Supposing a traveller, passing through an English village, to be hit on the head by a stone.

Unless he can point out his assailant, the matter is at an end.

In China, all the injured party has to do is to point out the village--or, if a town, the ward--in which he was assaulted.

Then the headman of such town or ward is summoned before the authorities and fined, proportionately to the offence, for allowing rowdy behaviour in his district.

The headman takes good care that he does not pay the fine himself.