In feudal China, law and family relations constructed a complex social structure. Especially under the rule of the emperor, the challenge to power often led to harsh retribution, the most hated and feared of which was the punishment of the "Nine Clans". This punishment is not only for the offender himself, but also for the elimination of the nine clans of his family. In this context, any small provocation to the imperial power can lead to ruin, which is not only a punishment for the individual, but also for the destruction of the entire family.
During the Northern Song Dynasty, the capital city of Kaifeng was bustling with a prosperous population, and there were various characters and stories scattered in the market. On such a spring afternoon, the market is full of people and vendors shouting one after another. In the midst of this hustle and bustle, there is a family story that stands out.
The Zhao family, a prominent clan, has a lot of influence in the court. The head of the family, Zhao Xun, is an official with profound cultural heritage and political wisdom, but his unintentional mistake caused a family tragedy.
One day, Zhao Xun accidentally mentioned the emperor's secret affairs during a private conversation with a friend after drinking, which was overheard by a malicious waiter and reported to the imperial court. When the news reached the palace, the emperor was furious and ordered the Zhao family to be severely punished to set an example.
In the early morning, before dawn, the brocade guards surrounded the Zhao family's compound impermeable. Zhao Xun was dragged out of the house and faced the officers and soldiers, his voice was filled with despair and unwillingness: "I just lost my words after drinking, why should I implicate the innocent?"
The captain of the Jinyi guard responded indifferently: "Zhulian Nine Clans, it is the emperor's will, Lord Zhao, this is for the sake of the stability of the country." Please understand for yourself. ”
When Cho Hoon's wife and children were dragged out, the scene was chaotic for a while. The wife hugged the child and burst into tears: "We are all innocent, why do even the children have to suffer?" and her words were only exchanged for Jinyiwei's indifference and ruthlessness.
In the following days, all the men of the Zhao family were executed one by one, and the women and children were sent to the frontier. A distant nephew of Zhao Xun, who was originally studying abroad, learned that his family was implicated and tried to flee, but was arrested on the way. During the interrogation, he cried, "When did I become a sinner?
This scene is not only a disaster for the Zhao family, but also a portrayal of the helplessness and sorrow of the people of that era. Since then, the Zhao family has been discredited, and the prosperity and glory of the past have come to naught in an instant.
With the dispatch or execution of the last member of the Zhao family, this once prominent family completely disappeared into the long river of history. Zhao Xun's last review of the rise and fall of the family, tears spilled on the land, and his remorse and helplessness became a common tragedy for countless people in that era.
The tragedy of the Zhao family is not only their own demise, but also a profound embodiment of the cruelty of the feudal legal system. In the game of power, countless innocent people have been swept into the waves, losing their lives and dignity. This kind of law of the nine tribes reflects the extremes and paranoia of an era, and also reflects the sadness and fragility of human nature. However, history is always reflecting and transcending in the process of moving forward, just as the light of the morning always dispels the gloom of the long night, and mankind's pursuit of justice and human rights has never stopped. Looking back at the past today, we should cherish and safeguard the dignity and rights of every individual, because the lessons of history are always heavy and profound.