How did the ancient virtuous officials and powerful men gain recognition from Tang society and reach the pinnacle of power

In ancient times, there were also many eunuchs throughout the dynasties, with few leaving a lasting impression in history and many leaving a lasting reputation. Although their status is not high, they achieve their political goals through their relationship with the emperor. For example, Cai Lun, who improved papermaking techniques, and Wang Zhen, who underwent the Civil Engineering Revolution. But in history, there was a eunuch who was heavily used by the emperor and had power over the world, but did not control the government. He became the first person to show his loyalty to his subjects and became the most outstanding eunuch of all time. He was a strongman.
Gao Lishi (684-762 AD), originally named Feng Yuanyi, had ancestral roots in Panzhou (now Gaozhou City, Guangdong Province). Gao Lishi is the sixth generation descendant of Lady Xian, the Holy Mother of Lingnan, and a member of a prestigious family. In the fourth year of the Wude reign of Emperor Gaozu of Tang (621 AD), his great grandfather passed the imperial examination and became a jinshi in the Tang Dynasty. He surrendered to the Tang Dynasty and began to serve as an official in the court. After Feng Ang’s death, the power of the Feng family gradually declined. After living for two years, Feng Junheng was falsely accused by the cruel official Wan Guojun, and the Feng family suffered a disaster. His father was killed and his mother was displaced. Gao Lishi, who became an orphan, was castrated and sent to the palace as a slave. Later, he was adopted by eunuch Gao Yanfu as an adopted son. From then on, Lishi took his adoptive father’s surname and became known as Gao Lishi.
During the reign of Jinglong, Empress Wu died, and Gao Lishi was assigned to Li Longji’s mansion, the king of Linzi. Since Gao Lishi was devoted to serving Li Longji, he was highly valued by Li Longji. Since then, he has gradually become Li Longji’s confidant. In the first year of the Shenlong era (705 AD), Zhang Jianzhi restored the Tang Dynasty. In 710 AD, Empress Wei and Princess Anle poisoned Emperor Zhongzong and enthroned Crown Prince Li Chongmao, becoming Emperor Shang of Tang. At this time, the Tang Dynasty was in chaos and the court life was luxurious and debauched. During the Tang Long period (710 AD), Gao Lishi assisted Prince Li Longji of Zi in leading troops to quell the rebellion, killing Empress Wei and others. Li Longji made contributions to the Wei family and was appointed as the Crown Prince. In the first year of Yanhe (712 AD), Li Dan abdicated to Li Longji as Emperor Xuanzong of Tang (i.e. Emperor Ming of Tang). And Gao Lishi was awarded the title of Grand Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat and concurrently served as a provincial official due to his outstanding contributions in the execution of Xiao Zhizhong, Cen Xi, and others.
In the second year of the Xiantian reign, Gao Lishi participated in the execution of Princess Taiping as an official and made great contributions to Li Longji. Gao Lishi was also highly valued by Emperor Xuanzong, who appointed him as the Silver Green Guanglu Grand Master. Soon after, he was promoted to the position of Right Guard General and appointed him as an internal attendant to save time. Afterwards, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang increasingly valued eunuchs and rewarded them with countless wealth. More than half of the land and mansions in the capital were owned by eunuchs. Gao Lishi is also in charge of the appointment and rewards of all eunuchs. Whenever a petition is submitted from all directions, it must first be presented to Gao Lishi, and then to the imperial court. Small matters can be decided by themselves. Li Longji often said that only with Gao Lishi by my side can I sleep soundly, and this kind of praise is indeed extraordinary. Although favored by Li Longji, Gao Lishi became more and more cautious and humble, showing no signs of expansion.
Later, the An Lushan Rebellion broke out, and Gao Lishi escorted Emperor Xuanzong of Tang to flee. In July of the fifteenth year of the Tianbao era (756 AD), Crown Prince Li Heng ascended to the throne in Lingwu. Respect Emperor Xuanzong of Tang as the Supreme Emperor. Afterwards, Tang Xuanzong, who returned to Taiji Palace, was arranged to enter Ganlu Hall in August of the first year of Shangyuan (760 AD). After Li Heng took office, eunuch Li Fuguo began to gain power. After gaining power, Li Fuguo began to turn against Gao Lishi. Later, Li Fuguo plotted to frame Gao Lishi, leading to his exile in Wuzhou. Tang Xuanzong, who had lost Gao Lishi, passed away shortly after. In March of the first year of Baoying (762 AD), the court issued a decree granting amnesty to the whole country, and Gao Lishi returned to Beijing from Wuzhou. When I arrived in Langzhou, I learned that Li Longji had already passed away. Gao Lishi looked north and wept bitterly, vomiting blood and dying at the age of 79.
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