King Zhou's expression eased at once, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "My beauty, what do you suggest?"
Daji lowered her eyes and smiled. Her voice was soft and cloying, yet icy. "A subject stands in the palace hall, glaring furiously, speaking rebelliously, and insulting the Heavenly Countenance. For such great treason, how could one death be enough to atone for it? Why not imprison them for now? I shall devise a new punishment specifically for unruly ministers and those who seek fame, so they will never again dare speak recklessly or shake the Court System."
King Zhou was taken aback. "What sort of punishment?"
Daji drew her robes together and bowed twice before slowly explaining, "This punishment requires a pillar three zhang high and eight chi around, cast from bronze and divided into upper, middle, and lower fire gates. Once the charcoal fire burns through, the bronze pillar will glow red-hot like an iron brand. Anyone who spreads demonic rumors to mislead the masses, insults the sovereign with a silver tongue, submits reckless memorials in violation of the law, or scorns the established order shall have his cap and robes stripped away. Naked and bound in chains around the pillar, he shall be roasted by the raging flames until his bones and sinews break apart. In moments, his skin will char, his flesh curl, his nose collapse, and his eyes dry up, until he turns to a pile of ashes carried away by the wind. This punishment shall be called 'Pao Luo.'"
Before she had finished speaking, King Zhou's face had already turned as white as paper, while Shang Rong's hands trembled and his beard quivered. Seeing King Zhou's expression change, Daji hurriedly added, "Without this punishment, petty villains will think Royal Law can be defied, while upright