During the Yuan Dynasty, a girl named Zhu Shou faced a dire situation. Her father, Zhu Huan, was falsely accused by a servant of funding a rebellion and was imprisoned, facing imminent execution. Zhu Huan’s son was ill and unable to advocate for his father’s innocence, leaving Zhu Huan to weep before his daughter, Zhu Shou.
Zhu Shou, persistent and determined, said to her father: “There was once a girl named Ti Ying who cleared her father’s name when he was wronged. Can I not do the same?” With determination, Zhu Shou sought out Judge Feng Gengxian, tearfully pleading: “My father is innocent, wronged by a malicious servant. If this injustice is not rectified, our entire family will become unjust spirits in the afterlife! I have heard that you are a wise and just official, so I dare to bring this grievance to you. No matter what, please uncover the truth and save our family!” As she spoke, tears streamed down her face like a small river.
Judge Feng Gengxian initially scolded her loudly: “A mere girl like you cannot overturn such a serious case!” Yet Zhu Shou persisted in her plea, her sorrow and determination growing more vital. Eventually, with her resolve, Judge Feng ordered a reinvestigation of the facts. Under strict interrogation, the malicious servant’s lies were exposed, and Zhu Huan was exonerated and freed.
A girl bravely endures a bed of nails
During the Ming Dynasty, a man named Zhu Shiji faced a similar plight. His daughter, Zhu E, was only 8 years old when her father, in charge of grain taxes, was falsely accused by a deceitful debtor and faced a death sentence. Zhu E’s two brothers were also implicated and imprisoned.
Seeing her family on the brink of ruin, Zhu E secretly vowed to do everything she could to save her father and brothers and clear their names. She set out with her uncle to the capital to seek justice. At that time, a law required petitioners to lie on a bed of nails before their case would be heard. Without hesitation, the 8-year-old Zhu E lay on the bed of nails and rolled over it, her determination astonishing everyone.
News of the young girl seeking justice on a bed of nails spread quickly. The case was soon reinvestigated, resulting in Zhu E’s father being exonerated and released, with only one brother punished by being sent to the frontier as a soldier. However, Zhu E’s injuries from the bed of nails were so severe that she soon died. The villagers mourned and admired her, erecting a statue of her in the Cao E Temple.
An 8-year-old girl enduring a bed of nails to save her father is heroic, evoking deep admiration. Her heart was solely focused on her father, and she showed extreme filial piety in seeking justice for him. Zhu E, though dead, lives on in spirit.
A girl’s plea moves an emperor
During the Ming Dynasty, Lin Shi faced exile for hard labor due to his involvement in a case concerning records. His daughter, Lin Shuyuan, from Putian, Fujian, was only 7 years old when she heard the news.
Determined to save her father, Lin Shuyuan ran alone to the Office of Transmission and beat the drum to seek justice. At that time, the Hongxi Emperor, the fourth emperor of the Ming Dynasty, was attending to state affairs. Seeing such a young girl with filial piety and courage, he felt pity and admiration. He ordered that she be given food, as she had been starving for a long time, and pardoned her father’s crime.
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