Chapter 2 Chapter 1 Experience in a Special Wax Museum

When I first met that person, I thought this person was a bit weird. Usually, if a person gives people a weird impression, it is not because of his appearance, there is something special about him, but because his actions are somewhat unconventional.However, this person made me feel weird, not because of the above two points, but for other reasons. what is the reason? It is better to start from the time and place when I first met this person.The time is dusk, and the location is in a wax museum. I don’t know who first invented the wax figure house. It displays life-size figures made of wax with real clothing for people to visit.A well-made wax figure can give people the feeling of a real person, so a place like a wax figure house will naturally remind people of many weird and terrifying things.

Many years ago, there was a horror movie about a wax museum owner who poured wax on a real human body to make it a highly realistic wax figure. At first, it was just using the corpse. It is inexplicably terrifying to immerse a living person in the wax juice that melts into liquid. There is also a famous novel about a self-proclaimed daring man who made a bet that he could spend the night in a wax museum dedicated to displaying famous murderers in history. Strangely, in the hallucination, this brave man felt that all the wax figures had come to life. He did not survive the night safely, and died of fright in the wax museum.

The first time I saw this man, I thought he was a bit weird, just happened to be in a wax museum—or should I say, in a very special wax museum. The reason why this wax museum is special to me is naturally because of the wax figures it displays. Generally speaking, the wax figures displayed in the Wax Museum are classified. Some of them are dedicated to historical celebrities, emperors, generals, etc., and some are dedicated to talents and beauties.There are also displays of celebrities who are still alive, and there are also groups of wax figures showing famous events in history, such as the three relocations of Mencius' mother, Jing Ke's assassination of the King of Qin, and so on.Some are dedicated to displaying famous murderers in history.

The theme of the wax museum I went to that day was very specific. It only displayed wax figures of famous people who died violently and tragically in Chinese history.Everyone knows that although China is known as a "5,000-year-old civilization", it has the most tricks in the world for executing a person (the executor and the person to be executed are the same, everyone is human!). No matter how famous and outstanding the executed person was before, and no matter how many years after his death, he was considered by the public or historians to be a hero, but when he was executed, he was just a Body.

It's just a body that can be used as an object of cruelty and appalling means. The owner of this wax museum is the one I mentioned at the beginning who I thought was very weird when I saw him. I had no interest in visiting the Wax Museum. The reason why I came to this wax museum was entirely because of my good friend Chen Changqing's efforts to instigate me. After he visited this wax museum, he would mention it almost every time he saw me: "You have to go and see it, it is really worth it for you to see, every wax figure is extremely shocking, your name is I said, I can't tell, but you really should go and see."

The first few times, I just responded, and didn’t really mean to take a look. I seemed to answer a few words, like “wax figures are always wax figures, and most wax figures are not even considered to be of artistic value. You're shocked, probably because you're too impressionable," or something. Chen Changqing naturally objected to my words: "You haven't seen it, how can you say that?" I smiled: "If you have to see everything in person to be sure, then it's okay! There are many things that can be judged by imagination or knowledge." Chen Changqing still shook his head. There were many similar arguments between me and him, so I don't need to describe them one by one. However, I was very impressed by the introduction about the owner of the wax figure house.He first told me about the theme of the exhibition in the courtyard, and then said: "The owner of this wax museum is a very interesting person. His wax museum only allows a group of people to visit it every day, and it is by no means anytime. It's between 6pm and 8pm, and those who go in have to follow his rules."

I couldn't help laughing: "What rules?" Chen Changqing said: "The entrance is a living room. He is waiting there at six o'clock every day. Those who want to go in and visit must first listen to his speech and listen to his explanation of the purpose of setting up this wax museum. Don't listen to him. You can't see those wax figures." I just shrugged my shoulders, because I didn't intend to see it at all, regardless of his special rules. That afternoon, I also happened to pass by. I saw the signboard of the Wax Museum, and immediately looked at the time. It happened to be one o'clock after six o'clock. Walked in.So, in fact, it should be said that the place where I first met this person was in a hall as soon as I entered the Wax Museum.

At that time, there were about twenty people in the hall, everyone was standing, men, women, young and old. After I went in, I stood in the corner, leaning on a pillar. I thought, if this person’s speech was boring , then I'll leave immediately without wasting time. At that time, he was telling those people why he set up such a wax museum.Not only because of his loud voice and outstanding appearance, but also because what he said sounded very interesting, so I listened to it for a while, then decided to stay and listen to him. He was quick to talk about various forms of human torture.

