Chapter 7 The Eunuch's New Path

The sky today was clear and cloudless, neither hot nor cold, perfectly suited for the selection of new eunuchs to be assigned to their respective departments.

There were thirty young eunuchs who had just completed their training. Twenty-two were Goguryeo captives, and the remaining eight had been sold into service in the palace. The young eunuchs stood in neat rows, their heights roughly at waist level, clad in plain green summer garments, freshly distributed yesterday, signifying their lowest rank. Their hair was styled uniformly in a topknot, secured with a simple wooden hairpin.

Before these young eunuchs stood numerous senior eunuchs, eager to select new attendants. Liu Gonggong stood to the side, calling out names and stating each boy's characteristics.

"Yi In-jo, eight years of age, Goguryeo native, captive from Joseon. Obedient, humble."

Yi In-jo stepped forward, composing himself with the decorum he had been taught.

"This child appears courteous. I shall take him as my fifteenth adopted son. From this day forward, he shall bear the surname Xie and the name Shi Wu (meaning 'fifteenth')." A Gonggong stepped forward, offering a money pouch and a cup of tea for Yi In-jo to drink.

"Xie Gonggong possesses truly discerning eyes" Liu Gonggong swept his brush to cross out Yi In-jo's name and inscribed 'Xie Shi Wu' in its place.

Within the imperial palace, it was a custom for senior eunuchs to adopt younger ones, though not everyone received this opportunity.

"Henceforth, Xie Shi Wu shall serve Imperial Concubine An Pin, with the rank of Fushouling Taijian, and assist in looking after the young princess in Yanxi Palace." This Gonggong Xie held the rank of Dà Sòngguān (Chief Eunuch) of Yanxi Palace.

Min Na-eun felt joy for Shi Wu, who had found an adoptive father and was to become an inner palace eunuch, just as he had wished.

Next after Xie Shi Wu was Park Gureum. He was adopted by Liu Gonggong, having secretly served Liu Gonggong in his private time, covertly pleading to be assigned to the Administration Department. He was granted the rank of Fushouling Taijian. Liu Gonggong bestowed upon him the name 'Dong Nan,' signifying the southeast, for the Joseon kingdom lay to the southeast on the map of the empire, aptly reflecting the origins of this 'Liu Dong Nan.'

The other boy from their room, Wei Liujin, was granted the rank of Fushouling Taijian, assigned to the Imperial Attire Department of the Inner Eunuch Bureau. Min Na-eun saw him purse his lips in displeasure. Although he was now an inner palace eunuch, he would not be serving imperial kin directly within a palace. Furthermore, no senior Gonggong had adopted him.

"Min Na-eun, ten years of age, Goguryeo native, captive from Joseon. Diligent, intelligent, quick to learn."

Upon hearing Liu Gonggong call his name, Min Na-eun stepped forward. His gaze remained steady, though inside, he was so nervous that beads of sweat sprouted on his back.

Unlike the others in the room who had specific departmental aspirations, Min Na-eun merely wished to live and to await the day he might meet his mother again. Which imperial kin he served or to which department he was assigned held no importance.

Suddenly, an aged eunuch stepped forward. Min Na-eun saw only the tips of his feet and the hem of his dark green silk robe. Even without touching it, he knew it was fine fabric. This Gonggong must hold a rank no lower than Dà Sòngguān (Chief Eunuch).

"Are you of the Min surname? Now, raise your head so I may see you clearly."

"Yes, your honor" Min Na-eun raised his head slightly, yet his eyes remained downcast, not daring to look directly at this Gonggong.

"Henceforth, you shall bear the surname Li and the name 'Lan Se' (meaning 'blue'), my tenth adopted son" The old eunuch's voice was hoarse yet resonant, audible to all in the courtyard. Li Gonggong presented a money pouch; judging by its weight, it was equivalent to a full year's allowance for a junior eunuch.

