Dong Chang and Xi Chang

Author: Dongfang Ming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features:
The emperor personally established it, eunuchs directly directed it; informants spread across the nation, killers dominated the capital; all high officials were monitored. The "Chang" special agents posed as servants in the homes of high officials, some staying undercover for as long as thirty years. They established imperial prisons, implemented "Chang" executions, going to extremes; the first special intelligence agency in the world to use the beauty trap. Full of suspense and intricate plots; highly organized, ruthless methods, and cunning schemes. In some aspects, even agencies like the CIA, Mossad, KGB, and MI6 fell short.
Leveraging the emperor's interests, the powerful eunuchs held absolute sway. Informants spread across the nation: unexpected undercover agents, ordinary people stirring up bloodshed. Behind every minister, there were eyes watching. The "Chang" special agents posed as servants in the homes of ministers, some staying undercover for as long as thirty years. They established imperial prisons, implemented "Chang" executions, going to extremes. Full of suspense and intricate plots; highly organized, ruthless methods, and cunning schemes. Repeatedly frustrated rebels couldn't resist threats and temptation, turning against their own and bowing to the powerful eunuchs, even biting back at upright individuals.
Two special intelligence agencies vied for power, suppressing and undermining each other. A well-known real event from the Ming Dynasty: Four friends in the capital drank in a secret room. One, drunk, cursed the eunuchs. Someone warned, "Be careful the Eastern Depot hears." The crier replied, "What's to fear? Can they skin me?" Before he finished speaking, Eastern Depot agents burst in. The next day, his skin was hung high in the Eastern Depot's execution hall. This incident reflected the terror of the time.