During the mid to late Qing Dynasty under Emperor Qianlong, there was severe land consolidation, heavy taxation, corrupt governance, and frequent disasters, leading to growing discontent among the populace. Qianlong needed to divert attention and intimidate potential rebellions. The court created an atmosphere of "everyone is in danger" through rumors of "soul-calling sorcery" and large-scale arrests. The common people shifted their dissatisfaction from the economic oppression of the court to fear of the "demonic people cutting their braids," even resorting to mutual surveillance and informing on each other (similar to an encouragement of informant systems). This was more insidious than direct suppression, as the public directed their fear towards "external demons and evils" rather than the court itself. During this period, the peak of Qianlong's literary inquisition (over 130 cases) coincided with the crackdown on books, and many local officials were doubly punished for "hiding seditious books" or failing to effectively handle soul-calling cases, casting a shadow of terror over the bureaucratic system. Qianlong used this case to strengthen imperial power, reform the bureaucracy, and create fear to maintain stability. It effectively suppressed public discontent in the short term but also exposed the absurdity and cruelty of autocratic rule. History tends to repeat itself; creating fear and diverting conflicts are very effective means. If you encounter many dangerous things every day that seem to be caused by "outsiders" or if there are bad people around you waiting for you to report them, then you are already involved.