Annals and Memoirs of the Court of Peking (from the 16th to the 20th Century) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1914 edition. Excerpt: ...mainly composed of scheming and illiterate persons who misbehave and ill-treat the people. Take Yiin Ch'ih's four eunuchs, for example, or his two bodyservants. They are always spying on my movements and endeavouring to get hold of Palace gossip. I know all about the origin of these men, in fact I have had to banish several of Yun Ch'ih's servants before now, while others have been killed in brawls. You, Yiin Ch'ih, really ought to have some little self-respect. I have not spared Yiin Jeng, and shall certainly not be more lenient with the rest of you. When, on a previous occasion, I called you all to my presence, Yiin Ch'ih replied as follows: 'Hereafter all of us brothers will dwell together in unity. We shall spend our days happily in the light of your presence, O Imperial father.' "Now, I regard the above remark as far from satisfactory: suppose that among your number there be one bad character, who conducts himself lawlessly, are all you brothers going to ' dwell together in unity ' with him? Besides, Yiin Ch'ih's own record is very bad; he uttered slanders against the ex-Heir Apparent and tried to induce me to put him to death. Who can believe a word he says, when he talks so glibly about unity in future? In the past Yiin Ch'ih has had the effrontery to lay violent hands on my guardsmen and major-domos; these men can be produced as witnesses. When Yiin Jeng was in his custody he carried off several of the workmen and labourers at his brother's residence and had them cruelly flogged. The result was that some committed suicide and others ran away. No wonder that every one thinks badly of you, Yiin Ch'ih. "My troubles come thick and fast: first my eighteenth son died suddenly, and now I have had to bear Yiin Jeng's deposition. You...