Chinese Cases

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

1. The Case of Tian Xuan, the Sefu of Dongxiang, Chang'an, Assaulting the Cane Master

2. Jurisdiction: Han Dynasty China, Chang'an (circa 200 BCE (early Western Han))
3. Original Case: 长安东乡啬夫田宣殴杖主案
4. Key Figures: Tian Xuan (the Sefu of Dongxiang), Zhang Zhu (the Cane Master)
5. Case Tags: Assault with a Weapon;Official Misconduct;Han Dynasty Criminal Law;Violence by Local Official

1. The Case of the Nan Commandery Tingzhang Assaulting a Staff-wielder

2. Jurisdiction: Han Dynasty China, Nan Commandery (Han Dynasty (likely early, preserved in the Book of Submitted Doubtful Cases))
3. Original Case: 南郡亭长护欧杖主案
4. Key Figures: Tingzhang Hu (亭长护), Staff-wielder (杖主)
5. Case Tags: Assault;Judicial Assault;Abuse of Official Power;Obstruction of Official Duties

1. The Case of Wang Anshi of Runan Assaulting the Holder of a Wang Staff

2. Jurisdiction: Han Dynasty China (Runan Commandery) (Early Eastern Han Dynasty, c. 1st century CE (likely during the reign of Emperor Guangwu))
3. Original Case: 汝南王安世殴击杖主案
4. Key Figures: Wang Anshi (a man from Runan Commandery), an elderly holder of the imperial Wang Staff (鸠杖)
5. Case Tags: Assault on a Protected Person;Capital Offense (Grave Impiety);Elder Protection Law;Wang Staff (鸠杖) Privilege

1. Case of Zhang Ao, Bailiuting Chief of Yunyang, Assaulting and Insulting a Royal Scepter Holder

2. Jurisdiction: Han Dynasty China (Western Han Dynasty, likely during the reign of Emperor Cheng (circa 32-7 BCE))
3. Original Case: 云阳白水亭长张熬殴辱王杖主案
4. Key Figures: Zhang Ao (Bailiuting Chief), Wang Zhangzhu (Royal Scepter Holder, an elderly man)
5. Case Tags: Elder Abuse;Official Misconduct;Violation of Imperial Decree;Aggravated Assault

1. Case of Garrison Soldier Zhuang Qiangyou and Others Falsifying Asset Testimony

2. Jurisdiction: China (Han Dynasty, Juyan Frontier Command) (Han Dynasty, circa 1st century CE)
3. Original Case: Shuzu Zhuang Qiangyou Deng Zheng Caiwu Bu Yi Shi An
4. Key Figures: Zhuang Qiangyou (a garrison soldier) and other garrison soldiers
5. Case Tags: Perjury;False Declaration of Assets;Military Law;Han Dynasty Legal System

1. The Case of Hanling, a Dunhuang Woman, Returning Private Goods on Her Husband's Behalf

2. Jurisdiction: Han Dynasty China (Dunhuang Commandery, present-day Gansu) (Late Western Han Dynasty, circa 1st century BCE)
3. Original Case: 敦煌女子邯陵替夫退还持私案
4. Key Figures: Hanling (a woman from Dunhuang), Zun (her husband, a Dafu rank holder from Chiyang), local officials of Dunhuang Commandery
5. Case Tags: Property Misappropriation;Women's Legal Capacity;Han Civil Procedure;Family Property Dispute

1. Case of Chang'an Magistrate An Guo Issuing an Order to Arrest Fugitives

2. Jurisdiction: Chang'an, Western Han Dynasty, China (Western Han Dynasty (exact year unknown, circa 1st century BCE))
3. Original Case: 长安令安国移书捕亡案
4. Key Figures: An Guo (magistrate of Chang'an), the anonymous accuser (a personal enemy of the accused), the accused person (name unknown), the wife of the accused
5. Case Tags: Anonymous Letter Accusation;False Accusation (Wuku);Arrest of Innocent Family Members;Judicial Investigation of Malicious Prosecution

1. Case of Convict Zai Tudou's Assault in Xiaogu

2. Jurisdiction: Xiaogu County, Dunhuang Commandery, Han Dynasty China (Western Han Dynasty, circa 1st century BCE)
3. Original Case: 效谷钳城旦宰土斗伤人案
4. Key Figures: Zai Tudou (defendant, a convict under qian chengdan punishment), Xiaogu County Magistrate Yu, Xiaogu County Assistant Shou
5. Case Tags: Assault and Battery;Prisoner Recidivism;Han Dynasty Criminal Law;Bamboo Slip Legal Records

1. Case of the Chained Chengdan Zhaoxuan's Wounding in a Fight and Unjust Judgment

2. Jurisdiction: Han Dynasty, Shu Commandery (modern Sichuan), China (Early Western Han, circa 186 BCE)
3. Original Case: 钳城旦昭宣斗伤人不直案
4. Key Figures: Zhaoxuan (the chained chengdan convict), the Magistrate of Shu Commandery, the Commandant of the Court (Tingwei)
5. Case Tags: Assault and Battery;Unjust Judgment;Recidivism Enhancement;Han Dynasty Legal System

1. The Case of Le Nu's 35-Mu Land Sale Contract in Changle Li

2. Jurisdiction: Han Dynasty China (31 BC (2nd year of Jianshi, Emperor Cheng of Han))
3. Original Case: 长乐里乐奴田卅五畞买卖契约案
4. Key Figures: Le Nu (seller), unknown buyer, witnesses: Chunyu Ciru, Wang Chong, Zheng Shaoqing
5. Case Tags: Land Dispute;Contract Fraud;Unearthed Legal Document;Han Dynasty Property Law

