Chinese Cases

Weekly crime stories and legal dramas based on famous cases from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

1. Zhuang Family History Case (Ming Shi Chao Lue Case)

2. Jurisdiction: Qing Dynasty China (Zhejiang) (1663 (trial and execution; compilation began around 1659-1661))
3. Original Case: Zhuang shi shi an (Ming shi chao lue an)
4. Key Figures: Zhuang Tinglong, Zhuang Yuncheng, Li Lingxi, Wu Zhirong, and more than 70 executed scholars
5. Case Tags: Literary Inquisition;Sedition;Collective Punishment;Censorship

1. The Case of Oboi's Tyranny and Arbitrary Killings

2. Jurisdiction: China (Qing Dynasty) (1669 (8th year of Kangxi reign))
3. Original Case: Oboi's Dictatorship and Massacres Case
4. Key Figures: Oboi (Guwalgiya Oboi), Kangxi Emperor, Suksaha, Songgotu, Ebilun, Heseri
5. Case Tags: Political Purge;Abuse of Power;Factional Strife;Regency Crisis

1. Jiangnan Provincial Examination Fraud Case (Xinmao Examination Case of the 50th Year of Kangxi)

2. Jurisdiction: Qing Dynasty China (1711)
3. Original Case: 江南乡试舞弊案（康熙五十年辛卯科场案）
4. Key Figures: Chief Examiner Zuo Bifan, Deputy Examiner Zhao Jin, examinees Wu Bi and Cheng Guangkui, magistrate Chen Tianli, magistrate Fang Ming, Governor-General Gali, Governor Zhang Boxing, et al.
5. Case Tags: Examination Fraud;Bribery;Imperial Examination Scandal;Qing Dynasty Criminal Case

1. The Case of Not Writing the Qing Reign Title in the Early Qing

2. Jurisdiction: China (Qing Dynasty) (1660 (the 17th year of Shunzhi reign))
3. Original Case: 清初不书年号案
4. Key Figures: Zhang Jinyan (former Minister of Works), Liu Zhengzong (Grand Secretary), Censor Xiao Zhen
5. Case Tags: Literary Inquisition;Lèse-majesté;Ming Loyalism;Early Qing Political Purge

1. The First Literary Inquisition of the Qing Dynasty: The Mao Zhongzhuo Block-Printing Case

2. Jurisdiction: China (Qing Dynasty) (1648 (5th year of the Shunzhi reign))
3. Original Case: Mao Zhongzhuo and Others' Block-Printing of Examination Essay Prefaces Case
4. Key Figures: Mao Zhongzhuo (毛重倬), Xu Tingqing (胥庭清), and other Jiangnan block printers and preface authors
5. Case Tags: Literary Inquisition;Sedition;Lèse-majesté;Censorship and Political Persecution

1. The Consort Donggo and Dong Xiaowan Mystery Case

2. Jurisdiction: Qing Dynasty, China (Mid-17th century (circa 1650s-1660s))
3. Original Case: 董妃与董小宛疑案
4. Key Figures: Donggo (Consort of the Shunzhi Emperor), Dong Xiaowan (Courtesan), Shunzhi Emperor, Mao Xiang (Scholar and husband of Dong Xiaowan)
5. Case Tags: Historical Mystery;Imperial Court Intrigue;Abduction Allegations;Identity Impersonation

1. Case of the Posthumous Accusation of Treason against Prince Regent Dorgon

2. Jurisdiction: Qing Dynasty, China (December 1650 – February 1651 (posthumous trial in the second month of the Shunzhi 8th year))
3. Original Case: 摄政王多尔衮死后追论谋逆案
4. Key Figures: Dorgon (Prince Rui, former regent), Shunzhi Emperor, Jirgalang (Prince Zheng), Sukesaha, Oboi, and other Eight Banners nobles
5. Case Tags: Political Purge;Posthumous Conviction;Imperial Power Consolidation;Manchu Nobility Factional Strife

1. The Case of the "Bianji" Manuscript

2. Jurisdiction: Qing Dynasty China, Huzhou (Zhejiang Province) (1663 (Kangxi reign, 2nd year))
3. Original Case: 《变纪》书稿冤案
4. Key Figures: Zhuang Tinglong (posthumously convicted), Zhuang Yuncheng (his father), Wu Zhirong (the informant), Zhuang Tingyue (brother), and numerous scholars, editors, printers, and booksellers implicated
5. Case Tags: Literary Inquisition;Sedition;Collective Punishment;Censorship

1. Case of Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang's Alleged Marriage to Prince Regent Dorgon

2. Jurisdiction: Qing Dynasty, China (Early Shunzhi period, circa 1644–1650)
3. Original Case: The Mystery of Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang's Marriage to Prince Regent Dorgon
4. Key Figures: Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang (Borjigit Bumbutai), Dorgon (Prince Regent Rui), Emperor Shunzhi (Fulin)
5. Case Tags: Royal Marriage Controversy;Political Scandal;Historical Mystery;Regency Power Struggle

1. Case of Dodo's Conspiracy for the Throne

2. Jurisdiction: Qing Dynasty, China (1643 (initial succession conflict), 1652 (posthumous conviction))
3. Original Case: 多铎预谋帝位案
4. Key Figures: Dodo (Prince Yu), Dorgon (Prince Rui), Ajige (Prince Ying), Hong Taiji (Emperor Taizong), Shunzhi Emperor, Hooge (Prince Su), Daišan (Prince Li)
5. Case Tags: Imperial Succession Dispute;Conspiracy to Usurp the Throne;Posthumous Conviction and Rehabilitation;Early Qing Political Purge

1. The Unjust Live Sacrifice Case of Grand Consort Abahai

2. Jurisdiction: Later Jin (Qing Dynasty), China (1626 (11th year of Tianming, immediately after Nurhaci's death))
3. Original Case: 活殉大福晋（阿巴亥）冤死案
4. Key Figures: Abahai (Ulanara, Grand Consort of Nurhaci), Nurhaci (Qing Taizu), Hong Taiji (later Emperor Taizong), Daisan, Manggūltai, Ajige, Dorgon, Dodo
5. Case Tags: Forced Live Sacrifice;Political Conspiracy;Homicide by Coercion;Dynastic Power Struggle

1. Nurhaci's Execution of His Brother Šurhaci

2. Jurisdiction: Later Jin Khanate (modern-day Northeast China) (1611 (with the political conflict intensifying from 1607 to 1609))
3. Original Case: The Case of Nurhaci Executing His Younger Brother Šurhaci (Shu'erhaqi)
4. Key Figures: Nurhaci (Khan of Later Jin), Šurhaci (Nurhaci's younger brother and co-ruler), Altu'a (son of Šurhaci), Jasagtu (son of Šurhaci)
5. Case Tags: Treason;Fratricide;Political Purge;Power Consolidation

1. The Bizarre Imprisonment and Death of Cuyen

2. Jurisdiction: Later Jin (Manchuria, present-day Northeast China) (1613 (imprisonment) – 1615 (execution))
3. Original Case: 褚英被囚死奇案
4. Key Figures: Cuyen (Aisin Gioro), Nurhaci, the Four Senior Beile (Daišan, Amin, Manggūltai, Hong Taiji), the Five Councilors (Eidu, Fiongdon, Hohori, Anfiyanggū, Hūrhan)
5. Case Tags: High Treason;Dynastic Succession Conflict;Political Purge;Extrajudicial Imprisonment