Chinese Cases

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

The Case of the Fifth Year Diao Sheng Gui: Diao Sheng's Servitude and Land Annexation
  1. The Case of the Fifth Year Diao Sheng Gui: Diao Sheng's Servitude and Land Annexation
  2. Jurisdiction: Western Zhou Dynasty, China (873 BC (Fifth year of King Li of Zhou's reign))
  3. Original Case: 五年琱生簋·琱生仆庸土田附庸案
  4. Key Figures: Diao Sheng (琱生), Shao Bohu (召伯虎), Jun Shi (君氏, Shao Bohu's father), Fu Shi (妇氏, Shao Bohu's mother)
  5. Case Tags: Bribery;Land Dispute;Abuse of Power;Historical Case
The Dispute over Land Boundaries between Diaosheng and Gebo (Recorded on the Diaosheng Gui)
  1. The Dispute over Land Boundaries between Diaosheng and Gebo (Recorded on the Diaosheng Gui)
  2. Jurisdiction: Western Zhou Dynasty, China (in modern-day Shaanxi Province) (5th and 6th years of King Li of Zhou (circa 873-872 BC))
  3. Original Case: 琱生簋·琱生格伯田界争讼案
  4. Key Figures: Diaosheng (琱生), Gebo (格伯/倗生), Zhaobohu (召伯虎), Junshi (君氏), Fushi (妇氏)
  5. Case Tags: Land Dispute;Bribery;Clan Patrilineage System;Judicial Corruption
Case of Hu v. Kou He (Stolen Grain Case) in the Hu-Ding Bronze Inscription
  1. Case of Hu v. Kou He (Stolen Grain Case) in the Hu-Ding Bronze Inscription
  2. Jurisdiction: Western Zhou Dynasty, China (near present-day Xi'an, Shaanxi Province) (Mid-Western Zhou period, roughly during the reign of King Gong (approx. 10th-9th century BC))
  3. Original Case: 曶鼎·曶诉寇禾案
  4. Key Figures: Plaintiff: Hu (曶); Defendant: Kuang Ji (匡季, also known as Kuang); Adjudicator: Donggong (东宫, the Eastern Palace, likely a royal prince or high-ranking official)
  5. Case Tags: Robbery (Kou Rang;寇攘);Joint Crime (Gang Theft);Intentional Crime;Noble Privilege (Yi Zui;议罪)
Hu Ding Case - Slave Sale Dispute between Hu and Xian
  1. Hu Ding Case - Slave Sale Dispute between Hu and Xian
  2. Jurisdiction: China (Western Zhou Dynasty) (c. 890 BC (2nd year of King Xiao of Zhou))
  3. Original Case: 曶鼎·曶与限奴隶买卖违约案
  4. Key Figures: Hu (plaintiff), Xian (defendant), Jing Shu (judge), Xiao Fu (intermediary)
  5. Case Tags: Breach of Contract;Slavery;Mediation;Western Zhou Law
The Case of the Xun Yi: Mu Niu's False Accusation of His Superior
  1. The Case of the Xun Yi: Mu Niu's False Accusation of His Superior
  2. Jurisdiction: Western Zhou Dynasty, China (Kingdom of Zhou) (Late Western Zhou period (approximately 9th–8th century BCE); the trial was held on the Jia-Shen day of the third lunar month, presided over by Bo Yangfu at the Upper Palace in Fengjing (豐京).)
  3. Original Case: 训匜·牧牛诬告上司案
  4. Key Figures: Mu Niu (牧牛, a lower-ranking official, plaintiff turned defendant), Xun (训/朕, Mu Niu's superior, the accuser), Bo Yangfu (伯扬父, the presiding judicial officer)
  5. Case Tags: False Accusation (诬告);Breach of Oath / Covenant (违背誓言);Insubordination / Inferior Suing Superior (以下犯上);Redemption by Pecuniary Penalty (赎刑/罚铜)
Case of Qiu Wei v. Bang Jun Li (Land Compensation Dispute)
  1. Case of Qiu Wei v. Bang Jun Li (Land Compensation Dispute)
  2. Jurisdiction: Western Zhou Dynasty, China (5th year of King Gong of Zhou (approx. 964 BC))
  3. Original Case: 五祀卫鼎·裘卫诉邦君厉土地补偿案
  4. Key Figures: Qiu Wei (裘卫), Bang Jun Li (邦君厉), Xing Bo (邢伯), Bo Yifu (伯邑父), Ding Bo (定伯), Qiong Bo (黥伯), Bo Sufu (伯俗父)
  5. Case Tags: Land Compensation Dispute;Breach of Contract;Property Law;Arbitration and Mediation