"Your son, 'Li Lan Se,' bows to his father" Min Na-eun, having received his new name, lifted the cup of tea and drank it in one go, while discreetly observing his adoptive father.

Li Gonggong was an aged eunuch. White strands interspersed his hair at the temples. His frame was thin, yet his posture exuded a strength equal to that of younger eunuchs. His sharp eyes seemed to discern everything they gazed upon, befitting one who had served within the imperial palace for half a lifetime. He now held the position of Shìnìnggōng Sòngguān, the highest rank among eunuchs, heading the Eunuch Bureau of Shining Palace, the residence of the Empress Dowager.

"Li Gonggong, what rank and department will you assign Li Lan Se to?" Liu Gonggong inquired respectfully.

"Shòulǐng Tài Jiàn (Intermediate Eunuch) of Jingren Palace, serving Imperial Consort Li Fei."

Upon hearing the answer, many gasped sharply. Since the selection of new eunuchs for departmental assignments began, no young boy had ever received a rank higher than Fushouling Tài Jiàn, let alone been assigned to serve an Imperial Consort of the Fei rank, as Li LanSe had.

"I feel a strong affinity with you. Looking at you, I am reminded of the vast, boundless sky. May you remain loyal and unwavering like the heavens, whether it be day or night, the sky remains constant. Do not disappoint me" Li Gonggong exhorted before walking away.

"Your son will not bring disgrace upon Father's honor. Thank you, Father, for your guidance."

His mother had told him to obey his masters and those of high rank, and he would do so. Moreover, now he had an adoptive father to support him. Though they were not bound by blood and had not known each other before, this overt show of support greatly uplifted the young boy's spirit.

*

Months had passed together, and it was time to part ways. The three young eunuchs felt saddened, unlike the other person in the room who simply packed his belongings without so much as a glance.

"Liujin is truly ill-mannered. He didn't even bother to bid us farewell!" Shi Wu watched him leave, flinching when Liujin slammed the door shut.

"That one must be jealous of Lan Se, hmph. If I ever see him disrespect Lan Se again, I will have him punished! We hold ranks now, and Lan Se is the highest-ranked in this room. Yet Liujin's behavior shows no respect for Lan Se whatsoever. Truly unacceptable!" Dong Nan expressed his displeasure.

"What are you two grumbling about? Why haven't you finished packing?" The three recently ranked eunuchs turned to look at the person who had just entered the room.

"Brother Huang Se, have you come to congratulate us?" Lan Se beamed, seeing the pastries in Huang Se's hand.

"Do not misunderstand. I merely brought saobing (fried flatbread). Everyone knows today is the eunuch selection. Besides, I heard Father say he adopted another young eunuch. So I came to see my tenth younger brother."

"Eh? Which Gonggong is Brother Huang Se's adoptive father?" Shi Wu guessed, "Could it be Xie Gonggong?"

"How could it be Xie Gonggong? Brother Huang Se said he was the ninth adopted son, but you are the fifteenth. So it must be me, no? Brother Huang Se, now I am truly your younger brother!" Li Lan Se guessed from the name Li Gonggong had bestowed upon him. The name Lan Se means 'blue,' while Huang Se means 'yellow.'

"May I call you Da-ge (Elder Brother) now?"

"Do not call me so presumptuously! I am the ninth adopted son. Do not call me Da-ge!"

"Then Ge-ge (Elder Brother)?"

Huang Se did not reply, but young Li Lan Se noticed the tips of his elder brother's ears were flushed red. Huang Se turned his face away and said, "Eat these pastries quickly, then go report to your respective palaces." With that, he stood up. "I must go now. I still have herbs to sort at the Imperial Pharmacy Department."

"Brother Huang Se is so strange. Is it so hard to simply say 'congratulations' to us?" Shi Wu tilted his head in confusion.

Huang Se came and went like the wind, leaving behind only the saobing and the three young boys who looked at each other and burst into joyful laughter.