The Story of Tum Teav
The punishment
When the King heard everything from Pich, he became furious. He ordered to assemble soldiers, ministers and councils to go along with him to Tbaung Khmum in order to face Oar Choun. The King felt so sorry for Tum and Teav. He missed them so much. When he arrived at Po Cheung Khal, he camped away from Oar Choun’s house. The King sent a messenger to tell Oar Choun that he must build a road from his house to the camp and that Oar Choun must use this road to attend him. Oar Choun obeyed the order, cleared out a road, gathered all servants to bring lots of gifts to the King hoping he would forgive them. The King ordered his ministers and councils to form a tribunal court to find appropriate punishments. The ministers and councils were deliberating. Some said all who were involved must be punished by death. One wise minister gave a reasoning that the offenses were committed by two different levels of people. He gave a parable that a four-leg animal has front legs and rear legs. The rear legs just followed the front legs wherever the animal goes. Likewise, the Oar Choun‘s servants and villagers just followed Oar Choun’s order. They should be spared from harsh punishments. Oar Choun, his wife, Meun Ngourn, and Yeay Phann were the ring leaders. They should be punished by death. The citizen of Tbaung Khmum were labelled as “Neak Ngear” which means these people are untrustworthy, insubordinate and that people should not do any business with them. The punishments were carried out accordingly.
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