Chapter 8: The Cangue Bed

Pang Yu's heart couldn't help but tremble. He recognized the accent — it was the Zhou Family Daughter. But now that she was inside the yamen, commoners feared officials, and she had temporarily lost the fierce, mannish bravado she'd shown that day.

The Jailer guarding the gate gave a sinister grin. "Bringing food? Who knows what you're really bringing? What if you slip in some arsenic or poison and kill someone? We've got duties here — we can't shoulder a responsibility that huge."

The Zhou Family Daughter lifted her head and said loudly, "I'm bringing things for my father. Why would I put arsenic in it? I'll eat half right in front of you. If anyone dies, it'll be me, a lowly girl, first."

A Minor Jailer off to the side tossed a dried fava bean into his mouth, crunched it a couple of times with a crack-crack, then crouched down close to the woman and said, "Look, Miss Zhou, are you playing dumb or are you really dumb? If you eat it and die, that's your business. But inside the jail, there are jail rules. Letting you in on the sly — we'd be taking on a huge risk. When the various lords above come down on us, they won't be looking for you. It's us officers who'll have to answer for it."

The Zhou Family Daughter suddenly burst into loud wails, crying as she spoke. "My father didn't beat anyone to death! Why are you locking him up? You won't even let me see him... Wah... I've heard all about it. You feed them nothing but moldy, rotten stuff in there... Wah... My father's already so old..."

Hearing the Zhou Family Daughter wail, Pang Yu felt a surge of satisfaction for no particular reason.

The Jailer barked impatiently, "If you're gonna cry, get out and cry somewhere else! I'm sick of listening to this."

The Wild Jailer sidled over again to reason with her. "Your father wounded someone with an object. The witnesses and evidence are all there. The victim is even a Runner from our own county yamen. Look at what you people did — you think you're in the right? Until the Security Period is up and the victim withdraws the Petition, he's definitely not getting out. But if it's just about sending food... like I just told you, the rules don't allow it. No outside food is permitted inside the jail, no exceptions. Still, seeing how hard it is for you, with all your filial devotion, I've got another way. I can make sure your father eats well."

The Zhou Family Daughter shifted her head away a little, wiped her tears, and asked the Auxiliary in front of her, "What way?"

The Wild Jailer tilted his head, eyeing the Zhou Family Daughter sidelong. "Things from outside the jail aren't allowed in, but the jail has its own. You give me silver, and I'll help him find some good food and drink inside. Guaranteed it won't be worse than what you cook."

"H-how much silver?"

The Auxiliary held up one finger. "One tael per meal."

"Ah! How can one person eat one tael of silver in a single meal? That'd be two or three taels a day! Who can afford that?"

The Auxiliary shook his head. "Then there's no other way. You have to understand, things inside the jail don't just come in casually. Everything's tested with silver needles for poison, carefully selected. And it still has to be cooked well for you. One tael isn't expensive."

The Auxiliary watched the Zhou Family Daughter's expression out of the corner of his eye and kept up the pressure. "As someone's child, is your filial devotion really worth less than one tael of silver? If it were me, as long as I could scrape it together, I wouldn't be complaining it's too expensive like you. Where has all your filial devotion gone?"

The Zhou Family Daughter knelt on the ground, panting heavily, seemingly locked in a fierce internal struggle. No one could make a decision like this lightly — two taels a day, and before even going to trial, she'd be bankrupt after a month.

Pang Yu didn't really know how much one tael of silver was worth. From Aunt Liu's reaction yesterday, one tael wasn't a small sum, but the number somehow still sounded cheap to him. He couldn't help butting in: "You girl, all you're good at is fighting and killing. Is your head made of cement? Who said you have to eat three meals a day? Just give your dad one good meal a day to improve things, and that's that."

The Zhou Family Daughter turned around when she heard this. Her face was flushed, with a few teardrops hanging on it. Though she still had her looks, she appeared rather haggard. When she saw it was Pang Yu, an expression that was both angry and somewhat embarrassed crossed her face.

At that moment, the other Auxiliary cursed, "Damn it, we've been talking for days. You really think silver just buys groceries? If you don't understand how things work, get lost." He walked over and kicked the bamboo basket on the ground, sending it skidding several paces. Clang-clatter — the bowls and chopsticks inside collided and tumbled out. Two bowls broke, and the food spilled all over the ground.

