Table of Contents

Maps and Figures Acknowledgements Successive Reigns of the Ming Emperors (1368-1644) I. Introduction The Scholar and the Eunuch New Thematic Approaches II. The Demand and Supply of Ming Eunuchs Historic Origins Foreign Supply of Eunuchs Domestic Supply of Eunuchs More Supply Than Demand The Problem of Excessive Castrati III. Institutionalization of the Eunuch Agencies Early Eunuch Establishments Eunuchs' New Haven Eunuch Agencies Inside the Imperial City Eunuch Agencies Outside the Capital City IV. Eunuchs and the Ming Military System Eunuchs as Military Commanders The Eunuch Battalions The Nanjing Grand Commandant Eunuch Commanders and Ming Bureaucracy Eunuchs and Teas-Horse Trade V. Eunuchs and the Ming Intelligence-Gathering Apparatuses The Eastern Depot Succesive Directors of the Eastern Depot The Western Depot VI. Eunuchs and Ming Diplomacy Ming Tributary System The Mongols and the Tibetans Eunuch Missions to Central Asia Ming Eunuchs and Chinese-Korean Relations VII. Eunuchs and Ming Maritime Activities Eunuchs and the Ming Maritime Trade Trade with Japan and the Ryukyu Islands Trade with Southeast Asia Zheng He's Seven Navigations VIII. Eunuchs' Involvement in the Ming Economy Managing the Imperial Plantations Eunuchs as Tax Collectors Eunuchs' Role in the Ming Salt Monopoly Eunuchs and Ming Mining Eunuchs as Purchasing Agents and Manufacturing Managers IX. Miscellaneous Duties of the Ming Eunuchs Eunuchs and Imperial Seals Eunuchs and Ming Flood-Control Projects Eunuchs 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

About the Author

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

Reviews

"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