Chinese Cases

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

1. The Case of Cui Zhu's Assassination of Duke Zhuang and the Martyred Historians

2. Jurisdiction: State of Qi, Zhou Dynasty (Ancient China) (548 BC)
3. Original Case: 崔杼弑齐庄公、齐太史直书三兄弟死难案
4. Key Figures: Cui Zhu, Duke Zhuang of Qi, the Grand Historian of Qi (eldest brother), the Grand Historian's two younger brothers, Nan Shi, Tang Jiang
5. Case Tags: Regicide;Political Murder;Suppression of Historical Truth;Martyrdom for Integrity

1. Luan Ying's Return to Jin and the Fan Xuanzi's Extermination of the Luan Clan Case

2. Jurisdiction: Jin State, China (Spring and Autumn Period) (552 BC – 550 BC)
3. Original Case: 栾盈入晋、范宣子讨灭栾氏案
4. Key Figures: Luan Ying (Luan Cheng), Fan Gai (Fan Xuanzi), Duke Ping of Jin, Xu Wu, Luan Qi, Qu Jian, Shi Yang
5. Case Tags: Political Persecution;Clan Extermination;Treason;Power Struggle

1. The Case of King Kang of Chu Executing Prime Minister Zinan and Dismembering Guan Qi

2. Jurisdiction: State of Chu, Zhou Dynasty (present-day Hubei, China) (552 BCE (Spring and Autumn Period))
3. Original Case: 楚康王杀令尹子南、车裂观起案
4. Key Figures: King Kang of Chu, Lingyin Zinan (Prime Minister), Guan Qi (Court Noble)
5. Case Tags: Treason;Political Purge;Capital Punishment;Dismemberment by Chariots

1. Shu Xiang's Imprisonment and Qi Xi's Plea

2. Jurisdiction: Jin State (present-day Shanxi, China) (Around 552 BCE)
3. Original Case: 叔向被囚、祁奚请免案
4. Key Figures: Shu Xiang (Yangshe Xi), Qi Xi, Fan Xuanzi, Duke Ping of Jin, Yangshe Hu (Shu Xiang's half-brother)
5. Case Tags: Collective Punishment;Kin Liability;Political Persecution;Judicial Mercy

1. The Case of Fan Xuanzi Expelling Luan Ying and Executing the Ten Families Including Ji Yi

2. Jurisdiction: Jin State, Spring and Autumn Period China (552 BC)
3. Original Case: 晋范宣子逐栾盈、杀箕遗等十家案
4. Key Figures: Fan Xuanzi (Shi Gai), Luan Ying, Luan Qi (Luan Ying's mother), Ji Yi, Huang Yuan, Jia Fu, Sikong Jing, Bing Yu, Dong Shu, Bing Shi, Shen Shu, Yangshe Hu, Shu Ba, Yangshe Chi, Yangshe Xi
5. Case Tags: Treason;Political Persecution;Banishment;Mass Execution

1. Ji Wuzi Blames Zang Wuzhong for Failure to Suppress Banditry

2. Jurisdiction: State of Lu (Ancient China) (552 BC (21st year of Duke Xiang of Lu, Spring and Autumn period))
3. Original Case: 季武子责臧武仲盗贼不能禁案
4. Key Figures: Ji Wuzi (Jisun Su, Chief Minister of Lu); Zang Wuzhong (Zangsun He, Minister of Crime)
5. Case Tags: Dereliction of Duty;Abuse of Power;Conflict of Interest;Aiding and Abetting Crime

1. The Case of Cui Zhu Marrying Tang Jiang and Duke Zhuang of Qi's Adultery

2. Jurisdiction: State of Qi, China (Spring and Autumn period) (548 BC)
3. Original Case: Cui Zhu's Assassination of Duke Zhuang of Qi (崔杼弑其君)
4. Key Figures: Cui Zhu, Tang Jiang, Duke Zhuang of Qi, Grand Historians (Taishi brothers), Yan Ying
5. Case Tags: Regicide;Adultery;Political Murder;Obstruction of Justice

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