The Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee

“Therefore it can be said that the amelioration of the common people depends on the honesty of the magistrate; never yet has a dishonest official improved the people under him.”

This passage highlights the connection between the legal and the social by emphasizing the magistrate’s personal responsibility toward the people under his rule. He is charged with solving murders and other bureaucratic tasks, and he has a duty to perform well not for his own sake but for the benefit of those under his power.

“Now I, as district magistrate am considered as the father and mother of the people here. I cannot but see to it that the murder is avenged. Only then can I face our Sovereign on high, and the common people below.”

This quote helps Western readers understand the magistrate’s role. The phrase “the father and mother” indicates how diverse and wide-ranging a judge’s duties are. He is in charge of opening cases, investigating crimes, finding evidence, conducting interrogations, sentencing, and executing said sentences. He must also report to his superiors. He is in charge both of the legal and practical affairs of his district, as well as the spiritual and moral well-being of his subordinates. In other words, he must care for all of his people’s needs the way parents do.

“I was just indulging in some random talk. We in this world are like floating clouds passing before the eye. Today we are here, and tomorrow we may be dead.”

The young man in the bathhouse who is gossiping about Bee Hsun and his death excuses himself from the conversation by putting the shopkeeper’s death in context. He implies that human life is transient and that death awaits every person. His reference to clouds also touches upon the changing nature of humans and how we are perceived differently by different people. The quote could connect to how Mrs. Djou is seen as a pious widow by her neighbors but a criminal by the judge.

“Now although the living and the dead are living in worlds apart, I still believe that if my intention is earnest and true, the dead man will succeed in giving us some sign […] But if he was dastardly murdered, his soul must still be hovering abut near his dead body, and will manifest itself in some way or other.”

This quote is significant as it gives readers more information on Chinese beliefs about the afterlife at the time. The judge’s words imply that there are two separate realms, but that they are not completely independent. The magistrate, and presumably those around him, believes that the dead can influence the world of the living.

“You maintain that I murdered my husband on no more evidence that the testimony supplied by a ghost. But how can you prove that? Can you show me a written accusation, produced by that ghost? Let me tell you that although you are a district magistrate, you are not omnipotent.”

Mrs. Djou’s words show that she is intelligent and cunning. Though she is probably alarmed to be brought before the tribunal, she does not let her emotions take control. Instead, she demonstrates her ability to use logic and reason that without proof or confessions, the judge has no grounds to prosecute her. She is also bold in reminding Judge Dee of the limits of his powers. Her manners and speech are highly unusual not only because of her gender, which requires her to be especially humble, but also in comparison to the behavior of all other “common” people shown in the book before now.

“The laws established by our august Emperor enjoin him to rule the people, not to harm them. He himself shall have to undergo the punishment he wanted to mete out to me. If he orders me to offer a prayer to my husband, I shall do it, to get over with this affair!”

This quote reveals how the all-powerful magistrates could be held accountable. While judges could perform torture to extract confessions and could, in theory, get false ones, the punishment for torturing an innocent person to death is the death penalty not only for the magistrate, but for all those in his direct employment. Thus, Mrs. Djou implies that Judge Dee will be severely punished if he cannot prove her guilt, as he has accused an innocent person and desecrated her husband’s corpse.

“Last year, last month, yesterday,

I knew no love, and I knew no pain;

This year, this month, and to-day,

I have both love and I have pain.”

This poetic outpouring of feeling by the maiden in the Prelude is probably a clue to Mrs. Djou’s motivation for killing her husband. Prior to meeting the young rich student, her life was that of everyone else in the village. She was probably never in love with her husband but, having not experienced romance, she did not know any other way of being. The appearance of someone unlike her husband, and her attraction to him, showed her what she had been missing, and with love came the pain of knowing she was destined to stay married and poor.

“Thus one sees how closely woven are the nets of Heaven’s justice!”

This exclamation belongs to Djao, who is amazed that an old constable serving Judge Dee has straightened out the misunderstanding surrounding Turn up and Turnip Pass. His words indicate a belief in a higher power that oversees how justice is being done on earth. The allusion to nets brings to mind fishing, which in turn references how supernatural clues help Judge Dee narrow down his search to the point of finally locating Shao’s exact hiding place.

