Case of Zhou Xing and Others Falsely Accusing Heichi Changzhi of Treason

In 689 AD during the Tang Dynasty, the infamous cruel official Zhou Xing falsely accused the renowned general Heichi Changzhi, the Grand Commander of Huaiyuan Army, and Right Hawkish Guard General Zhao Huaijie of conspiring to commit treason. Heichi Changzhi was a Baekje-born military leader who had rendered distinguished service defending Tang borders. Zhou Xing, exploiting Empress Wu Zetian's fears of dissent, fabricated evidence and employed severe torture to extract confessions. Despite the lack of credible proof, the accused were arrested and imprisoned. Under brutal interrogation and psychological pressure, Heichi Changzhi ultimately committed suicide by hanging himself in prison before any formal verdict could be rendered, marking a tragic end for one of the era's most capable frontier commanders.

Heichi Changzhi died by suicide in prison before trial concluded. Zhao Huaijie was executed along with other implicated individuals. Zhou Xing, the accuser, continued his career of persecution until he himself was later accused and executed by his colleague Lai Junchen. Empress Wu Zetian posthumously recognized the injustice but only after the political atmosphere had changed.

The core dispute centered on whether Zhou Xing's accusations of treason had any factual basis or were entirely fabricated to eliminate Heichi Changzhi, a powerful military figure. The case highlighted the complete lack of due process, reliance on coerced confessions obtained under torture, and the use of judicial terror as a tool of political suppression under Wu Zetian's regime. No substantive evidence of an actual rebellion plot was ever produced.

The case exemplified the reign of terror under Wu Zetian's cruel officials, demonstrating how easily baseless treason charges could destroy even the most loyal and accomplished generals. It created an atmosphere of fear throughout Tang officialdom, suppressed legitimate dissent, and eliminated experienced frontier commanders. Heichi Changzhi's death weakened Tang military leadership and stands as a classic example of judicial murder in Chinese legal history, later rehabilitated to highlight the perils of unchecked prosecutorial power.