Contents -- Preface and Acknowledgments -- Translator's Notes -- Introduction -- Part I: Judicial Procedures -- Case 1: Xu Si: A Scuffle over a Debt (Jiangsu, 1702) -- Case 2: Li Huaiyu: The Missing Brother (Hunan, 1736) -- Case 3: Ms. Guo: Accidental Homicide Concealed (Zhili, 1794) -- Case 4: Li Cang: Blackmail and Arsenic (Shanxi, 1803) -- Case 5: Cao Ligong: Attempted Rape That Led to Murder (Zhili, 1803) -- Part II: Interrogation Techniques -- Case 6: Du Huailiang: Adultery That Brought Disaster (Shandong, 1696) -- Case 7: Rui Meisheng: Manslaughter over an Outhouse (Anhui, 1722) -- Case 8: Jia Mingyuan: Accidental Homicide (Fengtian, 1796) -- Part III: Intent and Premeditated Violence -- Case 9: Luo Zhongyi: Kidnapping (Guangdong, 1728) -- Case 10: Wang Azhen: Murder for Extortion (Guangdong, 1779) -- Part IV: The Failure of "Confucian" Family Values -- Case 11: Li Er and Li San: Two Pecks of Beans (Fengtian, 1738) -- Case 12: The Hong Brothers: A Quarrel over Manure (Hunan, 1738) -- Case 13: Ms. Wang: Incest and Violent Homicide (Jilin, 1738) -- Case 14: Ms. Ma: Disguised Poisoning (Shandong, 1795) -- Part V: Control of Politically Marginal Groups and Individuals -- Case 15: A Village Vendetta and Han Intercession (Guangxi, 1728) -- Case 16: Rebellious Religious Sectarians (North China, 1791-1814) -- Case 17: Ji Yanghua: Secret Society Member (Shanxi, 1814) -- Part VI: Social Mobility and Crime -- Case 18: Jin San: A Spurned Lover (Sichuan, 1728) -- Case 19: Luo Fenpeng: A Phony Scholar-Official ( Jiangxi, 1763) -- Part VII: Imperial Intervention -- Case 20: Li Yuchang: A Magistrate Murdered for His Integrity( Jiangsu, 1809) -- Appendix 1: Banners and Other Social Organizations -- Appendix 2: Popular Religious Movements -- Appendix 3: Cases Listed by Social Conflict -- Chinese Character Glossary -- Bibliography of Studies in English.

Index.