The Zhou Family Daughter let out a frightened shriek. Seeing the food scattered everywhere, she stumbled backward several steps. From the look of that Auxiliary, Pang Yu could tell the Zhou Family Daughter definitely hadn't offered any perks. Entering the yamen without silver — who'd give you a pleasant face?

Just then, Jiao Guozha let out a "Ha!" The few people in front of the jail gate turned to look. Seeing it was Pang Yu and his companion, they all forced out smiles. But the Jailer's smile had a hint of malice. He bared his teeth at Pang Yu and said, "Pang the Second Fool, you still recognize me after taking that club to the head?"

Pang Yu heard the deliberate mockery in his words. He had business to ask of these people right now, and what was worse, he genuinely couldn't recall this man's name. He could only smile and say nothing, though he mentally filed this person away.

Then Jiao Guozha reached out and felt for a piece of broken silver to give the Jailer. He shot Pang Yu a look, signaling him to follow into the jail. Pang Yu hurriedly fell in behind.

Seeing Pang Yu about to enter the jail, the Zhou Family Daughter hesitated, then finally said, "M-Master Pang... could you help this humble woman bring some food inside?"

"No." Pang Yu refused flatly. This Zhou Family Daughter really had a bad brain — daring to ask Pang Yu to smuggle things right in front of the Jailer.

"I beg you, my father's been starving for days now."

"And what does that have to do with me, young master that I am? Don't you see how miserable I am? No phone, no computer, no car, no plane. Hmph, I can't be bothered to explain to you — you wouldn't understand anyway. Your father got me into this state. Cause and effect. He deserves to starve."

The Zhou Family Daughter suddenly lost control and cried out loudly, "It's all your fault... Wah..."

Seeing her break down in sobs, Pang Yu felt another wave of glee in his heart. He quickly patted his head and walked into the jail, thinking to himself with puzzlement, "Took a club to the head and now I've got this hobby? The hell, am I turning into a pervert?"

The Jailer opened the main gate of the prison. Inside was a spirit screen wall. The left side was sealed with brick; only the right side had an opening with a passageway. Both sides of the passage were brick walls — not a single window anywhere.

Walking through, there was another door. Inside, a dim yellow oil lamp burned. Here was another Jailer. Although Pang Yu and his companion were yamen runners, they weren't here on official business, so they still couldn't get in without paying silver. They handed over the toll and the door opened. They went in, turned a sharp right-angle corner, and faced yet another door — though the same Jailer opened them all, so no extra silver was needed. They walked straight like this through four turns and five doors before it brightened overhead. They had reached the corridor where the Outer Prison was located. Pang Yu looked up. Above the corridor, a sky net woven from hemp rope was stretched — to prevent prisoners from climbing onto the roof and escaping. Without a sharp tool in hand, this hemp net was very hard to break.

In the Ming dynasty, both fixed-term and life sentences were served as exile and military conscription — sent off to the frontiers for reformation through labor. They had little to do with prisons. Those locked up were either awaiting interrogation or awaiting execution, so the scale couldn't compare to later eras. The layout was simply divided into Outer Prison, Inner Prison, and Death Row. The Outer Prison generally held minor offenders — brawling and such.

The Outer Prison cells were very cramped, but at least the doors were wooden Palisade-style, the corridor above had no roof, and light could filter through the doorway. This made it convenient for jailers to inspect the cells, and the prisoners' living conditions were relatively better.

The first few cells each held five or six people. In a room of five or six square meters, each person got about one square meter — not even enough to lie down and sleep. In a cell on the left, a squatting prisoner saw the two runners approaching and quickly stretched his hands out through the Palisade, trying to grab them. "Officers, I'll pay silver! I beg you, switch me to another cell. Just one where I can lie down, that's all."

Jiao Guozha paid no attention whatsoever and kicked the hand away with one foot. They passed the next few cells — each held only one person, and one was even empty.

Pang Yu didn't need to ask. He knew those few had paid silver and could live a bit more comfortably. The jailers relied on these tricks to squeeze money out of the prisoners. Those without money were crammed several to a cell, bitten by mosquitoes and bugs, unable to lie down and sleep. A day or two was bearable, but over time, there'd surely come a moment when they couldn't stand it — and they'd always find a way to get their families to send money.

