Case of Yang Qiu Executing Wang Fu

In 179 AD during Emperor Ling's reign, Colonel Director of Retainers Yang Qiu impeached powerful eunuch Wang Fu and Grand Commandant Duan Jiong on charges of corruption, abuse of power, and framing loyal officials. With imperial consent, Yang Qiu arrested Wang Fu and personally conducted a brutal interrogation at the prison. Wang Fu died under severe torture and his corpse was publicly dismembered and displayed. The case initially cowed the eunuch faction, but eunuch allies led by Cao Jie soon retaliated, falsely accusing Yang Qiu, who was later imprisoned and executed.

Wang Fu died from flogging during interrogation; his corpse was posthumously torn apart by chariots. Co-defendant Duan Jiong committed suicide, and their families were exiled. Yang Qiu was later executed after counter-impeachment by the eunuch faction.

Whether Yang Qiu's use of torture and execution without formal trial constituted judicial abuse; whether the charges were politically motivated; and the legitimacy of summary punishment against high-ranking eunuchs under Han law.

The case intensified the deadly factional strife between eunuchs and scholar-officials, deepening political instability. It became a symbol of the violent power struggles that contributed to the decline and eventual fall of the Eastern Han dynasty.