英文摘要 |
In traditional Chinese society, the tithing system played an important partin administration and the preservation of social order. Cases in the Qing judicialarchives provide information about the workings of the tithing system, aswell as clues about how ordinary people had a degree of responsibility for themaintenance of public security. A series of statutes forced anyone aware of anillegal activity to investigate it and take appropriate action. Once a homicidecase occurred, in addition to the principal suspect, additional persons such asneighbors, relatives, and even strangers could be summoned to provide depositionsand be questioned before a court. The aim of the Qing statues was to preventmalfeasance by charging ordinary people with responsibility for reportingon the illicit activities of others. It even compelled innocent bystanders or witnessesto become involved. This study utilizes cases from Xingke tiben (Boardof Punishments routine memorials) and other legal documents, all of whichhappen to deal with disputes about a husband’s wife-selling and abetting or toleratinga wife’s illicit intercourse, to investigate what the Qing judiciaryexpected bystanders to do, and how those involved responded. |