Since the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, there have been extremely obvious and complex differences in the actual implementation of the punishment of military sticks.

Behind these differences lie subtle power games and cruel punishments.

When the executioner gave the order to “beat him hard”, the whole execution scene was filled with terrifying cruelty.

The people being punished were often forced to take off their shirts, leaving them directly exposed to the cold military sticks without any clothing to cushion their blows.

In this situation, every time the military stick fell, it carried full force and hit the victim’s skin, flesh and bones directly.

Normally, just 50 strokes of the stick would be enough to kill the victim.

Each blow was like a scythe wielded by the god of death, mercilessly reaping the life of the victim.

The dull beating sound seemed like the countdown to the end of life.

If the prison guard means “beat seriously”, although the degree is slightly less than “beat really”, it should not be underestimated.

In this case, more than 50 strokes of the stick would likely take the victim’s life.

Compared to “real beating”, “seriously beating” may be slightly more forceful, but it will still cause unbearable pain to the victim.

The body will gradually become overwhelmed by the repeated beatings of the military stick, and the shadow of death will always be with you.

If it is an ordinary beating, relatively speaking, the degree of damage is mainly concentrated on the skin and flesh.

Although a blow from a military stick would cause pain and scars, it would not easily endanger one’s life.

More often than not, the victims are left with red and swollen marks on their bodies, which serve as the price and lesson for their mistakes.

It is worth mentioning that the Ming Dynasty had a group of professional executioners.

They are like masters who have mastered some mysterious skill and can accurately control the extent of damage with their unique methods.

What is amazing and terrifying is that these professional executioners can even make the victim look unharmed on the surface, with their skin still intact, but in fact their internal organs have been quietly shattered.

Behind this is the experience and skills accumulated from long-term executions. Each time they swing the military sticks, it seems casual, but in fact there is a mystery hidden.

The angle, force and instantaneous changes of the stick’s fall when it touches the body are all under the executioner’s precise control.

At the same time, the physical condition of the prisoner also plays an important role in enduring the beatings from the military stick.

People who practice martial arts have strong physiques and tough bones and muscles due to long-term training.

Or obese people tend to have greater tolerance because the fat in their bodies can act as a buffer to a certain extent.

When facing beatings from military sticks, they may be able to withstand more beatings than ordinary people.

However, for ordinary, defenseless people and those with special physical conditions, the situation is completely different.

If the executioner showed no mercy, just 10 to 20 blows could have devastating consequences.

The first possibility is a comminuted fracture, where the bone breaks like a fragile branch under the impact of strong external force.

Secondly, it may be internal bleeding, where blood flows freely inside the body but cannot be treated in time, eventually leading to the death of the prisoner.

It is deep winter now. The sky is gloomy in the afternoon and the thick leaden clouds seem to be ready to fall at any time.

The biting cold wind was like sharp knives, raging on the execution ground outside the tent, making a creepy whistling sound.

Zhang Changshi, whose outer clothes had been stripped off and who was only wearing a thin inner garment, huddled on the icy execution platform.

The execution platform was like a huge piece of ice under the severe cold.

Through the thin inner garment, the bone-chilling coldness was transmitted continuously into his body.

Zhang Changshi’s bony back was exposed in the ice and snow.

Because he had already turned blue with cold, his skin was covered with goose bumps. Zhu Gang was standing not far away, his mink coat rustling in the wind.

However, his expression now was even colder than this winter.

Staring at Zhang Changshi on the execution platform, Zhu Gang’s eyes were full of undisguised murderous intent, and it was obvious that he had no intention of sparing the other person’s life.

The soldiers carrying out the execution were wearing thick cotton-padded clothes, and the hot air they exhaled instantly condensed into white mist in the cold air.

After receiving Zhu Gang’s order, their expressions were grim, and they acted without any hesitation or mercy, showing no mercy at all.

The military stick, which weighed 10 kilograms, was held high by the executioner.

With the help of the strong wind, they were wrapped in a tremendous force and smashed heavily on Zhang Changshi’s back like icicles.

Every blow was accompanied by a dull sound and Zhang Changshi’s shrill screams.

The scream was quickly torn apart by the cold wind and dissipated in the ice and snow not long after it spread far.

Wherever the military stick fell, the inner clothes were torn instantly.

The already numb skin and flesh suddenly opened up, and bright red blood gushed out.

In a very short time, it was frozen into black and purple by the cold air.

There were shocking blood marks on Zhang Changshi’s back.

The splattered blood quickly turned into ice on the ground around the execution platform.

In the dim light, there was a strange flickering light.

Zhang Changshi’s body was shaking and twitching violently under the violent beating, like a dead branch or leaf swaying in the strong wind.

As time went on, his screams became weaker and his body’s struggles became weaker.

But the ruthless military stick continued to fall again and again.

It seemed that the last bit of Zhang Changshi’s life was about to be completely extinguished in the severe cold of deep winter.

At this critical moment, a loud sound of horse hooves and footsteps suddenly came from the distance.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao and Prince of Yan Zhu Di, along with hundreds of civil and military officials, hurriedly walked into the military camp.

Their sleeves fluttered in the cold wind, and everyone’s face was filled with anxiety and seriousness.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao stood tall and straight, his eyes filled with majesty and worry.

He was seen walking in front at a brisk pace, shouting loudly as he walked quickly, “Stop! Stop it, everyone!”

Zhu Biao’s voice was particularly loud in the cold wind, as if it carried an unquestionable power.

Prince of Yan Zhu Di, who was following closely behind his eldest brother, glanced sharply at Zhang Changshi who was dying on the execution platform and Zhu Gang who had a gloomy face beside him, and a complex look flashed in his eyes.

The civil and military officials had different expressions, some were shocked, while others remained calm.

However, since they were all following the two princes closely at this moment, they hurried towards the execution ground.

This group of people was like a force that broke the dead silence of the cold winter, instantly making the originally cruel and depressing atmosphere of the execution ground tense and subtle.

Zhu Gang, who was still angry, turned his gaze from Zhang Changshi to Wang Biao, who was in charge of supervising the execution, like a sharp blade.

His eyes were wide open, burning with rage, as if they were going to devour Wang Biao.

There was a mixture of resentment at the fact that Zhang Changshi was not killed in his eyes, as well as anger at this sudden change.

The cold wind whistled past Zhu Gang, making his clothes rustle, but it did not dispel the anger that was welling up in his heart. (End of this chapter)