Pang Yu had originally thought Shopkeeper Zhou, involved in a mere fight, would be held in the Outer Prison. But he found Jiao Guozha didn't stop — he kept walking inward, passed through another inner-outer gate checkpoint, arrived at a small courtyard, then turned right into the Inner Prison.

It was exceptionally dark here. Only faint light seeped through the gaps in the roof tiles overhead. The damp, cold air was thick with the heavy stench of mold, sweat, feces, and urine. Waves of foul odor assaulted the nose. In the gloomy darkness, flies and mosquitoes buzzed chaotically, impossible to drive away. It felt extremely oppressive.

About ten cells lined both sides of this corridor. Each was only around four square meters — just big enough for one person to lie down. Eating, drinking, shitting, and pissing all happened inside. No wonder the smell was so... pungently rich.

Jiao Guozha stopped outside a cell door at the far end of the outer section. Pointing inside, he said to Pang Yu in a low voice, "I came by yesterday and gave the Jailer on duty a little something. Last night, that Shopkeeper Zhou suffered greatly."

Pang Yu wasn't very familiar with the things inside a jail. He followed Jiao Guozha into that somewhat larger cell. By now, Pang Yu's eyes had adjusted to the darkness. He saw something that looked like a large cabinet, and a person lying on top of it.

Pang Yu assumed it was Shopkeeper Zhou and felt a bit puzzled. Lying like that — what great suffering was there? But he remembered he was a Runner himself now; asking would make him look too unprofessional. He had to swallow the question.

Then he saw the person lying on top sit up. From the vague outline, it didn't seem to be Shopkeeper Zhou.

The man was even wearing a bamboo hat with a layer of gauze draped over it — probably to keep mosquitoes off. He lifted the gauze, peered carefully for a moment, and recognized Pang Yu. "Heh heh, Pang the Second Fool, you're all better. We brothers heard this Zhou fellow dared strike one of our public office men. Nothing more to say — we've been taking turns giving him the good stuff. I pressed down on this Cangue Bed all night."

Pang Yu hurriedly fished out a small piece of silver and handed it over. "Brother, you've worked hard. Sorry you had to suffer all night. Just... don't let this Old Zhou get pressed into something serious."

In the darkness, the man waved a hand. "Nah, what do you think I'm lying on top for? To listen for movement. But he's about at his limit. Let him out and you two have a chat with him. I guarantee whatever you want him to do, he'll do."

Jiao Guozha said, "Lao Luo, light a fire. I don't spend all day in here like you lot — I can't see a damn thing."

Lao Luo ducked to one side. There was a rustling sound for a while, then pap-pap — he struck the tinder and lit an oil lamp.

In that pitch-black room, even this bean-sized flame felt to Pang Yu like a blaze of boundless light.

A low, agonized groan came from inside the Cangue Bed. Lao Luo and Jiao Guozha each took one side and lifted the top panel off the bed. Curious, Pang Yu leaned over to look — and his scalp instantly tingled. The underside of the panel was covered in three-inch iron spikes. The densely packed spikes, illuminated by the oil lamp, cast countless slender shadows across the panel. Suddenly, two dark shapes darted out of the dark Cangue Bed, startling Pang Yu into stepping back.

Lao Luo laughed heartily. "It's nothing, nothing. Just added a little extra seasoning."

The two dark shapes scurried wildly across the floor and finally escaped out the door. Only then did Pang Yu realize they were two rats.

Every corner of this cell exuded a sinister gloom. Pang Yu's heart pounded. Steeling himself, he looked into the Cangue Bed again. By the dim light of the oil lamp, he saw Shopkeeper Zhou lying inside. His head was firmly clamped by a Head-Clasping Ring, his neck locked in a Neck Clamp, each hand bound in Double-Ring Iron Shackles, his thighs tied with iron chains, and his ankles fixed into the holes of the bed's railing, his feet sticking out.

