Chinese Cases

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

1. The Case of Prince Zhu Ru of Cheng Fleeing to Lu with Fuzhong

2. Jurisdiction: State of Cheng and State of Lu, China (Spring and Autumn Period) (615 BC)
3. Original Case: 郕太子朱儒以夫钟奔鲁案
4. Key Figures: Zhu Ru (Crown Prince of the State of Cheng), Duke Wen of Lu, the people of Cheng, the newly enthroned ruler of Cheng
5. Case Tags: Treason;Defection;Ritual Offence;Usurpation of Title

1. The Case of Prince Shangren (Duke Yi of Qi) and the Land Dispute with Bing Yuan

2. Jurisdiction: State of Qi, Zhou Dynasty (present-day Shandong, China) (Around 609 BCE, during the Spring and Autumn period)
3. Original Case: 公子商人与邴歜父邴原争田案
4. Key Figures: Prince Shangren (later Duke Yi of Qi), Bing Yuan (Bing Chu’s father), Bing Chu, Yan Zhi (Yong Zhi)
5. Case Tags: Abuse of Power;Desecration of Corpses;Revenge Killing;Regicide

1. Dou Yuejiao’s Attempted Assassination of King Zhuang and Clan Extermination Case

2. Jurisdiction: Chu State, Zhou Dynasty (Spring and Autumn period) (605 BC)
3. Original Case: 子越椒弑楚庄王未遂、族灭案
4. Key Figures: Dou Yuejiao (Ziyuejiao), King Zhuang of Chu, Wei Jia
5. Case Tags: Attempted Regicide;Armed Rebellion;Clan Extermination;Aristocratic Power Struggle

1. The Case of Xia Zhengshu Assassinating Duke Ling of Chen

2. Jurisdiction: State of Chen, Zhou Dynasty (present-day Huaiyang, Henan, China) (599 BCE)
3. Original Case: Xia Zhengshu shi Chen Linggong an
4. Key Figures: Xia Zhengshu, Duke Ling of Chen, Kong Ning, Yi Xingfu, Xia Ji, King Zhuang of Chu
5. Case Tags: Regicide;Adultery-Related Homicide;Revenge Killing;Foreign Intervention

1. The San Family Plate (San Shi Pan) Land Transfer Case

2. Jurisdiction: Western Zhou Dynasty, China; the states of Ze and San, located in present-day Baoji, Shaanxi Province (Late Western Zhou period, approximately the reign of King Li (c. 857–842 BCE))
3. Original Case: 散氏盘·夨国赔偿散氏土地移转案
4. Key Figures: The state of Ze (夨国), the San lineage (散氏), and a royal overseer named Zhongnong (仲农) dispatched by the Zhou King
5. Case Tags: Ancient Chinese Law;Land Property;Treaty and Covenant;Dispute Resolution History

1. The Case of Hua Du Killing Kong Fujia, Usurping His Wife, and Assassinating Duke Shang of Song

2. Jurisdiction: State of Song, Zhou Dynasty (present-day Shangqiu, Henan) (710 BC)
3. Original Case: 华督杀孔父嘉夺妻、弑宋殇公案
4. Key Figures: Hua Du (華督), Kong Fujia (孔父嘉), Duke Shang of Song (宋殤公), Duke Zhuang of Song (宋莊公)
5. Case Tags: homicide;regicide;conspiracy;public order offense

1. The Case of Wei Zhouyu's Regicide and Usurpation

2. Jurisdiction: State of Wei, Zhou Dynasty (present-day Henan, China) (719 BC)
3. Original Case: 卫州吁弑君篡位案
4. Key Figures: Zhouyu (Prince of Wei, usurper), Duke Huan of Wei (the assassinated ruler), Shi Que (Wei minister who orchestrated the counter-coup), Shi Hou (Shi Que's son and Zhouyu's co-conspirator), Duke Huan of Chen (ally who facilitated the execution)
5. Case Tags: Regicide;Usurpation;Treason;Capital Punishment

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

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

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)

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

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)

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