Abstract
The case of the bogus memorial reflects the existence of an efficient information network in mid-18th century. During the investigation of this case, the judicial bureaucratic system encountered insurmountable difficulties. The social information network exhibited a web-like structure, with information transmission routes overlapping and intertwining. Judicial investigations were akin to "counting grains of sand in the sea," as the layers of pursuit uncovered only transmission routes and disseminators, while the authors of the forgery remained elusive. The investigation of the forged memorial turned into an information war between the judicial bureaucratic system and civil society. Through private relationship networks and official documents like Dibao 邸報 (imperial bulletin), the populace collected information about the investigation, leveraging their control over such information, fabricated relationships of document exchange and altered the timing of document receipt. For a judicial system entirely dependent on confessions for investigation, this proved fatal. The indistinguishable routes of dissemination ultimately formed a "circular, endless loop" in front of the presiding officials. The wrongful convictions of Shi Yidu 施亦度 and Wu Jinyi 吳進義 (1679-1762) were direct outcomes of the officials' reaction to these circular transmission routes. However, the difficulties faced in judicial investigations do not signify a decline in the state's capacity for governance. In comparison with contemporary France, the French police appeared more adept in handling similar cases involving information networks. Nevertheless, in terms of investigation outcomes, there was no significant difference.
Keywords
the case of the bogus memorial, information network, information warfare, judicial investigation, Governance
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