The man said: "Because only the sufferer can feel the pain of a person's body, but the torturer can't feel it at all, so the torturer can do whatever he wants, and impose all kinds of torture on the tortured." body. "Among the creatures on earth, only human beings have this kind of cruelty to the same kind, and there are so many tricks. I have spent many years researching various tortures in human history, and found that China used torture in history. Moreover, the inventor of torture has a deep understanding of the structure of the human body and knows how to make the victim feel the greatest pain!"

When he talked about this, his expression was a little excited, and he waved his hands, with tiny beads of sweat oozing from his forehead. He is quite tall, close to 180 centimeters, and has a very dignified appearance, with a head of hair as hard as steel wire.At that time, I didn't know where he came from, I just listened to him talking.What he said was not new, but when I heard that he had spent several years studying various forms of torture, I was naturally interested. It's not that I'm interested in torture. On the contrary, I think it's the most ugly side of human nature, and it's the stain of human beings as a superior creature. I can even say that because of the existence of torture in human history and now Human beings are not worthy to be regarded as a kind of advanced creatures because of the brutal cruelty of the same kind.On the earth, humans are in control, but one day, when they come into contact with other advanced creatures in the universe, unless humans have completely abandoned this behavior by then, they will definitely be regarded as a low-level by other astral creatures. Wild, savage, immature creatures.

