From Innovation to Suicide: The Inventor’s Tragic End
Eunuchs often focused on practical innovations since traditional power paths were closed to them. Cai’s invention spread slowly, taking hundreds of years to reach Europe. When his political patron, Empress Deng, died, court enemies turned against him. Rather than face execution, Cai bathed, dressed in fine clothes, and drank poison. Despite creating one of history’s most important inventions, he died knowing how fragile his position remained.
