The Imperial Concubine - A punishment with just a piece of paper but the brutality is no less than being executed by slicing

This punishment was devised by the Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang. This type of punishment was so cruel that prisoners would rather die than endure it upon hearing its name.

The cruelty of the "concubine" punishment

This type of punishment is called "thiep gia quan" . This name actually comes from the form of opera performance. In each opera school, there will be an opening performance, 3 actors playing the role of the gods "Thien Dia Thuy" facing the audience and presenting prayers and congratulations with good meanings. These actors all wear masks, they are called "thiep dien cu". Later, Zhu Yuanzhang thought of a way to replace the masks with paper to punish prisoners.

Zhu Yuanzhang took the idea of ​​the "concubine's punishment" from the form of opera. (Photo: Sohu)

Some opinions say that how can just a piece of paper kill someone? To better understand the brutality of this punishment, first, let's learn about the process of "thiep gia quan " as follows:

The prisoners' hands and feet were tied tightly and their heads were pulled back. Then, a piece of paper was placed on the face and forehead of the tortured person and water was poured directly on the nose and mouth. At first, only one piece of paper was placed on the prisoner's face. If the person did not confess, more paper was added. The more paper there was, the more difficult it was for the victim to breathe.

The prisoner will have a piece of paper placed on his face and then the torturer will pour water directly on it. (Photo: Sohu)

"Thiep gia quan" will deprive the victim of oxygen and cause a feeling of drowning . The paper covering the face will act as a one-way valve, allowing only exhalation but not inhalation. When using this method, the torturer will monitor to avoid accidental death. This type of torture may seem simple at first glance, but in fact it is a form of invisible murder . Its cruelty is considered no less than that of slicing and chi.

The victim had no oxygen to breathe and felt like he was drowning. (Photo: Sohu)

According to many historical documents, many prisoners were tortured by the "concubine". Most of them suffocated when the fifth sheet of paper was placed on their face. After the prisoner died, the water evaporated, leaving only concave and convex marks on the victim's face. At first glance, their faces looked like they were wearing masks .

Once the paper dries, it will stick to the tortured person's face like a mask. (Photo: Sohu)

This type of punishment was very cruel, so it worked very well. Many corrupt officials were exposed, and they were all afraid and did not dare to act recklessly. However, later on, this type of "concubine" punishment gradually developed into a "tool" for the harem to fight for power and gain. This method was completely opposite to Zhu Yuanzhang's original purpose when he invented it. This was something Zhu Yuanzhang had never expected.