The police team leader's suggestion made everyone exchange glances in disbelief. The representatives of justice were actually compromising with evil—what was this? Everyone turned to look at the warden, who could feel their angry emotions, but what choice did he have if he didn't agree? However, if he simply agreed, where would the prison's dignity stand? In the office, a heavy atmosphere pervaded, and everyone stared at the warden, waiting for his final decision.
The warden felt torn and sighed helplessly to himself, yet his expression was exceptionally firm as he said, "We can't let this detrintal trend continue. First, we suppress, and see who lasts till the end. Let them create a ruckus; I want to see how long they can hold on. Arrange the gunn and be on alert."
All the police chiefs agreed, but it was particularly the younger police officers who were thrilled with the order. They promptly left to prepare for action. Before long, a massive troop of police charged out, positioned at the corridor entrance, their guns aid at the prisoners in the quadrangle-shaped prison, remaining stern and vigilant. When Luo Zheng heard about this, he couldn't help but laugh. At tis when the warden should have been tough, he wasn't, and at tis when he shouldn't have been, he was—yet another terrible move.
Seeing Luo Zheng's composed expression and unwavering deanor, the prisoners too settled down, just went about their regular business. After several hours, the highly alert police were exhausted, yet they didn't dare to retreat, continuing the standoff. After a while, the police had no choice but to withdraw one squadron to rest and rotate shifts.
When the scheduled alti arrived, everyone was hungry. The police didn't bring up the food; instead, the team leader rushed to the entrance and bellowed, "Anyone hungry and wants to eat? Co and get it." This tactic of co-opting and dividing was evident but, needless to say, it was effective. So were tempted—among so many, not everyone was unified.
One political prisoner ran up to get food. Political prisoners, used to acting out of self-interest and lacking courage, failed to realize he had drawn everyone's ire. Jeff and his group charged at him, urging everyone to stop him. Frightened, the man attempting to get food hurriedly hid, but where could he hide in such a confined space? The scene turned chaotic, and the political prisoner was hoisted up and thrown off the protective wall, falling into the courtyard below and dying from the impact.
The prisoners did not stop their commotion because of the political prisoner's death. On the contrary, they beca even more restless. Being confined for too long had nearly driven them mad. Rather than waiting to die, they preferred to create chaos, smashing anything in sight, fortunate that it was made of steel; otherwise, everything would have been torn down.
Jeff shouted even louder, forbidding anyone from getting food and declaring a unified hunger strike. Having won twice before, the prisoners' confidence surged, and they continued the chaos with Luo Zheng. The prisoners upstairs and downstairs, hearing the shouting, also understood the situation and joined the uproar. No one dared to collect the food, and the scene was extrely chaotic.
The team leader of the police was infuriated and took the food back, determined to stand off against the prisoners to the end, to see who would last longer.
anwhile, Yi Jing quietly ca to Luo Zheng's room, and the two sat down. The scene was too chaotic, so there was no worry about the police spotting them eting. The visible corridor caras had been smashed earlier. Yi Jing said with a satisfied expression, "It seems National Blade has successors indeed. You chose a great ti when everyone was out airing. If locked in the cells, it would have been impossible to start a riot."
"Yes, but it's a pity we still haven't figured out a way to escape," Luo Zheng said helplessly.
"There is one way." Yi Jing suddenly beca serious, lowering his voice, "We start a riot, watch the prison's response. Now, we just need to see who lasts till the end. If the prison compromises, we'll use a few days to unify all the prisoners and coordinate a collective action."
"I also have that plan, but the problem is how do we go about it?" Luo Zheng asked.
"There are wires in the prison, we create a short circuit, the lights go out, and it's pitch dark. Then, we dismantle all the beds, use the steel pipes to attack the policen at the entrance, beat them back. In the dark, they can't see clearly. We have a fair chance. Then, use the steel pipes to pry open the door. The door has an electronic lock. Such locks can be pried open with enough strength," the madman proposed seriously.
"Electronic lock?" Luo Zheng looked at the madman in surprise.
"Yes, most prisons use chanical locks. The iron gates here also used chanical locks originally but changed to electronic ones when the managent switched to automation. Policen don't face prisoners directly anymore. Whether it can succeed is uncertain, but it's worth a try. Also, check if there are other exits upstairs or downstairs. If there are, consider trying them too. At worst, we can tie all the bedsheets together and jump or climb down. Since your influence is high right now, accomplishing this shouldn't be hard," whispered the madman. He stopped speaking and nodded politely to Jeff as he entered, then slowly walked away.
Luo Zheng, stirred by the madman's words, turned to the entering Jeff and asked, "Is sothing up?"
Jeff, suspiciously glancing at the departing madman, surmised there must be sothing afoot but didn't inquire further. The two n were rely using each other, and asking too many questions was inappropriate, so he explained, "Everyone's making a fuss. I ca to ask what's next?"
"Tell everyone, we are in a period of negotiation. We, the prison, it's about who can't hold on first. Whoever can't, loses first, and losing ans losing everything," Luo Zheng said nonchalantly, picking up a psychology book nearby.
"Understood, I assure you no one will compromise first," Jeff imdiately agreed, grasping the underlying aning in Luo Zheng's words. Considering how things had escalated, compromising spelled failure. Having finally seen a hope for survival, Jeff firmly decided that should anyone try to compromise, he would eliminate them.
After another two hours of uproar, everyone was nearly depleted of energy and went back to sleep. No one dared to ask for food while Jeff and a few of his n patrolled the vicinity. Everyone understood what Jeff was doing; since it was a benefit to them, no one objected.
After waking up, the lead policeman again asked through the speakers who wanted to eat. Ignored by all, people went about their business. They occasionally shouted between floors to exchange information, leaving the policen visibly troubled. Had it not been for the fear of murder charges, they would have shot them already.
Everyone tired themselves out resting, and after sufficient rest, they resud their disturbances. When completely drained, they would simply lie on their beds motionless, battling hunger. It was unknown how much ti had passed. Everyone was dizzy from hunger, weak but still persistent. Seeing Luo Zheng in the room reading a book with a calm and composed deanor helped settle their restless hearts.
Eating could sustain life, but it cost them their dignity, and they could be killed by Jeff and his n at any mont. Not eating might also lead to death, but there was a chance of hope. Facing potential death either way, everyone, wisely, chose to follow the crowd and continue resisting the prison together.
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