And when the top panel had been closed, those densely packed three-inch iron spikes were aimed directly at his face, only three or four centimeters away. He was completely sealed inside an extremely cramped, dark space, unable to move a single part of his body, all while enduring mosquito and insect bites. Locked inside for an entire night — it was tremendous torture, both physically and mentally. The person was pushed to the absolute extreme of misery, yet couldn't die even if he wanted to, and his entire body bore not a single mark. Even if a prisoner wanted to file a complaint, there was no evidence. That was why the Cangue Bed was deeply beloved by the vast majority of Ming dynasty jailers.

Lao Luo gave Shopkeeper Zhou a cold sneer. "Hey, Zhou, those rats and fleas I added for you last night — were they comfortable enough?"

Pang Yu felt his horizons had been broadened. Adding rats inside the Cangue Bed — spending a night unable to move with rats, fleas, and mosquitoes. That was truly enough to give Shopkeeper Zhou a hell of a time.

Shopkeeper Zhou, his voice tinged with sobs, groaned "Ah-ah" — he couldn't speak at all.

Pang Yu's hands were trembling slightly. These ancients were not to be underestimated. In the TV shows Pang Yu had watched before, what revolutionary martyrs faced were things like leather whips, the tiger bench, chili water, and the like. Compared to this, he felt the Cangue Bed was far more sinister.

Lao Luo unfastened Shopkeeper Zhou's chains one by one. Having been locked rigid for so long, Shopkeeper Zhou still couldn't move even after the restraints were removed. Lao Luo grabbed him by the hair and forcibly yanked his upper body upright.

Pang Yu and Jiao Guozha went over to help, and the three of them hauled the immobile Shopkeeper Zhou out of the cangue bed and laid him on the ground.

Shopkeeper Zhou was trembling all over like a sieve. By the lamplight, Pang Yu studied him closely. In just these few days, the once robust and sturdy Shopkeeper Zhou had shrunk by a full size. His hair hung in matted clumps, half-draped over his face, which was covered in welts large and small. Not a shred of his former imposing manner remained.

Pang Yu felt a jolt of alarm. He had never imagined this affair would wreck the Zhou Family so terribly. No wonder the Zhou daughter had been so frantic. A prison in any era was never a good place.

"Zhou!" Jiao Guozha slapped him across the face. Shopkeeper Zhou spasmed, his hands twitching as if to lift and shield his face, but his arms were too stiff to rise. Terrified, he began whimpering again.

Jiao Guozha sneered. "Now you know fear. Do you know who you struck that day? My brother!"

Shopkeeper Zhou whimpered a while, then spoke. "How was I to know? Had I known he was a runner, sir, I would never have dared strike him. I beg you, sir, spare my life!"

Jiao Guozha casually swatted a mosquito drinking blood on his arm, then said slowly, "Begging for your life now is too late. My brother, beaten by you people, only got out of bed today. The wound on his head let in the Wind; it's bound to leave a Permanent Disability."

Pang Yu, listening from the side, felt that as the person involved he ought to speak up too. He cleared his throat and said, "Shopkeeper Zhou, don't think you've suffered so much. Do you have any idea that club of yours nearly killed me? My family has been a single male line for generations, and one swing of your club nearly cut off our Incense Offerings. Tell me, don't you deserve this?"

"I deserve it, I deserve it! I'm sorry, sir!"

"Good. This attitude of admitting fault is proper. You're locked in jail because you did something that deserves locking up. Our losses are greater than yours. First, I nearly lost my life. Second, I've kept my life for now, but whether I'll be left with a Chronic Ailment is still uncertain. The suffering I've endured is far greater than yours. How to compensate for that suffering — you'll have to offer something in trade with us. Now, let's settle this matter. First question: do you still want to keep living in this cell?"

"No! Absolutely not! Honored sirs, I'll pay silver, name your price! Only let me out soon... no, let me out today!"

Jiao Guozha and Pang Yu exchanged a glance, then Jiao said, "At least you're more sensible than your daughter. Truth be told, the Petition has been filed. Before the Document Receiving Office assigns it a number for the Public Hearing, you can't get out. If you want out right now, there's only one Method."

Shopkeeper Zhou seized on a thread of hope, his arms no longer stiff, and grabbed Pang Yu's trouser leg. "Sir, tell me what Method."

"Go to the Shenming Pavilion. Have the Village Elder serve as Middle Witness. Once the silver is paid and we withdraw the Petition, you can go home."

"Home! Go home!" Shopkeeper Zhou's howl echoed through the black prison.