Chinese Cases

Weekly serialized novels dramatizing Chinese legal history, investigators, and court verdicts.

1. The Case of Liu Gui Shooting the Rabbit

2. Jurisdiction: China (Kingdom of Wei during the Three Kingdoms period) (Early 3rd century AD)
3. Original Case: 劉龜射兔案
4. DefendantsLiu GuiJudgesCao Cao
5. Case Tags: Historical Chinese Law;Judicial Reasoning;Animal Cruelty Law;Cao Cao Adjudication

1. Case of Xie Hong's Filial Mourning

2. Jurisdiction: Cao Wei, Three Kingdoms China (Around 220-226 AD)
3. Original Case: 解弘守孝案
4. DefendantsXie HongPlaintiffsWei FengJudgesCao PiInstitutionsCao Wei
5. Case Tags: Filial Piety Law;Three Kingdoms Legal Case;Official Misconduct;Cao Pi Judgment

1. The Case of Dou Li's Murder Injustice

2. Jurisdiction: Cao Wei state, Three Kingdoms China (c. 227–239 AD (Cao Wei period))
3. Original Case: Dou Li Bei Hai Yuan An
4. VictimsDou LiDefendantsJiao ZiwenPlaintiffsYingInvestigatorsGao RouJudgesGao RouInstitutionsTingwei (Commandant of Justice)Imperial Guard Camp of Wei
5. Case Tags: Wrongful Conviction;Murder;Judicial Investigation;Ancient Chinese Law

1. Case of Bao Xun

2. Jurisdiction: State of Wei, Three Kingdoms China (c. 226 AD)
3. Original Case: 鲍勋案
4. VictimsBao XunDefendantsCao PiPlaintiffsLiu YaoJudgesCao PiInstitutionsCourt of the State of WeiMinistry of Justice
5. Case Tags: Judicial Injustice;Cao Pi;Three Kingdoms Legal System;Historical Wrongful Convictions

1. The Case of Mao Jie's Defamation

2. Jurisdiction: China (State of Wei) (216 AD)
3. Original Case: 毛玠谤讪案
4. VictimsCui YanCao CaoDefendantsMao JiePlaintiffsDing YiInvestigatorsZhong YaoProsecutorsDing YiDefense AttorneysHuan JieHe QiaJudgesCao CaoZhong YaoInstitutionsCourt of Wei
5. Case Tags: Defamation;Three Kingdoms;Literary Inquisition;Miscarriage of Justice

1. Song Jin Desertion Case

2. Jurisdiction: Wei state, Three Kingdoms China (c. 215 AD (Jian'an era, late Eastern Han))
3. Original Case: 宋金逃兵案
4. DefendantsSong JinDefense AttorneysGao RouJudgesCao CaoInstitutionsOffice of the Chancellor of Wei
5. Case Tags: Military Desertion;Collective Punishment;Legal Remonstrance;Cao Cao's Clemency

1. Execution of Hua Tuo

2. Jurisdiction: China (Eastern Han Dynasty) (Circa 208 AD)
3. Original Case: 华佗被诛案
4. VictimsHua TuoDefendantsCao CaoDefense AttorneysXun YuJudgesCao CaoInstitutionsHan Dynasty Imperial Court
5. Case Tags: Historical Chinese Case;Medical Malpractice Allegation;Political Execution;Ancient Physician Case

1. The Execution of Kong Rong

2. Jurisdiction: China (208 AD)
3. Original Case: 孔融被诛案
4. VictimsKong RongDefendantsCao CaoPlaintiffsXi LuLu CuiProsecutorsLu CuiJudgesCao CaoInstitutionsHan Imperial Court
5. Case Tags: Political Persecution;Freedom of Speech;Filial Piety;Collective Punishment

1. Cao Cao Cuts His Hair in Place of His Head

2. Jurisdiction: China (Late Eastern Han Dynasty, Cao Cao's territory) (Approximately 197-200 AD)
3. Original Case: 曹操割发代首案
4. VictimsUnnamed wheat farmerDefendantsCao CaoProsecutorsGuo PuJudgesCao CaoInstitutionsCao Cao's Military Command
5. Case Tags: Military Law;Substitution of Punishment;Self-Judgment;Symbolic Punishment

1. Case of Man Chong Interrogating Yang Biao

2. Jurisdiction: China (Eastern Han Dynasty) (197 AD)
3. Original Case: 满宠考讯杨彪案
4. VictimsYang BiaoPlaintiffsCao CaoInvestigatorsMan ChongDefense AttorneysKong RongXun YuJudgesMan ChongInstitutionsOffice of the Prefect of Xu
5. Case Tags: Political Persecution;Ancient Chinese Law;Three Kingdoms History;Judicial Torture

1. The Case of Man Chong Punishing Cao Hong's Retainer

2. Jurisdiction: China (Cao Wei State) (Approximately 196-200 AD)
3. Original Case: 满宠收治曹洪宾客案
4. InvestigatorsMan ChongProsecutorsMan ChongJudgesMan ChongCao CaoInstitutionsXuchang County OfficeCao Wei Imperial Court
5. Case Tags: Strict Law Enforcement;Judicial Independence;Noble Interference in Justice;Cao Wei Legal System

