Imperial Intelligence-Gatherers

Throughout the course of history, the lifeblood of China's authoritarian regimes have relied on sustenance provided by spies and informants to sustain control. During the Ming Dynasty, the Embroidered Uniform Guards served as the secret police of the imperial court. The imperial spy network, later run exclusively by the eunuchs, was so active that every word of courtiers was recorded in great detail. The Embroidered Uniform Guards were so attentive to their task that many posed as servants of officials, transmitting every molecule of their private thoughts back to the emperor.