The warden sat in the large office chair with a face as deep as water, coldly watching the new team leader report. All prisoners were on a hunger strike, demanding equal treatnt, ti in the yard, als; nothing could be missed. The warden sharply realized that the prison was beginning to lose control, but once started, if he halted now, chaos would probably ensue.
"With this happening, what do you think we should do?" the warden asked the team leader angrily.
"In my opinion, we can't let them get out of control. They're criminals, how can they make so many demands? Anyone who disobeys, just kill a few of them. Only with strong asures can we suppress them; otherwise, who knows what troubles they might cause in the future, making us even more passive." The team leader spoke sternly, inwardly blaming the warden for not crushing the resistance from the start and preventing such issues.
The warden was at a loss for words. If Luo Zheng were killed, not receiving Song Yan's money was the least of his worries, but it would also offend the Song family. His daughter had already gone to Huaxia Country, and if things turned south, his own life might not be spared. He was full of regret, wishing he had never accepted this hot potato.
The prison police had to suppress this, and this opinion had already beco the mainstream. The police are also people, representing justice, yet they were humiliated by a band of inmates. Who could endure this? The warden pondered in difficulty; if he had decided to suppress it from the beginning, he would have agreed without hesitation. Now the situation was getting out of hand; forceful suppression would only provoke a stronger backlash from the prisoners. What then? Who would take responsibility?
However, if he didn't suppress it, and his approval rate plumted and the police went on strike, what then? It was a difficult decision for the warden. After so thought, he concluded that offending the prisoners might cause greater chaos and complete loss of control, inevitably leading to his death. Offending the police wasn't as serious; it could be resolved. The warden took a deep breath and made his decision, "Tell everyone, it's going to be tough for a while, keep a close watch. Let's agree to the prisoners' demands. Of course, I see everyone's hard work. As a token of my appreciation, everyone will be rewarded with two hundred thousand."
Upon hearing about the bonus, the team leader's eyes lit up. With that money, they could be worry-free for the rest of their lives. Whatever the inmates were planning didn't matter as long as they didn't escape. He quickly agreed and hurried off to make arrangents. The warden watched the departing team leader, his face dark and unsettled, swearing to himself that he would recover the loss from Song Yan.
The announcent through the loudspeakers that everyone's requests had been approved made all the inmates cheer. Luo Zheng also smiled, lying on his bed motionless. As long as all the inmates benefited, they would surely beco more united. When the next demands were made, the response would be certain. The prison was retreating, paving the way for a second and third retreat.
The real ga had begun, and Luo Zheng, now in control, felt his restless heart settle, as if he could see the first light of victory. He quietly read books, trained, and wandered around during his designated yard ti, occasionally chatting with the madman. Life was unremarkable, lulling the prison authorities into a sense of complacency.
Ti flew by, and about a week later, Luo Zheng was ready to initiate his next plan. As soon as yard ti began, Luo Zheng stepped to the door, glanced at the happily interacting inmates, and shouted, "Everyone, quiet down please, listen to ."
Everyone fell silent, surprised to see Luo Zheng taking charge. Even prisoners on the floors above and below eventually quieted down, turning their ears up if they couldn't see him. Once the noise had faded, Luo Zheng shouted again, "Folks, aren't we confined to just our floor? Isn't that too restrictive? Shouldn't we demand more rights, like being able to visit each other? Up and down the floors, socializing together, engaging in activities? Playing ball, running, watching TV, basking in the sun—tell , when was the last ti you saw the sun? If we go on like this, we'll all die of illnesses. What do you say?"
"Yes!" The call to action stirred everyone, and they began to cheer fervently, reminded of long-lost sunlight and better days, realizing they were still alive and couldn't continue to live like the walking dead. Without sunlight, how long could they survive? Anyone who had been here long enough knew this.
Luo Zheng didn't know that there had been opportunities to sunbathe here in the past. The courtyard's ceiling could be automatically opened, allowing the sun to shine into the H-shaped prison, and inmates were able to bask in the sun when they ca to the corridor. A month before Luo Zheng arrived, soone had attempted a helicopter rescue, and even though the helicopter was blown up, the prison authorities were so frightened that they sealed the roof and installed anti-aircraft weapons.
Lacking sunlight was detrintal for anyone, and Luo Zheng's suggestion made everyone crave the joy of the sun, realizing the misery of being sun-deprived for so long. Stirred by Luo Zheng, they began to make a commotion, and seeing the desired effect, Luo Zheng smiled broadly, gestured for quiet, and continued, "Gentlen, if the prison authorities refuse our requests, we will not return to our cells, we'll dismantle this place."
"Dismantle this place." The idea sparked excitent among the crowd. After all, what did they have to lose but their lives? Dismantling the prison seed a fitting end, and they beca energized.
Luo Zheng's timing for the suggestion was impeccable—it was during yard ti when everyone temporarily had so freedom. Even with limited space, their destructive power was significant, especially since their physical condition had improved with better food and treatnt recently. They were all full of energy.
The surveillance center on the top floor imdiately reported the situation to the warden, who was shocked and rushed to the control room. Upon learning that Luo Zheng was stirring up trouble again, his face darkened with hatred and, while grinding his teeth, he watched for a while before saying, "Everyone, what should we do?"
Letting the inmates mingle was too dangerous, a risk the warden couldn't afford. But now, with the inmates united, opposing them could be difficult. Trouble from people with nothing to fear, most of whom were well-trained, could be severe. Fearing even the thought of it, the warden suddenly realized he had been led into Luo Zheng's trap from the start, one wrong step after another, with no turning back.
To agree or not? The warden made up his mind, but he couldn't voice this himself. Looking over at the others, who were silent and hesitant to speak, the team leader, seeing the warden's grim face, knew he would have to carry the burden and said, "If there's no other way, just agree to their demands. As long as we seal off the exits and they can't get out, let them do whatever they want inside."
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