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.

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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

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