It is precisely because I am not interested in torture at all, and when I think about it, I can't help but feel disgusted, so I became interested in a person who specializes in torture. At that time, I thought this way: This person is devoted to the study of various tortures. When he sees so many cruel acts of human beings against their own kind in the historical facts, what does he feel in his heart?Are you too disgusted to continue, or do you study with gusto and get excited because you found one more torture in the data? Of course, I also thought at the time that it would not be fair to use this attitude to deal with a person who has chosen such a research topic; since such behavior exists in human beings, it is natural that we should study it in depth. I was quite far away from him who was talking, and the distance was just enough to hear his voice. At this time, in order to hear him more clearly, I took a few steps closer to him.I was obviously not the only one who was attracted by his speech. At this time, there were at least thirty people around him, and I was the one who stood the furthest away from him. He continued, emphasizing his tone with a rather exaggerated gesture. He said: "Torture should not only cause the victim to feel pain, but the ultimate goal is to take the victim's life, execute the victim, and make the victim die in extreme pain. For anyone It is said that death is just an unknowable, and since it is inevitable, one should not feel too much fear. But death is one thing, and it is another thing to suffer unimaginable pain before death." Surrounding him, a young man suddenly interjected: "Beheading is the most barbaric thing!" As soon as the young man said this, there were many echoing voices, but he laughed loudly: "Decapitation is the most barbaric? My opinion is just the opposite. Decapitation is the most brutal form of torture. civilized." He paused for a moment, this person is very talented in speech, when he paused, he knew that the audience's attention was more focused, so he continued: "It is the death penalty that takes people's life, and the victim must be punished. Before dying, the person who feels the pain for the longest possible time can be called the "capital punishment". Beheading, the beheaded person will die as soon as the head leaves the body." Another young man muttered, "Who knows how long it will take for a person to lose consciousness and die after their head is cut off?" The speaker made a gesture: "Naturally, no one knows. In history, no one who has been beheaded can tell the extent of his pain, so we are only based on imagination, and some Based on the scientific basis, it is judged that the pain suffered by the human head after leaving the body will not last too long.” He actually used such a methodical analysis to discuss such things as beheading. I saw that several female audience members had unbearable expressions, and I also felt disgusted. And he was obviously just beginning, he raised his voice: "judging by the same basis, the degree of pain of 'cutting in half' must be higher than that of 'beheading'." He saw a young girl who didn't seem to understand " What does "cut in half" mean, so he made a gesture, put his hands on his waist, and swiped hard. Then, he said: "Use a big and sharp knife to cut off the human body at the waist and divide it into two parts. Since the main structure of the human body is mostly above the waist, the person who has been broken into two parts , within a certain period of time, it will not die immediately—" When he said this, several female audience members had already groaned, covered their mouths and rushed out. Of course, they were not going to visit again. This wax museum is gone. And this person, he seems to be used to the situation where someone can't stand his words and leaves, he didn't even pause for a moment in his tone of speech, and continued: "Is it necessary to cut it in half? I have done research, and the conclusion is that the human body must be cut in two with one knife, so the position where the knife is cut is very important, it must be above the plate bone, at that position, the human body has only the spine, so it can be cut. To cut a man in two at once—” When he spoke here, another seven or eight people left, including the female audience and three elderly people. He was still talking: "Cut in half can naturally cause great pain to the tortured, but compared to 'Ling Chi', that is nothing." At this time, even a few young people couldn't stand it anymore, and one of them said, "Let's go in and visit the wax figure." The man's face darkened: "If you can't even bear the explanation before entering the venue, then I suggest that you don't need to visit the wax figures. The wax figures on display are made with extreme care. I'm afraid your spirit can't bear it." The young man didn't say anything more, apparently unwilling to admit that he was mentally weak, and he didn't leave either. At that time, I also felt a little impatient. Naturally, I can choose to leave, but there is something attractive in this person's words, not to mention that at this time, I really want to see those wax figures. So I said in a deep voice, "Please make the long story short." He looked up at me. When I came in, he was already giving a speech, and I stood quite far away from him. He didn't pay attention to me at all, and if I didn't say a word, he wouldn't look at me at all. However, at this moment, when he looked at me, he was taken aback. His reaction was very obvious, so the people in front of him also turned their heads to look at me. I also looked at him, and he looked at me for a long time, at least ten seconds, before he looked away, and then, after thinking about it, he said: "Okay, to make a long story short, but I still want to think about it." Finish what you have said." I clapped my hands lightly a few times, expressing that I did not object to him finishing his speech.He nodded to me and said: "I have said a lot just now, the main thing is to explain that a person's physical pain cannot be felt by others. In fact, his mental pain is far higher than his physical pain." When he talked about this, he paused: "For example, a national hero with ideals and aspirations was wronged as a traitor and was sentenced to death. What kind of pain is his spirit in when he is about to be sentenced?" In the state?" A young man whispered: "No one knows." He suddenly raised his voice: "No, it can be known to others. Physical pain has no contagious effect, but mental pain has a