From Obscurity to Imperial Influence
Gao Lishi (684–762) emerged as one of the most influential eunuchs in Tang Dynasty history, wielding unparalleled power during Emperor Xuanzong’s reign. Born in Panzhou (modern-day Gaozhou, Guangdong) as Feng Yuan, his life took a dramatic turn when he was castrated as a youth and entered the imperial palace in 698 during Empress Wu Zetian’s rule. Recognizing his intelligence, Wu placed him in her inner circle, marking the beginning of his ascent.
After a brief exile due to political shifts, Gao was adopted by the eunuch Gao Yanfu—whose surname he adopted—and re-entered the palace through connections with the powerful Wu family. His fortunes changed when he allied with Li Longji (the future Emperor Xuanzong) during the latter’s princely years. Gao’s loyalty during the 710 coup that secured Li Longji’s throne earned him enduring trust, catapulting him to the heights of Tang bureaucracy.
The Architect of Imperial Administration
By Xuanzong’s reign (712–756), Gao Lishi held titles like General of the Right Guard and Commander of the Palace Domestic Service, effectively controlling access to the emperor. He screened all memorials and decrees, resolving minor matters without consultation—a privilege encapsulated in Xuanzong’s famous remark: “When Lishi is on duty, I sleep peacefully.”
His influence extended to appointments: key figures like Chancellor Li Linfu, general An Lushan, and even the emperor’s son, Prince Li Heng (later Emperor Suzong), sought his favor. Royal family members addressed him as “Elder” or “Father,” underscoring his quasi-paternal authority. At his zenith, Gao amassed wealth surpassing nobles, hosting lavish events like a bell-casting ceremony where attendees paid exorbitant “donations” for the privilege of striking the bell—a stark symbol of his graft-ridden power.
Cultural Clout and Political Shadows
Gao’s legacy is a paradox. While he avoided overt scandals, his role in enabling Xuanzong’s later misrule contributed to the Tang’s decline. He backed corrupt officials like Yang Guozhong (cousin of Consort Yang Yuhuan), exacerbating administrative decay. Yet, he also patronized Buddhism, funding temples and rituals that shaped religious culture. His ability to navigate court intrigues for nearly five decades revealed both shrewdness and the systemic rot of eunuch dominance.
Downfall and Historical Reckoning
The An Lushan Rebellion (755–763) shattered Gao’s world. Fleeing with Xuanzong to Sichuan, he returned after the Tang recaptured Chang’an, only to face retaliation from rival eunuch Li Fuguo. In 760, he was exiled to Hunan for defending the abdicated Xuanzong, dying en route after a pardon in 762.
Gao’s life mirrors the Tang’s golden age and collapse—a cautionary tale of how unchecked inner-court power can corrode empires. Modern historians debate his responsibility for the An Lushan crisis, but his era remains a lens into the fraught relationship between emperors and their most intimate servants.