Qianlong ordered the nine-year-old boy to be hanged, but was shouted by the people
Travel back in time to 1779 and a deep, little-known story unfolds. When the Qianlong Emperor ordered the execution of a nine-year-old boy from Sichuan, the people applauded the emperor's decision. This seemingly unbelievable event raises numerous questions: Why was this child put to death? Why are people so convinced?
In this compelling story, we will analyze Qianlong's decision-making and understand his political and social context. Behind this seemingly brutal order, there may be a more complex and profound historical truth. Let's step into the fog of this court decision and unravel this incredible mystery that has been celebrated.
i.The intertwined fates of two peasant children.
During the Qianlong period, in the countryside of Sichuan, the rice fields and sericultures were idyllic and quiet. It can be described as a paradise scenery. However, this is only the surface of the serenity. Liu Zi was born in a local family of four, but the family was poor. Although he was only nine years old, he took on the responsibility of providing for his family from an early age. Li Zixiang, who is the same age as Liu Zhizi, is even more unfortunate, losing his parents since he was a child and living in a foreign country.
Two children struggle to survive in a desolate land. Although their hearts are still pure, they have long learned that they are insensitive to survival. The young minds crave nothing but food, so they begin a relentless struggle for survival. In this struggle, they slowly began to clash.
A child born in such a difficult environment is certainly not the same as a child born in a wealthy place. Andy Lau and Lee Zixiang were much less naïve when they were children, but under the pressure of survival, they became mature and sophisticated. For both of them, food is no longer a necessity, but a matter of will and strength.
So, in this harsh land, they both died in a fierce battle for food. What's even more disgusting is that Lawrence ** Liu Yong actually killed Li Zicheng in a fight, thus ending Li Zicheng's life.
ii.Pay attention to the balance between law and education.
* After the incident, Wen Shou, the governor of Sichuan, thought that Liu Yong's newborn calf was not afraid of tigers and was naïve, so he suggested to Emperor Qianlong that he be lenient, spare the poor nine-year-old boy's life, and raise him as a son. But when Wenshou was merciful, Emperor Qianlong had a completely different view.
When Qianlong was confronted with the kidnapping of Liu, he immediately decided to meet this tragic end. He believes that everyone is equal before the law and that even a nine-year-old should not be treated preferentially. Strict punishment and strict law are the cornerstone of maintaining social order, and there is no room for leniency.
Therefore, Qianlong resolutely ordered Liu Yong to be executed, and the child was raised to set an example. Wen Shou and Qianlong had a fierce debate on law and human nature on this opposing position, but Qianlong always believed that the law should be fair and just, not to mention that in this case, the child will not be irreparable in the future. Liu Yong's death became inevitable.
For some time, the focus has been on the conflict between jurisprudence and doctrine. Confucianism represented by Wen Shou Gong emphasized"Benevolent government"with"Humane"believes that detainees are highly adaptable and can be improved through education. On the other hand, Emperor Qianlong's Legalist ideology believed that severe punishment and strict law were the foundation of stability, and those who disturbed social stability should be severely punished. Although the official debate ended with Qianlong's decisive announcement, it provoked widespread outrage at the time.
iii.Public**: Strict law and order is required.
When Emperor Qianlong decided to kill Liu Xuanzi, the people of Sichuan unexpectedly responded with warm applause and frequent applause. It can be said that this reaction came as a surprise to today's people. Many scholars wrote to Qianlong expressing their satisfaction with this draconian decision. They believe that Liu Yong committed an unforgivable crime at a young age.
Willingness will encourage lawlessness and lawlessness, and ultimately undermine the stability of the entire society. Therefore, strict punishment is an inevitable iron law that the law cannot tolerate outsiders. The scholars also stressed that in order to establish the rule of law, inappropriate violations must be punished, even if they are minors.
Although insensitive, the vast majority of people hold this view. In the legal society of the Qing Dynasty at that time, law and morality were closely linked. It is believed that Liu Yong, who was **, is a ruthless murderer, although he is still young, but he cannot be ignored. If we are kind to him and educate him, it will encourage him to do evil in the future, so we can punish him severely to deter his terrible nature. From this, we can feel that the rule of law is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.
iv.Change the perception of the rule of law.
For modern man, this behavior is inhumane. However, in the Qing Dynasty, social identity was always present"The law must be strict"The concept. In the process of social development, this concept has gradually changed.
After the draw, the dispute between Confucianism and law became an important historical turning point in the revolution. The essence of this debate is that the law should pay more attention to human nature, at least for minors, as much as possible"High morals"。This gradual change of thinking from strict punishment to benevolence and righteousness had a positive impact on the future development of the rule of law in society at that time, and also laid a solid foundation for the establishment of constitutionalism and the rule of law in the future.
Liu Tie-up's death was an important turning point in the history of the rule of law in the Qing Dynasty. His tragic fate has become a classic case of legal education, and it has also provided an opportunity for future legal reform. This kind of social belief lasted for a long time, and the reform of the rule of law gradually fermented, and the murder of Liu Tie became a milestone leading social progress.
The study of history often reminds us of reality. Today, despite the tragedy of the tie, we are guided by the spirit of the rule of law, which is based on justice and kindness.
Although the Qianlong Dynasty's concept of the rule of law seems to be strict, the emphasis on the authority of the law and the pursuit of social stability and order are the foundation of today's rule of law society. The fierce controversy between the Qianlong Emperor and the Sichuan peasants at that time also revealed the pains of social transformation. Fortunately, this controversy sparked later advances in the rule of law.
The tie case reminds us that it takes a long time to establish a fair and just rule of law. In this process of development, conflicts and contradictions will inevitably arise. At the same time, this historical tragedy also reminds us that we must be vigilant against the impact of the social environment on minors and give them more humanistic care.
The wheels of history continue to turn, and even today, 225 years later, Newton's death is a cautionary tale. This case is not only an important milestone in the history of law, but will also continue to stimulate our thinking and promote the development of the rule of law and social responsibility. The progress of any civilized society is based on the in-depth study of history, and the concept of good governance in the midst of the changes will continue to be enriched and developed along with the development of the rule of law.