Eunuchs in the Ming Dynasty

Shih-shan Henry Tsai is Professor of History and Chairman of Asian Studies at the University of Arkansas.

• Maps and Figures Acknowledgements Successive Reigns of the Ming Emperors (1368-1644) I. Introduction The Scholar and the EunuchNew Thematic Approaches II. The Demand and Supply of Ming Eunuchs Historic OriginsForeign Supply of EunuchsDomestic Supply of EunuchsMore Supply Than DemandThe Problem of Excessive Castrati III. Institutionalization of the Eunuch Agencies Early Eunuch EstablishmentsEunuchs' New HavenEunuch Agencies Inside the Imperial CityEunuch Agencies Outside the Capital City IV. Eunuchs and the Ming Military System Eunuchs as Military CommandersThe Eunuch BattalionsThe Nanjing Grand CommandantEunuch Commanders and Ming BureaucracyEunuchs and Teas-Horse Trade V. Eunuchs and the Ming Intelligence-Gathering Apparatuses The Eastern DepotSuccesive Directors of the Eastern DepotThe Western Depot VI. Eunuchs and Ming Diplomacy Ming Tributary SystemThe Mongols and the TibetansEunuch Missions to Central AsiaMing Eunuchs and Chinese-Korean Relations VII. Eunuchs and Ming Maritime Activities Eunuchs and the Ming Maritime TradeTrade with Japan and the Ryukyu IslandsTrade with Southeast AsiaZheng He's Seven Navigations VIII. Eunuchs' Involvement in the Ming Economy Managing the Imperial PlantationsEunuchs as Tax CollectorsEunuchs' Role in the Ming Salt MonopolyEunuchs and Ming MiningEunuchs as Purchasing Agents and Manufacturing Managers IX. Miscellaneous Duties of the Ming Eunuchs Eunuchs and Imperial SealsEunuchs and Ming Flood-Control ProjectsEunuchs and Ming Judiciary Reviews X. Conclusion Appendix 1: Eunuch Agencies and Their Duties in Ming Dynasty Appendix 2: Glossary of Chinese Characters Notes Bibliography Index

"This book is a detailed and intellectually sophisticated study of Ming eunuchs that illuminates the entire history of the Ming. The author is aware of the systematic anti-eunuch prejudice of the sources (all composed by civil officials), and has adopted a critical stance throughout. This has permitted him to assess objectively the achievements of the eunuchs and to let them 'speak for themselves' to the extent that the sources permit." — Edward L. Dreyer, University of Miami