Code of Mu

an ancient Chinese criminal law code of the Chou period. The compilation of the code is ascribed to the semilegendary king Mu, who ruled in the tenth century B.C. It is based on customary law and appears to have been compiled from records of judicial decisions. Containing 3,000 articles, the code provides for capital punishment and a number of mutilating punishments. These sentences could be commuted to monetary payments, thereby attesting to the use of money and the accumulation of property. The code distinguished between intentional and negligent crimes.