| | The mother of Pang Yu of Jiuquan was a daughter of the Zhao family, surnamed Zhao and named E. Her father had been killed by someone from their same county, and E's three brothers all died young of illness. The murderer was pleased and congratulated himself, thinking that no one would take revenge on him. E secretly harbored resentment and anger, so she prepared weapons in secret and often pushed a cart to wait for the murderer's family, but failed to do so for more than ten years. Later she encountered him at Duding, stabbed and killed him, then went to the county office to turn herself in, saying, "My father's enemy has been avenged. I request that you carry out the punishment on me." The magistrate of Lufu, Yin Jiayi, admired her and wanted to remove his official seal and sash in order to flee with her. E refused to leave, saying, "To die after avenging my grudge is my clear duty." "To bear the crime and be punished in prison is your usual responsibility as an official." "How could I dare to live shamefully, thereby distorting public law?" Later she was pardoned by a royal amnesty. The state and commandery officials honored her family's gate with commendation. Zhang Huan of the Taichang Office praised her highly, and presented her with a bundle of silk as a mark of respect.
|