1. The Case of Yang Pei Executing Cao Hong's Retainer for Tax Resistance

2. Jurisdiction: Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms China) (c. 200 (Jian'an era, 196–220))
3. Original Case: Yang Pei Zhu Sha Cao Hong Bin Ke Kang Shui An
4. DefendantsYang PeiPlaintiffsCao HongJudgesCao CaoInstitutionsChangshe CountyCao Cao's Government
5. Case Tags: Tax Evasion;Extrajudicial Execution;Aristocratic Privilege;Cao Cao's Legalism

1. The Case of Huang Fu Executing Xu Xuan

2. Jurisdiction: China (Eastern Han Dynasty) (c. 165 AD)
3. Original Case: 黄浮诛徐宣案
4. DefendantsXu XuanPlaintiffsLi GaoInvestigatorsHuang FuProsecutorsHuang FuJudgesHuang FuInstitutionsDonghai Commandery
5. Case Tags: Abuse of Power;Capital Punishment;Judicial Integrity;Han Dynasty Law

1. Case of Yang Qiu Executing Wang Fu

2. Jurisdiction: 东汉（中国） (光和二年（179年）)
3. Original Case: 阳球诛王甫案
4. Victims王甫Defendants王甫Plaintiffs阳球Investigators阳球Prosecutors阳球Judges阳球Institutions司隶校尉府
5. Case Tags: Political Purge;Judicial Torture;Ancient Chinese Law;Imperial Court Case

1. Case of Han Lang Defending the Innocent and the Rehabilitation of the Chu Prison

2. Jurisdiction: Eastern Han Dynasty (China) (70 CE)
3. Original Case: 寒朗辩冤与楚狱平反案
4. VictimsYan ZhongWang PingDefendantsLiu YingPlaintiffsEmperor Ming of HanInvestigatorsHan LangProsecutorsTingweiDefense AttorneysHan LangJudgesEmperor Ming of HanHan LangInstitutionsTingwei (Commandant of Justice)
5. Case Tags: Political Crime;Judicial Injustice;Historical Case;Wrongful Conviction

1. The Rebellion Case of Liu Ying, Prince of Chu

2. Jurisdiction: Eastern Han Dynasty (China) (70 AD (13th Year of Yongping))
3. Original Case: 楚王刘英谋反案
4. VictimsEmperor Ming of HanDefendantsLiu YingWang PingYan ZhongPlaintiffsYan GuangInvestigatorsHan LangYuan AnProsecutorsImperial CensorsJudgesEmperor Ming of HanInstitutionsHan Imperial CourtTingwei (Ministry of Justice)
5. Case Tags: Political Persecution;Mass Punishment;Religious Persecution;Historical Injustice Case

1. Ma Yuan's Unjust Case

2. Jurisdiction: China (49 AD)
3. Original Case: 马援蒙冤案
4. VictimsMa YuanDefendantsGeng ShuLiang SongPlaintiffsGeng ShuLiang SongInvestigatorsLiu XiuProsecutorsLiang SongJudgesEmperor Guangwu of HanInstitutionsEastern Han Imperial Court
5. Case Tags: Political Persecution;Confiscation of Fief;Defamation of a Deceased General;Eastern Han Dynasty Case

1. Ouyang She Bribery Case

2. Jurisdiction: Eastern Han Dynasty, China (39 AD)
3. Original Case: Ouyang She shouhui an
4. DefendantsOuyang SheJudgesLiu XiuInstitutionsEastern Han Imperial CourtTingwei
5. Case Tags: Bribery;Land Survey Campaign;Confucianism;Death in Custody

1. The Case of Dong Xuan Executing Gongsun Dan and His Son

2. Jurisdiction: Han Dynasty, China (c. 43 AD (During the Jianwu Era of Emperor Guangwu))
3. Original Case: 董宣诛公孙丹父子案
4. VictimsGongsun DanSon of Gongsun DanDefendantsDong XuanPlaintiffsRelatives of Gongsun DanInvestigatorsDong XuanProsecutorsRelatives of Gongsun DanJudgesEmperor Guangwu of HanInstitutionsLuoyang County Government
5. Case Tags: Abuse of Power;Ancient Chinese Law;Capital Punishment;Judicial Independence

1. Dong Xuan Kills the Slave of Princess Huyang

2. Jurisdiction: China (Eastern Han Dynasty) (Around 43 AD)
3. Original Case: 董宣杀湖阳公主家奴案
4. VictimsUnnamed slave of Princess HuyangDefendantsDong XuanPlaintiffsPrincess HuyangJudgesEmperor Guangwu of HanInstitutionsLuoyang County Government
5. Case Tags: Judicial Independence in Ancient China;Capital Offense by Slave;Conflict Between Law and Royal Prerogative;Martyrdom and Integrity in Office