huge contagious power." He spoke here and looked at me.I just feel that what he said is getting more and more mysterious, and I can't understand what he wants to explain at all. When he began to speak again, his expression suddenly became agitated: "It is precisely because spiritual pain can be contagious that art exists. In ancient and modern times, at home and abroad, human beings have created countless works of art, all to varying degrees, Infect others with varying degrees of strength. This kind of infection is all spiritual. What is displayed in my wax museum are all people who had great spiritual humiliation before they died. I think their Really painful, can infect others through the expression method of wax figures." A young man was a little bit unconvinced, he said: "Usually, wax figures are not considered works of art." The owner of this wax museum suddenly became angry: "Little friend, I will talk about it after you have seen it!" This person, I have always only noticed his appearance, and didn't pay attention to how old he is.It wasn't until this moment that he called out "little friend" that I began to pay attention. How old is this person?Probably between the ages of forty and fifty, it is very difficult to make a correct judgment.At this time, I have more or less understood his intentions. It seems that he is not just introducing how realistic the wax figures in his museum are and how artistic they are. He continued: "Naturally, no matter how strong the infection of others is, it is not as good as one thousandth or one ten thousandth of the victim. Only one person whose experience is the same as that of the victim can fully experience the torture. the pain of the victim!" He emphasized again: "Actually, you can't fully feel it just because you have experienced the same experience. You must have the same thoughts as the sufferer!" When he reached this point, he took a deep breath and stopped. He still didn't mean to invite people in for a visit, but asked everyone with his eyes if there was any problem. At this time, there were only fifteen or six people left, and most of them were young people, including three or four women.One of the young women asked: "Excuse me, does the Jesus crucified have something in common with the wax figures displayed in the museum? Jesus died in extreme pain, and all kinds of art representing him crucified It can also give viewers different degrees of appeal." The man said "hmm": "Good question, it can be said that they have something in common, but what is displayed inside seems to be more direct." When he said this, he stretched out his hand and pointed inward: "Please come in!" Most of the young people are impatient, and they rushed in immediately. I was about to go in, but two people came in from outside the door, but they were stopped politely by that person: "Come back tomorrow, six o'clock, no later than six o'clock." Five points." Those two people were a little embarrassed, turned and left, he came to me, and stretched out his hand to me: "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Wesley!" When he looked at me for the first time and was startled when he saw me, I knew that he must have recognized who I was, so I didn't feel any surprise when he said that. I shook hands with him, and he introduced himself: "My surname is Mi, and my single name is Duan, correct Duan." I have no impression of this name at all, so I just said: "Mr. Mi, what you just said is very exciting." Mi Duan smiled wryly. When he smiled wryly, there was a real bitterness in his expression. He said, "Please go in and visit. I hope you can have a stronger feeling than others." As I walked forward, I said, "I hope I can get acquainted with the wax figures on display, so that I may feel something through artistic modeling." Mi Duan said: "I know you, you must know everything!" I pushed open a door, and Mi Duan seemed to follow in—I said he "seemed" to follow in, just because as soon as the door opened, I was already stunned by the scene inside. The first thing I saw was the stunned expressions of the dozen or so visitors.If so many people could be made to show such expressions at the same time, then the scene they saw must be very frightening. I just turned my head slightly, and saw a scene that shocked so many people. I have also visited some famous wax museums before. Although the wax figures are realistic, they will never give people the feeling that they are real people under their sanity. But what I saw at this time, not to mention the first impression, I felt that it was a real person. Even after staring at it, I still felt that it should not be a wax figure, but a real person. Naturally, the main reason for giving people such an impression is that the wax figure is too similar. Like refers to the expression of the wax figure.In the first room after entering the door, in a room about 30 square meters in size, there are actually only two wax figures. One, tied to a pole, was almost naked. His naked body was tightly strangled by something like a fishnet, so that his muscles, piece by piece, were caught in the mesh. Protruding out, the protruding muscles give people a strong sense of elasticity. There are already many wounds on this person's body, and blood is flowing out from the wounds—there is real blood flowing out—this is why it looks so real, it may be a simple mechanical device that makes Blood-red liquid flowed out of the wax figure, just like when the human body was injured. The blood flowed down the human body, flowed into a groove on the ground, and was sucked up again. There are many wounds on this man's body. For some wounds, it is impossible to see what caused them for a while, but for some wounds, you can tell what they were formed at a glance: the muscles protruding out of the mesh were cut by sharp knives. Cut off the result!Some wounds were bright red, and the naked muscles seemed to be shaking with pain. Some wounds were already blurred, and some wounds, blood beads were oozing out, more than a dozen drops, after oozing out, they gathered into a ball and dripped down.The scene of the blood flowing out was so real that the person who saw it felt cold in the same part of his body. Beside that person is another person, dressed very strangely, holding a strangely shaped, slightly curved, thin and sharp knife in his hand-of course, this knife is a real knife, and it can be called a knife just by looking at it. The kind that one feels its sharpness. Half of the blade of this sharp knife was cutting into the man