Fortress 178's memorial bell also bore the responsibility of reporting the time. In an era where watches were not widely available, the sound of the bell represented the people's sense of time.
While Ren Xiaosu and Zhang Jinglin were talking, a platoon of the garrison troops arrived at the square. They saluted Ren Xiaosu and Zhang Jinglin before walking over to the copper bell and striking it seventeen times.
It was 1700 hours. Everyone used this signal to check their own clocks.
The loud and melodious sound of the bell reverberated outwards. Ren Xiaosu stood amid the ringing and felt the evening sun's rays shine down on him.
At this moment, Ren Xiaosu realized there was something particular about the direction the 11 gray stone tablets were facing. Their fronts faced the east, while their backs faced the west. Be it sunrise or sunset, the sun's rays would always shine down over them.
