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Overview Dong Xiu was an eunuch.
Identity Historical · Male
Other names Type English Chinese Pinyin
Nickname
Seventh Brother
七郎
Qīláng
Life and dates Attested activity Key source chapters
Old Book of Tang, Chapter 126
Volume 122 Biographies 72: Zhang Xiancheng, Lu Sigong, Qu Huan, Jin Hanheng, Yang Chaocheng, Fan Ze, Li Shuming, Pei Zhou
6 passages
Old Book of Tang, Chapter 130
Volume 126 Biographies 76: Li Kui, Li Han, Chen Shaoyou, Lu Yue, Pei Xu
6 passages
Places and affiliations Polity Tang 唐 · Relation ServedWorks and attributed material References in the histories
No matching passages.
Old Book of Tang, Chapter 126 Volume 122 Biographies 72: Zhang Xiancheng, Lu Sigong, Qu Huan, Jin Hanheng, Yang Chaocheng, Fan Ze, Li Shuming, Pei Zhou · 6 passages
時中官董秀掌樞密用事，少遊乃宿於其裏，候其下直，際晚謁之，從容曰：「七郎家中人數幾何？
At that time the eunuch Dong Xiu controlled secret affairs and wielded great power. Shaoyou lodged in his lane, waited until he left duty, and at dusk called on him. Calmly he asked, "Seventh Brother, how large is your household?
秀曰：「久忝近職，家累甚重，又屬時物騰貴，一月過千餘貫。」
Xiu replied, "Having long held a post near the throne, my household burdens are heavy. With prices rising as they are, a month costs more than a thousand strings of cash."
少遊雖不才，請以一身獨供七郎之費，每歲請獻錢五萬貫。
Though I lack talent, I ask to supply all of Seventh Brother's expenses myself, offering fifty thousand strings of cash each year.
秀既逾於始望，欣愜頗甚，因與之厚相結。
Xiu, far beyond what he had first hoped for, was greatly pleased and formed a close bond with him.
秀遽曰：「中丞美才，不當遠官，請從容旬日，冀竭蹇分。」
Xiu said hastily, "Vice Censor, your talent is too fine for a distant post. Give me ten days or so; I hope to do what little I can."
秀、載內外引薦，數日，拜宣州刺史、宣歙池都團練觀察使。
With recommendations from Xiu within the palace and Zai outside it, within a few days he was appointed prefect of Xuanzhou and overall training-and-defense and observation commissioner of Xuan, She, and Chi.
Old Book of Tang, Chapter 130 Volume 126 Biographies 76: Li Kui, Li Han, Chen Shaoyou, Lu Yue, Pei Xu · 6 passages
時中官董秀掌樞密用事，少遊乃宿於其裏，候其下直，際晚謁之，從容曰：「七郎家中人數幾何？
The eunuch Dong Xiu then controlled the secretariat. Shaoyou lodged in his lane, waited until he left the palace at dusk, and called on him casually: "Seventh Brother, how large is your household?
秀曰：「久忝近職，家累甚重，又屬時物騰貴，一月過千餘貫。」
Xiu replied: "I have long held a post at court, my household is large, and prices are soaring. It costs more than a thousand strings a month."
少遊雖不才，請以一身獨供七郎之費，每歲請獻錢五萬貫。
I am no great man, but I will supply all of Seventh Brother's expenses myself—fifty thousand strings of cash each year.
秀既逾於始望，欣愜頗甚，因與之厚相結。
Xiu, delighted beyond his hopes, formed a close bond with him.
秀遽曰：「中丞美才，不當遠官，請從容旬日，冀竭蹇分。」
Xiu said at once: "Your talent is too fine for a distant post. Wait ten days at ease while I do what little I can."
秀、載內外引薦，數日，拜宣州刺史、宣歙池都團練觀察使。
With recommendations from Xiu within the palace and Zai outside, within days he was made prefect of Xuanzhou and overall military governor of Xuan, She, and Chi.