Lü Qiang 呂強

The Regular Palace Attendant Lü Qiang served Emperor Ling as his advisor during the Yellow Turban Rebellion. Though a Eunuch, he opposed Zhang Rang's faction.

Life
Lü Qiang was from Henan and became a eunuch at a young age. He was described as honest and loyal with strong concern for the public good. Refused to become a Marquis as he lacked good service and felt the rank had been corrupted by the likes of Cao Jie, despite refusal, Emperor Ling persisted with the idea for awhile. In 179 A.D., he sent in a memorial in defense of Cai Yong and Duan Jiong, which Emperor Ling agreed with. Then when refusing the enoffment, Lü Qiang criticized the luxury and excessive eunuch influence at court which Emperor Ling didn't agree with but appreciated the loyalty. Lü Qiang also protested about putting public money into Ling's private treasury the means, excessive taxation and selling ranks, used to raise cash. During the Yellow Turban Rebellion, he backed Huangfu Song's plan to use Ling's private money to raise an army and the end of the Proscription of officials, Lü Qiang managing to frighten Ling in the process and so a general amnesty was issued.

Zhao Zhong and co were concerned by this, that and Lü Qiang suggesting they be executed, so slandered Lü Qiang that same year. They claimed he was corrupt, working with men of faction and read a biogrophy of Huo Guang several times so Ling sent an armed escort to get Lü Qiang to answer the charges. Lü Qiang was furious at this sign of distrust and killed himself after declaring "When I die, disorder is come. If a man gives all his loyalty to the state, why should he have to answer to a jailer?" The eunuchs persuaded Ling that this was proof of his guilt and Lü Qiang's family suffered.