Gao Qi's Execution

In 1734, a Ming dynasty poet named Gao Qi was criticized for his political satire and was therefore accused of being involved in a "rebellion conspiracy." He was sentenced to be executed by being chopped into eight parts. After being cut in two at the waist, he remained alive long enough to write with his own blood, this Chinese character 慘, which translates to "horrible.” He wrote it 7 times before dying. After hearing this, the Emperor abolished this form of execution.