During the Guangxu period of the late Qing Dynasty, the cool official Yuxian invented an extremely cruel punishment - standing punishment. This punishment was carried out through a special wooden cage with sharp nails on the inner walls, which immobilized the prisoner and could be stabbed by the nails at the slightest movement. The height of the cage caused the prisoner to get his neck stuck in a wooden ring, and the bricks were placed under his feet, and the bricks were gradually withdrawn until the prisoner hung in the air, and finally died of tetanus or weakness. This punishment not only causes great physical harm to the prisoners, but also causes them great psychological fear and suffering. The cruelty of standing punishment lies in the physical and mental torture of the prisoner, and the prisoner not only has to endure severe physical pain in this punishment.
During the Guangxu period of the late Qing Dynasty, the cool official Yuxian invented an extremely cruel punishment - standing punishment. This punishment was carried out through a special wooden cage with sharp nails on the inner walls, which immobilized the prisoner and could be stabbed by the nails at the slightest movement. The height of the cage caused the prisoner to get his neck stuck in a wooden ring, and the bricks were placed under his feet, and the bricks were gradually withdrawn until the prisoner hung in the air, and finally died of tetanus or weakness. This punishment not only causes great physical harm to the prisoners, but also causes them great psychological fear and suffering. The cruelty of standing punishment lies in the physical and mental torture of the prisoner, who not only has to endure severe physical pain, but also has to face endless despair and fear. The imposition of such a punishment is undoubtedly a great violation of human nature and a serious violation of human rights, and its cruelty is extremely rare in history.
The cruelty of the standing punishment lies not only in the physical pain, but also in the psychological torture of the prisoner. The prisoners were immobilized in the wooden cage and eventually contracted tetanus from the stab wounds of iron nails, or suffocated from being suspended in the air. This punishment resulted in a large number of deaths in a short period of time, with 370 people executed in two months. The imposition of this punishment not only caused great harm to the prisoners, but also had a profound impact on the society of the time. It not only shows the extreme abuse of power by the rulers, but also reflects the disregard for humanity and the contempt for life in the society of the time. The existence of this kind of punishment has shaken people's belief in law and justice, and questioned the order and morality of society. It is not only a devastation to the individual, but also a wake-up call to the whole society, reminding people to reflect on the boundaries of power and the bottom line of human nature.
In addition to standing punishment, Yuxian also invented a variety of tortures, such as kneeling iron thistle and air toad, which were equally cruel and caused great suffering to the prisoners. The kneeling thistle makes the prisoner kneel on the ground covered with sharp iron thorns, while the air toad places the prisoner in a small space, making it difficult for him to breathe until he suffocates. Yuxian's methods of governance were not limited to punishment, but he also maintained law and order through mass murder and the development of armaments. Although these extreme measures seem to be effective in the short term, in the long run, they have caused great harm to the people and caused social discontent and unrest. This kind of governance not only failed to solve social problems, but exacerbated social contradictions and conflicts, and led to growing dissatisfaction and rebellion against the rulers.
During his reign in Caozhou, Yuxian initially used brutal methods against the Boxers, but later turned to supporting the Boxers and using their power against the Western powers. This change was due on the one hand to changes in the international situation, and on the other hand, it was also due to the fact that some of the leaders of the Boxers changed their tactics under the coercion and inducement of Yuxian. By providing funds and weapons, and even personally participating in planning and commanding, he tried to transform the forces of the Boxers into a tool against foreign enemies. However, although this strategy had some effect in the short term, making the Boxers his pawns to a certain extent, it also ultimately led to his defeat and death. Such short-sightedness and expediency have not only failed to truly resolve internal and external contradictions, but have intensified the conflict and made the situation more complicated and dangerous. In the end, Yuxian's strategy not only failed to protect himself, but instead hastened his demise, becoming a warning to history.
Yuxian was eventually executed by the Qing government for the failure of the Boxer Rebellion. His life was full of contradictions and complexities, and despite his abilities, he ultimately failed to stand by the people and used his abilities in the wrong direction. He tried to assert his power and position through extreme measures, but these methods not only failed to win the hearts and minds of the people, but instead provoked more revolt and discontent. Yuxian's death was not only his personal tragedy, but also a microcosm of the social upheaval and corruption in the last years of the Qing Dynasty. His life and ending provoked a deep reflection on power, violence, and governance. His story is a reminder that power, if not used for justice and the well-being of its people, will ultimately lead to disaster and destruction. This reflection is not only a review of history, but also a warning of the future, reminding people of the need to remain vigilant and prudent in the face of power.