The Powerful Eunuch

Warning: Graphic description of war, some gore

It was the same old Xiyuan1 beside the Xin Bridge2. In the sophisticated gathering of the Yong Society, Xie Yilu took a seat in the corner. Yet despite his choice of seat, he could still hear whispers about this and that:

“Why is he here… someone on the eunuchs’ side…”

“Zang Fang3 invited him…”

“Next time, if he comes again, I will never come… revolting!”

Xie Yilu could only pretend not to hear. In fact, he didn’t want to attend the meeting either. It was Zang Fang who earnestly invited him, probably to thank him for saving him at the harbour. Those gossipers’ focus soon changed from Xie Yilu to Qu Feng. Upon listening closely to them, Xie Yilu learnt that Qu Feng could already stand up and walk around, but his left foot was somewhat crippled, and he needed to rely on a walking cane. It would still take him more than ten days to return to the office.

Implicitly and explicitly, those men expressed deep concern for Qu Feng – they even showed some admiration towards him. And judging by their conversation, they actually wanted to push him forward as the leader of the Yong Society. Xie Yilu couldn’t help but smile bitterly. It would be a lie if he claimed that he didn’t sense any sour feelings in his heart.

Just as the night fell, Zang Fang arrived accompanied by Deputy Secretary4 Ye. Today was Zang Fang’s welcoming banquet, which could also be considered as a tea gathering. As usual, the members first finished a round of strong liquor. Before they could even put down their cups, a meddler spoke up eagerly, “Lord Zang, you have suffered immensely from Beijing’s ‘plague of the castrated’. Now that you have arrived in Nanjing, is your determination to challenge the eunuch’s party still with you?”

Zang Fang didn’t reply immediately. Like a true official from Beijing, he demonstrated his imposing air to the fullest, so full that no one in the room dared to speak up again. He was distinctively different from how he appeared on the day at the harbour. Presently, he was dressed in a black muslin robe embroidered with patterns of four-clawed dragons5, wearing a hairnet6 with cloud-patterned7 embroideries and high boots. His sideburns were neatly arranged, revealing his dignified and resplendent face, which possessed a touch of ruthlessness underneath his gentle appearance, and a hint of astuteness behind his affability.

“Well, it depends on what kind of ‘castrated’ he is, and what kind of party he is in,” he said.

The statement was so perplexing that for a moment, no one understood. Someone was compelled to venture, “We have two leading ‘castrated’ in Nanjing, one of them being the Guarding Eunuch8, Zheng Xian, the other is Liao Jixiang of the Weaving and Sewing Bureau.”

Xie Yilu fixed his eyes on Zang Fang’s face. When hearing the words “Liao Jixiang”, Zang Fang’s eyebrows twitched noticeably. At this moment, someone from the crowd yelled, “Lord Zang came from Gansu9, and so did Liao Jixiang, who made his climb up the royal court from Gansu. Perhaps you two have met before?”

The venue fell silent for an instant, then erupted into an uproar. Xie Yilu was expecting Zang Fang to elude this question, yet he admitted openly, “Indeed, we’re acquainted.”

They are acquainted. Xie Yilu was long aware of this fact, yet he still felt frustrated and wronged deep inside. Suddenly, someone next to Xie Yilu exclaimed, “How did the common people beat Liao Jixiang until his leg got broken? Pray tell us, Lord Zang!”

As if someone had stabbed Xie Yilu right on his heart, his entire chest felt spasms of agony. Xie Yilu glanced blankly at these so-called “honourable gentlemen” – they were sordid, hypocritical, and sycophantic, eager to extract pleasure for themselves from the suffering of others.

“Do you want to hear the truth, or the lie?” Zang Fang asked.

They all clamoured to answer, “Why, of course the truth! We are all on the same side, so there’s no need for your lordship to be merciful towards those of the eunuch’s party.” Their eyes were gleaming with thrill, each of them too restless to sit still. Excited, they waited greedily for the moment when Zang Fang tore Liao Jixiang’s wounds wide apart, so that they could let out a triumphant cry.

Zang Fang pondered for a moment. “Then”, he solemnly said, “as you wish.”

Deputy Secretary Ye poured him some tea, which he thanked with a fist-and-palm salute10, and then began speaking in an articulated tone, “Liao Jixiang and I became acquainted at Jiayuguan11. He was the Guard of Firearms12, and I was the local magistrate. Back then, he was still a young man. Wearing his purplish-gold copper helmet and a brocade robe with cloud embroideries, he radiated a striking elegance that was impossible to forget.”

