Throughout Chinese history, ruthless enforcers of power have left their mark, but few were as feared as Lai Junchen, a sinister figure who thrived during the reign of Empress Wu Zetian. Combining brutal torture, intricate conspiracies, and an insatiable hunger for power, Lai Junchen rose from a common criminal to become one of the most infamous secret police chiefs in history—only to meet the gruesome fate he had inflicted on countless others.

From Prisoner to Power

Born in 651 AD in modern-day Xi’an, Lai Junchen was destined for infamy from the start. His father was a gambler, and young Lai developed a cruel and deceitful nature, frequently getting into trouble. His life took a dark turn when he was imprisoned for theft, but rather than being broken by the experience, he saw it as an opportunity.

At the time, Empress Wu Zetian was consolidating her power, encouraging citizens to denounce political opponents. Lai seized on this policy, fabricating accusations against fellow prisoners. His lucky guesses occasionally uncovered real conspiracies, which caught the attention of Wu Zetian’s court. Impressed by his cunning and ruthlessness, she appointed him as an imperial investigator.

For Lai Junchen, this was a golden ticket. He went from a petty criminal to a feared interrogator with unchecked power. His job? Eliminating threats to Wu Zetian’s rule. His methods? Deception, intimidation, and unspeakable cruelty.

Master of Fear: The “Luo Zhi Jing”

Once in power, Lai Junchen refined the art of political persecution. He authored a sinister handbook called the “Luo Zhi Jing” (罗织经), a manual on how to fabricate charges, extract confessions, and ensure the accused were found guilty. The guide became a blueprint for oppression, so terrifying that even the legendary judge Di Renjie reportedly shuddered at its contents.

Lai didn’t just rely on psychological manipulation—he also introduced horrific new torture devices. His notorious methods included:

• Forcing prisoners to drink vinegar and soak in urine, weakening their spirits before interrogation.
• Starvation tactics, where prisoners, left without food, would eventually chew on their own clothes in desperation.
• The “Jade Maiden Ascending the Ladder” (玉女登梯), where female prisoners were forced to climb a ladder embedded with sharp spikes, shredding their clothing and dignity alike.
• Giant wooden collars with ominous names like “No Breath Left” (喘不得) and “Doomed Pig” (死猪愁), designed to inflict maximum pain and psychological terror.

Even high-ranking officials were not safe. Lai extorted bribes in exchange for “protection” and kept a personal “flower registry” of women he found attractive, seizing them as he pleased. His actions plunged the imperial court into an atmosphere of fear, where even the innocent risked execution.

The Fall of a Tyrant

For years, Lai Junchen thrived, but his insatiable ambition became his downfall. When he turned his accusations toward the imperial family—targeting Crown Prince Li Dan and Prince Li Xian—Wu Zetian’s court finally had enough. Powerful figures, including Princess Taiping, orchestrated his downfall.

Despite Wu Zetian’s initial reluctance, mounting evidence forced her hand. Lai Junchen was imprisoned, subjected to the very tortures he had inflicted on others, and finally executed. When his severed head was displayed, the people of Luoyang rejoiced. His body was mutilated by enraged citizens who had long suffered under his reign of terror, marking the end of an era of brutality.

Legacy of Fear

Lai Junchen’s story is a chilling reminder of the dangers of unchecked power. His rule left a scar on Wu Zetian’s dynasty, ultimately forcing the empress to reconsider her reliance on secret police and political purges.

While his “Luo Zhi Jing” may have been lost to history, his tactics live on in modern authoritarian regimes. Governments throughout history have employed similar methods to suppress dissent, manipulate justice, and maintain control. In that sense, the shadow of Lai Junchen still lingers, a testament to the enduring struggle between power and justice.