A juren from Yongnian County in the Kangxi Era, who committed a shocking act of self-punishment after a heinous crime, leading to his downfall.
Li Sijian was a juren (a degree holder) from Yongnian County. On September 28th in the fourth year of Kangxi’s reign, he personally killed his wife, Li Shi. The local authorities in Yongnian reported his case to Guangping Prefecture, and Guangping Prefecture subsequently sent officials to investigate in Yongnian. When Li Sijian was being escorted to the prefectural yamen (government office), he suddenly grabbed a butcher’s knife from a roadside meat rack, rushed into the City God Temple, climbed onto the stage in front of the temple’s deity, knelt down, and muttered to himself, “God reproached me for believing the deceitful words of wicked people, causing me to sow discord among my fellow villagers, and cutting off my ear.” After saying this, he cut off his left ear and threw it down onto the stage. He continued, “God reproached me for deceiving people for money, causing me to cut off my fingers.” After saying this, he cut off the fingers of his left hand. Then he said, “God reproached me for committing adultery with women, causing me to cut off my genitals.” After saying this, he castrated himself and then collapsed unconscious on the ground. At that time, Governor Zhu Yunmen had already submitted a memorial to the court requesting the removal of Li Sijian’s juren status, which had been approved by the court. However, Li Sijian himself had already been executed by the underworld’s Court of Punishments. I read this story in a copied edition of a government gazette.
《李司鉴》
李司鉴，永年举人也。于康熙四年九月二十八日，打死其妻李氏。地方报广平，行永年查审。司鉴在府前，忽于肉架下，夺一屠刀，奔入城隍庙，登戏台上，对神而跪，自言：“神责我不当听信奸人，在乡党颠倒是非，着我割耳。”遂将左耳割落，抛台下。又言：“神责我不应骗人银钱，着我剁指。”遂将左指剁去。又言：“神责我不当奸淫妇女，使我割肾。”遂自阉，昏迷僵仆。时总督朱云门题参革褫究拟，已奉俞旨，而司鉴已伏冥诛矣。邸抄。