Dwarfism in Daxia: Difference between revisions

One of the more well known dwarves of the middle Qian period was the dwarf Digen Youdu who was a member of a cadet branch of the Imperial family and distant cousin of Emperor Dizong. As a learned man of noble blood, he was given a position befitting of his station in the palace, initially as Chief of Dwarven Eunuchs (Digen was not an eunuch himself and had a large family of his own). Reputedly he helped thwart a conspiracy against the Emperor who as a result saw him as trustworthy and rewarded him with further offices. Digen served in such positions as High Gardener of the [[Imperial Lemon Grove]], First Right Attendant of the Throne, Imperial Cupbearer of the second degree, Keeper of the Royal Seal and Overseer of the Imperial Zoo. As a confidant of the Emperor, Digen had many rivals executed including many eunuchs and dwarves. Later he would be given the task of building the Emperor's new summer residence in [[Zoushi]].  

Upon completion of the palace Youdu was rewarded with the post of ''Dwarf [[Imperial Viceroy]]'' of the coastal province of [[Ganshu]] and a tenth share of the taxable incomes of its ports, something unheard of for any official before him.  As Viceroy he arrested many corrupt officials, developed the road network and built a new provincial hospital, fostered the local economy and revived local fishing. He employed in turn many dwarves in his administration of Ganshu as tax collectors and customs officials. When [[Metzetta]]n pirates began raiding in the nearby waters, Youdu built up his own war fleet of thirty ships of the line and led it in person against the pirates. He smashed the pirate fleet at the Battle of Beihai Cove and pursued its remnants all the way to the coast of north [[Huoxia]]. He bombarded the harbor of the town of Sheyin for supposedly selling supplies to the pirates and only stopped when offered three tons of silver. Digen proceeded to ravage [[Huoxia]]'s coast for three months before returning to [[Ganshu]]. For this successful anti-piracy campaign and the tribute gathered, Digen was named Admiral of the White Sea and became the first of several dwarf officials to hold active military commands. The fleet under his command participated in continued efforts to erradicate piracy and gave naval support to the army of Lord Mu in [[Rusana]]. After his death and according to his wishes, the office of Dwarf Imperial Viceroy of [[Ganshu]] passed to his second son [[Digen Chim]] who was also born with dwarfism.