"He was caught on the spot." Uncle Zhou shook his head. "According to the old law, this matter can be serious or trivial. After all, it was to save the daughter, and the stolen goods were recovered. Most likely, he would be sentenced to pay compensation and be given a reprimand. But this morning, the Yamen posted a notice saying that the penalty should be based on the new law - theft is theft, no matter the reason, at least twenty canes, confiscation of property, and one year in prison."
The cabin became quiet, with only the gentle sound of the river water lapping against the hull.
"That child is only eight years old." Uncle Zhou's voice lowered, "If dad were to lock her up, she would be... Ugh."
Xiao Che looked at the reflection of the ginger tea shaking in the bowl and asked after a long time: "Uncle Zhou, do you think the new law is wrong?"
"I am a fisherman, so what kind of law do I know?" Uncle Zhou smiled bitterly, "But Mr. Chen, you have read a lot. You said - if this law cannot understand the 'people's heart', is it governing the world or committing evil?"
Early the next morning, Xiao Che called in Master Wang Qin's files.
The confession was written simply and straightforwardly: "A certain king of the people, because his daughter was critically ill and had no money to buy medicine, stole a tube of old ginseng from 'Jishitang'. I am willing to be punished, and I just ask the government to save my daughter's life."
Attached is a joint petition from thirty-seven households, as well as the testimony of the drugstore shopkeeper: "The ginseng has been recovered without any damage. Wang is always honest. If he was not eager to save his daughter, he would never have made such a move."
According to the new law, those who steal property worth more than thirty taels are punished with twenty rods, the equivalent value of their property is confiscated, and they are imprisoned for one year. The market price of an old ginseng is fifty-five taels.
