Chapter 184: The Release from Sentence Assembly
Chapter 180 of "The Great Ming in the Box" starts with thrilling twists: After hearing Gao Yiyeâs relayed account, Thirty-Two suddenly understood the Deityâs meaning. âThe labor offenders... Continue the story!
After hearing Gao Yiyeâs relayed account, Thirty-Two suddenly understood the Deityâs meaning. âThe labor offenders truly need some motivation. Initially, they were content with just having enough to eat. But after the short-term workers arrivedâwho not only ate their fill but also earned wagesâthe labor offenders began to feel somewhatâŚâLi Daoxuan chuckled inwardly. Somewhat like they were slacking off, right? Too bad the Ming Dynasty doesnât have a phrase for âslacking off.â You canât articulate it. Ha ha ha.
Just as this thought crossed his mind, he saw Thirty-Two adopt his signature expression and exclaim dramatically, ââ
Li Daoxuan startled. Oh heavens! An expression of shock. They actually describe it that way? So ancient people already coined an idiom for âslacking off.â Shame on me, an ignoramus! Iâve failed our ancestors. I must study more from now on, reviving the wisdom lost by past sages.
Thirty-Two declared, âI grasp the Deityâs intent. I already have an idea how to proceed. I will handle this matter flawlessly at once.â
Gao Yiye suddenly whispered, âLet me tell you secretlyâthe Deityâs expression looked sorrowful.â
Thirty-Two: âEh?â
Gao Yiye added: âRight after you said those four wordsââembracing poverty while holding onto moralityââthe Deityâs expression instantly darkened. There seemed to be a profound sorrow, a sense of deep regret.â
Thirty-Twoâs expression turned grave. âI understand. The Deity grieves for mankind and cannot bear to see anyone lose hope. That is why the phrase âembracing poverty while holding onto moralityâ saddened him. Having received the Deityâs immense grace, I must repay it by exerting myself here to assist. Leave the labor offenders to me for reassurance. I will ensure the Deity doesnât remain troubled.â
Gao Yiye nodded. âThat would be best.â
Thirty-Two felt revitalized, his motivation surging. This incident had saddened the Deity! As the Deityâs foremost associate, he must summon every ounce of skill today to restore the Deityâs smile.
âTan Liwen!â Thirty-Two raised his voice and called out, âGather all attendants! Summon every labor offender! This Steward will hold an assembly!â
Tan Liwenâs voice responded from next door, âJust a moment, Dong Weng! Iâll do it immediately!â
After a short while, Thirty-Two arrived in the Labor Offenders Village with Clerk Tan Liwen and a group of over thirty attendants.
Early in the morning, the villagers had just risen and finished breakfast, preparing to start working.
Thirty-Two shouted with authority, âAll labor offenders gather! An important announcement will be made!â
This shout electrified the offenders. After months of labor rehabilitation at Gaojia Village, theyâd never gotten more than a cursory glance. Thirty-Two and Tan Liwen occasionally appeared to bark orders like âChop trees today!â âMake furniture!â âGet someone to cut bamboo!â before leaving abruptly.
But todayâan assembly?
Amidst growing murmurs, the offenders crowded around.
Li Daoxuan had forgotten the appearance of the five newly arrived labor offenders, but Thirty-Two remembered. He extended a finger toward the crowd: âYou, you, and you⌠you five. Step forward!â
The five, unexpectedly named, were baffled and scared. Nervously emerging, their faces etched with confusion, they feared some misconduct. Thankfully, Steward Thirty-Two always remained approachable and wasnât a ruthless tyrant, easing their anxiety.
Thirty-Two spoke deliberately gently, âYou five have undergone three months of labor rehabilitation. Is that so?â
The five hastily replied, âYes!â
Thirty-Two asked, âHave you understood your errors?â
Firmly, they responded, âYes! When we first arrived at Gaojia Village, unaware this belonged to a kind-hearted family, we attacked people with sticks, ransacked food, and committed serious crimes. Thanks to the Deityâs mercy and the kindness of Gaojia Villagers, who let us stay and fed us for three months⌠Weâve realized our folly. We never should have assaulted others and stolen. We now understand: enter any village obediently and just work honestly, and food would be provided.â
Thirty-Two nodded: âGood! Since youâve repented. By the Deityâs order: having committed three months of labor rehabilitation, you have atoned for your crimes. Henceforth, your identities as labor offenders are revoked! You are restored as free people!â
Shocked into momentary silence, the five men then leaped for joy.
âRestored? Meaning⌠from now on, we get lodging, food, and wages?â
Thirty-Two smiled, âCorrect. Youâll earn wages.â
âWAH!â
Simultaneously, they jumped, overcome by elation and grabbing their fellows in abrupt embraces.
Thirty-Two declared, âAccommodations are arranged for you in Short-term Workers Village. Move there starting today. From here onward, choose your tasks freelyâwhat labor to undertake or how much wages to earnâthat is yours to decide.â
Cheering and jumping, the five were escorted by attendants out of the grounds to Short-term Workers Village.
Left behind were nearly two hundred offendersâthe remnants under Zhong Guangdao and Zheng Yanfu whoâd once attacked Gaojia Village.
Watching the five âreleased from sentenceâ depart victoriously, their eyes turned green with envy.
Thirty-Two faced them: âYou envy them?â
The group fell silent until, after a long pause, Zhong Gaoliang said: âYes! Deathly so! Steward Thirty-Two⌠When will⌠the rest of us become free?â
Thirty-Two stated somberly, âYour crimes are far graver. When you stormed Gaojia Village, you intended to slaughter everyone and plunder every grain.â
Nearly two hundred heads bowed ashamed.
Zhong Gaoliang hurriedly explained, âSteward Thirty-Two, thatâs a misunderstanding! We never meant to kill off the whole village! Second Leader Zheng and Third Leader Zhong claimed this village hosted a very wealthy lord. Weâd seize his grain and money, then enlist the villagers to revolt⌠Thatâs what they preached. Thatâs why I joined the assault!â
Thirty-Two retorted, âAnd Wang Er? What of your betrayal? Did loyalty mean nothing then?â
More hung their heads in renewed shame.
Zhong Gaoliangâs cheeks reddened, hand clenched: âZheng and Zhong deceived us! They said Brother Wang had been bought off by the rich. But only after living here days did I realize: no wealthy lord existed. Instead⌠a benevolent Deity! Villagers like ourselves! All food and coin came from Heavenâs blessings! I deeply regret it nowâtruly doâŚâ
Shame spread across every offenderâs face. None could lift their gaze.
Li Daoxuan internalized: Just like Wang Er saidâ
So this is how one gets âshamed alive on the spot.â