Night, prison cell of the school office.
In this dark prison, strange and strange noises are sometimes heard. Sometimes it is the sound of flowing in the air, as if someone is whispering in it; sometimes it is the sound of faint footsteps in the distance, the sound of forced footsteps, which makes people shudder.
Several kerosene lamps hung on the walls, emitting weak light, adding to the dark and terrifying atmosphere.
"Squeak!" With the sharp sound of the door shaft, the door of the cell was pushed open, and several school officials walked in first carrying lanterns.
Following closely behind were the leaders of the school affairs office, Zhao Da and Xu Dulingman Chong, who carefully accompanied Cao Zhang, Xia Houba, Xia Houchang, Xia Houru and others who came to investigate the case of collaborating with the enemy.
Cao Zhang's face was gloomy and very ugly.
Before coming to the cell, he had already learned bad news from Zhao Da and Man Chong: Dong Ji, one of the important witnesses, committed suicide by hanging from a beam in the cell.
"Commander Zhao, Lord Manfu, have you tortured Dong Ji?" Cao Zhang asked with a cold face as he walked.
Man Chong responded in embarrassment: "Sikong ordered that everything will be tried after the young master comes back. Naturally, we will not torture him in private. It is precisely for this reason that we neglected to monitor him and gave him the opportunity to commit suicide with prison clothes." .”
Zhao Da added with a look of helplessness: "Yeah, who would have thought that he, a whistleblower, would commit suicide. Maybe the atmosphere in the prison cell of the school affairs office was too terrifying, which made him afraid, thinking that we would torture him. , that’s why…”
Facing the two explanations, Cao Zhang was also very speechless.
According to common sense, there is indeed no need for Dong Ji to commit suicide, but now that he is dead, many things have become unproven.
Therefore, his death was definitely not due to fear, but was premeditated.
Now that Dong Ji is dead, Cao Zhang can only hope to get the truth out of Cao Pi and Shi A.
In a cell deep in the prison, the moonlight shines on the ground weakly and without warmth through the small window.
The walls in the cell were damp, and the corners were covered with black mold, which seemed to tell the secret of this place.
On the ceiling above the head, spider silk weaves a web, circling like a soul-eating spider.
In the darkness, the dust on the top was blown by the breeze, dyeing the walls a desolate color.
The broken windows only showed a glimmer of light, as if blocked by demonic power.
The gloomy air filled the air, giving off a suffocating feeling, as if invisible hands were strangling his throat.
In this cell, Cao Pi huddled on the haystack in the corner.
In the suffocating darkness, faint wails echoed.
Every roar sent chills down Cao Pi's spine, touching the deepest fear deep in his heart.
Although Cao Cao ordered not to embarrass him for the time being, being in such an environment still made Cao Pi feel helpless. Especially when he thought that this case would be handed over to Cao Zhang for interrogation after he came back, his heart was full of fear and despair.
Cao Pi knew very well in his heart that he had secretly plotted against Cao Zhang several times, and he had already hated himself to the core. If he fell into his hands this time, the other party would definitely retaliate against him severely, and even make him suffer humiliation and torture. Execute yourself.
Cao Pi even began to regret why he had followed Cao Xiu's plan and took the initiative to provoke Li Jue into collaborating with the enemy, and now he had directly plunged himself into this hellish situation.
Footsteps suddenly came from the distant corridor, and the sound was very loud. It seemed that there were many people walking towards this direction.
Cao Pi subconsciously raised his eyelids and looked outside.
Several school officials held lanterns to clear the way in front, and among the few people who came next, the leader was Cao Zhang.
Cao Pi didn't move. He realized that what was supposed to come finally came.
Cao Zhang stopped in front of the cell door and looked quietly at Cao Pi sitting on the cell floor through the cell railings.
Cao Pi looked at Cao Zhang outside the cell, suddenly reacted, stood up suddenly and rushed to the railing, shouting excitedly: "Ziwen, you are back? You are back victorious?!"
Cao Zhang looked at the coquettish Cao Pi in front of him, smiled faintly, and responded: "Thank you for your concern, brother. Fortunately, I lived up to my command, annihilated Li Jue, recovered Chang'an, and came back safely. Brother, are you disappointed when you see me?" "
Cao Pi looked at Cao Zhang with wide eyes in astonishment: "Ziwen, how could you say that? Seeing you come back victorious, my brother is only happy, how can he be disappointed?"
"Brother, you and I are both smart people. We don't have to play riddles when we are clear. You also know why you are locked up here. I advise you to admit it directly. Anyway, I am back safely now. I won’t pursue this matter too much, so don’t waste everyone’s time.” Cao Zhang said to Cao Pi bluntly.
