Lao Ai: The eunuch had 2 sons with Qin Shi Huang's mother, nearly launching a mutiny to become king

This eunuch not only sneaked back and forth with the empress dowager who had 2 sons, but arrogantly almost launched a mutiny to overthrow the dynasty. However, the outcome was unexpected.

A eunuch is a position that dates back to the Zhou Dynasty, or known by other names as eunuch or eunuch, yin man, yin man, eunuch, middle mandarin, introspection, inner god, inner city, inner court,...

In China's ancient imperial society, there was often a regime of using men who had been eunuched and lost the ability to have children to enter the palace to serve the emperor and members of the imperial family.

In the imperial city, the status of eunuchs was usually quite low, they could not have wives all their lives, nor could they have descendants, extremely pitiful. But in Chinese history there was a special eunuch who not only did not eunuch, but also bore offspring with the Empress Dowager, even nearly launching a mutiny to seize power.

This person was Lao Ai in the late Qin State of the Warring States period. Referring to Lao Ai's background, it is impossible not to mention Lü Immortal. Lü Weiwei was the general (vizier) of the state of Qin, who made great contributions to the politics of Qin. Along with that, he also had an affair with Empress Dowager Zhao, the mother of Qin Shi Huang.

With Qin Zheng becoming more and more mature, Lü Weiwei began to fear that his relationship with Empress Dowager Zhao would be revealed, and once discovered by Qin Wang, it would definitely be difficult to escape death. But he didn't dare to break up with Empress Dowager Zhao outright, so he thought of a way, silently finding an extremely powerful person to offer to Empress Dowager Zhao, this person was Lao Ai.

In order to bring Lao Ai into the palace, Lü Weiwei spent a lot of effort. He first gave Lao Ai's accuser a felony and sentenced him to the court. Then teamed up with Empress Dowager Zhao to bribe Lao Ai to exonerate Lao Ai, finally silently bringing Lao Ai into the palace as a eunuch.

After entering the palace, Lao Ai became involved with Empress Dowager Zhao day by day, and was extremely loved and trusted by the Empress Dowager. Day after month, I didn't expect that Empress Dowager Zhao would be pregnant, and the two of them were extremely frightened, if this matter was known to Zhao Zheng, the consequences would not need to be known. Helpless about how, Empress Dowager Zhao lied that there was a fortune teller for him, saying that he should not stay in the palace, so he fled to Ung County to escape.

The two lived together in Ung County for several years, during which time Lao Ai was still extremely favored by Empress Dowager Zhao, and was also made the Chief of the Servant. He became more and more arrogant and unruly, and even gradually became an equal force to confront Lü Immortal. Gradually, Lü Weiwei could no longer bear the face of that young lady Lao Ai, and at the same time envied Lao Ai to lose the favor of Empress Dowager Zhao, so he thought of a way to take revenge on Lao Ai.

He sent people around to denounce secretly, telling Empress Dowager Zhao to go back and forth with Lao Ai, and also gave birth to a son together. Qin Wang was angry and sent someone to investigate, confirming that Empress Dowager Zhao and Lao Ai had an affair, and also had stepchildren together, and immediately ordered the person to arrest him, and issued a wanted order: "Whoever captures Lao Ai alive will reward a hundred thousand, whoever defeats Lao Ai will reward 50 thousand."

Eventually, Lao Ai was arrested. His two stepsons with Empress Dowager Zhao were also beaten to death, and Empress Dowager Zhao, being Qin Wang's mother, was exonerated, but was also expelled from Xianyang and demoted to civilian status.

Although Lao Ai's outcome was not good, it was impossible not to say, he was also a special person. He was also the most extraordinary of all the eunuchs in Chinese history, able to cheat on having children with the Empress Dowager, indeed he was the best eunuch in history.

If Lao Ai was the most favored eunuch, Wei Zhongxian is considered the most famous eunuch in Chinese history with power comparable to that of the emperor.

Wei Zhongxian was considered a "boss" among the unscrupulous eunuchs of the Ming Dynasty. This eunuch came from a rogue, illiterate background. In his youth, Wei Zhongxian was known for his love of gambling, until he had to live in hiding empty-handed because he was hunted by creditors.

In the harem, there were many concubines, but thanks to his flattery, Wei Zhongxian was very loved and supported by Ha Thi, the nanny of King Mingxi Tong at that time. Even when Xi Tong was just a young prince, Yu Zhongxian took advantage of his relationship with Hakka. The milestone event in his life was when Emperor Minh Guang Tong suddenly died after less than 1 month on the throne.

Since Wei Zhongzong was entrusted by King Xizong to look after Dongxuan, the imperial agent's agency, his power has strengthened and grown. Wei Zhongxian wielded all powers in the imperial court including Eastern Workshop, Western Workshop, and Inner Workshop, controlling the government, and placing confidants in important cabinet positions. Many court officials bowed to him for promotion, and even officials competed to recognize Wei Zhongxian as his father and grandfather. Holding power in his hands, Wei Zhongxian became even more bossy.

By 1627, Zhou had ascended the throne. Wei Zhongxian was disgraced. The officials stood up to denounce 10 felonies demanding Wei Zhongxian's execution. The eunuch was deposed, exiled to keep his tomb in Fengyang land. After reaching the halfway point, he was ordered to be recaptured. Wei Zhongxian was afraid of guilt, and decided to end his life.

Concubines in the past had a terrifying "privilege" that even the main wife did not have. Minh Lợi17:19:18 19/03/2025In feudal Chinese society, concubines were seen as mere commodities, bought and sold without any significant rights, and did not even have an official position in the husband's family tree.