The pen-wielding eunuch and the palm-print eunuch of the ceremonial supervisor

Answer 1

Si Li Jian was the chief yamen of the Ming Dynasty's twenty-four eunuchs. It had the positions of palm print eunuch and pen holding eunuch.

In the eunuch system of the Ming Dynasty, the eunuch holding the pen was second only to the eunuch holding the seal. Its main responsibility was to replace the emperor to exercise the right to approve the red, that is, to use a red pen to comment on whether the opinions drafted by the cabinet could be implemented. The second or third-ranked pen-wielding eunuchs in the Bureau of Rites usually also served concurrently as prefects of the East Chamber. They could be said to be of high status and power. Almost all the famous powerful officials in the Ming Dynasty had been pen-wielding eunuchs in the Bureau of Rites. The favored pen-wielding eunuchs were known as "deputy ministers."

The Seal Eunuch of the Bureau of Rites was the most powerful position among the twelve prisons of the Ming Dynasty. It was also known as the "Internal Minister" and ranked first among the Bureau of Rites, above the Brush Eunuch. The palm-print eunuch was responsible for completing the final review and stamping of the "approval of red" part of the Ming Dynasty's national policy. If he thought that the eunuch's instructions were acceptable, he would stamp it. If he thought that it was not acceptable, he had the right to send it back for re-approval. The memorials of the ministers had to be reviewed by the eunuch with the seal. In terms of power, the eunuch with the seal had more power than the eunuch with the brush.

In short, these two positions played an extremely important role in the political system of the Ming Dynasty, especially in the balance of power between the Minister of Rites and the cabinet.

While waiting for the TV series, you can also click on the link below to read the classic original work of "Dafeng Nightwatchman"!