Cao Pi still shook his head in a dazed manner: "Ziwen, brother, do you really not know what you mean?"
He raised his head suddenly and looked like he suddenly realized: "Do you also think that I betrayed your military intelligence to Li Jue to harm you? Ziwen, you have to believe me, I really only did it out of concern. Ask Boyan and Junlin to tell me your military information, I really don’t know why Shi A handed it over to Li Jue?"
Cao Zhang said nothing, just looked at Cao Pi's "performance" coldly.
Seeing that Cao Zhang didn't express anything, Cao Pi continued with a distressed look: "Ziwen, I know you don't believe me. But after all, we are brothers from the same country, and I really can't harm you. You be good Think about it, since we were little, have I, as your elder brother, always loved you and Zijian?"
Cao Zhang still didn't say a word, and just continued to look at Cao Pi coldly.
"I admit that I was indeed at fault in this matter. I should not have neglected my precautions and let Dong Cheng take advantage of the loophole. But I really didn't expect that Shi A would be a spy and go back to convey military information. I was guilty of negligence. You are right to resent me." Seeing that Cao Zhang was silent, Cao Pi began to blame himself.
"I shouldn't trust others so easily. I almost hurt my brother. I'm such a fool. I deserve to die!" Cao Pi became more and more excited as he spoke. He actually raised his hand and slapped his own mouth.
Xia Houshang and Xia Houru, who were standing behind Cao Zhang, looked a little moved when they saw Cao Pi beating themselves wildly. They stepped forward and said to Cao Zhang, "Brother Ziwen, is there really a misunderstanding about this matter?"
Cao Pi knew that the two of them were simple and kind-hearted, so he couldn't tell that this was Cao Pi's trick, and he didn't blame them. He just nodded lightly, then turned to Cao Pi and said, "Okay, don't fight anymore."
After hearing what Cao Zhang said, Cao Pi stopped his hand. At this time, his cheeks were already red and even swollen. It was obvious that he had beaten himself with great strength.
He gasped for air, looked at Cao Zhang in front of him, and wanted to defend himself: "Ziwen, this matter is really a misunderstanding. I really didn't expect Shi A..."
Cao Zhang waved his hand and interrupted Cao Pi: "You said the problem lies with Shi A, right? Okay, I'll come back to you after I interrogate Shi A. I hope you can insist on saying what you are saying now when I come to see you next time!"
Cao Zhang didn't want to talk nonsense with Cao Pi, so he turned around and left, and Xiahou Ba quickly followed.
Xia Houshang and Xia Houru did not dare to delay. They glanced at Cao Pi and quickly followed Cao Zhang.
Cao Pi was a little surprised to see Cao Zhang leave like this. He didn't expect that Cao Zhang would let him go so easily. Now he could only pray silently in his heart, hoping that Shi A could insist on not telling the truth so that he could survive it. this crisis.
In the interrogation room deep inside the school office, a prisoner was locked tightly with iron chains. He was Shi A after experiencing torture.
Shi'a's clothes were in tatters, and his body was covered with scars and blood stains. He was leaning against the wall weakly.
At this time, he knew that he was already walking on the edge of life and death. As long as Cao Zhang came back, what was waiting for him was endless torture and continued torture.
But in order for his mother to have a good result, at this time, he must persevere, otherwise everything he has done before will be in vain.
Footsteps came from the corridor and finally stopped in the interrogation room.
Shi A tried his best to open his eyes and look forward, but the severe ischemia made his consciousness blurred. He could only see several figures standing in front of him in the shadow of the lamp, looking at him.
"Master Manfu? It seems that you have used a lot of punishments?" Cao Zhang asked Man Chong who was following.
"Yes, he refused to admit it before. Commander Zhao from the school affairs office and I took turns using some punishments before he admitted that he was instructed by General Dong Cheng to pass on the young master's military information to Li Jue. What happens next? Even during the torture, he insisted on his confession and never changed his confession." Man Chong respectfully reported to Cao Zhang.
Cao Zhang nodded: "After receiving such a severe punishment, he can still keep his mouth shut. It seems that he is either born with a strong backbone, or he is afraid of telling the truth because he has something to control."
"Shi A, I know your relationship with Wang Yue, so I know very well who is instigating you behind the scenes!" Cao Zhang looked at Shi A and said suddenly.
Shi A was slightly shocked when he heard Cao Zhang's words. He really couldn't figure out how Cao Zhang knew about the relationship between the dead Wang Yue and himself.
