Chasing truth from the perspective of history

Abstract

This paper analyzes the development processes of the text on the narration of case facts until it finally be ascertained in trial. It is a subtle evolution process from evidence to the list of events and eventually to the factual text. It is a complex task to distinguish the content that would be inexorable once being proved and to reach consensus from the content that could only be presented through rhetoric. Meanwhile, this paper compares some existing documents of chronicles, annals, and narrative history with the events list and the factual text in Cui Yingjie Case so as to illustrate how the vertical evolution takes place in the description of the case as well as the differences of all evolution stages in judicial practice.

Keywords

• Annals
• case facts
• chronicle
• historical facts
• narrative