明鏡公案

''明鏡公案'' by 葛天明 is a narrative collection of judicial cases written in the late Ming dynasty. The work presents various moral and ethical dilemmas faced within a judicial context, often involving tragic or violent circumstances that underscore the complexities of human nature and justice. Each story seems to revolve around a central theme of wrongful accusation, revenge, and the consequences of greed and lust. The opening of the book introduces the first case involving a wealthy man, 孔揚, whose family becomes the victim of a brutal murder tied to a land dispute. A rival, 之相, driven by revenge, secretly enters 孔揚's home and kills his entire family before setting the house ablaze. The intricate plot unfolds as officials investigate the incident, piecing together the clues that reveal the true story behind the murder, deception, and the quest for justice. This gripping start sets the tone for a series of narratives that explore the darker aspects of humanity and the pursuit of truth in a flawed legal system.