Tang Code
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A penal code with its official commentary attached becomes the model followed, often clause for clause, by Japan, Korea and Vietnam, and the template of East Asian law for a millennium.
- general principles of intent and complicity stated before specific offences
- penalties graded by the relationship between offender and victim
- official commentary with worked cases attached to the statute
- a model adopted across East Asia largely intact
The code sets out five punishments, ten abominations that admit no amnesty, and general principles of intent, attempt, complicity and the reduction of penalties, before the specific articles. The Yonghui commentary explains each provision and supplies worked cases, which made it teachable and exportable. Its most distinctive feature is that punishment varies with the relationship between the parties, so an offence against a senior kinsman is graver than the same act against a stranger. It is the earliest Chinese code to survive complete.
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