 | Eunuchs in Chinese History (Part 6)
In this shortest CHP episode since 2011, we conclude the series that explored the lives of eunuchs in Chinese history. This time around we wind things down with eunuchs during the time of the Last Emperor Puyi in the course of his residency in the Forbidden City, Tianjin, and Manchukuo. Then we look briefly at the life of the Last Eunuch Sun Yaoting and the Ming Dynasty "good eunuch" Tian Yi.
A big, giant thanks to everyone who enjoyed this series.
Terms in Episode
| Pinyin/Term | Chinese | English/Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Empress Dowager Cíxǐ | 慈禧太后 | Lived 1835 to 1908. Grand Empress Dowager of the Qing Dynasty, mother of the Tongzhi Emperor |
| Guāngxù Emperor | 光绪帝 | Qing Emperor from 1875 to 1908 |
| Pǔyí | 溥仪帝 | 1862-1938, Succeeded Feng Guozhang as head of the Zhili Clique, also former president of China |
| Xuāntǒng Emperor | 宣统帝 | See Puyi, above |
| Qīng Dynasty | 清朝 | Last dynasty of China 1644-1911 |
| Qín Shǐhuáng | 秦始皇 | First emperor of China whoi reigned 221-210 BCE |
| Lóngyù Huánghòu | 隆裕皇后 | Empress Dowager Lóngyù, wife of the Guangxu Emperor |
| Lǐ Liányīng | 李莲英 | Qing Emperor from 1875 to 1908 |
| Wǔchāng Uprising | 武昌起义 | Uprising against the Qing Dynasty that occurred on October 10, 1911. This was the opening salvo in the Xinhai Revolution that put an end to the Qing Dynasty |
| Dāozǐjiàng | 刀子匠 | A "knifer", someone skilled in castrating males, a must for all eunuchs |
| Hútong | 胡同 | a type of narrow street or alley commonly associated with northern Chinese cities, especially Beijing |
| Qiánqīngmén | 乾清门 | Qianqing Gate is the main gate of the inner court of the Forbidden City. It was built in the 18th year of Ming Yongle Emperor in 1420 and rebuilt in 1655 during the reign of Emperor Shunzhi in the Qing Dynasty |
| Féng Yùxiáng | 冯玉祥 | 1882-1948, known as The Christian Warlord and The Betraying General. A major figure from the warlord era |
| Zhili Clique | 直系 | The assemblage of mostly Hebei-based militarists and politicians. Their leader was Feng Guozhang. And upon Feng's death, the Zhili Clique was led by Cao Kun and Wu Peifu |
| Cáo Kūn | 曹锟 | 862-1938, Zhili Clique leader and president of China for a short time |
| Wú Pèifú | 吴佩孚 | 1862-1938, Succeeded Feng Guozhang as head of the Zhili Clique, also former president of China |
| Guómínjūn | 国民军 | National People’s Army. Also the name of Feng Yuxiang's Clique |
| Zhāng Zuòlín | 张作霖 | Qianqing Gate is the main gate of the inner court of the Forbidden City. It was built in the 18th year of Yongle in the Ming Dynasty (1420) and rebuilt in the 12th year of Shunzhi in the Qing Dynasty (1655). |
| Tiānjìn | 天津 | Municipality within Hebei Province but reporting direct to the Central Government. Just southeast of Beijing |
| Chángchūn | 长春 | Capital of Jilin province and of the puppet state of Manchukuo 1932-1945 |
| Mǎnzhōuguó | 满洲国 | Manchukuo was a Japanese Puppet state setup in Manchuria in 1932 |
| Empress Wǎnróng | 婉容 (宣统皇后) | 1906-1946, wife and empress of the Xuantong Emperor |
| Sūn Yàotíng | 孙耀庭 | 1902-1996, last surviving imperial eunuch |
| Jiǎ Yīnghuá | 贾英华 | Chinese author and historian who wrote a book about Sun Yaoting |
| Zhōngguó Zuìhòu Yīge Tàijiàn | 中国最后一个太监 | 1988 Hong Kong historical drama film directed by Jacob Cheung, starring Max Mok in the title role of Liu Laixi. The film is based on Ni Kuang's novel about eunuch Sun Yaoting. |
| Liú Láixǐ | 刘来喜 | See above |
| Ní Kuāng | 倪匡 | Great and prolific author of over three hundred Chinese language wuxia and science fiction novels |
| Zǎitāo | 载涛 | 1887-1970, Manchu prince of the Qing dynasty. He was a half-brother of the Guangxu Emperor and an uncle of Puyi |
| Kawashima Yoshiko | 川岛芳子 | 1907-1948, Manchu princess whose unconventional life was presented in CHP episodes 241-242-243 |
| Guǎnghuà Temple | 广化寺 | Buddhist temple located at 31 Ya'er Hutong, north of Shichahai in the Xicheng District of Beijing, China. Founded during the Yuan dynasty |
| Bǎo | 宝 | The "Treasure", the male genitalia, preserved in a kind of package |
| Tián Yì Mù | 田义墓 | Tián Yì Tomb, where the Eunuch Museum is located |
| Tián Yì | 田义 | 1534-1605, Ming dynasty eunuch who loyally served three emperors |
| Jiājìng | 嘉靖帝 | Ming Emperor who reigned 1521-1567 |
| Lóngqìng | 隆庆帝 | Ming Emperor who reigned 1567-1572 |
| Wànlì | 万历帝 | Ming Emperor who reigned 1572-1620 |
Enjoy the show and want to support the CHP?
Join the CHP Patreon
Make a Direct Donation
Related Episodes
In this episode, we see how Japan marched and bicycled their way across the Johor Strait and proceeded to quickly defeat the British Commonwealth troops.