Chinese Cases

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

1. The Case of the Deaths of Duke Ding of Zheng and Zi Taishu

2. Jurisdiction: Zheng State, China (Spring and Autumn period) (506 BCE)
3. Original Case: 郑定公、子大叔卒案
4. Key Figures: Duke Ding of Zheng (Zheng Dinggong, ruler of the Zheng state); Zi Taishu (You Ji, chief minister of Zheng)
5. Case Tags: State Succession Crisis;Political Vacuum;Ancient Governance Transition;Ministerial Authority Dispute

1. Case of Shi Yang of Jin Invading Qi and Capturing Zang Jian

2. Jurisdiction: Jin State and Qi State (Spring and Autumn China) (c. 554 BC (Spring and Autumn Period))
3. Original Case: 晋士鞅侵齐、执臧坚案
4. Key Figures: Shi Yang (Fan Xianzi) of Jin; Zang Jian, a noble officer of Qi; Marquis of Qi; Susha Wei, a eunuch
5. Case Tags: Ritual Propriety and Criminal Liability;Aristocratic Honor and Suicide;Chunqiu Adjudication Precedent;Eunuch Stigma and State Authority

1. The Case of Qi Bao Killing Gongmeng Zhi and Duke Ling of Wei's Punitive Expedition Against Qi Bao

2. Jurisdiction: State of Wey, Spring and Autumn China (522 BC (20th year of Duke Zhao of Lu))
3. Original Case: The Case of Wei Qi Bao Killing Gongmeng Zhi, Duke Ling of Wei Punishing Qi Bao
4. Key Figures: Qi Bao (noble), Gongmeng Zhi (half-brother of Duke Ling), Duke Ling of Wei, Beigong Xi (noble), Chushi Pu (noble)
5. Case Tags: Political Assassination;Noble Rebellion;Aristocratic Feud;Usurpation of Authority

1. Yan Ying's Admonition: "Dear Artificial Feet, Cheap Shoes"

2. Jurisdiction: State of Qi, ancient China (539 BC (Spring and Autumn Period))
3. Original Case: 齐景公欲止刑、晏子论踊贵屦贱谏止滥刑案
4. Key Figures: Duke Jing of Qi, Yan Ying (Yanzi)
5. Case Tags: Yuexing (Foot Amputation Punishment);Cruel and Unusual Punishment;Admonition and Judicial Restraint;Early Penal Reform

1. Case of Zichan's Deathbed Counsel on Balancing Leniency and Severity

2. Jurisdiction: State of Zheng, Spring and Autumn Period China (522 BC)
3. Original Case: 郑子产论宽猛相济临终遗言案
4. Key Figures: Zichan (Gongsun Qiao), Zitaishu (You Ji)
5. Case Tags: Criminal Policy;Legal Philosophy;Governance Strategy;Spring and Autumn Period

1. The Rebellion of Hua Hai, Xiang Ning, and Hua Ding in Song

2. Jurisdiction: State of Song (present-day Henan, China) (522 BC)
3. Original Case: 宋华亥、向宁、华定作乱案
4. Key Figures: Duke Yuan of Song, Hua Hai, Xiang Ning, Hua Ding, Hua Feisui, Prince Luan, etc.
5. Case Tags: Rebellion;Treason;Usurpation of State Power;Aristocratic Strife

1. The Case of Zi Taishu Suppressing the Bandits in Huanfu Marsh

2. Jurisdiction: State of Zheng, China (Spring and Autumn Period (c. 522 BC))
3. Original Case: 子大叔继子产为政、不忍猛而宽、郑国多盗、攻杀萑苻之盗案
4. Key Figures: Zi Chan (Gongsun Qiao), Zi Taishu (You Ji)
5. Case Tags: Ancient Chinese Criminal Governance;Leniency versus Severity Doctrine;Banditry and Internal Security;Military Suppression as Punishment

1. Case of Fei Wuji Slandering Crown Prince Jian and the Execution of Wu She

2. Jurisdiction: State of Chu, China (Spring and Autumn Period) (522 BC)
3. Original Case: Fei Wuji's Slander of Crown Prince Jian and the Killing of Wu She
4. Key Figures: Fei Wuji, Crown Prince Jian, Wu She, King Ping of Chu, Wu Shang, Wu Zixu
5. Case Tags: Political Slander;False Accusation of Treason;Wrongful Execution;Court Intrigue

1. Case of the Zheng Fire, Zichan's Mass Search, Slaying Boyou's Ghost, and the Convict Riot

2. Jurisdiction: Zheng State (modern Henan, China), Spring and Autumn period (c. 535 BC (7th year of Duke Zhao of Lu))
3. Original Case: 郑国火灾、子产大索国中、戮伯有之鬼、治胥靡案
4. Key Figures: Zichan (Gongsun Qiao, Prime Minister of Zheng), Boyou (Liang Xiao, deceased noble), Xu Mi (convict laborers), the people of Zheng
5. Case Tags: Arson;Spreading Superstition and Inciting Panic;Prisoner Riot;Disturbing State Order

1. The Case of Xun Wu of Jin Besieging Gu and Refusing the Offer of Betrayal

2. Jurisdiction: State of Jin and State of Gu (in present-day Hebei Province, China), Spring and Autumn Period (c. 520 BC)
3. Original Case: 晋荀吴围鼓、鼓人或请以城叛弗许案
4. Key Figures: Xun Wu (Zhonghang Muzi), a general of the State of Jin; the people and defenders of the State of Gu
5. Case Tags: Military Law;Treason;Siege Warfare;Good Faith Principle

