本文在复原清末四大名案之一的“刺马”案判决出台之历程的基础上,对其法律适用进行深入的研究。帝制中国的法律适用并非绝对排斥法有正条却比附援引他条定罪的情况,官僚集团在法有正条时并非毫无创造性,关键在于其与皇权之间能否达成妥协的一致。学界关于清代刑事审判是依法判决的看法,有待进一步的反思。 This article is based on the history of the judgment of “Thoroughbred”, one of the four famous cases in the late Qing Dynasty, and makes an in-depth study on its legal application. The application of the law in imperial China is not absolutely exclusive of the law but more affirmative than the appellation. The bureaucratic group is not without creativity when it comes to the law. The crux lies in its agreement with the imperial power to reach a compromise. Academic circles on the criminal trial in Qing Dynasty is judgments according to law, pending further reflection.