Foreign media: Ancient Chinese law was not merely a tool for punishing crimes, but also a means of imperial power control, official rectification, and maintaining social order.
More than two thousand years ago, China already had regulations governing road management. As recorded in "Han Feizi," those who threw ash onto roads could have their hands cut off; later generations punished similar offenses with facial tattooing. The legal system also intruded into the family sphere—men might be punished for crying, and those with messy handwriting were forced to drink ink. Additionally, there were humiliating punishments such as shaving eyebrows.
These seemingly absurd rules coexisted with mature legal codes like the "Tang Code," collectively forming the imperial governance system, reflecting the strict control ancient laws exerted over public conduct, personal appearance, and writing standards.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1865605668645897/
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