Chinese Cases

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

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)

1. Case of the Shi Qi Ding (Military Law Violation)

2. Jurisdiction: Western Zhou Dynasty, China (Mid-Western Zhou period (approx. 10th century BC))
3. Original Case: 师旂鼎·军法违纪案
4. Key Figures: Shi Qi (Plaintiff/Officer), Bo Mao Fu (Judge/Commander), Zhong Pu (Defendants/Subordinates), Yin (Intermediary/Messenger), Zhong Shi (Scribe)
5. Case Tags: Military Law;Mutiny/Disobedience;Ancient Judicial Procedure;Commutation

1. The Case of Ji Liang's Admonition to Pursue the Chu Army

2. Jurisdiction: State of Sui (present-day Suizhou, Hubei, China) (704 BCE)
3. Original Case: 随国季梁谏追楚师案
4. Key Figures: Ji Liang (minister of Sui), Duke of Sui (ruler of Sui), King Wu of Chu
5. Case Tags: Malfeasance in military command;Endangering state security;Spring and Autumn period historical case;Political remonstrance and people-centered thought

1. Case of Li Ji Slandering Shensheng

2. Jurisdiction: Jin State, China (Spring and Autumn Period) (656 BC)
3. Original Case: 骊姬谗杀申生案
4. Key Figures: Li Ji (骊姬), Shensheng (申生), Duke Xian of Jin (晋献公), Chong'er (重耳), Yiwu (夷吾), Xun Xi (荀息)
5. Case Tags: Political Conspiracy;Slander and Frame-up;Inheritance Dispute;Forced Suicide

1. The Case of Duke Huan of Qi Detaining the Marquis of Cai

2. Jurisdiction: State of Qi, State of Cai (Spring and Autumn Period China) (656 BC)
3. Original Case: 齐桓公执蔡侯案
4. Key Figures: Duke Huan of Qi (Plaintiff/Heavener), Marquis Mu of Cai (Defendant), Bao Shuya (Qi Strategist)
5. Case Tags: Military Aggression;Political Detention;Breach of Alliance;Maritime Conflict

1. Case of Ziyu's Military Review and Weijia's Discourse on Punishment

2. Jurisdiction: State of Chu, China (Spring and Autumn Period) (633 BC (27th year of Duke Xi of Lu))
3. Original Case: Ziyu Zhi Bing, Weijia Lun Xing An (子玉治兵、蒍贾论刑案)
4. Key Figures: Ziyu (Cheng Dechen), Weijia, Ziwen (former chief minister of Chu)
5. Case Tags: Military Discipline;Excessive Corporal Punishment;Political Prophecy;Historical Admonition

1. The Case of Li Li's Misjudgment and Suicide

2. Jurisdiction: State of Jin, China (Spring and Autumn period) (During the reign of Duke Wen of Jin (circa 636–628 BC))
3. Original Case: Li Li Guo Ting Sha Ren, Fu Jian Zi Cai An
4. Key Figures: Li Li (chief judge of the State of Jin), Duke Wen of Jin (ruler)
5. Case Tags: Wrongful Execution;Judicial Accountability;Capital Punishment;Self-imposed Death Sentence

1. The Case of the Eunuch Pi Reporting Lü Sheng and Xi Rui's Plot to Burn the Ducal Palace

2. Jurisdiction: State of Jin, China (Spring and Autumn period) (636 BC)
3. Original Case: 寺人披告发吕甥、郤芮谋焚公宫案
4. Key Figures: Duke Wen of Jin (Chong\'er), Eunuch Pi (Bo Di), Lü Sheng, Xi Rui
5. Case Tags: Treason;Conspiracy to Murder;Arson Plot;Palace Coup Attempt

1. The Case of Xu Chen Recommending Xi Que

2. Jurisdiction: State of Jin, China (Spring and Autumn Period) (Around 632 BC)
3. Original Case: 胥臣举郜缺案
4. Key Figures: Xu Chen (胥臣), Xi Que (郤缺), Duke Wen of Jin (晋文公), Xi Rui (郤芮)
5. Case Tags: Political Rehabilitation;Descendants of Criminals;Meritocratic Appointment;Pardon and Restoration