Read the book "World History Since 1500: The Ages Of Global Integration" by Jiu-Hwa Upshur, Janice Terry, Jim Holoka,George Cassar and Richard Goff. Page 542-543 clears states that the vast majority of eunuch's came from poor families and they were despised by people because of their profession.
Read the book "The Rough Guide To Beijing" by Martin Zatko. He writes in his book that most eunuch came from poor families and even volunteered for their emasculation as a way of acquiring wealth and influence. During the Ming dynasty the operation cost six silver pieces and was performed in a hut just outside the imperial palace walls.Hot pepper water was used to numb the parts, then after the blade had flashed the wound was sealed with a solder plug. The plug would be removed six days later, if urine gushed out then the operation was a success. If this outcome did not occur then the eunuch would have most probably died as a result. Confucianism held the theory that disfiguration of the body impaired the soul, henceforth this was one of the main reasons why eunuch's carried their severed genitals in a jar.
Read the book "The Human Tradition In Pre-Modern China" by Kenneth James Hammond". Young boys were offered to the imperial court and if they were accepted they underwent the surgical removal of their genitals. This was seen as a harsh fate,but for poor families who could barely support themselves, it offered a way to guarantee survival. Not only would the chosen boy for this role have a livelihood in the palace, but he would also be able to provide support for his family.
China`s Last Imperial Eunuch Tells His Story - tribunedigital-chicagotribune
This article is on Sun Yaoting the last eunuch of China who came from a poor family. However I will correct my previous statement on proclaiming that eunuch just came from poor families. Different dynasties followed different rules. For example eunuchs are mentioned in the "Book of Odes" and the "Book of Documents" which are two Chinese classical text. It does mention that men were castrated and were forced to finish menial tasks in the palace. However this later changed in successive dynasties where eunuchs came as gifts from tributary states which is different to war prisoners. However the vast majority came from poor backgrounds. This validates my previous statements to other Chinese posters who believe that Chinese civilization has never evolved and changed. Clearly the initiation of eunuchs and their status in society was changed over the centuries.
Furthermore, I will admit to the notion that ZhengHe was not a good example to show how a eunuch came from a poor family background. The white eunuchs came from the Balkans and like their Black counterparts they were purchased from slave traders, because its forbidden to emasculate a male in Islam. However, like I mentioned previously the Ottoman empire did some amazing things, although it can be argued that they also committed terrible things. However the Ottoman empire does not represent Islam. Please elaborate on your last sentence.
Fair enough your preferences should be respected and no one has the right to stop your consumption of pork. However please in turn respect the idea if some Chinese do wish to follow Islam or any other religion. No one is claiming that Islam will overtake China, however some members from China should not label all Muslims as bad, because indirectly you are insulting Pakistan and even your fellow Chinese Muslim comrades. Everyone should be respected so that we can achieve a harmonious society.