The crowd stealthily exchanged looks, apparently disturbed by these complimentary words.

“During our tenth winter to guard the border, I went to Ganzhou13 to mobilise army provisions, but I was trapped in a city on the way there because of a sudden siege by the Tatars14.” Zang Fang omitted the name of the city, probably because he didn’t want to name the individuals involved. “There were twelve thousand soldiers and horses in that city. The one who guarded the city was an appointed Army Supervisor15. According to him, the Tatars were skilled at battling in the open field, so we cannot risk leaving the city. And all we could do was to firmly guard our city walls.”

The crowd stared at each other awkwardly. The truth turned out to be a drastic contrast from what they had expected. All they wanted initially was to hear some gossip and make some jokes. To delve into a cut deep into their flesh and bones had never crossed their minds.

“You have no idea what the winter in Gansu is like. To lick a mouthful of water, one could have his tongue frozen and torn on the ice. To fight for a fistful of dung16, two or three beggars could be beaten to death. Everyone was obsessed with their own meagre possessions. No one would spare a glance at another’s life or death. We were trapped in the siege for a month and twenty-two days. And during midnight, not a single bleat from the sheep could be heard,” Zang Fang paused and took an extremely deep breath, then slowly, gradually exhaled, “as we’ve killed and ate them all…”

The countenances of Yong Society’s members were turning grim. An eerie silence pervaded and occupied the entire hall.

“The day was the fourteenth of the twelfth lunar month. With the besieged city as the centre, everywhere a hundred li17 from it suffered a storm with snowflakes as large as goose feathers. At dawn, the sound of hooves was suddenly heard, audible to the entire city — it was Liao Jixiang.”

Xie Yilu’s hand holding the cup clenched abruptly. The cup slipped from his hand and rolled off the table, shattering on the ground. Yet none of the members bothered to look back.

“He had a large army at Jiayuguan, but they were supposed to defend the border, so he couldn’t bring them along. Only later did I learn that he had requested soldiers from the Guarding Eunuch stationed in Gansu, who furiously rejected and reprimanded him. And then, as it was impossible to get men from the guarding army, all he brought along was three thousand eunuch soldiers.”

Don’t, don’t continue. Xie Yilu screamed silently. Everyone knew what would happen next — bloodshed, devastation, ruined villages and deaths, that was all.

“His men prepared for war in the northwest of the battlefield, while the enemy attacked from the southeast. You’ve never witnessed a scene such as that — people weren’t treated as human beings anymore, and their lives were thrown away without any regard. I watched it from the city wall, and my heart was almost shattering from agony…”

Some left their seats. Those who stayed appeared petrified, their gazes stiff, blank, filled with horror.

“We all knew what kind of troops they were. In the city, everyone, from the commander18 to the guerrilla majors19, lieutenants20, sergeants21, even the dispatchers22… all volunteered for battle. But the appointed Army Supervisor forbade them from going…” At this point, Zang Fang paused, probably choked with emotion, “Over three thousand soldiers, brutally killed until only eighty-five were left. Out of the twenty-three capable eunuch leaders under Liao Jixiang, only four survived.”

Couldn’t control himself any longer, Xie Yilu felt tears swelling up in his eyes.

“The field warfare spanned across two days and a night, the battle front stretching for thirty li23. I didn’t know when Liao Jixiang was shot by an arrow, but I was there when they removed it. The shaft was already gone during the war, but the arrowhead was lodged in his knee.” Zang Fang had to swallow a mouthful of tea before continuing, “It was Mei Azha who pried it out using a curved knife.”

And such was the truth about Liao Jixiang’s broken leg. Told by the most truthful individual, of a tale that none found enjoyable.

“Alright,” Deputy Secretary Ye thought that the story had reached its end, and it was time to find a new subject. However, Zang Fang burst into thunderous laughter. “Do you think that was all?” He struck the tea cup on the table, clinking it on the table repeatedly. “It’s far from ending!”

Xie Yilu couldn’t bear it any longer, and closed his eyes.

“In that battle, over fifteen hundred Tatars were killed, more than ten leaders of various ranks captured. Liao Jixiang became famous throughout Gansu overnight, so the higher authorities had to report it to court. On the tenth day of the first lunar month, they summoned me and said, ‘How can we credit such remarkable achievements to a eunuch?'”

