Literary Inquisition

Explores the Qing dynasty's severe censorship and persecution of intellectuals under the literary inquisition policies.

1. Wang Jiyuan Insanity Letter Case

2. Jurisdiction: China (Qing Dynasty) (1758)
3. Original Case: 王寂元因疯投书案
4. VictimsHongliDefendantsWang JiyuanPlaintiffsHuang TingguiInvestigatorsHuang TingguiJudgesHongliInstitutionsBoard of Punishments
5. Case Tags: Literary Inquisition;Lèse-majesté;Insanity Defense;Lingchi Execution

1. The Case of the Yan Clan Grandfather and Grandson of Pei County

2. Jurisdiction: Qing Dynasty, Pei County, Jiangsu Province (Mid-18th Century (Qianlong Period))
3. Original Case: 沛县阎氏祖孙案
4. VictimsQing Dynasty Imperial AuthorityDefendantsYan ErmingYan QiPlaintiffsLocal InformantInvestigatorsJiangsu GovernorProsecutorsJiangsu GovernorJudgesMinistry of Justice of Qing DynastyInstitutionsMinistry of Justice of Qing DynastyJiangsu Governor Office
5. Case Tags: Literary Inquisition;Familial Culpability;Anti-Qing Sentiment;Book Banning

1. The Case of Zhu Sizao Lamenting the Prosperous Era

2. Jurisdiction: China (1753)
3. Original Case: 朱思藻盛世吊时案
4. DefendantsZhu SizaoInvestigatorsMinistry of JusticeJudgesQianlong EmperorInstitutionsMinistry of JusticeQing Dynasty Government
5. Case Tags: Literary Inquisition;Qing Dynasty;Political Repression;Freedom of Speech

1. Case of Liu Zhenyu's Fatal Counsel Submission

2. Jurisdiction: China (1753)
3. Original Case: 刘震宇献策丧生案
4. VictimsLiu ZhenyuDefendantsLiu ZhenyuPlaintiffsFan ShishouJudgesQianlong EmperorInstitutionsGrand Council
5. Case Tags: Literary Inquisition;Capital Offense;Qianlong Era Case;Sedition

1. Qi Zhouhua's "Mingshan Cang Fuben" Case

2. Jurisdiction: Qing Dynasty, China (1767)
3. Original Case: 齐周华《名山藏副本》案
4. DefendantsQi ZhouhuaPlaintiffsXiong XuepengJudgesQianlong EmperorInstitutionsMinistry of JusticeOffice of the Governor of Zhejiang
5. Case Tags: Literary Inquisition;Lingchi;Qing Dynasty Law;Conspiracy against the State

1. Case of Cai Xian's "Xianyu Xianxian Lu"

2. Jurisdiction: China (Qing Dynasty) (1767 (Qianlong 32))
3. Original Case: 蔡显《闲渔闲闲录》案
4. Key Figures: Cai Xian (author), Qianlong Emperor, local gentry accusers
5. Case Tags: Literary Inquisition;Treason;Qing Dynasty Literary Persecution;Chinese Case

1. The Case of Wang Xihou's "Ziguan"

2. Jurisdiction: China (Qing Dynasty) (1777)
3. Original Case: The Case of Wang Xihou's "Ziguan" (Ziguan Dictionary Case)
4. Key Figures: Wang Xihou (scholar and author), Emperor Qianlong, Hai Cheng (Governor of Jiangxi)
5. Case Tags: Literary Inquisition;Lèse-majesté;Imperial Censorship;Crime of Great Sedition

1. The Yin Jiaquan Literary Persecution Case

2. Jurisdiction: Qing Dynasty China (1781 (46th year of the Qianlong reign))
3. Original Case: Yin Jiaquan Qing Shi Zhu Shu Yuan An
4. Key Figures: Yin Jiaquan (former Vice Minister of the Court of Judicature), Qianlong Emperor, Yin Huiyi (Yin Jiaquan's father)
5. Case Tags: Literary Inquisition;Lèse-majesté;Political Persecution;Imperial Censorship

1. Peng Jiaping's Words on Disaster Case

2. Jurisdiction: Qing Dynasty China (1757 (22nd year of the Qianlong reign))
3. Original Case: 彭家屏言灾成灾案
4. Key Figures: Peng Jiaping, Emperor Qianlong, Duan Changxu, Tulebing'a
5. Case Tags: Literary Inquisition;Sedition;Concealment of Disaster;Imperial Censorship

