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''Lingchi'' was already a known method of execution in China during the 8th century. During the [[An Lushan Rebellion]], [[Yeluohe]] general [[Shi Siming]] captured the [[Tang dynasty|Tang]] loyalist leader [[Yan Gaoqing]] upon putting down his counter-rebellion in [[Changshan Commandery|Changshan]]. He claimed while interrogating him that he would be executed via ''lingchi'' should he be sent to [[An Lushan]]—for that was Lushan's punishment for "traitors"—but that he himself would grant Gaoqing a swift death if he were to express regret for his resistance and begged for forgiveness.<ref name="Dynasty 32">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[The Last Stand of Justice (Part 8)]]</ref>
''Lingchi'' was already a known method of execution in China during the 8th century. During the [[An Lushan Rebellion]], [[Yeluohe]] general [[Shi Siming]] captured the [[Tang dynasty|Tang]] loyalist leader [[Yan Gaoqing]] upon putting down his counter-rebellion in [[Changshan Commandery|Changshan]]. He claimed while interrogating him that he would be executed via ''lingchi'' should he be sent to [[An Lushan]]—for that was Lushan's punishment for "traitors"—but that he himself would grant Gaoqing a swift death if he were to express regret for his resistance and begged for forgiveness.<ref name="Dynasty 32">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[The Last Stand of Justice (Part 8)]]</ref>


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 Emperor [[Zhu Houzhao]] 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>  
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 [[Zhu Houzhao|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>  


In 1521, while the court was transitioning to the new reign of Emperor [[Zhu Houcong]], the [[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese 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 under the pretenses of the [[Great Rites Controversy]]. 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)|Database: 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" />
In 1521, while the court was transitioning to the new reign of the [[Zhu Houcong|Jiajing Emperor]], the [[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese 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 under the pretenses of the [[Great Rites Controversy]]. 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)|Database: 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" /> 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 {{wiki|Palace plot of Renyin year|assassinate}} him.<ref name="The Jiajing Emperor">''Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China'' – [[Database: The Jiajing Emperor]]</ref>
 
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 {{wiki|Palace plot of Renyin year|assassinate}} him.<ref name="The Jiajing Emperor">''Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China'' – [[Database: The Jiajing Emperor]]</ref>


==Appearances==
==Appearances==

Revision as of 05:50, 15 June 2023

Liu Jin being executed via lingchi

Lingchi (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

Lingchi was already a known method of execution in China during the 8th century. During the An Lushan Rebellion, Yeluohe general Shi Siming captured the Tang loyalist leader Yan Gaoqing upon putting down his counter-rebellion in Changshan. He claimed while interrogating him that he would be executed via lingchi should he be sent to An Lushan—for that was Lushan's punishment for "traitors"—but that he himself would grant Gaoqing a swift death if he were to express regret for his resistance and begged for forgiveness.[3]

Under the Ming dynasty, lingchi became a regular method of exacting capital punishment on the treasonous. In 1510,[4] 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][5]

In 1521, while the court was transitioning to the new reign of the Jiajing Emperor, the Chinese 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 under the pretenses of the Great Rites Controversy. All were tortured and executed via lingchi.[6][7] One of the chief executioners was the Tiger Ma Yongcheng; his sadistic enjoyment of this role earned him the epithet "the Butcher".[7] 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.[6] He was notorious for condemning many of his concubines to it after they attempted to assassinate him.[8]

Appearances

References

zh:凌迟