Everyone, including Xie Yilu, Deputy Secretary Ye, and all the big and small officials of the Yong Society, understood Zang Fang’s words. They were all aware of such occurrences, and exactly because of their awareness, everyone’s eyes darted to avoid Zang Fang’s gaze, too embarrassed to lift their heads.

“They appointed me to intercept the credit,” Zang Fang slammed the table, “So, that’s how I took on the title for the glorious victory at Ganzhou!”

Deputy Secretary Ye appeared extremely awkward. Such things did happen, and they were not uncommon. Yet, no one had ever discussed them openly. Zang Fang must had been insane to reveal his own wounds.

“After receiving the imperial decree that summoned me to the capital, I went to the provincial government of Shaanxi24 and Xuanda25 to retrieve my travel pass26. The governor there asked me if the tale was true, that there was indeed a courageous, talented eunuch at Jiayuguan. After pondering on it over and over again, I still didn’t dare utter a single ‘yes.'” Zang Fang gritted his teeth fiercely, “For the rest of my life, I would never forgive myself for what I did to Liao Jixiang. And I won’t blame Si Li Jian27 for wanting me dead. Wouldn’t feel wronged even if they destroyed me a hundred times or more!”

Xie Yilu stood up abruptly. From the back of the hall to the front, he dashed straight through it and went outside, running in haste like a madman in the pitch-black street. He ran all the way from Xin Bridge to Xuanzhen Lane28. Couldn’t be bothered to tell whether it was the main gate or the side gate, Xie Yilu raised his hand and slammed on the door. The young eunuch serving as the gatekeeper didn’t recognise him, so in his frantic state, Xie Yilu shouted at him, “Go and tell your Dugong29, that Xie Chunchu30 is looking for him!”

The gatekeeper was responsible enough, as he truly went to deliver the message. Soon, a response came to the door, inviting Xie Yilu inside.

The paths inside the mansion were tortuous and labyrinthine. The young gatekeeper led the way, leading Xie Yilu deeper and deeper into the mansion, as if they were heading towards a secret garden. Xie Yilu followed in a daze. Out of some sudden, inexplicable instinct, he turned and looked back – on the other end of the pebbled path, beneath the shadows of bluish-green plantains, he caught a distant glimpse of Liao Jixiang, who was wearing a vibrantly-coloured robe with lion embroideries on the shoulders and the back. Mei Azha, Ruan Dian and the others were all by his side, and they appeared to be strolling leisurely after dinner.

Immediately, Xie Yilu turned around and ran. Shocked by his sudden action, the young gatekeeper shouted, sending Ruan Dian and Aliu alert and drawing their long knives. Contrary to everyone’s expectation, Xie Yilu dashed out of the plantains and went straight towards Liao Jixiang. Perhaps everyone was caught off guard, no one went forth to stop him, so he reached out for the person in front of him, holding Liao Jixiang firmly in his arms.

To say Xie Yilu held Liao Jixiang in his arms might be inaccurate, as it appeared more like a tight embrace. Yet Xie Yilu’s action was actually too violent to be considered as an embrace, so it might even be interpreted as a strangle. Like holding a half-withered driftwood, Xie Yilu held onto Liao Jixiang with deadly determination. He used so much strength that it seemed like Xie Yilu was trying to break Liao Jixiang into two. Everyone present was appalled. From Ruan Dian to Yishiha, from Aliu to Zhang Cai, even Jin Tang widened his eyes. Only Mei Azha roared furiously, “What are you doing? Aliu, take him down!”

Aliu raised his long knife and was ready to strike, but suddenly, Liao Jixiang’s arm moved. His palm lifted gently as if it was without bones, and softly rested on Xie Yilu’s back. Was he hugging Xie Yilu back? It didn’t seem like it. But, what else could it be, if it wasn’t an embrace?

Translator’s words:

Wow, I’m truly getting the feeling that Da Dang is becoming more and more emotionally taxing (in a good way) to translate. I could literally see the battlefield, the desert, and the banquet vividly in my mind.

I suppose now you know why Jin Tang told Zhang Cai to recall Gansu when he was in pain after being hit in the head by the mob. They have suffered too much for their young age and it’s already a miracle for them to still be alive and well in a stable position in Nanjing. And yes, Jin Tang, Aliu, Zhang Cai, Mei Azha, Ruan Dian… everyone with Liao Jixiang now are among the surviving men from the war of Gansu.

Now that Xie Yilu is in Liao Jixiang’s mansion in the middle of the night, what do you think will happen next:D?

Footnotes

Xiyuan, 西园, literally means “a garden in the west”. 