“Still, the proverb says: ‘If but one word of information against a person gets into court, nine oxen cannot drag it out again.’ Not to speak of all the bother and the loss of time.”

This quote illustrates people’s attitudes toward being involved in investigations and toward public image. Reputation is more valuable than money, so being brought to court could potentially ruin a person even if they are innocent, as rumors spread quickly and there is no way to counteract hearsay. Combined with the potential danger of being detained for questioning and losing income, this makes people very unwilling to get involved in legal matters. On one hand, this is good, as it limits false accusations and motivates citizens to search for a settlement outside of court. On the other hand, the stigma associated with being involved in a case discourages potential witnesses, such as the traveling silk merchants in the tavern by the bridge, from coming forward and testifying.

“After a couple of years the magistrate here may be transferred to some other post, but the headman of the constables will still be here for many years to come. It is wise to give him something. You may need him later in connection with some other case.”

The old, semi-deaf constable teaches Ma Joong how to maintain good relations with other officers. The younger man is outraged that the local headman requests a tip for helping them apprehend Shao. However, the old constables points out a quirk of the Chinese system: Magistrates are appointed once every two years and frequently move around, but the wardens and headmen who oversee the local villages live in those places and remain there throughout their lives. So giving tips is essential to maintain good working relationships in the future.

“He added a few kind words to comfort her and told her that, after the execution, a suitable sum of smart money would be paid to her.”

This quote exemplifies Judge Dee’s innate kindness, which tempers his quest for justice. Despite his busy schedule and the various demands on his time, he still takes a few minutes to comfort the poor carter’s widow even though she has no social consequence. The magistrate is shown to truly fulfill all the needs of his people, in this case adopting the mother’s role of providing emotional support.

“When this ceremony had been dully performed, a group of young men accompanied the pair to the bridal chamber, set on ‘teasing the newly-weds.’ […] among the young men, however, there was one Candidate Hoo Dso-bin, a fellow-student of my son, and one of his best friends. When this Candidate Hoo saw the beauty of my son’s bride, he must have become jealous, for he behaved in a most unseemly manner. He teased my son and his bride in an offensive way, making improper remarks […].”

This quote grants a glimpse into Chinese wedding customs. After the ceremony, a group of men who are friends of the newly-weds enter their bedchamber and try to make the bride blush while forcing the groom to drink alcohol. While meant to be playful and cheerful, this custom can easily become offensive and lewd, as demonstrated by Hoo’s behavior. This “teasing” is also central to the third crime, as it would have been the ideal opportunity for someone to poison the teapot. Hoo becomes the prime suspect because of his offensive words.

“The common people model their conduct after that of our leading families. Eminent persons like you are, therefore, in the center of the public eye. Since this case will be followed closely by the population of the entire district you and I must see to it that all the rules are scrupulously observed, lest it be said that the authorities when conducting a criminal case are more lenient to the local gentry that to the common people.”

This quote demonstrates Judge Dee’s innate sense of respect for his elders and diplomacy. Mr. Hua is an affluent, respected older gentleman and thus must be respected by everyone younger, including the magistrate. However, his behavior is unreasonable in this situation, as he has fixated on his son’s friend’s guilt and is unwilling to consider other options. The judge is aware that Mr. Hua’s opinion is wrong, but it would be just as wrong for the judge to contradict or refuse him, especially in public. Thus, the judge uses the excuse of public opinion as a pretext to conduct a real investigation. He also says “you and I” to appeal to Mr. Hua’s sense of responsibility.

“He has but to say the word and we obey. Have we not been eating his rice for more than six years?”

With these words Ma Joong underscores his loyalty and willingness to serve Judge Dee in whatever capacity. Furthermore, referencing eating rice conveys a stronger sense of responsibility between master and servant than simply mentioning being paid. Money is impersonal, but food is something shared with family. Thus, workers are always guaranteed at least one bowl of rice from their employers by Chinese custom, and so they articulate their relationship to the person feeding them in familial terms.

“He reflected that this young man, blessed with wealth, good looks, a clever brain, and find education, had had no excuse whatever to engage in the nefarious intrigue that caused the death of an innocent poor shopkeeper. He decided that in this case the law should be applied in its full severity.”

