213

The news of the public execution spread quickly. This was an unprecedented event. Not only did all the gang leaders, big and small, gather together, but a wooden platform for execution was also set up in front of the square at the dock early on.

Yet, even after understanding the purpose of all this, many still felt it was excessive. It was just the rape of a woman, so why make such a fuss? Even if the death penalty was imposed, wouldn't it be enough to just execute the offender?

"Could it be that Chief Li offended the gang leader?" someone whispered.

"Don't talk nonsense! Boss Li is a narrow-minded person. If he hears it, he will definitely hold a grudge against you." His companions hurriedly stopped him.

"I'm afraid the gang leader wants to establish his authority. There are so many new members now, how many of them have seen the gang leader's methods? This is just a mistake."

The words of this "wise man" immediately drew a wave of agreement: "Hey, don't tell me, the gang leader back then was ruthless and killed people without blinking an eye. These guys only think that the gang leader is a woman, and don't think about whose daughter this is!"

"Tsk tsk tsk, look at this idiot, he can't even control his belt and he's getting others into trouble."

"I heard that some of them even had military merits. What a pity..."

There were those who mocked, those who scolded, those who laughed, and even those who lamented and expressed empathy. However, all the discussions came to an end on the day of the execution.

A towering wooden platform had been erected in front of the dock. Three rope loops were neatly strung from the sturdy wooden frame, dangling ominously in the air, unable even to shake the sea breeze. All the leaders, captains, and generals gathered together, their eyes grim and faces stern. This commotion finally silenced the indifferent crew members and soldiers, reminding them of the "gang rules" they recited daily.

No one ever broke the rules; the so-called "gang rules" were merely slogans. When someone broke the rules, the true nature of these prohibitions became apparent, with each sentence, "Kill without mercy," oozing with blood.

A small drum began to beat, its sound steady and unhurried, like the pacing of livestock. Several people, their hands tied behind their backs, were led to a platform to the sound of drums and knelt on the ground. Their faces were not masked, only gagged. Their faces were ashen, and they trembled like sieves. Some even burst into tears. The despair in their eyes was almost unbearable to look at.

This scene also brought complete silence to the crowd below. The drums stopped abruptly, and in the deathly silence, that familiar figure slowly ascended the platform. She was still wearing a red dress and a golden hairpin in her black hair, but today she didn't resemble fire. Instead, she looked cold and murderous, as if covered in blood.

Standing beside the gallows, Cheng Xi looked down at the densely packed men with different expressions and said, "Do you know what crime the court has assigned to rape?"

No one expected her to ask this, and many people, genuinely unaware of the court's laws, looked bewildered. However, without waiting for a response, Cheng Xi gave the answer directly: "Rape shall be hanged. Those who fail to commit adultery shall be caned 100 times and exiled 3,000 miles."

There was an almost involuntary commotion in the audience. Would the court also severely punish rapists?

"Why is it sentenced like this? Those who bully the weak and insult others' reputations should be put to death without mercy!" Cheng Xi let out a cold smile. The more a dynasty valued "reputation," the more severe the punishment for "damaging someone's reputation." She didn't care about a woman's reputation, but she could use this to her advantage, giving her a taste of her own medicine.

Looking at the soldiers who were truly alert and serious, Cheng Xi raised his voice: "I also said that all women could be your sisters, wives, daughters, or even your own mothers. If they were also pinned to the ground and humiliated, how would the evildoers be punished?"

At this point, some people showed anger on their faces, while others frowned. Empathy is actually a luxury. It only makes some people react when their own interests are violated.

"Some people think that those who are being bullied are just women in a small fishing village, and it's a trivial matter not worth mentioning. But if someone dares to violate the second gang rule, won't he violate the first and third? When a black sheep appears, it's not just one or two innocent women who are endangered, but all of you! What if during conscription, someone stands by you with a vengeful heart? What if during the enemy's time, someone surrenders to the enemy because his wife and daughter have been humiliated? Is the reputation and prestige of the Red Flag Gang going to be ruined by those one or two uncontrollable bitches?" Cheng Xi stretched out his hand and pointed at the prisoners, which immediately caused a commotion.

This not only concerned their own personal interests, but also aroused resentment. They were well-behaved and honest, so why should they bear the brunt of others' mistakes? How could these scoundrels represent the reputation of the Red Flag Gang?!

"My father commanded a large army during his lifetime, but he never bullied women and children, nor did he oppress the common people." Cheng Xi's expression grew even more serious when he mentioned General Qiu. "That's why, when the gang was first established, we had three rules, three prohibitions against killing without mercy. You all swore an oath of blood, and you all kowtowed before the general's temple. Now that someone has broken those rules, should they be killed?"

"Kill!"

Someone shouted, and then there was a roar like a tsunami.

"Kill them! Kill them!"

Listening to the deafening roar, Cheng Xi's expression did not change at all, because just killing was far from enough.