As a forensic doctor in his previous life, Cao Zhang also participated in the pre-trial of some cases. From Shi'a's slight expression, he knew that his words had touched him. He immediately struck while the iron was hot and continued: "You are just a murder knife, but it is held by someone else." In my hand. I also admire your backbone. As long as you tell me the truth now, I promise not to embarrass you. If you have any leverage held by others, tell me and I will try my best to help you solve it."
After hearing Cao Zhang's words, Shi A hesitated slightly, but still did not waver.
He slowly raised his head: "Master, I have told the truth. The person who instigated me is Dong Cheng..."
Seeing that Shi A was refusing to admit it, Cao Zhang could only sigh helplessly: "I gave you the opportunity. You didn't want it yourself, so don't blame me..."
Cao Zhang turned to look at Xiahou Ba: "Zhong Quan, are you ready for what I asked you to prepare?"
Xiahou Ba nodded and handed a hemp rope that he had prepared long ago to Cao Zhang.
Cao Zhang took the hemp rope and looked at it. The hemp rope should have been rubbed just now. There were still a lot of rough stubble on the rope. It would feel prickly if you touched it with your hands.
Cao Zhang took the rope, walked to a pillar in the interrogation room, tied the rope, and then tied the other end of the rope to another pillar, tightened the rope, and formed a rope at waist height. "Rope Bridge".
"Shi A, this is your last chance. If you tell the truth, you won't suffer the consequences. And I will promise to absolve you of the guilt and give you the protection you deserve." Cao Zhang arranged the torture tools, but still felt in his heart Somewhat unbearable, he finally persuaded Shi A.
Shi A looked at Cao Zhang. He knew that Cao Zhang had shown sincerity, but his mother was under Cao Pi's control after all. If he dared to betray him, Cao Zhen and Cao Xiu would definitely harm his mother before Cao Zhang arrived. The result would be He definitely doesn't want to see it.
"Thank you, Master, for your kindness. I have already said what I need to say. Since Master doesn't believe it, then just go ahead!" Shi A responded calmly.
Seeing how stubborn Shi A was, Cao Zhang shook his head helplessly and said to Xiahou Ba: "Zhong Quan, take off his pants, find someone to carry him, and let him ride on the rope."
Although Xiahou Ba didn't understand Cao Zhang's intention, he still waved his hand to the soldiers behind him to carry out his order, took off Shi'a's pants, and helped him sit on one end of the rope bridge.
Man Chong, Xia Houshang and Xia Houru also didn't understand Cao Zhang's intentions and could only watch quietly.
Cao Zhang signaled two soldiers to lift Shi'a's legs off the ground and sit on the hemp rope completely suspended in the air.
Cao Zhang himself couldn't bear to look any further. He turned his head silently, waved his hand and gave the order: "Drag!"
Two soldiers lifted Shi'a's legs and quickly dragged them toward the other end of the rope bridge.
The sharp burrs on the hemp rope quickly rubbed against Shi'a's thighs and crotch, immediately causing the flesh to become bloody.
"Ah!" Shi A couldn't struggle to escape at all, and could only let out a painful scream.
He twisted his body helplessly, and the facial features on his face were twisted like twists. It was obvious that he had suffered tremendous pain.
Everyone present, especially the two soldiers carrying Shi'a, were extremely shocked when they saw the cruel and bloody punishment in front of them.
Even Man Chong, although he had experienced many kinds of punishments, this was the first time he saw such torture and he was extremely shocked.
Cao Zhang listened to Shi'a's screams from behind, and could fully imagine the tremendous pain he was suffering now in his mind.
Although Cao Zhang slightly felt that his approach was a bit cruel, at this time he had to be ruthless and persevere to get the evidence he wanted.
"Shi A, are you going to tell me or not?" Xiahou Ba stepped forward and asked.
Shi A held back the severe pain and gasped with difficulty and said, "What I said is the truth. I have nothing else to say."
Xiahou Ba was furious and said sternly: "Tell you, I have prepared ten ropes. If you don't tell the truth, I will keep grinding them until you tell the truth!"
Faced with such a brutal threat from Xiahou Ba, Shi Aqiang endured the pain from his lower body, but still gritted his teeth: "I have nothing to say."
After saying that, he simply gritted his teeth and closed his eyes not to look at Xiahou Ba and others.
Xiahou Ba waved his hand to the soldiers: "Put it off again!"
The soldiers dragged Shi'a and rubbed him back and forth on the hemp rope. Blood kept flowing down his thigh, but he gritted his teeth and never let out a cry.
Although Xia Houshang and Xia Houru had both been on the battlefield, this cruel punishment still made them feel extremely horrified and even disgusted. They could not help but turn their faces away and did not dare to look again.
"That's enough!" Cao Jian clearly didn't want this cruel and inhumane punishment to continue, so he shouted stop...
