The old ways are still good ways

From a book titled Peking and the Pekingese, published in 1865. about life as seen by an English diplomat:
"In the event of the recommendations of the Board of Revenue being adopted, Government bankers who are unable to take up their unauthorised notes, or pay the thirty per cent of fine imposed on them, and by such inability embarrass the people, or any that may by wanton exaction or stingency perturb the public mind, are to be handed over to the Board of Punishments, and, representations having been made to the Emperor, put to death, as a warning to fraudulent tradesmen not to distress the people."

Rico says it's a damn shame certain practices have been allowed to die out, and that fraudulent tradesmen are still allowed to 'distress the people'...