Raising his hand and gently pressing down, Cheng Xi hushed the frantic shouting. "That's right," he said coldly, "those who violate the rules must be killed, and according to the law, hanged. However, hanging alone is not enough. I will hang their bodies on the bow of the ship to remind you all of the consequences of violating gang rules. Those who try to conceal the truth will be whipped and dismissed. Those who work with you who fail to stop them will be treated as accomplices and punished with caning and dismissal."

At this moment, those who were still shouting suddenly stopped talking. They could understand this punishment. Isn't it "collective punishment"? If one person commits a crime, it may implicate many people. If they don't stop it or report it, they will only endanger their own lives.

After realizing this, they looked at the prisoners with a different look. No one wanted to be involved in an unprovoked disaster, so why should they suffer because of others? If they were to encounter a confused companion next time, they would definitely stop him.

Seeing that everyone had quieted down again, Cheng Xi stopped talking and nodded to Li Niu: "Let's do it."

Li Niu had been waiting for these words for a long time, and he had personally requested the execution. He knew that only by doing it himself would the Li family realize the severity of the matter and take it to heart. The other leaders would also remember his fate, understanding the consequences of their own men's crimes. The fine was nothing; for them, the public humiliation was unbearable.

The henchmen rushed forward like tigers and wolves, grabbed the three main criminals, and dragged them to the gallows. They covered their heads with black cloth, tied their feet with ropes, and then stuffed their necks into the noose and tightened the noose neatly.

Like three pigs waiting to be slaughtered, they were hanging on the rope, their legs weak, but they were still struggling to stand up straight and take a breath.

Unfortunately, Li Niu didn't give them time to struggle and shouted, "Execute!"

With a click, the footboard the prisoners were standing on suddenly opened, their feet free, and the noose around their necks suddenly tightened, dangling the three men in mid-air. Masked and gagged, instinct took over as they twisted and struggled, their incontinent urine flowing down their trouser legs, but they could not find a breath of air.

After four or five minutes, the twitching legs finally calmed down, with toes pointing downwards, hanging on the wooden beams like dried dead fish.

The gang members watching all this now pursed their lips, even their breathing becoming lighter. This wasn't like a beheading, not that quick, crisp, and refreshing. Instead, it felt like a slow, slow, slow process of cutting flesh. A death like this, without dignity, without honor. Even their bodies would be hung on the bow of the ship, exposed to the wind and rain, pecked at by seabirds, until they were reduced to dry bones. Was it worth it for a momentary lust?

Several other prisoners were also picked up, stripped naked, and tied to the execution stakes, where they began to be caned. The beatings drew blood, not just blood, but also flesh. With their mouths gagged, they made no cries or pleas for mercy, only trembling, their skin torn and their faces utterly shattered.

And on the stage, a pair of eyes, cold and fierce, stared down at the crowd below. That person had once lifted their cup to drink heartily, once laughed and sang heartily, once uttered words that made one's blood boil and wished to die for them. Yet, now, she remained silent, staring at them coldly, like a dragon or snake choosing its prey.

Perhaps this is the true nature of this great seafarer, able to illuminate the earth like the rising sun and crush his enemies like a hurricane. What's the saying? Those who follow me prosper, those who oppose me perish.

All the regret and sympathy vanished into thin air. Even the most reckless former pirates clamped their legs together and lowered their heads. They were just a few women, not worth it.

Watching the gang members grow increasingly hushed, Cheng Xi knew they had taken her message to heart. For rapists, is death the most terrifying thing? Is having their tools confiscated? Actually, none of that is the real fear. They fear the loss of dignity, the condemnation and scorn of millions. Just as rape isn't just about sex, it's about power, the desire for abuse, and the bloodthirsty satisfaction of trampling on the weak and bringing them to ruin and eternal ruin.

When these people know what they will face if they commit a crime, the humiliation they will face, the scorn of their peers, the hatred of their superiors, the ridicule of their neighbors, they will "hold back." There is no such thing as "impulsiveness," only a clear understanding of the gains and losses. The more evil-minded a person is, the more they will weigh whether it is worth it.

As long as she is there and the Red Flag Gang is there, this rope will never come loose.

Shi Dani stared at the scene with her mouth wide open. She had only been here a few days, and to actually be able to witness a punishment live was truly shocking.

She had heard of the Red Flag Gang's rules, but she had never imagined they could actually be enforced. Back when she was in the village, officials would often come in and pick on attractive women to bully them. Why didn't the court ever punish them?

Just as she was daydreaming, she suddenly heard a sob behind her. She turned her head blankly and saw that some of the nurses beside her had actually started crying.

What’s going on? Could it be that their relatives died?

The head that was looking back curiously was held down and turned back.

Lin Mo withdrew his hand and whispered, "Don't look at it. The gang leader has avenged them."

Shi Dani blinked, then suddenly understood what was being said. She immediately pursed her lips and stopped looking. Some tears were unseen by others. She understood that feeling and secretly breathed a sigh of relief for them. Holding back can kill you, so crying is fine. As long as you shed tears, you'll slowly feel better.

One day, things will get better.