《旧五代史·后唐·庄宗纪五》
庄宗没登帝位时，宦官已有五百，到现在连同各道到京城的约有一千多人，都优待赏赐，衣服珍玩十分华丽奢侈，委托他们各种事务，当作心腹看待。唐朝时宦官任为朝内各部门使务，各镇监军，进出时都以皇帝名义号令，作威作福，唐昭宗因此亡国。
伏自伪梁，不分轻重，并从官给，今后如非前件事例，请官中不给告敕，其内司大官侍卫将校转官，即不在此限。 
When Zhuangzong had not yet ascended to the throne, there had been 500 eunuchs. Now, including those from all provinces and arriving at the capital city, there are about 2000 in total. They were all treated and rewarded favorably, and their clothes and treasures were extremely luxurious. They were entrusted with various affairs and treated as confidants. During the Tang Dynasty, eunuchs were appointed to be in charge of the affairs of various departments in the court and as supervisors of the army in all towns. When entering and leaving, they would give orders in the name of the emperor and caused trouble everywhere. As a result, Tang Zhaozong lost his country.