Chinese Cases

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

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

1. The Case of Feng Juan's Exile for Requesting a Sacrificial Hunt

2. Jurisdiction: State of Zheng, Spring and Autumn Period, Ancient China (543 BC)
3. Original Case: Zheng Feng Juan Jiang Ji Qing Tian Bei Zhu An (The Case of Feng Juan Being Banished for Requesting a Hunt Before a Sacrifice)
4. Key Figures: Feng Juan (Zi Zhang), Zi Chan (Gongsun Qiao), Zi Pi (Han Hu)
5. Case Tags: Ritual Protocol Violation;Attempted Armed Insurrection;Banishment;Political Pardon

1. Zi Chan's Refusal to Destroy the Village Schools

2. Jurisdiction: Zheng State, Spring and Autumn China (542 BCE)
3. Original Case: 郑子产不毁乡校案
4. Key Figures: Zi Chan (Gongsun Qiao), Ran Ming (Zong Mie)
5. Case Tags: Sedition;Defamation of Government;Unlawful Assembly;Suppression of Free Speech

1. Case of Qing Feng's Arrogance and the Plot of Lu Pugui and Wang He Against the Qing Clan

2. Jurisdiction: State of Qi (Ancient China) (545 BC)
3. Original Case: 齐庆封骄纵、卢蒲癸王何谋讨庆氏案
4. Key Figures: Qing Feng, Lu Pugui, Wang He, Qing She
5. Case Tags: Usurpation of Authority;Assassination;Insurrection;Political Conspiracy

1. The Revenge Assassination of Duke Yi of Qi by Bing Chu and Yan Zhi

2. Jurisdiction: State of Qi (齐国), Spring and Autumn China (Summer, 609 BC)
3. Original Case: 邴歜、阎职弑齐懿公复仇案
4. Key Figures: Bing Chu (邴歜), Yan Zhi (阎职), Duke Yi of Qi (齐懿公)
5. Case Tags: Regicide;Revenge Killing;Political Assassination;Usurpation and Conspiracy

1. The Case of Duke Xiang of Zheng's Surrender to King Zhuang of Chu and the King's Clemency

2. Jurisdiction: State of Zheng and State of Chu, China (Spring and Autumn Period) (597 BCE)
3. Original Case: 郑伯肉袒牵羊降楚、楚庄王舍郑案
4. Key Figures: Duke Xiang of Zheng (Zheng Bo) and King Zhuang of Chu
5. Case Tags: War of Aggression;Unconditional Surrender;Executive Clemency;Sovereignty Preservation

1. Yan Ying Mourning Duke Zhuang's Corpse and Cui Zhu Sparing Him Case

2. Jurisdiction: State of Qi, Zhou Dynasty China (548 BC)
3. Original Case: 晏婴枕庄公尸哭、崔杼释之案
4. Key Figures: Yan Ying (Yanzi), Cui Zhu, Duke Zhuang of Qi
5. Case Tags: Regicide;Political Assassination;Ritual Mourning;Immunity Granted

1. The Case of Zikong's Usurpation and the People of Zheng Killing Him

2. Jurisdiction: State of Zheng, China (Spring and Autumn period) (554 BC)
3. Original Case: The Case of Zikong's Tyranny and the Killing by the Guoren of Zheng
4. Key Figures: Zikong (Prince Jia of Zheng), Zizhan (Gongsun Shezhi), Zixi (Gongsun Xia), the guoren (capital residents and lesser nobility) of Zheng, Duke Jian of Zheng
5. Case Tags: Treason;Subversion of State Order;Political Lynching;Abuse of Office

1. Case of Xun Yan and Shi Gai Killing the Clan of Duke Xi and Banishing the Noble Sons

2. Jurisdiction: State of Jin, Spring and Autumn period China (573 BC)
3. Original Case: 晋荀偃、士匄杀僖公之族、逐群公子案
4. Key Figures: Xun Yan (Zhonghang Yan), Shi Gai (Fan Xuanzi), the clan of Duke Xi (Duke Li of Jin), the various princely sons (gongzi)
5. Case Tags: Political Purge;Clan Extermination;Exile;Power Struggle

1. The Case of Sun Linfu's Betrayal of Jin and Jin's Detention of Duke Shang of Wei

2. Jurisdiction: States of Wei and Jin, Zhou Dynasty (Ancient China) (547 BC)
3. Original Case: 卫孙林父以戚叛晋、晋人执卫殇公案
4. Key Figures: Sun Linfu (minister of Wei); Duke Shang of Wei (Wei Piao); Duke Ping of Jin; Duke Xian of Wei; Ning Xi (minister of Wei)
5. Case Tags: Treason;Hostage Taking;State Intervention;Collective Punishment

1. Song Xiangxu's Peace Initiative and Chu's Treachery Case

2. Jurisdiction: Song State, China (546 BC)
3. Original Case: 宋向戌弭兵、楚人衷甲案
4. Key Figures: Xiang Xu (Song), Qu Jian (Zimu, Chu), Zhao Wu (Jin), Shusun Bao (Lu), Zixi (Zheng)
5. Case Tags: Perfidy;Diplomatic Deceit;Breach of Truce Agreement;Militarism

1. The Case of Cui Cheng and Cui Qiang Killing Dongguo Yan and Tang Wujiu, and Qing Feng Annihilating the Cui Clan

2. Jurisdiction: State of Qi, China (Zhou Dynasty) (546 BC)
3. Original Case: 崔成、崔强杀东郭偃、棠无咎，庆封灭崔氏案
4. Key Figures: Cui Cheng, Cui Qiang, Dongguo Yan, Tang Wujiu, Qing Feng, Cui Zhu (Cui Shuzi), Duke Jing of Qi, Cui Ming
5. Case Tags: Murder;Clan Extermination;Political Conspiracy;Usurpation

1. Zimu Asked about the Virtue of Jin and Chu Ministers and Shengzi Discussed Punishment and Reward Case

2. Jurisdiction: Chu State (Spring and Autumn China) (c. 547 BC (26th year of Duke Xiang of Lu))
3. Original Case: 子木问晋大夫与楚孰贤、声子论刑赏案
4. Key Figures: Zimu (Qu Jian, Prime Minister of Chu), Shengzi (Gongsun Guisheng, Minister of Cai), King Kang of Chu
5. Case Tags: Brain Drain;Judicial Reform;Political Discourse;State Governance

1. Cui Zhu and Qing Feng Install Duke Jing and Force the Covenant on the People, with Yan Ying Refusing to Swear

2. Jurisdiction: State of Qi, Eastern Zhou Dynasty (present-day Shandong, China) (548 BC)
3. Original Case: 崔杼庆封立景公、盟国人晏婴不肯盟案
4. Key Figures: Cui Zhu, Qing Feng, Duke Jing of Qi (Lü Chujiu), Yan Ying (Yanzi), the people and officials of Qi
5. Case Tags: Regicide;Usurpation;Coerced Oath;Civil Disobedience