7 replies to this topic

[wan sui yeh]

Empress Ci Xi the woemn who ruled China during the last years of the Qing dynasty for 40 years had two eunuch favorites namely An De Hai and later Li Lian Ying. An De hai was a close confidante of the empress while Li Lian Ying reportly was in her good graces because of his hairstylist abilities. Well there are rumours that one or both of these lowly eunuchs weren't castrated at all but was sering the empress as lovers by fulfilling her sexual needs.Anyone has information on these allegations.

[Prince of the South]

I think both of them were genuine eunuchs. An Dehai, I believe, was serving her during Xian Feng times so how could he be a eunuch in disguise? As for Li Lianying, take a look at his photo you will understand why.

The question is, if you believe these eunuchs lover kinda of thing, she being the most powerful person in Qing China, why would she need an "eunuch" lover? Having said that, court intrigues were rife so as best we can do is guess.

Consider, if rumours that An Dehai wasn't a eunuch could be discovered as soon as he was executed by the governor of Shandong. Wouldn't they be interested that the most powerful eunuch at that time was or was not, a real thing?

[wan sui yeh]

I think both of them were genuine eunuchs. An Dehai, I believe, was serving her during Xian Feng times so how could he be a eunuch in disguise? As for Li Lianying, take a look at his photo you will understand why.

The question is, if you believe these eunuchs lover kinda of thing, she being the most powerful person in Qing China, why would she need an "eunuch" lover? Having said that, court intrigues were rife so as best we can do is guess.

Consider, if rumours that An Dehai wasn't a eunuch could be discovered as soon as he was executed by the governor of Shandong. Wouldn't they be interested that the most powerful eunuch at that time was or was not, a real thing?

I would agree that the An De Hai was most probably a genuine eunuch since he entered the palace service before Ci Xi is in the harem, but what about Li Lian Ying, i seeh his picture before, so what is wrong with him.

[Prince of the South]

Li Lianying being the most powerful eunuch of his time serving Ci Xi would definitely made a good story for anti-Ci Xi, anti-Qing and revolutionary propaganda, of course wild rumours like eunuch lovers would also surface. It is naturally that one would assume wanton abuse of power and corruption for such an individual. However, absolute dedication of a servant to a master existed during those time where now it is unthinkable. IMHO, Li Lianying was a real eunuch who only ability was to serve his master with absolute devotion.

Edited by Prince of the South, 18 May 2007 - 01:49 AM.

[Moose]

I think both of them were genuine eunuchs. An Dehai, I believe, was serving her during Xian Feng times so how could he be a eunuch in disguise? As for Li Lianying, take a look at his photo you will understand why.

Where did you see the photo of Li LianYing? Google turned up nothing for me.

[Prince of the South]

http://pic.zgcren.co...d7bd3a1f3ba.jpg

http://www.chinado.n...006/07/cx4d.jpg (Li Lianying is front right)

http://photo.arting3...91919367973.jpg (Li Lianyung, right standing)

http://www.dacheng.g.../lilianying.jpg

http://bkb.ynet.com/img.db?6971595+s(440)

The last 2 photographs I have not seen prior, especially the last one Li Lianying looked different, i think

Edited by Prince of the South, 21 May 2007 - 12:39 AM.

[Will Thomas]

As I understood it, the question of whether the eunuchs were actual eunuchs was a rumour spread by anti-Qing and anti-Cixi rumourmongers, anxious to discredit her for supposed immorality.

[tsy523]

for An De hai, he is a genuine eunuch. when he died from assasination, his body was left naked open to the public to serve as a reminder for those who acted against the imperial rules. the reason behind his assasination was that he, as a eunuch, should not travel outside the palace. the assasination was the idea of Tung Chih ( the emperor of Qing Dynasty and that time, who is also the biological son of Empress Dowager Cixi) and Nahuroo ( the Empress who shared powers with Cixi upon the death of Emperor Hsien Feng, who also has a higher position than Cixi). The death of An te hai left Cixi saddened and the rumours of him being Cixi's secret lover and him being a false eunuch was immediately pronounced as nothing more than an allegation. it has been confirmed that he is a genuine eunuch since his body was left naked for everyone to watch.

as for Li Lian ying, i cannot confirm on it... but highly unlikely to be a false eunuch since imperial rules are strict.