and hence earned her favor. As such, after An Dehai's death, the Empress Dowager chose Li to be her new personal attendant and subsequently promoted him to the position of Grand Supervisor. As Grand Supervisor and Empress Dowager Cixi's favorite attendant, Li held a highly influential position in the inner palace. He had control over things such as when officials could be granted an audience with the Empress Dowager and, as such, managed to acquire wealth from the bribes he collected from officials. The West Empress Dowager was eager to build up more wealth, so she began to sell official titles. Head Eunuch Li was the middle man so he got a lot of bribes. When the imperial consorts infuriated Empress Dowager Cixi, Li helped them by speaking positively about them in front of the Empress Dowager. Li was among those suspected of poisoning the Guangxu Emperor, who died in 1908 one day before Cixi's death. Other suspects included general Yuan Shikai and Empress Cixi. Li requested permission from Empress Dowager Longyu to retire after the death of Empress Dowager Cixi in 1908. Longyu approved his request and allowed him to return home after 100 days had passed since Cixi's death. Li lived the rest of his remaining years in retirement and died in 1911 before the Xinhai Revolution broke out. He was buried in Enjizhuang () in present-day Haidian District, Beijing. Li was believed to have died from dysentery. However, when his grave was raided in 1966 during the Cultural Revolution, the raiders discovered that it contained only his skull, and hence there were rumors that he was murdered (possibly decapitated). Li's grave was heavily damaged during the Cultural Revolution and only a fragment of his tombstone is left. Portrayals in media The 1991 Chinese film Li Lianying: The Imperial Eunuch, directed by Tian Zhuangzhuang, is based on Li's life and starred Jiang Wen as Li. The 2006 Chinese television series Princess Der Ling starred Wu Liping as Li. The 2012 Hong Kong television series The Confidant, produced by TVB, is also based on Li's life and starred Wayne Lai as Li. References 1848 births 1911 deaths Qing dynasty eunuchs Politicians from Langfang Qing dynasty politicians from Hebei