The Fall of China’s Most Hated Eunuch
His fall came fast. When Emperor Tianqi died in 1627, the new Emperor Chongzhen immediately stripped Wei’s power. Facing execution, Wei hanged himself. Officials dug up his body, cut it into pieces, and displayed it publicly. His terrible reign made “evil eunuch” a lasting stereotype in Chinese culture. Books and plays for centuries after portrayed eunuchs as corrupt schemers who ruined China from within.
