4. Wei Zhongxian: The Man Who Castrated Himself for Power
Wei Zhongxian stands out from other eunuchs because he chose castration as an adult in the late Ming dynasty (1568-1627). After piling up gambling debts, he cut off his own genitals to gain palace access. Under weak Emperor Tianqi, Wei ran the government, killed hundreds who opposed him, and built temples to himself across China. People called him “Nine Thousand Years,” just below the emperor’s “Ten Thousand Years” title. He created a secret police force that terrorized anyone who opposed his rule.
