Shang Rong and Bi Gan’s faces changed upon seeing Mei Bo’s trespass into the inner palace!
As soon as Mei Bo entered and saw Di Xin, he questioned, "My King, for what crime is Lord Du Ruhui to be executed?"
Di Xin, already displeased by Mei Bo's forceful entry into the inner palace, merely snorted upon hearing this. "Hmph, for spreading seditious lies that harm the nation, death is too light a punishment!"
Daji, standing beside him, suddenly interjected, "As the saying goes, if the ruler wishes his minister to die, and the minister does not comply, he is disloyal. Du Ruhui incited the masses with his seditious words; what is wrong with the King bestowing upon him a death sentence?"
Upon hearing this, Mei Bo cast a cold glance at Daji. "My King, if you are swayed by your concubine's words and harm a pillar of the state, I fear the common folk and the court officials will harbor resentment, making the nation difficult to govern in the future. I implore Your Majesty to reconsider!"
Di Xin, hearing Mei Bo refer to his beloved concubine as "your concubine," felt his anger surge. He slammed his palm onto the table! "Insolent! The execution of Du Ruhui is my decision; what has it to do with my beloved?"
Mei Bo, realizing he had spoken too strongly, pleaded, "I beg Your Majesty to show mercy and pardon Lord Du's death sentence!"
"Silence! Not only will I not pardon Du Ruhui, but I will also hold you accountable! Mei Bo, you trespassed into my inner palace and dared to slander my beloved concubine. Do you know your crime?"
Mei Bo shook his head. "This subject knows no crime. All my actions and deeds are in service of my duty!"
Di Xin's face darkened. He slammed his palm on the table again! "Audacious Mei Bo, your intrusion into the inner palace is a capital offense. You dare to plead for Du Ruhui and contradict my beloved concubine? Guards! Drag him out and behead him!"
The guards at the entrance immediately stepped forward. Shang Rong and Bi Gan, alarmed, quickly interceded for Mei Bo. "My King! Mei Bo is devoted to the nation. We implore Your Majesty to show mercy!"
"I will never forgive him!"
Mei Bo, his temper flaring, pointed at Di Xin and cursed, "I risk my life to see you today not out of loyalty to you, but because I cannot bear to see the centuries-old foundation of the Shang Dynasty destroyed in the hands of a foolish ruler like you!"
Di Xin was so enraged by Mei Bo's words that he almost fainted. He immediately commanded the two guards, "Drag him out and execute him with the golden hammer!"
Daji, sitting beside him, smiled faintly. "My King, I am bored. In my leisure, I have devised a torture instrument called the 'Pao Lao' (炮烙). It involves a hollow bronze pillar heated from below with charcoal until it glows red. The condemned is then chained to the pillar. In less than fifteen minutes, they will turn to ashes! It is most suitable for such traitorous rebels!"
Hearing Daji's voice, Di Xin's anger subsided somewhat. He looked at Daji with delight. "My beauty, this method is excellent. Imprison Mei Bo. Once the 'Pao Lao' is prepared, he shall experience the consequences of offending me!"
Shang Rong and Bi Gan, overhearing this, felt chills down their spines. Seeing that Di Xin even agreed to this torture, they could not help but advise, "My King, though Mei Bo has committed a crime, it does not warrant death. Moreover, the 'Pao Lao' is too cruel. We implore Your Majesty to reconsider!"
Di Xin impatiently glanced at them. "Enough, enough. I understand. The court has many affairs. The elder prime minister and my royal uncle should not linger here."
Hearing Di Xin's dismissal, Shang Rong and Bi Gan sighed in resignation and slowly withdrew.
Outside the Shou Xian Palace, Shang Rong and Bi Gan remained silent. Finally, Bi Gan spoke, "Elder Prime Minister, our King is so foolish. What should we do?"
Shang Rong sighed. "Royal Uncle, our King now listens to no one but Su Daji. Unless Grand Tutor Wen returns, alas!"
Bi Gan's face darkened. "Grand Tutor Wen is currently campaigning in the Northern Sea. Though we receive continuous victory reports, we do not know when he will return!"
After leaving Shou Xian Palace, Shang Rong did not return to his residence but went to the ancestral temple of the Shang Dynasty. Looking at the portrait of the former king, Shang Rong could not help but weep. "My late King, your old servant is incompetent and has failed you!"
In Shou Xian Palace, after Bi Gan and Shang Rong departed, Daji presented Di Xin with another set of blueprints for a building. "My King, this tower is called the Star-Gazing Tower. Once completed, it will allow us to observe the changes in the stars and celestial bodies. My King~"
Di Xin took the blueprint and smiled. "I will build it for you. The Bureau of Astronomy is useless now; I will order its demolition and build this Star-Gazing Tower for you!"
Upon hearing this, Daji immediately threw herself into Di Xin's arms. "My King, you are truly good to me!"
A few days later, Di Xin, whom everyone had not seen for a long time, suddenly appeared in the imperial court. In the center of the hall stood a large bronze pillar. Shang Rong and Bi Gan knew its purpose and their faces showed a hint of sorrow. The other officials, however, were unaware of its function and eyed it curiously.
Di Xin smiled slightly at their curious expressions and announced loudly, "Mei Bo trespassed into the inner palace and spoke disrespectfully to me and Consort Su. Today, he is to be subjected to the 'Pao Lao' torture. Let this be a warning to all!"
"Bring Mei Bo to the hall and administer the 'Pao Lao' torture!"
As Di Xin's words fell, attendants immediately placed charcoal beneath the bronze pillar and fanned the flames. Soon, the pillar glowed red. Mei Bo was then brought forth by guards. Upon seeing Di Xin, Mei Bo immediately began to curse. "Foolish ruler! If you do not practice benevolent governance, you will surely bring about your own destruction!"
Di Xin's face turned cold. He immediately commanded, "Press him onto the bronze pillar and execute him immediately!"
Shang Rong and Bi Gan, unable to bear witness, covered their faces. As Di Xin's command was given, four guards bound Mei Bo to the bronze pillar with iron chains. A piercing scream echoed through the hall, followed by the scent of burning flesh. Mei Bo fell silent.
Some in the hall with low tolerance for such sights vomited. Others, with stronger constitutions, suddenly spoke up, "My King, this torture is too inhumane. We implore Your Majesty to order its abolition!"
Di Xin revealed a twisted smile. "Such a traitorous official deserves this cruel torture. My decision is made; no further pleas will be accepted, lest you also suffer the 'Pao Lao'!"
As Di Xin finished speaking, Mei Bo on the bronze pillar was scorched black, unrecognizable. Di Xin laughed heartily and commanded, "Increase the heat! Burn him to ashes!"
The onlookers, witnessing Di Xin's depravity, dared not speak further. While many might not fear death, few were willing to have their remains utterly annihilated. Seeing Di Xin's resolute stance, they turned their gaze to Bi Gan and Shang Rong. The two covered their faces and remained silent.
After Mei Bo underwent the 'Pao Lao' torture, Di Xin declared the court adjourned. Bi Gan and Shang Rong walked out ahead of everyone else. A lingering smell of burnt flesh permeated the hall, particularly the scent emanating from Mei Bo. The thought sent waves of nausea through them.