During the late Qing Dynasty, a man named Gao Zanshan served as an official. Hailing from Xiangcheng, Henan, he was a fellow townsman of Yuan Shikai. In 1894, he earned the rank of yougong (优贡), a designation given to outstanding scholars selected every three years for their excellence in both academics and conduct. After passing the imperial examination, these scholars were directly appointed as officials.
By the late Qing period, corruption ran rampant in the bureaucracy. It was common for officials to amass fortunes in just a few years of service. However, Gao Zanshan was an exception. Historical records indicate that during his tenure as magistrate of Dingyuan and Taihe counties, he was committed to maintaining order, promoting education, alleviating famine, and dredging rivers. Later, he was promoted to the position of prefect of Bozhou. Yet, before long, he died in office at the young age of 35.
Gao was known for his upright character and frugal lifestyle. When he passed away, he left behind only a few old garments, three silver coins, and 300 copper cash — an astonishing contrast to the extravagant wealth of many officials of his time. Given his integrity, one might expect that he would have enjoyed a long life. So why did he meet such an early demise?
A cruel and ruthless enforcer
Renowned historian Guo Zeyun provides an answer. While Gao Zanshan was incorruptible, he was also infamous for his brutality.
At the time, Bozhou was plagued by banditry. To combat the problem, Gao resorted to extreme measures. He disregarded legal procedures, using brutal torture to extract confessions from suspected criminals. If the accused could not withstand the agony and admitted guilt, Gao would swiftly sentence them to death. This practice violated Qing law, which required death sentences to be reviewed and approved by higher authorities before execution.
But Gao did not stop at illegal executions — his methods were particularly gruesome. He ordered suspects to be nailed to the city gates, piercing their limbs with iron spikes. Those convicted were then executed by driving a nail into their hearts. The executioners themselves often hesitated, but Gao, undeterred, carried out the killings personally, his official robes drenched in blood. Qing law prescribed only beheading or strangulation as legal forms of capital punishment, with lingchi (death of a thousand cuts) reserved for the most heinous crimes. Gao’s unauthorized and excessive cruelty went far beyond the bounds of the law.
His merciless campaign drastically reduced crime in Bozhou within a year, and he believed he had accomplished a great feat. However, retribution came swiftly.
A chilling death and eerie last words
One day, Gao Zanshan suddenly fell ill. During a bout of unconsciousness, he awoke and described a terrifying vision — his soul had been taken to the underworld, where he was to stand trial. Shortly after, he slipped into another coma. In his delirium, he continued speaking as if defending himself before an unseen judge. His words grew frantic, shifting from self-justification to remorse. Then, in horror, he cried out, “The boiling cauldron awaits!” — a reference to one of the tortures believed to be used in the afterlife.
Witnesses around him realized that his soul was undergoing punishment in another realm. As his cries filled the room, his physical body underwent a shocking transformation — his bones fractured, and his flesh seemed to dissolve into liquid. He died in agony.
A cautionary tale of justice and excess
Gao Zanshan’s fate left a deep impression on those who learned of it. Despite his scholarly appearance and seemingly noble intentions, his ruthless actions led to his downfall. Guo Zeyun lamented that, regardless of whether Gao’s cruelty stemmed from a desire to rid society of crime, build a name for himself, or simply personal conviction, he had overstepped the boundaries of law and morality. Worse still, his harsh interrogations likely led to the wrongful execution of innocent people.
Though he was an honest and frugal official, his legacy remains that of a merciless enforcer. In the end, his brutal methods did not bring him honor, but a terrifying fate — one that many believe was divine retribution.
Translated by Cecilia
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