A castrated man who served as an official or servant in the imperial court; since the Ming dynasty, these were commonly called [[太监|太監|tai4 jian4]].

a government official or functionary

(literary) the world of officialdom or bureaucracy, often described as a sea because of its unpredictable changes and dangers

to hold a government post; to be an official

a high-ranking official or dignitary; an official of high social standing

Members of the local gentry in a village or district who have previously held official government positions

(literary) the course or experience of an official's career; the ups and downs of life in government service

(literary) an official family; a household with a background in the imperial bureaucracy or a scholarly pedigree

The unpredictable rises and falls of a career in government service; the shifting fortunes of officialdom or a political career.

High-ranking officials and people of prominent social status.

(literary) the ups and downs or dangerous storms of life in officialdom or bureaucracy

minor government official in an obscure or powerless position

a distinguished or virtuous official

a person who is naturally sterile or impotent from birth

a prominent family that has produced government officials for generations; the family of a functionary

court eunuch or attendant in the imperial palace

(literary) personal savings or property accumulated during an official career

(literary) to leave one's hometown to serve as a government official; to travel for official posts

court eunuch in imperial China

(bound form) horse guard or imperial cavalry guard, specifically those serving officials or eunuchs

(literary) wily or crafty government functionary; an official who advances his career through cleverness and opportunistic tactics

(literary) to travel to another region or to the capital to serve as a government official; to hold a post far from one's hometown

(literary) eunuch; palace servant

(literary) to travel far from home or stay in a distant place to serve as a government official

(literary) a low-ranking or insignificant government position; a minor official career