Even if the drawings on the wanted posters are so poorly done that even the criminal’s family might not recognize them, the criminals still find it hard to escape! Why is that?
In many Chinese historical dramas, you’ve likely seen wanted posters searching for fugitives plastered all over the walls.
These posters typically feature a portrait and details about the criminal’s name. However, the drawings often differ significantly from the actual appearance of the person. Consequently, many believe these posters are ineffective, making it difficult for the authorities of ancient times to apprehend criminals.
Before the invention of the camera, if people wanted to capture their likeness, they had to rely on artists. Naturally, portraits of emperors and well-known officials were created by master painters, resulting in a close resemblance to their real-life appearances.
In contrast, during ancient times, when it came to capturing criminals, artists temporarily hired by the authorities were often not very reliable. The illustrations on wanted posters frequently lacked detail and were hard to identify, yet the authorities still managed to capture these criminals and bring them to justice. Why?
In reality, escaping capture by the authorities in ancient China was quite difficult for criminals. This is primarily because the process of locating wanted criminals was not solely reliant on the drawings on posters but mainly depended on three key methods.
An official holding wanted posters in search of a fugitive in historical dramas. (Photo: Baidu).
Method 1: The Identification Documentation System
Generally speaking, in ancient times, if authorities wanted to capture someone, they would provide detailed descriptions of specific facial features alongside the illustrative drawings of the suspect.
Although literacy rates among the general populace were low, the prevalence of these posters meant that some literate individuals could read them. Thus, the combination of illustrations and information on the posters helped the public recognize the fugitive. This made it difficult for wanted criminals to blend into the crowd.
Moreover, the identification system during the feudal era closely resembled contemporary forms of personal identification, such as ID cards and citizenship documents. Over various dynasties, this type of identity certification in China had different names.
In feudal times, without such identification, individuals would struggle to rent lodgings. They would also find it difficult to seek accommodation with residents. When a stranger appeared at a home, the residents would first ask for identification. Lacking such documentation meant that the person had an unknown background. Consequently, it was hard for wanted criminals to hide among the common people.
Finding a place to hide became quite challenging for criminals due to this identification system. They could not present their identification while on the run. However, if they did not show any ID, no one would allow them to stay or rent a room. As a result, these criminals were left to wander and hide in the corners of streets or in abandoned temples.
In these places, while they could escape capture, they lacked proper sleeping arrangements and had difficulty finding food. But if they dared to show themselves, they would immediately be apprehended by groups of officials. Thus, regardless of the path they chose, it was difficult for them to escape.
Method 2: The Principle of Collective Responsibility
This principle was implemented during the Qin Dynasty (China). According to this rule, ten households would form one unit (a type of household registration system from ancient times). If one of these households had a criminal, the other nine households were responsible for reporting it. Failure to do so would result in equivalent punishment.
Additionally, in ancient times, the differences in tone and pronunciation (in other words, dialects) between regions were profound. When a stranger from another area arrived, local residents would quickly recognize them. If asked about their identity, failure to provide clear information would lead to a report to the authorities.
Method 3: Rewards for Capturing Criminals
The authorities would specify the reward amount on these posters for anyone who found the criminal. The reward would increase significantly if the individual personally brought the criminal to the authorities.
An illustration of a wanted poster from ancient times. (Photo: Baidu).
Rewards typically ranged from 100 to 1,000 taels of silver. If converted to modern currency, during the Tang Dynasty, one tael of silver was equivalent to 3,000 CNY (about nearly 11 million VND). In the Song Dynasty, one tael was roughly 1,300 CNY (around nearly 5 million VND). Thus, a reward of 100 to 1,000 taels of silver was quite substantial during those eras.
However, claiming these rewards was not easy. The individuals being pursued were often serious criminals and very dangerous. Nevertheless, many people in that era still sought to “hunt” criminals for the rewards, hoping to become wealthy overnight.
