The Timeless Classics of China (6 volumes in this set)

Author: Tian Tao Zheng Qin Annotation
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1999-01-01
Features: During the Yonghui era of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Gaozong ordered Changsun Wuxin and others to revise and complete the "Yonghui Code," consisting of twelve chapters. This was essentially a copy of the "Zhenguan Code" from the reign of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty. However, Changsun Wuxin and others also provided detailed annotations for the "Yonghui Code," with each article of the law having a thorough explanation, along with self-set questions for clarification. At the time, it was referred to as the "Annotations to the Law," which later gave rise to the names "Annotations to the Yonghui Code" and "Annotations to the Tang Code." The "Annotations to the Tang Code" summarized legislative experiences since the Han Dynasty and applied them to the compilation of the law, resulting in high effectiveness. The annotations extensively quoted Confucian classics, so it was summarized that the Tang Code was completely compiled based on the principles of rites and ethics, making it a Confucianized legal code, also known as "strictly in accordance with rites." This book has been preserved to this day and serves as an important document for studying Tang Dynasty law and ancient law.
When I ruled the realm, I emulated ancient governance, clarified rites to guide the people, established laws to discipline the unruly, and published them as ordinances, which have been in effect for a long time. Yet, offenders continued to appear, so I introduced severe punishments to deal with them. I wished to make the people fear and refrain from committing crimes, issued a major edict to proclaim it to the public, so that they would know what to avoid, and this has been in place for many years. However, the law was in the hands of officials, and the people were not fully aware of it. Therefore, I specially ordered officials from the six ministries and the Censory College to summarize the key points of the major edict and attach them to the law. All annual notices and regulations were abolished. In the future, the legal authorities should only judge crimes based on the law and the major edict. Those who should be branded should be, except for the relatives of traitors and those specified in the law. For other offenses, branding should not be applied. For mixed offenses resulting in death or penalties such as servitude, exile, relocation, whipping, and caning, the current (redemption) rules should be applied. The book was compiled and published, distributing the law both within and outside the empire, so that officials and the people would know how to abide by it.
This set of books also includes the "Daqing Code and Examples," "Tiansheng Revised and Old New Laws," "Great Ming Code," "Song Criminal Code," "Da Yuan Tongzhi Tiaoge," and others, totaling six volumes.