Chinese Cases

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

1. Case of Xiang Xu of Song Denouncing the Left Master

2. Jurisdiction: State of Song, China (Spring and Autumn Period) (c. 522 BCE)
3. Original Case: 宋向戌讨左师案
4. Key Figures: Xiang Xu (Senior Minister), Xiang Ning (Left Master, son of Xiang Xu), Hua Hai (noble), Duke Yuan of Song
5. Case Tags: Treason and Rebellion;Familial Betrayal;Political Loyalty;Ancient Chinese Legal Ethics

1. The Case of Sun Linfu and Ning Zhi Expelling Duke Xian of Wei

2. Jurisdiction: State of Wei, Zhou Dynasty (ancient China) (559 BC)
3. Original Case: Sun Linfu, Ning Zhi Expel Duke Xian of Wei
4. Key Figures: Sun Linfu (Sun Wenzi), Ning Zhi (Ning Huizi), Duke Xian of Wei (Ji Kan), Ning Xi
5. Case Tags: Treason;Rebellion;Usurpation;Exile

1. The Case of Han Jue's Retirement and Resignation of Lordship

2. Jurisdiction: State of Jin, China (Spring and Autumn Period) (c. 566 BC)
3. Original Case: Jin Han Jue Gao Lao An
4. Key Figures: Han Jue (Han Xianzi), Han Wuji (Gongzu Muzi), Han Qi (Han Xuanzi), Duke Dao of Jin
5. Case Tags: Inheritance Dispute;Noble Title Succession;Ancient Ritual Law;Virtue of Renunciation

1. Cui Zhu's Murder of Gao Hou

2. Jurisdiction: State of Qi, Spring and Autumn Period (present-day Shandong, China) (554 BCE)
3. Original Case: The Killing of Gao Hou by Cui Zhu
4. Key Figures: Cui Zhu (powerful noble of Qi), Gao Hou (high minister and tutor to Prince Ya), Duke Zhuang of Qi (Prince Guang), Duke Ling of Qi (deceased ruler)
5. Case Tags: Homicide;Usurpation of Authority;Unlawful Seizure of Property;Political Purge

1. Wei Jiang Executes Yang Gan's Charioteer and Submits Himself for Punishment

2. Jurisdiction: Jin State, Spring and Autumn Period of China (570 BC)
3. Original Case: Wei Jiang lu Yang Gan zhi pu, zi ju qing zui an
4. Key Figures: Wei Jiang (Military Judge), Yang Gan (Brother of Duke Dao of Jin), Duke Dao of Jin, the executed charioteer
5. Case Tags: Military Law Enforcement;Noble Privilege and Accountability;Voluntary Surrender for Judgment;Remonstrance Through Self-Sacrifice

1. The Case of Duke Li of Jin Executing the Three Xi

2. Jurisdiction: State of Jin, Zhou Dynasty (present-day Shanxi, China) (Winter, 574 BC (17th year of Duke Cheng of Lu))
3. Original Case: Jìn Lì Gōng shā sān Xì àn
4. Key Figures: Duke Li of Jin (Ji Shouman); Xi Qi (also known as Xì Qí); Xi Chou (Xì Chōu); Xi Zhi (Xì Zhì); favorites Xu Tong, Yi Yangwu, and Chang Yujiao; ministers Luan Shu and Zhonghang Yan
5. Case Tags: Political Purge;Extrajudicial Execution;Court Assassination;Aristocratic Power Struggle

1. Case of Xi Zhi Presenting Chu Captives

2. Jurisdiction: Eastern Zhou Dynasty (Royal Domain of Zhou) (c. 575 BC (after the Battle of Yanling))
3. Original Case: 郤至献楚捷案
4. Key Figures: Xi Zhi (Minister of Jin), King Jian of Zhou, Shan Xianggong (Zhou official)
5. Case Tags: Gross Disrespect to the Sovereign;Ritual Transgression;Boasting of Merits Before the Throne;Violation of Propriety

1. The Case of Hua Ruo's Dismissal

2. Jurisdiction: Song State (Spring and Autumn period China) (548 BC)
3. Original Case: Case of Song's Marshal Hua Ruo Being Insulted by Colleague Zidang and Dismissed by Duke Ping of Song
4. Key Figures: Hua Ruo (Marshal of Song), Zidang (Yue Pei, a Song official), Duke Ping of Song
5. Case Tags: Feudal Political Conflict;Court Intrigue;Official Dismissal;Humiliation Case

1. The Case of Zhao Zhuangji Falsely Accusing Zhao Tong and Zhao Kuo

2. Jurisdiction: Jin State, China (Spring and Autumn Period) (586 BC)
3. Original Case: 赵庄姬谮杀赵同、赵括案
4. Key Figures: Zhao Zhuangji (Lady Zhuang of Zhao, wife of Zhao Shuo and lover of Zhao Ying), Zhao Tong, Zhao Kuo, Duke Jing of Jin, Luan Shu, Que Qi
5. Case Tags: False Accusation;Political Conspiracy;Treason;Family Extermination

1. The Case of Shen Gong Wuchen Eloping with Xia Ji and the Extermination of His Clan by Zizhong and Zifan

2. Jurisdiction: State of Chu and State of Jin (Spring and Autumn period, ancient China) (c. 597–590 BC)
3. Original Case: 申公巫臣为夏姬奔晋、楚子重子反杀巫臣族案
4. Key Figures: Shen Gong Wuchen (Qu Wuchen), Xia Ji, Chu Zizhong (Prince Yingqi), Chu Zifan (Prince Ce), King Gong of Chu
5. Case Tags: Treason;Clan Extermination;Abuse of Power;Political Revenge

