Under the relatively quiet, unchanged starry sky, China, in comparison, has experienced many changes in dynasties, from the Spring and Autumn periods up to the Jin Dynasty. During the Jin Dynasty, a young girl (Chunyu Tiying) used her written talent, wisdom, courage, and bravery to save her father.
In the night sky of history, Chunyu Tiying shines like a brilliant star and continues to shine to this day. The question is: “Why?”
A father’s crime
In the 13th year of Emperor Wen’s reign, during the Han period (167 B.C.), Chunyu Tíying’s father, Chunyu Yi, was found guilty of a crime and sentenced to corporal punishment. This punishment involved cutting the limbs or skin off the convicted person. Yi was taken to Chang’an and placed in detention while awaiting his trial. Chunyu Tiying was distraught and followed her father to Chang’an.
The way Chunyu Tiying saved her father during the Han Dynasty was very different from that of Xungan. Xungan was a heroic woman warrior on the battlefield, full of courage and bravery. She led her troops to break through the enemy lines and achieved some extraordinary feats.
Similarly, Chunyu Tiying also needed courage and bravery to save her father. She used her sincere filial piety since she lacked martial arts skills. She moved the Emperor of the time, causing him to reflect on his actions, which triggered future changes in the corporal punishment system.
A daughter’s filial piety
To save her father, Chunyu Tiying wrote to Emperor Wen of Han. In the letter, she said: “My father Chunyu Yi was originally the Governor of the Granary in the Qi State. During his tenure, he was upright and honest and was praised by the people. Now, he has committed a crime and should be punished.
After corporal punishment, the body cannot be restored to its original state even if the guilty person wants to reform. Also, the dead cannot be brought back to life for those sentenced to death. They cannot turn around and have nowhere to go.”
Chunyu Tiying also stated that she was willing to become a servant in the government to atone for her father’s crime, hoping he would have a chance to reform in the future.
Abolishing corporal punishment
Upon reading Chunyu Tiying’s letter, Emperor Wen of Han was moved by her filial piety. He issued a proclamation abolishing corporal punishment.
The declaration read: “I had heard that when the country was governed under Emperor Shun’s reign, if people committed crimes, they were made to wear special clothes and hats with markings that let everyone know they were criminals. The guilty person would feel ashamed and thus reform themselves. As a result, the people did not dare to commit crimes again, which was a good way to govern a country.
“Nowadays, the country has introduced five types of corporal punishment, yet these have not stopped people’s criminal behavior. Some people still continuously test the law with their bodies. So what’s the crux of this problem? Is this not what we should reflect on? Is it a result of my lack of virtue and unclear teachings and governance?
“Alas! I am humiliated since I did not properly educate the people; they have fallen into the cycle of punishment and crime. The Book of Songs states, ‘The ruler with noble virtues is respected by the people, just as they respect their parents.
“Currently, under my rule, when people make mistakes and resort to crime, I fail to educate them first but instead increase the implementation for punishment. Even if they wanted to reform and become good, they would be disabled via corporal punishment and unable to serve the country further. I am very sympathetic to them. Moreover, those punished will be left with physical disabilities and scars on their skin, which can never fully recover or heal. Such a heartbreaking and inhumane thing! How can this be the intention of a ruler who is like a parent to the people?”
Enlightened by these findings, Emperor Wen of Han abolished corporal punishment and ordered his ministers to revise the relevant laws and regulations on such sentences.
Remembering Chunyu Tiying
As a result of all these changes, Chunyu Tiying has been continually praised by later generations: “Tiying was a brave and intelligent woman who was not afraid of punishment and even redeemed her father’s sins. She presented her case to the Emperor with sincerity and filial piety. Her subtle language, filled with profound meaning, could move the wise Emperor. As a result, the Emperor abolished corporal punishment and pardoned her father’s crime.”
Chunyu Tiying was indeed brave and possessed a daughter’s true filial piety.
Translated by Joseph Wu