Xin Bridge, Xin Qiao, 新桥, the name of a bridge near Yong Society’s meeting. 

Zang Fang, 臧芳, or Zang Yirou, 臧以柔. Yirou is his courtesy name.  

The original term here is Langzhong, 郎中, a fifth-rank position. 

This embroidery pattern is known as Mang, 蟒, (literally a “python”) in Chinese. In ancient China, a python refers to a Chinese dragon with four fingers on each of its claws. 

The original term here is Wangjin, 网巾. Wangjin was very common in the Ming Dynasty, as this hair net keeps the men’s hair tidy.  

In the Ming Dynasty, the embroideries of clouds, dragons, pythons, flying fish (Chinese dragons with four-fingered claws and a fish tail), bulls, etc, cannot be used by the common people.  

Guarding Eunuch, or Zhenshou Taijian, 镇守太监, is the official title of Zheng Xian. A Guarding Eunuch is in charge of the local military, procurement of tributes for the royal family, as well as the management of local people. 

Gansu, 甘肃, a province in north-central China, known for its deserts, as well as its cold and dry climate. Gansu was an area of military significance in ancient China as it was the northern border of the country. 

Fist-and-palm salute is the traditional way of greeting and expressing gratitude in China.  

Jiayuguan, 嘉峪关, a city in Gansu. Jiayuguan was a city on the border of ancient China. See the picture of Jiayuguan here. 

According to a published literature about the guarding of border towns in the Ming Dynasty, there were over 30 major border towns from northeast China, Liaoning, to northwest China, in Jiayuguan, Gansu. In each of these towns, there would be a chief, the Guarding Eunuch, or Zhenshou, 镇守, followed by the Sub-Guarding Eunuch, Fenshou, 分守, then, we have Backup Guards, Shoubei, 守备, and lastly, Guards of Firearms, Jianqiang, 监枪. The Guards of Firearms were also exclusively responsible for the access and maintenance of firearms. According to the article, it was common to only appoint two to three leading eunuchs in each town. So although Liao Jixiang appears to be the lowest rank of the four positions, he still has a say in the local military matters and was able to lead the soldiers when necessary.  

Ganzhou, 甘州, is now known as city Zhangye in Gansu, China.  

Tatars, or Dazi, 鞑子, Dada, 鞑靼, is an ethnic group in north and central Asia which eventually became incorporated into the Mongol Empire. 

Army Supervisor, or Bingbeidao, 兵备道, who is in charge of supervising the army, recruiting new soldiers and checking the provisions. 

In the northern region of ancient China, it was common for people to burn dried faeces of animals as fuel.  

Li, 里, is a length unit in ancient China. One li is 500 metres. 

The original text here is Canjiang, 参将, a third-rank military position that leads about 1,000 men. The next few footnotes may be accurate for the Ming Dynasty only. The ranks and their respective positions were taken from here.  

The original text here is Youji, 游击, a sub-third-rank or fourth-rank position, also the lowest position among all the “generals” in an army, leading about a few hundred men.  

The original text here is Shoubei, 守备, a fifth-rank position, leading about 200 men.  

The original text here is Bazong, 把总, which is not ranked and can lead about fewer than 100 men.  

The original text here is Tidiao, 提调.  

30 li is 15 km. 

Shaanxi, 陕西, a province in China. 

Xuanda, 宣大, a city in Shandong, 山东, also a province in China. Xuanda is another important border city of the northern border in ancient China.  

This is known as Luyin, 路引. It serves as the proof of approval for the owner to leave his hometown and travel to somewhere else. It was illegal to travel without it in ancient China.  

Si Li Jian, 司礼监, one of the twelve departments manned by eunuchs. The Si Li Jian is in charge of all matters regarding the royal activities, court etiquette, the law, and it manages the royal errands and hearings in the imperial city. It can be used to balance the power of ministers, and it is considered to be the leading department among the twelve. 

Xuanzhen Lane, or Xuanzhen Xiang, 玄真巷, the address of Liao Jixiang’s private residence. 

Dugong, 督公, a reverent title for powerful eunuchs such as Liao Jixiang. 

Chunchu, 春锄, means “a hoe in spring” or “farming in spring”, is Xie Yilu’s courtesy name. 

Photo credit: https://fashion.sina.com.cn/l/ds/2022-07-14/0409/doc-imizmscv1003591.shtml An ancient ruin of the Loulan Kingdom, west of modern Gansu Province. (The information on the website may not be accurate)