1. The Case of Xing Hou and Yong Zi's Land Dispute and Shu Yu's Bribery

2. Jurisdiction: Jin State, Spring and Autumn Period, China (528 BC)
3. Original Case: Xing Hou yu Yong Zi zheng tian, Shu Yu shou hui wang duan, Xing Hou chao sha Shu Yu Yong Zi an
4. Key Figures: Xing Hou (Marquis of Xing), Yong Zi, Shu Yu (Yangshe Fu), Shu Xiang (Yangshe Xi), Han Xuanzi (Han Qi)
5. Case Tags: Judicial Bribery;Courtroom Murder;Ancient Chinese Legal Precedent;Death Penalty for Corruption

1. Case of Zhao Wu's Death and the Regency of Han Qi and Qi Wu

2. Jurisdiction: State of Jin, Spring and Autumn China (541 BC)
3. Original Case: 晋赵武死、韩起祁午执政案
4. Key Figures: Zhao Wu (Viscount Wen of Zhao), Han Qi (Viscount Xuan of Han), Qi Wu (son of Qi Xi), Duke Ping of Jin
5. Case Tags: Political Murder Allegation;Succession Crisis;Usurpation of Authority;Aristocratic Power Struggle

1. Case of Jin's Xun Wu Attacking Xianyu and Capturing Rong Manzi Chi to Return to Chu

2. Jurisdiction: Jin State, Xianyu (Zhongshan), Rong Man (Man clan), Chu State (529 BC (Lu Zhaogong Year 13) and 506 BC (Lu Dinggong Year 4))
3. Original Case: 晋荀吴伐鲜虞、执戎蛮子赤归于楚案
4. Key Figures: Xun Wu (Zhonghang Muzi, general of Jin), Rong Manzi Chi (Chi, leader of the Rong Man tribe), King of Chu, Zhao Yang (Zhao Meng, head of Jin's government), Shi Mie (commander of Yin district)
5. Case Tags: War of Aggression;Extradition of Captive Leader;Breach of Asylum;Annexation of Subject State

1. Case of King Ling of Chu Hunting in Zhoulai and Zi Ge's Remonstrance by Reciting Qi Zhao

2. Jurisdiction: State of Chu, Zhou Dynasty (ancient China) (530 BCE)
3. Original Case: King Ling of Chu Hunts at Zhoulai; Zi Ge Admonishes by Reciting Qi Zhao
4. Key Figures: King Ling of Chu (Mi Wei), Zi Ge (Zheng Dan, the Right Yin)
5. Case Tags: Abuse of Monarchical Authority;Squandering of State Resources;Disruption of Peasant Livelihood;Remonstrance Precedent

1. The Stone Speaks in Wei Yu and Shi Kuang's Discourse on Punishment and Administration

2. Jurisdiction: State of Jin, Spring and Autumn period of ancient China (c. 534 BC (8th year of Duke Zhao of Lu))
3. Original Case: 晋魏榆石言、师旷论刑政案
4. Key Figures: Shi Kuang (court musician and advisor), Duke Ping of Jin, Shu Xiang (minister), the people of Jin
5. Case Tags: Supernatural Omen Case;Advisory Remonstrance Case;Ancient Administrative Law;Monarchical Counsel Case

1. The Case of Zheng Casting the Penal Code and Shu Xiang of Jin Sending a Letter to Criticize It

2. Jurisdiction: State of Zheng, State of Jin (Ancient China, Spring and Autumn Period) (536 BCE)
3. Original Case: 郑人铸刑书、晋叔向贻书讥之案
4. Key Figures: Zichan (Gongsun Qiao, Chief Minister of Zheng), Shu Xiang (Yangshe Xi, Noble of Jin)
5. Case Tags: Promulgation of Written Criminal Law;Codification of Law;Ritual-Law Controversy;Spring and Autumn Reforms

1. Case of King Ling of Chu Executing Qing Feng at the Shen Assembly

2. Jurisdiction: Chu State, China (at Shen, modern-day Nanyang, Henan) (538 BC)
3. Original Case: 楚灵王申之会、执齐庆封杀之案
4. Key Figures: King Ling of Chu (Xiong Qian), Qing Feng (fugitive noble of Qi), assembled feudal lords
5. Case Tags: Regicide;Political Execution;War of Aggression;Hegemonic Intervention

1. Case of Han Xuanzi's Visit to Lu and Viewing the State Archives

2. Jurisdiction: State of Lu (China, Spring and Autumn period) (540 BC)
3. Original Case: 韩宣子聘鲁、观书于太史氏案
4. Key Figures: Han Xuanzi (Han Qi, envoy of Jin), the Grand Historian of Lu (Taishi)
5. Case Tags: Espionage;State Secrets;Diplomatic Immunity;Cultural Heritage Protection

1. The Case of Xu Wufan's Sister's Marriage Contest and the Exile of Zinan

2. Jurisdiction: State of Zheng, Spring and Autumn period China (541 BC)
3. Original Case: Xu Wufan zhi Mei Zhenghun, Zi Chan Zhu Zinan An
4. Key Figures: Xu Wufan (Zheng noble), Xu Wufan's sister, Zinan (Gongsun Chu), Zixi (Gongsun Hei), Zichan (Chief Minister of Zheng)
5. Case Tags: Contested Betrothal;Armed Assault Among Nobility;Judgment by Social Rank;Banishment Punishment

1. Zichan's Discourse on Establishing a Policy of Open Criticism

2. Jurisdiction: Zheng State, China (Spring and Autumn Period) (c. 542 BC)
3. Original Case: 郑子产论立谤政案
4. Key Figures: Zichan (Gongsun Qiao), Ran Ming
5. Case Tags: Freedom of Speech in Antiquity;Political Criticism and Governance;Ancient Chinese Legal Philosophy;Public Opinion and Statecraft