Bai Shan and Manbao exchanged glances before immediately kowtowing, saying, "Your Majesty, this individual is someone in the know. Please bestow mercy and allow him to enter to plead his case."
Minister Feng said, "For striking the grievance drum, one must be flogged with eighty strokes, as it is the rule."
In his heart, Bai Shan thought, it's precisely because it is the rule that he is beseeching for leniency.
Bai Shan raised his head and pleaded with the Emperor earnestly, "Your Majesty, after eighty strokes of the heavy rod, if one does not die, they also won't be able to speak. I implore Your Majesty to show mercy."
Wei Zhi and Lord Tang also interceded on his behalf, but there were other court officials who expressed their opposition, arguing that once rules have been established, they are there to be followed.
How could they be changed on account of one person?
