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imported>UJ112013
imported>Sol Pacificus
I moved the note about Liu Jin's death year to his article where I think it is more relevant. / Lingchi is aka death by 1000 cuts but that's not really it translates to
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'''''Lingchi''''' (Chinese: 凌遲), translated as '''death by a thousand cuts''', was a form of torture and execution used in [[China]] from roughly 900 CE until it was banned in 1905.
'''''Lingchi''''' (Chinese: 凌遲), also known as '''death by a thousand cuts''',<ref name="Scroll 2">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: Scroll 2 (China)|Scroll 2]]</ref> was a form of torture and slow execution used in [[China]] throughout the second millennium CE.


==Description==
==Description==
The process involves tying the accused to a wooden frame, usually in a public place. Strips of flesh are then cut off the prisoner over a period of days, prolonging their life and extending their suffering.<ref name="AC China 2">''[[Assassin's Creed: China]]'' – Chapter 2</ref>
The process involves tying the condemned to a wooden frame, usually in a public place. Strips of flesh are then cut off the prisoner over a period of days, prolonging their life and extending their suffering.<ref name="AC China 2">''[[Assassin's Creed: China]]'' – Chapter 2</ref>
 
==History==
Under the [[Ming dynasty]], ''lingchi'' became a regular method of exacting capital punishment on the treasonous. In 1510,<ref name="tEG">''[[Assassin's Creed: The Essential Guide]]''</ref> it was notably used by the [[Zhengde Emperor]] to execute [[Liu Jin]], a disgraced member of the [[Eight Tigers]] who had been betrayed by his own lieutenant, [[Zhang Yong]].<ref name="Scroll 2" /><ref name="Liu Jin">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: Liu Jin]]</ref>  


==Known victims==
In 1521, while the court was transitioning to the new reign of the [[Jiajing Emperor]], the [[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Brotherhood]] of [[Assassins]] suffered a catastrophic defeat battling the [[Templars]] in the [[Forbidden City]]. At this point, the Eight Tigers who led [[Shanghai Rite of the Templar Order|Chinese Rite]] still controlled the court and seized upon this victory to enact a purge of the Assassins, their allies, and their suspected sympathizers. All were tortured and executed via ''lingchi''.<ref name="Embers">''[[Assassin's Creed: Embers]]''</ref><ref name="Scroll 7">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: Scroll 7 (China)|Scroll 7]]</ref> One of the chief executioners was the Tiger [[Ma Yongcheng]]; his sadistic enjoyment of this role earned him the epithet "the Butcher".<ref name="Scroll 7" />
*[[Liu Jin]] (1510), a member of the [[Eight Tigers]] branded a traitor.<ref name="AC China 2" /><ref name="Scroll 2">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: Scroll 2 (China)|Scroll 2]]</ref>


==Behind the Scenes==
Hence, the use of ''lingchi'' only escalated under the Jiajing Emperor, who favoured it over decapitation and employed it frequently against political dissidents and enemies.<ref name="Embers" /> He was notorious for condemning many of his [[concubine]]s to it after they attempted to assassinate him.<ref name="The Jiajing Emperor">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' [[Database: The Jiajing Emperor]]</ref>
''[[Assassin's Creed: China]]'' has Liu Jin's execution occur in 1507, ''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' implies it to have occurred 1509, wherein ''[[Assassin's Creed: The Essential Guide]]'' confirms it as 1510.


==Appearances==
==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Embers]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' {{Mdat}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' {{Mdat}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: The Official Movie Novelization]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: The Official Movie Novelization]]'' {{Mo}}

Revision as of 05:04, 1 May 2020


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Lingchi (Chinese: 凌遲), also known as death by a thousand cuts,[1] was a form of torture and slow execution used in China throughout the second millennium CE.

Description

The process involves tying the condemned to a wooden frame, usually in a public place. Strips of flesh are then cut off the prisoner over a period of days, prolonging their life and extending their suffering.[2]

History

Under the Ming dynasty, lingchi became a regular method of exacting capital punishment on the treasonous. In 1510,[3] it was notably used by the Zhengde Emperor to execute Liu Jin, a disgraced member of the Eight Tigers who had been betrayed by his own lieutenant, Zhang Yong.[1][4]

In 1521, while the court was transitioning to the new reign of the Jiajing Emperor, the Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins suffered a catastrophic defeat battling the Templars in the Forbidden City. At this point, the Eight Tigers who led Chinese Rite still controlled the court and seized upon this victory to enact a purge of the Assassins, their allies, and their suspected sympathizers. All were tortured and executed via lingchi.[5][6] One of the chief executioners was the Tiger Ma Yongcheng; his sadistic enjoyment of this role earned him the epithet "the Butcher".[6]

Hence, the use of lingchi only escalated under the Jiajing Emperor, who favoured it over decapitation and employed it frequently against political dissidents and enemies.[5] He was notorious for condemning many of his concubines to it after they attempted to assassinate him.[7]

Appearances

References