The Rise of Jiang Chong and the Seeds of Distrust

In the twilight years of Emperor Wu of Han’s reign (141-87 BCE), a climate of fear gripped the imperial court. The once-brilliant ruler, now aging and increasingly paranoid, became susceptible to the machinations of his trusted official Jiang Chong—a former street hustler turned imperial favorite. This unlikely confidant would orchestrate one of history’s most infamous political witch hunts: the Witchcraft Scandal (巫蛊之祸) of 91 BCE.

Jiang’s rise coincided with Emperor Wu’s growing obsession with immortality and supernatural threats. Having survived multiple assassination attempts, the emperor saw conspiracies everywhere. Jiang exploited these fears by presenting himself as a loyal watchdog against dark magic—a potent accusation in an era where witchcraft was considered treason.

The Witchcraft Accusations Unleashed

The crisis erupted when Jiang Chong secretly instructed Hu shamans to declare that “witchcraft vapors” permeated the palace. Emperor Wu, terrified of curses shortening his life, authorized Jiang to lead an investigative team including eunuch Su Wen and Marquis Han Yue.

Their search began with minor consorts but deliberately targeted Crown Prince Liu Ju and Empress Wei Zifu. Jiang’s men tore up floorboards across the Eastern Palace, “discovering” cursed wooden figurines and seditious texts—all planted evidence. When confronted with these “findings,” the 37-year-old crown prince faced an impossible choice: submit to execution or resist.

The Crown Prince’s Desperate Revolt

Advised by his tutor Shi De, Liu Ju made a fateful decision. Invoking the tragic precedent of Prince Fusu (who accepted a forged execution order from Qin Shi Huang), the prince staged a counter-coup in July 91 BCE. His forces:

– Captured and executed Jiang Chong (burning the Hu shamans alive)
– Mobilized prisoners and civilians with weapons from the imperial armory
– Sought support from the Northern Army—which remained neutral

Emperor Wu, initially skeptical of rebellion claims, was misled by cowardly messengers who falsely reported the prince’s hostility. Four separate confirmations of “rebellion” hardened the emperor’s heart.

Five Days of Blood in Chang’an

The ensuing urban warfare pitted imperial troops against the prince’s makeshift army. Key moments:

1. The Yellow Tassel Deception: Hu cavalry commanders detected forged imperial seals on the prince’s recruitment orders.
2. Mass Civilian Participation: Citizens who suffered under Jiang’s witch hunts initially backed the prince.
3. Tian Ren’s Fateful Mercy: The city gate commander allowed the prince to escape—a decision that cost him his life.

After 50,000 casualties, the prince fled while Empress Wei hanged herself following the confiscation of her imperial seals.

The Psychological Anatomy of a Tragedy

Three critical failures escalated the crisis:

1. The Emperor’s Isolation
– Cut off in the Ganquan Palace spa
– Surrounded by sycophants like Su Wen
– Last saw his son two years prior

2. Structural Vulnerabilities
– No clear succession protocols
– Overlapping military command structures
– Rampant factionalism between Wei and Li clan loyalists

3. Cultural Paranoia
– Witchcraft accusations became political weapons
– Filial piety norms prevented direct father-son communication
– The “Fusu Complex”—fear of repeating Qin dynasty’s succession disaster

The Scars Left Behind

The aftermath was brutal:

– Human Cost:
– Crown Prince Liu Ju’s entire household executed
– Empress Wei’s clan purged
– Historian Sima Qian’s friend Ren An executed despite neutrality

– Political Consequences:
– Emperor Wu’s later “Repentance Edict” (轮台诏) admitted errors
– Succession passed to young Prince Fuling (Emperor Zhao)
– Set precedent for later Han witchcraft persecutions

– Historical Echoes:
– Inspired Tang dynasty’s “Spell Books Incident” against concubine Wu
– Parallels with Stalin’s Great Purge (1936-38) in using paranoia to eliminate rivals

Why This Still Matters

The Witchcraft Scandal exemplifies how:

1. Absolute power distorts judgment
Even brilliant rulers like Emperor Wu became vulnerable to manipulation.

2. Institutional checks matter
The lack of independent verification mechanisms allowed Jiang’s lies to spread.

3. Family and state interests collide
The prince’s dual role as son and successor created irreconcilable tensions.

Modern leaders still grapple with these dynamics—from McCarthyism to contemporary authoritarian regimes. The tragedy reminds us that unchecked power, coupled with paranoia, can make even the wisest rulers destroy what they cherish most.

As the Book of Han poignantly notes: “No poison is deadlier than slander, no blade sharper than suspicion.” The ruins of the Eastern Palace stand as eternal witnesses to that truth.