Zhu Bolin
Zhu Bolin (1615-1682) was a Daxian naval officer and eunuch who served as an admiral for the Qian dyansty during the 17th century. Zhu Bolin was born a dwarf and sold early in life to the Imperial Palace to serve there. Turned into a eunuch, he would later rise to become one of Daxia's most noteworthy naval officers of the early Qian era. Fleets under his command participated in the colonization and conquest of Peratra and he commanded the fleet known as the Right Trident of the Qian during the Daxian Polynesian Wars. After his defeat at the Siege of Dun-Kurrengev in 1665 he was disgraced and removed from all of his commands. Restored to imperial favor in 1668 he once again was placed in his old command and his fleet supported imperial forces in Yaoyuan during the revolt known as the War of the Eastern Crag. Zhu Bolin was nicknamed the Child Admiral for his height of only four feet and two inches.
Zhu Bolin | |
|---|---|
 A 17th century depiction of Admiral Zhu Bolin, his captain's hat is decorated with victory laurels. | |
| Admiral of the Right Trident of the Qian | |
| Preceded by | office created |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 September 1615 Touxian |
| Profession | Naval officer |
| Military service | |
| Nickname(s) | Child Admiral |
| Allegiance |  Qian dynasty |
| Branch/service | Qian Fleet |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Battles/wars | Daxian colonization of Australis Daxian Polynesian Wars War of the Eastern Crag |
Zhu Bolin was one in a long line of dwarves who emerged from lives of servitude in the imperial palace and rose to become highly placed bureaucrats, generals and admirals. Dwarfism in Daxia had before been seen as a curse and those born with the condition lived meager lives; the Qian dynasty however held particular beliefs in mysticism that looked favorably upon dwarves and this affected their treatment. Zhu Bolin is favorably portrayed by modern Daxian history as a figure who overcame the limitations of his condition and became a capable and patriotic naval commander.
History
Early life
The date of Zhu Bolin's birth is tentatively given in imperial records as September 24 of 1615 and while the circumstances of his birth are not well known, historians roughly agree with the date. Extant administrative scrolls record that Zhu Bolin was sold to the Imperial Palace as a newborn child of only two weeks, for a payment of four bushels of wheat and a bag of rice. The infant Zhu Bolin was then given into the care of the Matron of the Warren who was in charge of the first years of educating the dwarf children and seeing to their needs.