What does it mean to be paid?

Wage withholding is an ancient form of punishment, which originated in the Spring and Autumn Period in China. Taoist priests will let criminals carry a bundle of firewood until they are exhausted. At this time, Taoist priests will light firewood with burning torches and let criminals burn themselves. On the one hand, the implementation of the penalty of holding a salary can shock the people and play a warning role, on the other hand, it also provides a means for ancient society to minimize collective beheading.

Taking a salary is not only a punishment method that combines law with morality, but also used as a metaphor by poets. Pei Di, a poet in the Tang Dynasty, once wrote: "Wan Li is a paid loner, sitting in a lonely village and not going out." Here, "paid walking alone" refers to a kind of tenacity, an indomitable spirit, which can achieve a lifetime of character and tenacity.

In modern times, people are still discussing paid punishment. Some people support its painful warning significance, but others think that painful torture cannot be used as a means of punishment. However, at any time, salary is a symbol of history and tradition, representing respect for the past, and also a summary of punishment and wisdom for crimes.