1. Case of Jin Zhiying Imprisoned in Chu and the Zheng Merchant's Rescue Attempt

2. Jurisdiction: Jin, Chu, Zheng (ancient China) (Spring and Autumn period, circa 588 BC)
3. Original Case: 晋智罃被囚于楚、郑贾人谋救案
4. Key Figures: Zhiying (Zhi Ying), Minister of Jin; a merchant from the state of Zheng; King Gong of Chu
5. Case Tags: Prisoner of War;Conspiracy to Rescue;Loyalty and Integrity;Diplomatic Repatriation

1. Case of Mount Liang Collapse and the Jiang Person's Remonstrance with Duke Jing of Jin

2. Jurisdiction: Jin State (present-day Shanxi, China) (586 BC)
3. Original Case: 晋梁山崩、绛人谏晋景公案
4. Key Figures: Duke Jing of Jin, Bo Zong, the Jiang Person (a commoner from Jiang)
5. Case Tags: Ancient Chinese Law and Rites;Natural Disaster Governance;Remonstrance and Political Counsel;Ruler-Virtue Correlation Doctrine

1. The Case of Zhao Yingqi's Adultery with His Nephew's Wife Zhuang Ji and Exile

2. Jurisdiction: State of Jin, Spring and Autumn Period (Ancient China) (586 BCE)
3. Original Case: Zhao Yingqi Adultery with Zhuang Ji and Banishment Case
4. Key Figures: Zhao Yingqi (uncle of Zhao Wu), Zhuang Ji (widow of Zhao Shuo and mother of Zhao Wu), Zhao Tong (brother of Zhao Yingqi), Zhao Kuo (brother of Zhao Yingqi), Duke Jing of Jin
5. Case Tags: Adultery;Incest;Exile;Clan Power Struggle

1. The Case of Duke Qing of Qi Detaining Jin Envoy Xi Ke

2. Jurisdiction: China (Qi and Jin states during the Spring and Autumn period) (592 BC)
3. Original Case: 齐顷公执晋使郤克案
4. Key Figures: Duke Qing of Qi; Xi Ke, Senior Minister of Jin; Xiao Tong Shu Zi, Dowager Duchess of Qi; Duke Jing of Jin
5. Case Tags: Diplomatic Insult;Violation of Envoy Immunity;Extrajudicial Killing;Interstate War of Vengeance

1. Duke Jing of Jin Attempts to Execute Defeated Generals Xun Linfu and Shi Hui, Admonished by Shi Zhenzi

2. Jurisdiction: State of Jin, Eastern Zhou Dynasty, China (597 BC)
3. Original Case: 晋景公欲杀败军之将荀林父、士渫浊谏止案
4. Key Figures: Duke Jing of Jin, Xun Linfu (commander of the central army), Shi Hui (also known as Shi Zhenzi or Shi Wozhuo, a high official), Xian Hu (deputy commander)
5. Case Tags: Military Law;Capital Offense;Pardon;Admonition

1. Case of Yu Quan's Forceful Remonstrance with King Wen of Chu and Self-Mutilation as Gatekeeper

2. Jurisdiction: State of Chu, China (Spring and Autumn Period) (Around 675 BC)
3. Original Case: 鬻拳强谏楚文王、自刑守门案
4. Key Figures: Yu Quan (鬻拳), King Wen of Chu (楚文王)
5. Case Tags: Coercion of the Monarch;Self-Mutilation (Yue Punishment);Forced Remonstrance;Feudal Loyalty and Atonement

1. Case of Qu Xia's Defeat and Suicide in the Campaign against Luo

2. Jurisdiction: State of Chu, China (Spring and Autumn Period) (699 BC)
3. Original Case: 屈瑕伐罗败绩自缢案
4. Key Figures: Qu Xia (Mo'ao of Chu), King Wu of Chu, Luo State, Lu Rong Tribe
5. Case Tags: Military Defeat;Dereliction of Command Duty;Suicide after Battle;Sovereign Pardon

1. Case of Fu Xia Assassinating Zi Yi and Being Executed by Duke Li of Zheng

2. Jurisdiction: State of Zheng, Zhou Dynasty (present-day Henan, China) (680 BC)
3. Original Case: The Case of Fu Xia Murdering the Zheng Ruler and Subsequently Being Killed by Duke Li
4. Key Figures: Fu Xia (minister of Zheng), Zi Yi (also known as Zhengzi, ruler of Zheng), Duke Li of Zheng (exiled ruler, later restored)
5. Case Tags: Regicide;Political Assassination;Treason;Betrayal and Execution

1. The Murder of Duke Xiang of Qi and the Usurpation by Gongsun Wuzhi

2. Jurisdiction: State of Qi, Ancient China (Spring and Autumn Period) (686 BC (Winter))
3. Original Case: 连称、管至父弑齐襄公、公孙无知篡位案
4. Key Figures: Lian Cheng, Guan Zhifu, Gongsun Wuzhi, Duke Xiang of Qi
5. Case Tags: Regicide;Usurpation;Political Conspiracy;Treason

1. The Case of Gongsun Yan Contesting a Chariot and Shooting Ying Kaoshu

2. Jurisdiction: State of Zheng (China, Spring and Autumn period) (712 BC (32nd year of Duke Zhuang of Zheng))
3. Original Case: 公孙阏争车射颍考叔案
4. Key Figures: Gongsun Yan (Zidu), Ying Kaoshu, Duke Zhuang of Zheng
5. Case Tags: Intentional Homicide (故意杀人);Chariot-Seizing Assault (争车伤人);Treacherous Shooting (暗箭杀人);Curse as Justice (诅咒复仇)