In ancient China, justice often depended on the bravery and wisdom of individuals who took on difficult cases with little more than their ingenuity and resolve. Unlike modern times, where technology plays a central role in investigations, these historical figures relied on clever strategies, dedication, and emerging forensic techniques to solve complex cases. Two such stories from China’s rich history illustrate the resourcefulness and courage of both citizens and officials who pursued justice with unwavering commitment.
Jia Shi’s daring mission: A test of courage and loyalty
During the early Qing Dynasty, a grand theft threatened the honor of the imperial court: a group of thieves managed to steal a massive golden furnace weighing thousands of kilograms from the imperial mausoleum. Despite a rigorous search, the culprits evaded capture, leaving the case unsolved and the court desperate for answers. To incentivize resolution, the court issued a decree promising promotion to any official who solved the case and a substantial monetary reward for any civilian who could do the same.
Jia Shi, a strong and determined man from Shandong, stepped forward to accept this challenge. He boldly proposed a plan to the court, requesting three years to find the criminals and an official letter allowing him to command troops and funds as needed. Jia Shi was so confident in his mission that he offered his entire family as collateral, declaring they could be held as hostages until he succeeded. The court agreed, and with his family’s fate resting on his shoulders, Jia Shi set off on his mission.
Jia Shi traveled far and wide, posing as a destitute man to gain the trust of local criminals and gather intelligence. His journey eventually led him to a notorious thieves’ den in Fujian, where he successfully infiltrated the group by feigning desperation and a willingness to join their ranks. After demonstrating his impressive strength and agility, Jia Shi was welcomed by the leader of the group and even married a woman who had connections to the thieves, further solidifying his place in the inner circle.
While on an assignment with another top thief, Jia Shi learned that this individual had been responsible for the furnace theft. This thief boasted of his feat, revealing that the stolen furnace was still in the lair. In a daring move, Jia Shi bribed a local woman to get the thief intoxicated, then swiftly eliminated him and rode to the capital to report his findings.
With this intelligence, the court dispatched troops to raid the lair, capturing the criminals and retrieving the stolen furnace and countless other treasures. For his bravery and loyalty, Jia Shi was appointed to the high-ranking position of chief constable, and his family was freed from their hostage status. The success of the case was widely attributed to both Jia Shi’s bravery and the court’s faith in upholding justice.
The clever magistrate: Justice through early forensic methods
While Jia Shi’s case demonstrated courage and strategy, another story from the Northern Song Dynasty highlights an early form of forensic science. In Yongxin County, Jiangxi Province, a young man named Zhou Zheng lost a valuable family property in a gambling dispute. Desperate after losing all his money to Long Yu, the son of an influential local figure, Zhou recklessly wagered his mother’s 15 acres of fertile land. When he lost again, he forged a contract using his mother’s handprint from an old document to claim she had agreed to the transfer.
When Long Yu presented the forged contract to claim the land, Zhou Zheng’s mother objected and took the case to the local court. The court, however, ruled in Long Yu’s favor due to the handprint on the contract. She appealed the decision, but her claim was again rejected, as the handprint seemed to confirm Long Yu’s ownership.
It was only when a new magistrate, Yuan Jiang, took office that the case saw a breakthrough. Known for his meticulousness, Yuan Jiang closely examined the document and discovered a flaw. He noticed that the date on the contract was written above the handprint, suggesting the handprint had been applied to a different document and the contract forged afterward.
When confronted, Long Yu confessed to the deception, and Yuan Jiang restored the land to Zhou Zheng’s mother. This case became a well-known example of early forensic investigation, as Yuan Jiang’s attention to detail and his understanding of the importance of evidence allowed justice to prevail.
Ancient ingenuity in the pursuit of justice
These cases from the Qing and Song Dynasties reveal the extraordinary lengths to which ancient Chinese figures went to uphold justice. From Jia Shi’s infiltration of a criminal ring to Yuan Jiang’s discerning eye for forgery, each story illustrates a unique approach to solving crimes. Jia Shi’s tale showcases the role of bravery and loyalty in the face of danger, while Yuan Jiang’s case represents an early example of forensic investigation through detailed observation.
Through these historical examples, we see how courage, intelligence, and integrity were crucial in delivering justice long before the advent of modern technology. The persistence of figures like Jia Shi and Yuan Jiang in pursuing the truth underscores the timeless importance of moral responsibility and accountability in any era.
Translated by cecilia
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