Confucian Principles in Judge Dee's Cases

"Celebrated cases of Judge Dee" is a detective novel set in 7th Century China during the Tang Dynasty. The book follows Judge Dee, a well-known magistrate in Chang Ping who is known for his dedication to justice and solving crimes, particularly for the common Chinese people. In the story, Judge Dee investigates three murders, exploring various historical, social, legal, philosophical, and religious aspects of ancient China. The Tang Dynasty was heavily influenced by Confucianism, which had been prominent since the Han Dynasty before it.

Throughout the story, Confucian standards within Tang society heavily influence interpersonal relationships, particularly concerning relationships between father and son, ruler and subject, husband and wife, elder brother and younger brother, and friends. These standards play significant roles in the three trials that Judge Dee faces.

The analysis of stories requires an understanding of the Confucius principle, which emphasizes social order as a hierarchy of status groups and roles. According to Confucius, the ruler holds the highest position followed by officials, scholars, gentlemen, and the head of the family.

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Each role carries authority and a responsibility to lead by example for those below. The concept of right relationships, or the five relationships - father and son, ruler and subject, husband and wife, elder brother and younger brother, and friendships - is central to these interpersonal connections. [1]

Confucius emphasized the significance of respectful relationships in different areas of life. Children should respect their parents, who are expected to be moral models for their children. Rulers have a duty to care for their people, trust their subjects, and lead by example, while subjects should demonstrate loyalty and faithfulness.

Husbands are to show respect to their wives, with wives providing support in return. Elder brothers should serve as examples and look after younger siblings, who should reciprocate with respect. Friends are encouraged to always be honest and trustworthy with each other.

From the five relationship principle, every person has multiple roles to fulfill in life and society. It is essential to adhere to these relationships in order for the world and universe to progress towards perfection. These relationships are fluid and interconnected; for instance, a father can also be a subject to rulers, a friend to others, and a son to his mother. Thus, it is believed that individuals have a responsibility to fulfill their societal roles, a belief exemplified by Judge Dee in the book.

In Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee, various cases reflect the Confucian principle previously mentioned. For instance, one of Confucius' Analects states, "In order to increase the peace and harmony in society, appoint the honest and empathetic to office."哀公問曰:「何為則民服?」孔子對曰: 「舉直錯諸枉,則民服;舉枉錯諸直,則民不服。」[2]. This same principle is followed in the Judge Dee story, as indicated by the initial statement: "If, therefore, a judge is honest, then the people in his districts will be at peace." [3]. When a judge, acting as a leader to the lower levels of society, displays honesty towards the people, they will obey and the society can maintain order, exemplifying the proper relationship between ruler and subject.

In the cases faced by Judge Dee, readers can see how the principle of honesty and trustworthiness applies. The story begins with the murder of a travelling silk merchant, who was accompanied by another merchant for safety. One merchant betrays the other, kills him, sells his belongings, and flees to live a lavish life. When apprehended, the culprit shifts blame onto someone else. Confucianism emphasizes the importance of honesty and trust in friendships (Confucius believed friends should be straightforward, honest, trustworthy, and well-informed for mutual benefit). Despite this moral code, the merchant Shao chooses betrayal over friendship, disrupting the harmony in society through murder.

In Huanghua village, another murder case unfolded involving Mrs Djou, who had an affair with Mr. Hsu. To make Mr. Hsu marry her, Mrs Djou murdered her husband Bee Husn. She even went as far as giving drugs to her daughter to keep her quiet about the crime. Neglecting her ill mother-in-law, Mrs. Bee, Mrs. Djou's actions broke three principles of proper relationships. Firstly, by committing the heinous crime of killing her husband, she shattered the bond between a husband and a wife.

In addition to giving drugs to her own daughter, damaging the relationship between a parent and child, Mrs. Djou failed to provide a good model or care for her child. She also neglected Mrs. Bee's illness rather than seeking treatment, further straining family relationships. Ultimately, Judge Dee sentenced Mrs. Djou to a painful execution for killing her husband and engaging in an affair, while Mr. Hsu received a strangulation sentence for his involvement in the illicit relationship.

During the tribunal, Judge Dee condemns not only Mr. Hsu for his involvement in the crimes, but also Doctor Tang, the teacher of the private school where the incidents took place. Judge Dee criticizes Doctor Tang for failing in his duties as a tutor, as the crimes occurred under his supervision. Additionally, Judge Dee reprimands Mrs. Bee for neglecting her responsibility to supervise her daughter-in-law, leading to the crimes being committed in their household. These incidents reflect the importance of maintaining proper relationships in Chinese society, as highlighted in Confucian beliefs.

Throughout the story the concept of right relationships is heavily emphasized, with people facing punishment or criticism for failing their Confucian duty. Doctor Tang, as an elderly teacher, holds responsibility as a mentor, supervisor, and educator for his students. However, he neglects his duties in this role. The story suggests that by not fulfilling their obligations to guide and supervise the younger individuals (such as a daughter-in-law and students), Mrs. Bee and Dr. Tang indirectly allowed a crime to occur and led to a tragic outcome.

The significance of relationship dynamics is emphasized in Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee, involving ruler and ruled, friends, spouses, parents and children, and the elderly and the young. Those who deviated from these standards faced consequences from Judge Dee, reflecting Confucian principles and mirroring Tang dynasty society.

Bibliography

The book "Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee" was written by Robert Van Gulik and published in 1976 by Dover Publications, Inc. The author's name is Gulik, Robert Van.

The book "A History of Asia Sixth Edition" was written by Murphey, Rhoads and published in 2009 by Pearson Education Inc. in Upper Saddle River, NJ.

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[1] The book "A History of Asia Sixth Edition" by Rhoads Murphey was published in 2009 by Pearson Education Inc., on page 32.
[2] Confucius and his students discussed in Analects 2:19(為政第二第十九條)

[3] Robert Van Gulik, Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee (Mineola, N.Y. : Dover Publications, Inc., 1976),5

[4] Robert Van Gulik, Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee, (Mineola, N.Y. : Dover Publications, Inc., 1976), 208

[5] Robert Van Gulik, Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee, (Mineola, N.Y. : Dover Publications, Inc., 1976),208