Embroidered Uniform Guard (LAB)

The Embroidered Uniform Guard (Jin Yi Wei) was the elite imperial secret police of the Ming dynasty, established by the Hongwu Emperor in 1368 as his personal bodyguards. By 1369, it evolved into a powerful military and intelligence organization. Known for their autonomy, the Guard had sweeping authority to override judicial proceedings, arrest, interrogate, and punish anyone, including nobles and members of the imperial family, without requiring approval from other branches of government.

The Guard’s primary responsibilities included gathering military intelligence, participating in strategic battles, conducting counterintelligence operations to protect against sabotage and assassination attempts, executing dangerous missions on behalf of the emperor, and ensuring the security of the imperial family.