1. Case of Debt Collection by Qing, Acting Assistant of the Juyan Arsenal

2. Jurisdiction: Juyan, Han Dynasty China (October, 1st year of Jianping (6 BCE))
3. Original Case: 居延库守丞庆收债文书案
4. Key Figures: Qing (Acting Assistant of the Juyan Arsenal), Xu Xu (a Platoon Chief/Suizhang)
5. Case Tags: Debt Recovery;Han Dynasty Law;Administrative Dispute;Bamboo Slip Documents

1. The Case of Shi Li Sun Meng's Debt Investigation

2. Jurisdiction: Han Dynasty China (Juyan Frontier Fortress, present-day Gansu Province) (Late 1st century BC, Western Han Dynasty (likely reign of Emperor Yuan, c. 48–33 BC))
3. Original Case: 士吏孙猛负钱验问案 (The Case of Investigating Shi Li Sun Meng's Debt)
4. Key Figures: Sun Meng (a Shi Li, junior frontier officer), an unnamed conscripted soldier (Zu) as creditor
5. Case Tags: Debt Dispute;Military Law;Official Misconduct;Han Dynasty Judicial Procedure (Yan Wen)

1. Yin Shang v. Xu Shengzhi (Debt Recovery Case)

2. Jurisdiction: Han Empire (Juyan Frontier Region, present-day Inner Mongolia/Gansu, China) (October 26, 60 BCE (Second Year of the Shenjue Reign, Western Han Dynasty))
3. Original Case: 尹赏自言责徐胜之欠钱案 (Yin Shang Zi Yan Ze Xu Shengzhi Qian An)
4. Key Figures: Yin Shang (plaintiff, a male resident of Nianzheng Village, Guanghan County); Xu Shengzhi (defendant, a conscript soldier at Juyan Commandery)
5. Case Tags: Debt Default (Statutory Crime);Juyan Wooden Slips;Self-Accusation Procedure;Han Dynasty Civil Law

1. Case of Jishan Watchtower Commander Zhou Xiang Borrowing Money from Le

2. Jurisdiction: Han Dynasty China (Juyan Region, Gansu Corridor) (Approximately 1st century BCE (Western Han Dynasty))
3. Original Case: 箕山燧长周相从乐贷钱案
4. Key Figures: Zhou Xiang (Jishan Watchtower Commander), Le (Creditor)
5. Case Tags: Debt Dispute;Breach of Contract;Official Misconduct;Economic Crime

1. Wang Yan Loan Sharking Case

2. Jurisdiction: China (Han Dynasty, presumably under Emperor Wu or Emperor Xuan) (circa 100 BCE - 50 BCE (Western Han Dynasty))
3. Original Case: 王晏贷钱高利贷案
4. Key Figures: Wang Yan (creditor), unnamed debtor (farmer), local magistrate
5. Case Tags: Usury;Economic Crime;Debt Bondage;Exploitation of the Vulnerable

1. Case of the Waiting Official Guangde's Unauthorized Lending of Public Funds in the Fourth Year of Yuankang

2. Jurisdiction: Han Dynasty, Juyan Region (present-day Gansu Province, China) (62 BC (the fourth year of the Yuankang era, under Emperor Xuan of the Western Han))
3. Original Case: 元康四年候史广德贷钱案
4. Key Figures: Guangde (候史, an official in charge of patrol and logistics at the frontier)
5. Case Tags: Misappropriation of Public Funds;Malfeasance in Office;Administrative Violation;Western Han Frontier Judiciary

1. Case of Shi Robbing Yu

2. Jurisdiction: State of Qin (present-day China) (246 BC (second year of King Zheng of Qin, later Qin Shi Huang))
3. Original Case: 识劫𡞔案
4. Key Figures: Shi (offender), Yu (female victim), judicial officials of Qin
5. Case Tags: Robbery;Extortion;Ancient Chinese Law;Qin Dynasty Judicial Review

1. Gui and Suo Conspiracy to Shift a Reward Case

2. Jurisdiction: Han Dynasty, China (Anlu County, Nan Commandery) (195 BC (12th year of Emperor Gaozu of Han))
3. Original Case: Gui, Suo Xiang Yi Mou Gou An
4. Key Figures: Gui (constable of Anlu), Suo (crossbow commander of Anlu)
5. Case Tags: Fraud and Conspiracy;Han Dynasty Law;Reward Dispute;Zou Yan Shu Case

1. The Case of Zeng, Shun and Others Accepting and Giving Bribes to Pervert the Law

2. Jurisdiction: Han Dynasty China (Beidi Commandery, present-day northwestern China) (200 BCE (7th year of Emperor Gaozu of Han))
3. Original Case: 甑、顺等受、行賕枉法案
4. Key Figures: Zeng (甑, a woman), Shun (顺, a slave), and other involved parties
5. Case Tags: Bribery;Perverting Justice;Fugitive Registration;Zouyan System

1. The Case of Prison Scribe Ling Xian's Dereliction and Bribery

2. Jurisdiction: Han Dynasty China, Juyan County (present-day Gansu/Inner Mongolia border region) (c. 28 BCE (Late Western Han, during the reign of Emperor Cheng))
3. Original Case: Yushi Lingxian Shizhi Shouhui An
4. Key Figures: Ling Xian (prison scribe), Zhao (convict), Juyan County magistrate and judicial officers
5. Case Tags: Bribery;Dereliction of Duty;Prisoner Escape;Official Corruption