The Study On The Joseon' Seunuchs In The Relationship Between The Ming And The Joseon

Diplomatic envoys,the executors of national foreign policies,are important links between countries.Their performance matters the national dignity and honor,which has a great influence on the development of bilateral relations.Praised by descendants,the relationship between the Ming Dynasty and the Joseon is considered as a model of tributary relationship,which can be illustrated by "poet diplomacy" and war of resistance against Japan in Wanli period.And diplomatic envoys in the process had played significant roles.Among them,there was a special group of eunuchs in Joseon nationality between Ming dynasty and the Joseon,which were sent as eunuchs to the Ming dynasty when they were young,and sent back to the Joseon as the Ming dynasty envoys.But this group has long been neglected by scholars because of a variety of reasons.At present,the researches on the eunuch diplomacy between the Ming and the Joseon,especially in terms of eunuchs' nationalities are limit.Based on the materials in The history of the Ming Dynasty?The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty?The Annals of the Ming Dynasty,this article studies the characteristics of these eunuchs,reasons for them as envoys in Ming Dynasty,their individual destiny,and their diplomatic activities in Joseon.It also discusses how they influenced the relationship between the Ming Dynasty and the Joseon.The conclusion is that this group of eunuchs was an important part of the relationship between Ming Dynasty and the Joseon,which was the result of the tributary relationship and in turn the promotion of it.While they pushed the Joseon towards the distinctive position in Ming's tributary system,they destroyed tributary relation between them.Tightly bound with tribute beauties in Joseon,those eunuchs had formed a powerful political force across authorities,which was dominant in Joseon's diplomacy and greatly impacted the interactions between the two countries.They made the best of their advantages to further Joseon's interest,resolved conflicts between two authorities,and strengthened national relations strategically.However,they also played as gangsters during their occupancy,which had eroded the relation between the two countries.