Foreign Eunuchs Bring a Chinese Dynasty to Collapse

The first foreign eunuch in China played a significant role in the downfall of the Yuan Dynasty, marking the end of Mongol rule over China.

According to Guoqing (China), historical records indicate that the first foreign eunuch in Chinese history was Park Bul-hwa, who hailed from Goryeo (modern-day Korea).

Park Bul-hwa was born during the early reign of Emperor Yuan Wenzong (1304-1332). At the age of 7, he underwent castration and was brought to serve in the Yuan court.

Character Park Bul-hwa in a television series.

This was the era when the Mongols controlled all of China, following the conquest of the Southern Song in 1279.

A girl who entered the palace with Park Bul-hwa at that time was Qi La. Later, the two became close friends. Qi La was assigned to sewing and embroidery duties in the palace, while Park Bul-hwa served as a servant responsible for cleaning and serving tea.

The two children from Goryeo were very close. As time passed, Qi La grew into a beautiful young woman.

Tuohuan Tiemu Er, the son of Emperor Yuan Wenzong, once played in the palace and saw Qi La, taking her back to his residence. Shortly thereafter, Tuohuan ascended to the throne, taking the title Yuan Huizong. Qi La was naturally elevated to the position of Empress.

The First Foreign Eunuch of China

Becoming the mother of the nation and enjoying wealth and glory, Empress Qi La did not forget her old friend. She brought Park Bul-hwa to her Xingtai Palace, appointing him as a Grand Minister of Glory and also as the Treasurer’s Office Envoy.

Depiction of the eunuch Park Bul-hwa.

During the Yuan Dynasty, the Treasurer’s Office was responsible for managing the national treasury. Historians consider this a “lucrative” position that could yield significant profits. Given the important role assigned to him by the Empress, Park Bul-hwa could not miss the opportunity to enrich himself.

Taking advantage of his position and his close relationship with the Empress, Park Bul-hwa became corrupt, accumulating wealth. Thanks to his embezzled funds, he frequently brought gifts to the royal family and the nobility.

Not only did he amass wealth and material goods, but Park Bul-hwa also realized this was the quickest path to enter the center of power in the Yuan court. Coincidentally, the Emperor of the Yuan at that time trusted Park Bul-hwa immensely and often sent him on inspections and aid missions.

When the son of Empress Qi La was named Crown Prince, Park Bul-hwa saw his opportunity. He personally handled all matters concerning the Crown Prince, from meals to sleep.

Meanwhile, Emperor Yuan Shun had little interest in governance, detesting political affairs and only indulging in pleasures. This Emperor entrusted all power to the Crown Prince and even appointed Prime Minister Shao Zijiang, as recommended by Park Bul-hwa.

At this time, Park Bul-hwa became a powerful figure in the court. All promotions, construction projects, treasury management, and national policies were decided solely by him. No official, big or small, dared to go against his wishes.

Park Bul-hwa’s power was so great that all matters of promotion and dismissal of officials had to pass through the foreign eunuch. All ministers in the court had to flatter him, fearing to displease him.

The Eunuch Who Caused the Downfall of a Dynasty

Realizing his growing power, Park Bul-hwa conspired with Empress Qi La and his confidant, Prime Minister Shao Zijiang, to pressure Yuan Huizong to abdicate in favor of the Crown Prince.

Previously, every meal and sleep of the Crown Prince had been personally prepared by Park Bul-hwa. He became one of the most powerful figures in the Yuan court, second only to the Emperor. All promotions and dismissals of officials, as well as national policies, were decided by him.

Yuan Huizong was the last emperor of the Yuan dynasty.

However, the plot to place the Crown Prince on the throne was discovered by Emperor Yuan, leading to his furious arrest of all conspirators, sparing no one.

During the ensuing chaos, Ping La Mu Er, who harbored jealousy towards Park Bul-hwa and Shao Zijiang, seized the opportunity to enter the prison and kill both the Prime Minister and the eunuch.

The internal conflicts within the Yuan court were a significant factor contributing to widespread famine and disease. Peasant uprisings were occurring everywhere at that time.

Among these uprisings, Zhu Yuanzhang notably led forces against the Yuan capital.

Seeing the situation deteriorating, Yuan Huizong regretted and blamed the Crown Prince, stating: “My Great Yuan kingdom has been lost because of you mother and son.” According to historians, Emperor Huizong himself was also at fault for blindly entrusting all power to Park Bul-hwa.

Not long after Park Bul-hwa’s death, Zhu Yuanzhang forced the Mongol army to retreat to the steppes of Central Asia. The Yuan Dynasty collapsed from that point, paving the way for the Ming Dynasty.

It can be said that the downfall of the Yuan Dynasty, one of the most militaristic dynasties in history, was primarily due to Emperor Huizong’s excessive trust in the foreign eunuch Park Bul-hwa.

Eunuchs have been indispensable figures in the feudal history of China. They were often close associates trusted by emperors, which could easily lead to abuses of power, holding significant authority, and even the ability to depose emperors. This series will recount the stories of the most notorious eunuchs in Chinese history.