who was strangled by the net. In the muscle protruding from the net, there was also blood, dazzling blood oozing out, dripping down along the tip of the knife. with. The expression of the knife holder is extremely concentrated, as if what he is cutting is not a living person, but is using a sharp blade to carve some inanimate material to make it a work of art. What is really surprising is the look on the victim's face, what kind of face it is! All faces have the same structure and components, nothing more than eyes, ears, mouth, nose, plus muscles and skin. However, a face with the same structure and components can have tens of thousands of shapes Changes, and there can be thousands of times more changes in expression. The look on the victim's face was really astonishing. I have never seen such a wronged, so indignant, and so concentrated all the inner pain on a person's face.His eyes are open, making one feel that there is a power in his eyes that will turn everything in the world into ashes.His mouth was not opened very wide, but one could feel as if one could hear his cry, full of anger and pain. Although there were quite a few people in the showroom, it was extremely quiet, no one made a sound, but in such a quiet environment, I seemed to hear the sound of blood dripping on the ground, as well as the sound of the tortured person. The sound of calling is simply a sound from hell. This kind of sound may not be able to stimulate people's auditory nerves, but it can make every nerve in the human body feel his power. I was really stunned. This tortured person seemed to have never cared about his physical pain. Although there was an extremely painful expression on his face, the pain definitely did not come from the muscles on his body. It was cut off one by one by a sharp blade, but it came from the depths of his heart.In the depths of his heart, there was extreme grief, and the look in his eyes clearly made people feel the grief in his heart and what kind of screams he was making. He is not crying out for pain, but calling out the grief and anger in his heart, the problems he doesn't understand in his heart, his complaints about fate, and all the suspense in his heart. I even immediately knew who this victim was. Although there was no written description, I immediately knew who this victim was.It is also because of this that all the deeds about this person in my memory surged up in an instant, which shocked me even more. Just as Mi Duan said, mental pain can be contagious, and he is right. No matter how strong the infection is, the infected person is completely different from the person who suffers from it. . However, after knowing the background of the recipient, of course the infection will be much stronger.At this moment, I had no time to pay attention to other people's reactions. I only felt that my blood flow was accelerating, and I even felt dizzy. Naturally, there was a reason for the shocking expression on the victim's face. He must be Yuan Chonghuan, the great general at the end of the Ming Dynasty.Although there are many people who have been executed by Ling Chi in history, and many of them are very famous, but I can be sure that this victim will not be someone else, it must be Yuan Chonghuan.This national hero who devoted all his abilities to fighting against powerful enemies, but in the end, he was sentenced for the crime of collaborating with the enemy and treason, a traitor! A hero will not be afraid of death, even if he is executed by Ling Chi, he will not be afraid! (The execution method of "Ling Chi" torture is that the executioner must cut a thousand knives. Before the victim has been cut a thousand knives, if the victim dies, the executioner is guilty. The person who invented this torture, the purpose It is natural that the tortured suffer more physical pain, but a real hero is not afraid of physical pain. Those who think of this kind of torture obviously do not understand the spiritual outlook of a hero.) According to historical records, before Yuan Chonghuan was executed, the people blindly thought that he was really a collaborator, so they jumped on him one after another, biting his body and biting off his flesh. There were many scars on the wax figure that were not knife wounds, flesh and blood The vague wounds are naturally all caused by human teeth. The blindness of the masses can reach this level, which is really the biggest question whether human beings can be classified as advanced creatures. When Yuan Chonghuan was tortured, what he felt was not physical pain, but mental pain, the pain of being wronged, the pain of failure, the pain of being teased by fate, the pain of helpless and desperate situation, the pain of having nowhere to accuse, the pain of hatred. The pain of not being able to turn one's own body into flying ash in exchange for the realization of ideals but impossible... The concentration of all the mental pain is really a huge shock, and it will make people tremble uncontrollably! From the extreme silence in the room, gradually there was a sound, which was the sound of breathing──Everyone held their breath when they saw this scene, but gradually, it became a rapid breathing, And the breathing became more and more rapid, and in the end, it was almost gasping for breath, and everyone couldn't help but gasped for breath. I am no exception, also panting.Then, there was another cry, and those young women couldn't help crying.Several young men were also crying, and then there was another "cracking" sound made by the friction of joints. It was the sound made by several young men clenching their fists tightly. Although everyone is very clear about Yuan Chonghuan's experience, but such a vivid scene is presented in front of his eyes, no matter how powerful the writing skills are, it is difficult to catch it.Reading history makes people sad, and at this time, almost everyone who saw this scene was infected with that kind of spiritual pain—even if the degree is different, it must be the most profound time in life. I tried to calm myself down, and a question immediately came to my mind: who made this wax figure?This is simply an extremely great work of art. I must meet this artist who has integrated such a huge shocking power into his works! When I thought of this, I turned my head and looked around. It wasn't until I turned my head that I realized that I had been staring and hadn't moved at all, so that my neck bones were a little stiff. Turning my head, I saw Mi Duan standing upright in a corner of the room, also looking at