The entire square was silent, except for Cangcheng's pig-killing howl, echoing in the air.
The officials in the distance stood blankly on the spot, watching everything that happened on the execution platform as if in a dream.
Although this kind of execution at the Meridian Gate has nothing to do with the common people, only dignitaries and important officials of the court are eligible to be executed at this place.
The people in the capital just watched the killing scene with the mentality of watching the excitement. Even so, when they saw Xiao Chen cutting off the high official's fingers, everyone couldn't help but take a breath of air and get chills all over.
People in the distance might not be able to see clearly because they arrived early and surrounded the people at the execution ground, but they could see the entire scene clearly.
The big knife in Xiao Chen's hand didn't know whether it was because he had cut too many people, or what happened, but it was densely covered with gaps the size of rice grains. It is better to say that it is a big knife than a big saw.
To be more appropriate.
Perhaps it was because there had been no beheading business outside the Meridian Gate for a long time, so the big knife was actually covered in rust, with only a little shine from sharpening it in battle.
The knife was dull and had so many gaps. One look at it made people feel that the executioner's job was not easy. He couldn't even afford a new sharp knife, so how could he support his family?
The moment Xiao Chen held down his wrist, Cang Cheng's hand retracted obviously. His left foot was already in the air, and he had no choice but to put it back on the spot.
Even his straight chest was bent into a bow out of fear, but when he thought of his reputation as a noble and unyielding person, he could only grit his teeth and straighten his spine again.
As the screams came from his mouth, Cangcheng had already realized his gaffe. In the impression of the officials in the court, he was a strong-willed man who was not even afraid of death. How could he howl like a pig?
Call.
He had no choice but to bite his lower lip with his upper teeth to suppress the undignified howl in his mouth.
Even so, the heavy breathing caused by severe pain surged out of the throat, was held back in the mouth, entered the throat, and let out waves of deep roars.
It was like a big fat pig on the chopping board, with a butcher's knife inserted into its neck, but its mouth was tied up. I wanted to howl but couldn't. I could only hear the gurgling sound of blood and bubbles mixed with it in my throat.
sound.
It took half an hour, with a "bang" sound from the contact between the broadsword and the guillotine, Xiao Chen finally sawed off Cangcheng's right index finger.
At this time, Cangcheng no longer looked like a fairy. He was lying on the guillotine, trembling all over, and his waist was bent upward like a bow. Only the gurgling sound in his throat proved that he was still alive.
.
Xiao Chen raised his purple sleeves and wiped the sweat from his forehead. He thrust the big knife into the executioner's arms and looked at him very dissatisfied.
"You are an unethical executioner. You come here to make a living with a dull knife that is full of chips. Is it true that the Ministry of Punishment can't even afford a sharper knife? If you are short of funds, apply to the court.
Ah, although the process is a bit cumbersome, he will always get it right. He just cut off one finger and it took me more than half an hour. The new clothes I just wore this morning were stained by sweat. I had to wash them again when I got home.
, don’t you know how lazy I am throughout the day?”
With that said, Xiao Chen rolled up his sleeves again and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
He stretched out his right hand, slapped his chest, let out a long breath, and then looked back at Cangcheng, who was already collapsed on the guillotine.
As if he was shocked by the scene in front of him, Xiao Chen hurriedly stepped forward and patted him a few times, and said respectfully: "Master Cang, we will not behead you now. If you lie here like this, everyone will think that I am abusing lynching. Right?"
My reputation is not very good. Come, let me help you up."
As he spoke, he used both arms to pull Cangcheng up from the guillotine.
At this moment, Cang Cheng was almost unconscious from the pain. Xiao Chen pulled him so hard that he woke up. The severe pain coming from his right hand made him bite his lips again, holding back the whisper in his throat.
roar.
In his heart, he wanted to rush forward and tear Xiao Chen apart immediately, but the pain on his fingers made him have to resist with all his heart. For the time being, he couldn't care less about hating Xiao Chen.
He tried hard to straighten his waist and stand on the stage, but the pain seemed to have spread throughout his body, making his legs unable to control him, so he could only lean on the guillotine and sit on the ground.
Seeing the jagged wound on Cang Cheng's right hand that looked like a dog bite, Xiao Chen hurriedly took out a clean silk handkerchief from his body and covered it.
"Oh, so much blood has been shed. It's all because the big knife is not sharp enough. Come and wrap it up. Mr. Cang is strict with himself. He relies on the salary from the court to support the whole family. He usually lives a simple life, but he has lost so much blood in one year.
We can’t even make up for the food.”
As if he accidentally saw Cang Cheng's gritted expression, Xiao Chen's face twitched a few times, and he asked softly: "Master Cang, does it really hurt? Oh, it's no wonder that he cut one in half an hour.
Most people really can't hold it down with their fingers. I think the entire imperial court, only a man of iron bones like you, can hold it down."
Cang Cheng's face was pale, with a layer of cold sweat on his forehead, and his eyes were blazing with fire, as if he wanted to kill Xiao Chen with his gaze.
But the pain in his hand once again touched the nerves in his whole body, and he could only clench his teeth and close his eyes to fight the pain.
Seeing Cang Cheng's painful look, Xiao Chen also had a heartbroken expression on his face.
"I am also very embarrassed about today's matter. Your Excellency is pure and upright. Although you are only missing one finger, after all, you will be a disabled person from now on. It is inevitable that you will be ridiculed by the boring people in the court. From now on, Your Excellency, when doing things,
But you have to use a good sense of proportion.”
"Just like today, you were just responsible for your duty and wanted to correct my mistakes. But because you were so focused, you forgot about the time. The execution outside the Meridian Gate is the emperor's face, and the most important thing is the time. This is not
Be careful, and you'll miss the execution time. If it's somewhere else, it doesn't matter if we finish the conversation before the execution, but here, there are so many other people. Everyone is watching, and I can't fool him even if I want to."
Cangcheng opened his closed eyes and finally squeezed out a sentence: "Are you finished?"
Xiao Chen shook his head hurriedly: "No, no, if I don't remind you, if you make such mistakes again in the future, it won't be you, Mr. Cang, who will suffer. You said that those court officials in the distance all went to court with you.
Yes, they are all here waiting and watching, you should pay more attention. In the future, try to avoid them. As an official in the same dynasty, not everyone can be on your side. The people under the stage are easy to fool, but they
Not easy to fool."
"Are you done now? I'm going to leave now." As he said that, holding the guillotine with his left hand, Cang Cheng stood up tremblingly.
At this moment, he didn't want to see the face in front of him at all.
Xiao Chen looked embarrassed: "Master Cang, this is your first mistake, you can't leave yet."
Hearing this, the two executioners next to them couldn't help but feel chills running down their backs, even though they had killed countless people.
