THE WHITE FILES: THE MANY

LIVES OF LU HERUO, TAIWANS

FIRST LITERARY TALENT

Chapter Ten: Torture in the Interrogation Room

The interrogation room of the Bureau of Investigation was dark and damp, filled with the smell of mildew and rust. A yellowed slogan hung on the wall: “Counterespionage Is Everyones Responsibility.” A bare light bulb suspended from the ceiling emitted a faint buzzing sound, illuminating the body of Chung Hao-tung, who was hanging in midair. His hands were raised above his head and fastened with chains to an iron hook in the ceiling. Sweat trickled down his forehead, mingling with blood as it ran along his cheeks.

“Confess and receive lenient treatment; resist and face severe punishment.” Major Xing Aihua sneered, swinging a black leather whip in his hand. “Principal Chung, youre an educated man who has studied the classics. Surely you know better than to go against the tide? Why not tell us the truth and spare yourself some physical suffering?”

He advanced step by step, his shoes creaking against the floor. His leather shoes seemed ready to crush whatever dignity remained.

Chung Hao-tungs gaze was resolute, and a bloodstained sneer hung at the corner of his mouth. “Hmph! I, Chung Hao-tung, stand upright beneath heaven and earth. I havent done what you accuse me of doing. Even if you held a knife to my throat, I couldnt make up a confession!”

Xing Aihuas face darkened at once. Gritting his teeth, he said, “So youre a man who stands upright beneath heaven and earth, are you?” He suddenly raised the whip and brought it down hard!

“Crack!”

The leather whip lashed across Chung Hao-tungs bare back, leaving a gash that split the skin. Yet he clenched his teeth and did not utter a sound.

Xing Aihua continued to taunt him. “If youre not a Communist agent, why does your newspaper repeatedly take the governments side of every issue and stand against it? You people always hide your actual collaboration with the enemy behind the name of freedom of speech!”

Chung Hao-tung raised his head, his eyes sharp as swords. “So anyone who criticizes you is a bandit? Then how many people on this island arent your enemies? You suffered a complete defeat and couldnt even defend your own country, yet you still dare to throw your weight around and bully us? Youre nothing but a bunch of—”

“Slap! Slap!”

Two sudden blows across his face cut him off in mid-sentence. Blood sprayed from the corner of his mouth, and his head jerked sharply to one side.

“You still dare lecture me? Damn you!” Xing Aihua was so furious he could barely contain himself. He seized Chung by the collar.

“Thats enough!” A deep voice cut through the sound of the whipping. Gu Zhengwen entered the room, his expression calm. He raised a hand to stop Xing Aihua.

“Aihua, show some respect!” Adopting the manner of a mild-mannered superior officer, he gestured toward Chung Hao-tung. “Take him down. Let him catch his breath.”

The soldiers released the suspension rope. Chung Hao-tungs body dropped abruptly, and he fell onto the floor. His knees struck the concrete with a dull thud, but he still clenched his teeth and remained silent.

Gu Zhengwen approached and crouched down. His tone carried a hint of mockery. “Principal Chung, I had already asked Lü Heruo to pass a message to you earlier, telling your newspaper not to keep pushing us to the limit. I never expected you people to remain so stubborn. This time, the higher-ups are genuinely furious. Im only carrying out orders.”

He reached out and patted Chung Hao-tung on the shoulder. “This case could be made serious or treated as a minor matter. If youre willing to sign this confession, I can guarantee that no one at your school will be implicated, and your young reporters can all have their lives spared. What do you say? Isnt that a good deal?”

Chung Hao-tung burst into a wild laugh, his whole body trembling. “Hahahaha! Mr. Gu, do you think Ill obediently submit just because you say a few words? You want me to admit to crimes that never happened and make my subordinates guilty of something they never did? Id rather die!”

Gu Zhengwens expression turned cold. “Youre even more stubborn than Lü Heruo. No wonder the higher-ups say that Taiwans intellectuals are the hardest people to control. Since you refuse to appreciate our offer, dont blame us for being ruthless.”

He stood up and nodded to Xing Aihua. “Aihua, hes yours.”

“Yes, Chief.” Xing Aihua revealed a cruel smile, then turned to shout at the two soldiers. “You two! Give this old bastard a proper welcome!”

The leather whip came down like a shower of rain. Chung Hao-tungs screams reverberated through the enclosed room, the concrete walls in the corners reflecting his agonizing cries. Outside the interrogation room, Lin Hanwen clenched his teeth and muttered, “Those damn Nationalist officials... How dare they treat the principal so brutally!” His fists were tightly clenched, and his eyes burned with rage.

Beside him, Dong Zhiqian had already curled into a ball, like a moldy steamed bun. His lips had turned white, and his whole body trembled uncontrollably.

A few minutes later, Chung Hao-tung finally lost consciousness. Xing Aihua roughly seized his hand, pressed his thumb into the ink pad, and stamped a blood-red thumbprint onto the confession.

Gu Zhengwen glanced at it and said coldly, “Bring in that reporter surnamed Dong.”

“Yes, sir!” The two soldiers stood at attention, saluted, and quickly left.

Before long, footsteps sounded outside. Dong Zhiqian was brought in wearing handcuffs and leg irons. When he saw his employer lying on the floor, covered in blood, fear flashed in his eyes, and his throat went dry.

“Sit down!” Xing Aihua shoved him into a chair. “Youve seen what happened to your boss, havent you? If you dont want to end up the same way, youd better use your head.”

Dong Zhiqian swallowed. “S-sir, Im just a hired hand. I dont know anything...”

Xing Aihua leaned close to his face, his voice low. “Playing dumb wont help you, kid. If you cooperate, you can stay alive. You might even have a chance to earn merit and redeem yourself. If you dont cooperate...” He raised his hand and made a gesture as though firing a gun, pointing it at Dongs forehead.

Dongs legs shook uncontrollably. Stammering, he said, “Sir, Ill tell you everything. Ill cooperate with anything you want...”

“Good.” Xing Aihua turned around, took out a statement, and slapped it down on the table. “This is the confession prepared for your Guangming Daily. Read it aloud exactly as written, then sign your name and leave your thumbprint.”

Dong nodded repeatedly like a bobblehead. Without the slightest hesitation, he signed his name and stamped his thumbprint.

Gu Zhengwen smiled. “A smart young man knows when to go along with the situation. When the military tribunal convenes, you will give your testimony according to this statement. If you perform well, our bureau may even take you in and send you for intelligence training in the future. Youll have a bright future ahead of you. Are you willing?”

Dong Zhiqians eyes shifted uneasily. He replied in a low voice, “I am... I am willing. I, Dong, am willing to accept the Chiefs guidance and training.”

Gu Zhengwen nodded. “Good. Aihua, Ill leave the rest to you.”