Embroidered Uniform Guard (LAB) v2

The Embroidered Uniform Guard was the imperial secret police of the Ming dynasty, serving directly under the emperor’s command. The guards had full autonomy to arrest, interrogate, and punish anyone deemed a threat to the emperor’s rule, including nobles and even members of the imperial family.

Beyond their role in law enforcement and political suppression, the Embroidered Uniform Guard also gathered military intelligence and participated in strategic planning for battles. They were easily recognizable by their distinctive golden-yellow uniforms and the identification tablets worn on their torsos. Each guard was armed with a dao (Chinese saber) known as the "Embroidered Spring Knife," symbolizing their lethal efficiency. Feared for their ruthless methods and absolute loyalty to the emperor, the Embroidered Uniform Guard played a crucial role in maintaining imperial authority throughout the Ming dynasty.