When Liu Qidong heard that several people had been caught, he wished he could have them publicly beheaded on the spot. But they were only small fry, and the big fish had yet to show itself. He could not afford to tip them off, so he had no choice but to suppress his fury.
Liu Qidong ordered his men to lock the group in prison, specifically instructing them not to let the prisoners have an easy time.
Shen Shixu noticed what he was doing but said nothing. Although the group had not successfully abducted any children, they had still made the attempt. They had only failed because someone had intervened.
They had also gone on to pursue Xiao Lie and Bai Lixi with the intent to kill them. Even a death sentence would not have been excessive.
However, the previous dynasty had been overthrown after its harsh punishments sparked a popular revolt. When Great Qian's founding emperor drew up the criminal code, he had made it somewhat more lenient. Unless someone committed a heinous crime, the death penalty was rarely imposed.
On the other hand, those who could not be sentenced to death would be imprisoned until they died.
Naturally, these prisoners could not expect decent treatment. They spent year after year without proper food, clothing, or sleep. Unlike prisoners in modern times, they certainly did not get time outdoors every day, nor could they receive medical release when they fell ill.
One similarity, however, was that their sentences could be reduced at the authorities' discretion based on their conduct.
Their opportunity to demonstrate good conduct came when Great Qian dug irrigation channels or repaired its city walls each year. The prisoners would be brought out to serve as laborers, and their sentences would then be reduced according to their