1. The Case of Hu Zhongzao's "Poetry of Jianmosheng"

2. Jurisdiction: China (Qing Dynasty) (1755 (20th year of Qianlong reign))
3. Original Case: 《坚磨生诗钞》胡中藻案
4. Key Figures: Hu Zhongzao (defendant), Qianlong Emperor (judge), E'ertai (deceased grand secretary posthumously implicated), Zhang Tingyu (involved associate)
5. Case Tags: Literary Inquisition;Lèse-majesté;Political Repression;Qing Dynasty Censorship

1. Yongzheng Prohibition of Speech and Books Case

2. Jurisdiction: Qing Dynasty, China (1728-1732)
3. Original Case: 雍正禁言禁书案
4. Key Figures: Emperor Yongzheng, Zeng Jing, Zhang Xi, Lü Liuliang, Yue Zhongqi
5. Case Tags: Literary Inquisition;Sedition;Book Banning;Political Trial

1. Lu Shengnan's Historical Essays Case

2. Jurisdiction: China (Qing Dynasty) (1729 (the seventh year of the Yongzheng reign))
3. Original Case: 陆生楠论史案
4. Key Figures: Lu Shengnan, Emperor Yongzheng, Xibao (Prince Shuncheng)
5. Case Tags: Literary Inquisition;Lèse-majesté;Thought Crime;Treason by Words

1. Xie Jishi's Annotation of the Classics Case

2. Jurisdiction: Qing Dynasty China (1729 (7th year of the Yongzheng reign))
3. Original Case: Xie Jishi Zhu Jing An (The Case of Xie Jishi Annotating the Classics)
4. Key Figures: Xie Jishi (scholar-official), Prince Shuncheng Xibao (accuser), Yongzheng Emperor
5. Case Tags: Literary Inquisition;Thought Crime;Qing Dynasty Persecution;Confucian Orthodoxy Enforcement

1. The Case of Lü Liuliang and Zeng Jing

2. Jurisdiction: China (Qing Dynasty) (1728-1733)
3. Original Case: 吕留良、曾静狱案
4. Key Figures: Yongzheng Emperor, Lü Liuliang (posthumously accused), Zeng Jing, Zhang Xi, Yue Zhongqi
5. Case Tags: Literary Inquisition;Sedition;Treason;Political Persecution

1. Zha Siting Examination Case

2. Jurisdiction: China (Qing Dynasty) (1726 (4th year of Yongzheng reign))
3. Original Case: 查嗣庭试题案
4. Key Figures: Yongzheng Emperor, Zha Siting
5. Case Tags: Literary Inquisition;Lèse-majesté;Imperial Examination Scandal;Political Persecution

1. The Case of Qian Mingshi as "Sinner Against Confucian Orthodoxy"

2. Jurisdiction: Qing Dynasty, China (1726)
3. Original Case: Qian Mingshi "Mingjiao Zuiren" Case (钱名世“名教罪人”案)
4. Key Figures: Yongzheng Emperor, Qian Mingshi, Nian Gengyao
5. Case Tags: Lèse-majesté;Literary Inquisition;Political Persecution;Public Humiliation Penalty

1. Wang Jingqi's "Xizheng Suibi" Case (The "Meritorious Officials Must Not Be" Case)

2. Jurisdiction: Qing Dynasty, China (1725–1726 (Yongzheng reign, 3rd–4th year))
3. Original Case: 汪景祺《西征随笔》案（《功臣不可为》）
4. Key Figures: Wang Jingqi (author), Nian Gengyao (general and patron), Yongzheng Emperor (ruler)
5. Case Tags: Literary Inquisition;Lèse-majesté;Political Persecution;Treason

1. Zhu Fangdan Case

2. Jurisdiction: China (Qing Dynasty) (1682 (21st year of Kangxi reign))
3. Key Figures: Zhu Fangdan (self-proclaimed sage, healer, and author), Wang Hongxu (Left Censor-in-chief who impeached him), Gu Qihong (chief disciple)
4. Case Tags: Heresy;Sedition;Witchcraft;Literary Inquisition

1. Dai Mingshi Case (Nanshan Collection Literary Inquisition)

2. Jurisdiction: Qing Dynasty China (1711–1713)
3. Original Case: Nanshan Ji Case
4. Key Figures: Dai Mingshi (scholar, accused), Zhao Shenqiao (censor, accuser), Fang Bao (implicated literatus), Kangxi Emperor (judge)
5. Case Tags: Literary Inquisition;High Treason;Capital Punishment;Political Persecution

1. Shen Tianfu Forgery Case

2. Jurisdiction: China (Qing Dynasty) (1667 (Sixth year of the Kangxi reign))
3. Original Case: 沈天甫伪书案
4. Key Figures: Shen Tianfu, Lü Zhong, Xia Linqi, Wu Yuanlai (son of Ming loyalist Wu Sheng)
5. Case Tags: Literary Inquisition;Forgery;Extortion;Judicial Precedent