In 900 AD, the codification of Lingchi, or 'Death by a Thousand Cuts,' became formalized in Chinese law as a punishment for severe crimes like treason. This gruesome method of execution was intended to serve as a deterrent and reflect the severity of the offense. The practice of Lingchi has been a subject of historical and ethical debate, illustrating the complexities of justice and punishment in imperial China.

The codification of Lingchi in Chinese law became a powerful motif in poetry, symbolizing degradation and suffering. This brutal form of punishment influenced East Asian literary traditions, prompting reflections on justice, morality, and the human condition, which resonated in the works of poets grappling with ethical dilemmas.