#231 - Ming 20: Liu Jin & the Eight Tigers
The History of China
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Tentrdan Confucianism - The Third Purpose
In the chinese judicial system, such horrible punishments typically served a triple purpose. Under the confucian principle of sha or filial piety, one's own body is considered a gift from one's parents. To alter or cut it in any way is an insult against one's entire family line. In the case of eunuchs, that was a bit more of a complicated issue. After all, they had already had a rather significant piece of themselves removed.
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