Judge Dee sees Hsu as a privileged young man whose only motivation for committing adultery was boredom or passion. Since extramarital affairs are considered very grave crimes, on par with murder, personal gratification is not an acceptable excuse. While Judge Dee can be merciful to those who deserve it, here he demonstrates that social status and affluence do not sway his decisions.

“He thought that if he bore with these fifty lashes without confessing, the judge would deem that appearances had been saved, and that he would then leave him alone, in consideration of his influential relations.”

Hsu habitually relies on his family’s name to get away with misbehavior. He is convinced that Judge Dee could not possibly order his execution, as that would endanger his social status. Such reasoning points to the student’s own bias in believing that keeping a social position is more important than seeking justice. Hsu is also clearly dismissive of poor people: He is not concerned with the injustice done to Bee Hsun because it does not affect him personally.

“On hearing these words, I knew how true our proverb is that says ‘Once one has ascended a tiger, it is difficult to dismount.’”

In talking about Mrs. Djou, Hsu equates her to a tiger, admitting that she is a treacherous opponent. The proverb he uses implies that after becoming involved in something dangerous, it can be even more dangerous to stop doing it. Hsu’s words also demonstrate that he has a weak character and is more afraid of public censure than of committing a crime.

“But your old mother and your small daughter are still alive. Now, when you have confessed, I must, of course, propose the capital punishment for you. But I shall add a recommendation for clemency, in view of the fact that you have an old parent to support, and must bring up your small daughter.”

This quote provides insight into the penal code. The punishment for various crimes is clearly laid out, but there is also much room for flexibility. Usually, if a criminal has dependents, their sentence can be commuted so as not to harm those who depend on them for survival.

“For that man, […] I have borne the torture inflicted on me at the beginning of this case. For him I have stood up under all questioning and all vexation. And the first time that he appears in court he blurts out everything! Was my ‘dream of spring’ worth all this?”

Here Mrs. Djou alludes to the Interlude, in which the maiden also mentions a “day-dream late in spring” (116). This quote supports the translator’s theory that the actors represent the participants in the Bee Hsun murder.

“What was there to give me happiness? During the day I slaved and toiled in the household and in the shop. At night I heard the nagging of my mother-in-law. Then Hsu Deh-tai came to our shop one day, handsome, well educated, without a care in the world. I felt a consuming passion for this man, and soon knew that he also was impressed by y beauty. When I heard that he was not married, I resolved that he would marry me, cost what it would.”

Mrs. Djou’s confession reveals the inner workings of her mind and heart. She is the only woman in the novel who makes speeches and communicates with the judge beyond a few questions and answers. Her monologue helps readers picture what the life of an impoverished married woman looked like in 18th-century China. Her description of Hsu hints at her motivation for murder: She desires both his love and the status he represents. She also wants to live “without a care in the world,” which for a woman can only be achieved through marriage to a more affluent man.

“Ma Joong was so elated by the complete success of their stratagem, that he cheerfully put on his riding jacket and went straight to the stables to select a horse.”

There is little information about Ma Joong, but this quote highlights his dedication to his work through the word “elated.” He is not simply completing the tasks the judge gives him out of obligation; he feels invested in the investigation. He is also clearly a very energetic man.

“The Code prescribes for this the most severe death penalty known to law, that is execution by the process of ‘lingering death.’”

This style of execution is considered most severe because it gradually mutilates the body through a series of cuts to such an extent that the criminal can no longer reach the afterlife. It is not a common sentence precisely because of its impact on the spiritual world. However, Mrs. Djou’s crime is also considered unforgivable, and in her case there are no mitigating circumstances—she murdered her husband for selfish reasons.

“The case of the adulterous woman, on the other hand, concerned a poor shopkeeper’s family in a small village. The magistrate initiated and solved this case, risking the loss of his rand and position, and estranging the sympathy of the people in his district. He was motivated solely by the desire that justice be done and the death of a miserable, small merchant avenged. This I consider exemplary conduct, worthy of a special citation.”

This quote from the province governor illuminates how Judge Dee is perceived by his contemporaries. Because the Chinese are often preoccupied with social status and rank, they appreciate when someone risks both to achieve a higher goal, as in the case of the magistrate pursuing Bee Hsun’s murder. Because he was not afraid to do the right thing, he has earned a special commendation, which will help him skip a few steps in the promotion ladder.