Yang Jian (Chinese: 楊戩, died 1121) was a huanguan (eunuch) and minister under Emperor Huizong of Song, best-known for implementing oppressive tax policies to increase government revenue.
In the chongning (1102–1106) era he was promoted and put in charge of various affairs such as the management of the shrines, the casting of ding (tripods), and the construction of the Bureau of the Music of Great Brilliance[1] (大晟樂府) and the Dragon Virtue Palace (龍德宫, the emperor's former princely mansion[2]).
[3] While he was in Ru Prefecture, one of his subordinates named Du Gongcai (杜公才) came up with a plan to acquire land deeds from commoners and increase tax revenues.
The story "Yang Jian's Retainer" (楊戩館客) claims that he kept several dozens of concubines despite his impotence, and that he locked the gates to their quarters to prevent adultery.
Once, while he was away in Zheng Prefecture, one of his retainers climbed over the wall with a ladder and began an affair first with one of his concubines, and soon with Yang's entire harem of sexually-frustrated women.
In the 14th-century novel Water Margin by Shi Nai'an and Luo Guanzhong, Yang Jian is described as a dishonest official allied with Gao Qiu, Cai Jing, and Tong Guan.
[6] In the 17th-century erotic novel Jin Ping Mei, the depraved protagonist Ximen Qing became an official for being a follower of Yang Jian and an associate of Cai Jing.