"The Death-Exemption Gold Tablet originated from the Dan Shu Tie Juan. At first, it was merely a token granted by the Son of Heaven to enfeoffed vassals. After the former ruler of the Liang Dynasty schemed to seize the throne from the Sima family, he issued an edict granting special treatment to the Sima descendants to pacify the people. Even if they committed crimes, they could not be punished more severely. From then on, the Death-Exemption Gold Tablet became an established institution!"
"The Death-Exemption Gold Tablet is divided into six grades. Kings and dukes each occupy one, while marquises and earls each occupy two."
"An official may be forgiven nine deaths, and his descendants three. If they commit an ordinary offense, the authorities may not impose additional punishment!"
"The highest-grade Death-Exemption Gold Tablet belongs to a king. There is only one. Aside from treason and the gravest rebellion, it can be used to escape death nine times. Even a prince or royal grandson without the slightest achievement may escape death three times! The tablet bears the merits of the prince or marquis who established it and is kept in the ancestral temple, resting and rising with the nation! It is the highest glory a subject can attain!"
"The Li Family's ancestor once served as a personal guard under the Son of Heaven, who was still a vassal king at the time. Because of his unwavering loyalty and meritorious protection, he was made Marquis Xianliang after the Son of Heaven ascended the throne! The title meant that all of Liangzhou had become illustrious because of him alone!"
"A marquis-grade Death-Exemption Gold Tablet can be divided into several Amulets of Absolution to shelter his descendants."
"Marquis Xianliang was indifferent to fame and ambition while alive and had no intention of serving as