Why did the ancient death penalty have to be asked in the autumn?

In fact, in the ancient feudal dynasty of China, the clause of beheading after autumn was clearly stipulated. According to historical records, since the Han Dynasty, the date of interrogation and beheading of prisoners on death row is after autumn.

Although the Qin dynasty respected the law, it advocated strict legal system to rule the people. But in the Han Dynasty, Confucianism was advocated to govern the country. At this time, ministers wrote in succession, suggesting that Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty execute the condemned prisoners after autumn, on the grounds that autumn is the season when all things wither, and prisoners can return to their roots after death, which is in line with God's will. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty listened to this suggestion, and since then, the rulers of later dynasties have followed the practice of asking about politics after the autumn.

In ancient society, natural science was far less developed than it is now, and many mysterious natural phenomena could not be reasonably explained by the ancients. That's why we believe in the metaphysical theory of ghosts and gods and believe that everything is arranged by heaven. As a ruler, the emperor is even more convinced of this, so every year the emperor should worship heaven and earth and pray for good weather, peace and prosperity. From this perspective, the execution of the death penalty should naturally conform to the laws of nature. In spring, when everything recovers and life begins to flourish, it is not appropriate to execute the death penalty. In autumn, plants and trees wither, everything is dormant, and the world is bleak, so you can behead.

In addition, there is a theory in academic circles that China was founded on agriculture in ancient times, and among scholars, farmers and businessmen, the number of farmers was the largest. Before autumn, people will be busy with farm work and have no free time to watch the prisoners being beheaded. If they are executed before autumn, there will be no deterrent effect. But when the crops are harvested in autumn, ordinary people basically have nothing to do and have more free time. At this time, beheading prisoners is easy to arouse people's onlookers, thus warning people to abide by the law and be good citizens.