The Ascent of a Controversial Eunuch

Yu Chao’en (722–770), a native of Luzhou (modern-day Naxi, Sichuan), rose from obscurity to become one of the most powerful—and reviled—eunuchs in Tang Dynasty history. His career began during the Tianbao era (742–755) of Emperor Xuanzong, when he entered the Palace Domestic Service as a low-ranking official. By the reign of Emperor Suzong (756–758), Yu had gained influence as a military supervisor, earning promotions for his battlefield achievements. His fortunes peaked under Emperor Daizong, who in 763 appointed him Commander of the Divine Strategy Army and later granted him the titles Duke of Zheng and Supervisor of the National University.

Yu’s ascent reflected the Tang court’s growing reliance on eunuchs for military and administrative control—a trend that would later destabilize the dynasty. Unlike earlier eras, where eunuchs were confined to palace duties, mid-Tang figures like Yu wielded unprecedented authority, often overshadowing scholar-officials.

The Politics of Patronage: The Scheme of Zhangjing Temple

In 767, Yu Chao’en devised a cunning strategy to cement his favor with Emperor Daizong. He proposed converting his imperial-granted villa into a Buddhist temple, Zhangjing Temple, ostensibly to honor the emperor’s late mother, Empress Zhangjing. The gesture played perfectly into Daizong’s devout Buddhism, earning Yu lavish praise.

The project, however, became a symbol of excess. Yu requisitioned materials from across Chang’an, demolishing public structures—including pavilions at the Qujiang Pool and Huaqing Palace—to fuel construction. Critics decried the waste, but the emperor ignored them, rewarding Yu with additional titles and land grants. This episode highlighted Yu’s ability to manipulate imperial piety for personal gain, while exposing the court’s fiscal recklessness.

Rivalries and Retribution: The Feud with Guo Ziyi

Yu’s paranoia about rivals drove one of the era’s most infamous vendettas. He resented Guo Ziyi, the celebrated general who had suppressed the An Lushan Rebellion, and repeatedly slandered him before Daizong. When gossip failed, Yu orchestrated the desecration of Guo’s father’s tomb—a grave insult in Confucian tradition—hoping to undermine Guo’s influence through “feng shui” sabotage.

The act provoked public outrage, but Guo, ever the pragmatist, chose not to escalate the conflict. His restraint averted a political crisis but underscored the toxic climate of eunuch-minister rivalries.

Corruption and Tyranny: The Reign of Terror

Yu’s rule was marked by brazen corruption. He weaponized the justice system, establishing a secret prison under his Northern Army command. There, his enforcers—often recruited from criminal circles—framed wealthy merchants and scholars, confiscating their assets after torturing them into false confessions. One henchman, Jia Mingguan, amassed a fortune through kickbacks, revealing the scale of Yu’s extortion.

His control over the military grew equally ruthless. After the Divine Strategy Army became the imperial guard, Yu forcibly absorbed regional troops into its ranks, centralizing power under his command.

The Arrogance That Doomed Him

Yu’s downfall began with a series of miscalculations. When his adopted son, Yu Linghui, demanded a promotion to wear the prestigious purple robe—reserved for high officials—Yu bullied Emperor Daizong into compliance. The emperor’s resentment simmered. Later, Yu’s infamous boast—”Is there anything under heaven not decided by me?”—sealed his fate.

The Conspiracy and Brutal End

In 770, Chancellor Yuan Cai, sensing the emperor’s displeasure, orchestrated Yu’s assassination. After bribing Yu’s allies to betray him, Yuan set a trap during a palace banquet. Lured into a private meeting, Yu was accused of treason, then strangled by his own subordinates. His corpse was displayed for three days, his family purged—a stark warning against eunuch overreach.

Legacy: Eunuch Power and Tang’s Decline

Yu Chao’en’s life epitomized the dangers of eunuch dominance in late Tang politics. His abuse of power accelerated the dynasty’s fragmentation, foreshadowing the eventual collapse of central authority. Modern historians view him as a cautionary tale—a reminder of how unchecked ambition can corrode even the most storied empires.

Though his name is often synonymous with tyranny, Yu’s story also reveals the Tang Dynasty’s complex interplay of religion, militarism, and court intrigue—a world where piety and cruelty often walked hand in hand.