Reading the Law: Random Remarks

Author: Lei Menglin (Ming Dynasty)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2000-01-01
Features: Thirty volumes of "Jiliu Suoyan" with one additional volume, compiled by Lei Menglin, a former Minister of the Ministry of Justice during the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty. It is a highly influential work in Ming Dynasty legal studies. The Ming Dynasty was one of the ancient Chinese dynasties that placed great emphasis on feudal law. Its founding emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang, valued the formulation and dissemination of laws. As early as the beginning of his reign as King of Wu, he ordered discussions on the formulation of laws and regulations. During the Hongwu era, Zhu Yuanzhang personally led the effort, which spanned thirty years and underwent four major revisions. Finally, in the 30th year of the Hongwu era, the "Dai Ming Lü" (Great Ming Code), a law code refined over time, was promulgated.