CHAPTER 44: 44: THREE STRIKES ON THE DRUM OF PUBLIC NOTICE (2)_1

Someone nearby commented, "Hey, that girl banging the drum is really ugly, with a dark face full of pockmarks. One glance is more than enough; nobody would want to take a second look."

"But, who knows what injustice she must have suffered to actually sound the Drum of Public Notice? She looks so thin and short, seems like she doesn’t have much strength. Enduring ninety beatings is something even we adults can’t withstand, let alone her. I’m afraid that before the Senior Official from the Department of Surveillance even steps out, she’ll be beaten senseless."

Zhi Chen and Shu Yu exchanged glances.

Dark with a face full of pockmarks, skinny, and short?

These... these features, they sound eerily like that woman from the Liang family, don’t they?

Zhi Chen’s expression became somewhat subtle, pondering if he might be overthinking it?

Dong Dabao, that woman was quite troublesome, but she wasn’t foolish enough to take things lightly. At most, she might throw her weight around in the mountains, but she wouldn’t have the audacity to cause trouble at the Yamen.

Moreover, the Department of Surveillance, being associated with sounding the drum for an appeal, was definitely related to a man. Most likely, it concerned a wife seeking justice for her husband, and given Dong Dabao’s temperament, she was certainly not someone who would defend her own brothers.

She always found joy in tormenting their brothers. The six of them had already deeply experienced her viciousness, malice, cruelty, and wickedness.

"Perhaps it’s just a coincidence,"

Zhi Chen gave a wry smile, then immediately tried to help Shu Yu lie down to rest, but at that moment, a loud voice came from outside: "Who is sounding the drum, and what is the injustice?"

Then, a clear and somewhat youthful sweet voice responded.

"Common People Dong Huiying, formerly known as Dong Dabao, the Marriage Contractor for the Liang family of Kaoshan Village. I come today to seek an audience because I have an injustice to report!"

...

The Department of Surveillance stands for the law, for justice. The Drum of Public Notice outside the court has been silent for many years; no one dared to strike it.

This is mainly because the cost of sounding the drum for justice is simply too great. With three strikes of the drum, there comes a punishment of ninety beatings. Even the strong, robust women of the Dayuan Dynasty could not bear such punishment; not to mention, it might also cost them their lives. It was a loss that did not pay off.

Most importantly, it is just a man we’re talking about. If someone has been taken by the Department of Surveillance, so be it; if he’s dead, he’s dead. Just find another. After all, there are plenty of men in the world. Why should one risk her own life for a man?

But now that Dong Huiying has sounded the Drum of Public Notice, it has attracted some attention, and soon a crowd gathered behind her to watch the excitement.

Fang Lanshan, who had followed Dong Huiying all the way here, never imagined that Dong Huiying would dare to sound the Drum of Public Notice.

"Sounding the drum to bring forth a grievance is not prohibited, but, Miss, are you aware of the regulations of the Department of Surveillance?"

"Regulations?"

Dong Huiying was taken aback.

Fang Lanshan explained, "One sound of the drum calls for thirty beatings; three strikes call for ninety. I have an injustice to report today and must endure ninety beatings, but I also need to survive in order to be seen by the officer."

Dong Huiying’s eyes widened in shock. Ninety beatings?

This could take her life.

But she had already struck the drum, the arrow was notched, and there was no turning back.

Moreover, looking behind her... she had been hesitating, but at that moment, she made a sudden and firm decision.

"Thank you for informing me. Even if it’s ninety beatings, so be it."

Following that, she imitated the ancient customs and gave Fang Lanshan a formal fist salute.

Then, she lifted the heavy Drum Pestle and struck twice more decisively. Counting the previous strike, she had met the requirement.

"Has this little girl lost her mind?"

"Really, those are ninety lashes we’re talking about. Just the thought of it is terrifying."

The onlookers pointed and made remarks about Dong Huiying.

With a faint smile on her lips, she looked toward the imposing government offices of the Department of Surveillance and began to ascend the steps.