Li Lianying's jade ring is the best in the world

In 1966, Li Lianying's tomb was excavated in the June 1st Primary School in Enjizhuang, western suburbs of Beijing. More than 50 small and exquisite funerary objects were hidden inside. The most exquisite of them is the jadeite ring now displayed in the "Jade Exhibition Room" of the Capital Museum. This emerald ring is translucent green in color, as lovely as a pool of green water. It is said to be the most expensive ring in history!

Empress Dowager Cixi and Li Lianying in the same frame

The owner of the priceless emerald ring was one of the richest "followers" in history, the famous eunuch Li Lianying. The chief eunuch during the reign of Empress Dowager Cixi of the Qing Dynasty, who accompanied the Empress Dowager for nearly fifty-three years. He was the most powerful eunuch in the late Qing Dynasty and the first person to call the Empress Dowager Cixi "Old Buddha".

Some people also say that Cixi and Guangxu were not on good terms, so how could Li Lianying, who was deeply favored by Cixi, get along with the two? His approach of pleasing both sides and being good at dealing with all kinds of people is his strategy to remain invincible and preserve himself.

Empress Dowager Cixi and Li Lianying in the same frame

Although Li Lianying became a big shot who was obeyed by the Empress Dowager, he was very cautious in everything he did. When concubines, palace maids, female officials and ladies made mistakes that displeased the Empress Dowager, he always tried his best to cover them up with good words and defend them. Therefore, everyone around the Empress Dowager had a good impression of him and said that Li Lianying was a capable and quick-witted person who praised others but concealed their faults. The origin of Li Lianying's jade ring is also closely related to Cixi.

We have seen many jade necklaces, pendants and bracelets worth hundreds of millions of yuan, but it is amazing that a small ring can be as valuable as them! As a eunuch, he was actually the owner of this ring, which is even more incredible for fans. What kind of story is behind this jade ring?

In fact, the original owner of this ring was not Li Lianying, nor Cixi, but Prince Gong. Prince Gong Yixin was the sixth son of Emperor Daoguang. Prince Gong was a famous prince and important minister during the reigns of Emperors Xianfeng, Tongzhi and Guangxu. He led the famous Westernization Movement, ushered in the Tongzhi Restoration, and made many contributions to China.

The characters in the picture above are from left to right: Prince Gong, Empress Dowager Cixi, and Li Lianying

It is said that this jade ring was originally a favorite of Prince Gong, and he was often seen wearing it on his hand, rubbing and playing with it. One day, when Prince Gong was playing with the ring, Li Lianying saw it and wanted to borrow it from Prince Gong to play with for a while. Prince Gong probably knew that when he said it was a “borrow”, how could it really be a “borrow”? Although she was unwilling in her heart, she couldn't say it directly, so she had to pretend and say that she would wait until he played with it for a while before saying anything.

A few days later, Cixi summoned Prince Gong and saw the jade ring. She asked the Sixth Master to take it off and have a look at it. After looking at it, she put it on the dragon desk with no intention of returning it. A few days later, when Prince Gong saw his beloved object again, it was already worn on Li Lianying's thumb. I think not only Prince Gong understands what exactly happened here, but everyone can understand it, right?

However, as such a small figure, he was able to win the favor of the capricious Empress Dowager Cixi and remain the same for fifty years in the unpredictable palace. This is not something that ordinary people can do. This priceless jade ring is actually connected to Empress Dowager Cixi, Prince Gong and Li Lianying. This is probably the greater value of this collection. Li Lianying accompanied Cixi for half a century. After Cixi's death, he left the palace and died at the age of sixty. His head and body were separated, and the cause of his death remains a mystery to this day.

A set of jadeite rings from the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty

The predecessor of the thumb ring was called she (pronounced the same as “she”). "Shuowen" says "韘, shooting", which means this weapon is a tool for riding and shooting.

Before reaching adulthood, the sons of the Eight Banners of the Manchu ethnic group would go to the archery room of their banner to practice archery. They would wear a thumb ring while drawing the bow to protect their fingers and reduce the amount of finger movement. Therefore, the sons of the Eight Banners in the past attached great importance to this item, and everyone held one, and it became a custom. Initially, due to their practicality, both large and small rings were made of tough materials. The width, thickness and thickness of the belt vary from person to person, so it is easy to fit.

It was originally a thumb ring used to assist in practicing martial arts, but due to the admiration and imitation of the vast majority of men from both the Manchu and Han ethnic groups, it became an extremely fashionable accessory. From the emperor and princes and ministers to the children of the Manchu and Han banners and wealthy businessmen, all of them, regardless of their social status, liked to wear it.

A set of Qing jade thumb rings

Due to the need to show off wealth, the material of the ring has evolved from the original rhinoceros horn and camel bone to ivory, crystal, jade, porcelain, jadeite, tourmaline and other precious and smooth materials. The most common rings worn by ordinary bannermen were made of white jade. The best choice for aristocratic rings is made of jadeite, which has varying colors and patterns. The ones that are emerald green and clear like water are priceless and only nobles would dare to wear them. Based on their size, thickness, they are divided into civil and martial rings. Martial rings are mostly plain, while civil rings are often cast with poems or patterns on the outer wall.

Rhino horn inlaid gold and silver wire Kui pattern ring

Jadeite inlaid with gold ring

Qing Dynasty Jade Ring with Poem Carved on It

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