the shocking scene. I originally wanted to ask him: Who is the creator of such a great statue? But as soon as I saw him, although I opened my mouth wide, my words were blocked by an invisible force, and no sound could come out. The power that made me speechless came from Mi Duan, or to be more precise, from the expression on Mi Duan's face. His expression was no less than that of Yuan Chonghuan's statue. If I was shocked when I saw the statue, then I was even more shocked at this time. Why did Mi Duan have such a deep, mentally painful expression?Immediately following this question, naturally: who is he? I don't know who he is, I only know that his name is Mi Duan, he is the owner of a wax museum, that's all. If it is such a person, why does he have such a deep experience of mental pain? While a series of questions flooded my mind, there was one thing that I understood without asking. I wanted to ask him: who made the statue? There is no need to ask this question, there is an answer, of course it is the creation of Mi Duan!To express such profound sorrow and pain, such anger and excitement on the statue, the artist himself must have such experience. At this time, I was still staring at Mi Duan. I was sure that no one would have such an expression on his face, so he was the one who created the statue. I even found out that the shape of Mi Duan's face is somewhat similar to the statue of Yuan Chonghuan. I think this may be because their expressions are so similar at this time, so it gives people the feeling that their appearance is also similar. . Because I was so shocked, I made a strange "cluck" sound uncontrollably from my throat. This unusual sound alarmed Mi Duan, and he suddenly vibrated. His expression changed rapidly. When he found me staring at him in an instant, he showed a very strange and indescribable expression, as if he was engaged in a very secret thing, but Like being bumped into. But this weird expression is fleeting, and it is almost impossible to capture it accurately. Then, he was the same as when I saw him in the wax museum. He stopped looking at me, turned to the visitors who were shocked by the statue, and said in a rather low voice: "Everyone, you can go to the next exhibition." Room to continue to visit." Three young women looked at him with tears in their faces, and one asked: "What are displayed in the rest of the showroom..." Mi Duan's tone was very calm: "It's the same, the pain of human beings since ancient times, the tragedy of heroes, although they have different environments and historical backgrounds, they are essentially the same. What is displayed in this showroom is the anger of grievances." And hopeless despair." The three young women looked at each other, and one whispered: "Enough, we don't...don't want to watch anymore...enough." As they talked, they walked out, but Mi Duan had no intention of keeping them down. The three young women rushed out, and when they came to the door, they all turned around and looked at the statue at the same time. This look made them stay for at least two minutes before rushing out. It was also at this time that I noticed that we had been in this showroom for nearly half an hour. The half-hour felt like a few seconds, and that was naturally due to being so absorbed in what I saw that I didn't know how the time passed. Mi Duan has already pushed open another door. Outside the door is a corridor. I was the first to follow behind him, and the rest followed. The corridor is very narrow and can only accommodate one person. Walking at the front of the Miduan, the pace is very slow, and there is no intention of giving up the leading position, so everyone, naturally, can only slowly follow behind him. I think Mi Duan walked so slowly on purpose.The purpose is to allow visitors to have a period of time to calm down and go to another showroom to accept new shocks. The corridor was not too long, but they walked for nearly five minutes, and no one spoke during these five minutes. Mi Duan finally pushed open another door. He paused at the door, took a deep breath, and walked in. I followed in and saw two wax figures in this showroom. But all of them are prisoners, and the executioner is omitted. Of the two prisoners, one had been decapitated. It was a young man in his early twenties. His head was separated from his body, his eyes were closed, and he looked stubborn. There was blood gushing out from all over the body. Due to the realistic scene, it almost makes people feel that they can smell a strong smell of blood. The other prisoner was a middle-aged man in his prime. He tilted his head and looked at the young man whose body and head had been separated. A sharp knife had already cut half of his neck, and blood began to spurt. However, he just looked at the young man. There was extremely deep sorrow in his eyes. The shape of his mouth could make people feel that he was trying his best to restrain the trembling of his lips──Naturally, his lips also It can't tremble for much longer, and he will be separated in a second.The incomparably profound grief of the tortured person is the same as Yuan Chonghuan's pain, but it gives people a new and strong feeling. I only feel that this kind of grief is so deep that it almost covers everything in the world. Even strength can't reduce it by half.Comparing grief with the power that can alleviate it, grief is infinite. After everyone came in, the grief immediately infected everyone. The tortured man whose neck had been cut with a knife even had a certain amount of calmness in his expression of grief, but this calmness was He deepened the degree of spiritual grief in his heart. Several people involuntarily insisted that they could breathe in a little more air. The scene in front of them was another famous tragedy in history: Yue Fei, Yue Yun and his son, the famous anti-gold generals in the Southern Song Dynasty, were killed at the same time under the word "unnecessary". In the statue, Yue Fei looked at his son at the moment when the knife was on his neck, and letting his son fall on the head before others, I am afraid it is one of the more cruel ideas of torture. Was that the real situation at the time?And why can't it be like this?艺术家可以有丰富的想像力，如果当时的情形，确如此际展现在眼前的一样，那么这位面对著强大的敌人，面对著敌人的千军万马，毫无畏惧地冲锋陷阵的英雄，在眼看著他自己的儿子，当他还是一个十二岁的少年时，就从军抗敌，经历了十年沙场上的征战而未曾丧失生命，却在自己人的刀下，身首异处，他的心中会想到什么呢？ grief!当然只有无边无涯的悲痛，所以他的神情才会显示出那么深沉的悲痛。 或许，他也会在自己人头落地的那一瞬间，在他还能思想的那一瞬间，在他生命终结之前的那一瞬间，想到为什么这样的事会发生？公平、正义、正直、勇敢，一切美好的名词所代表的意义究竟是什么？还是在人类的行为之中，根本没有那些名词所代表的行为？还是坚持这些行为的，必然会遭到如此悲惨的下场？ 钢刀已经切进了颈项，他能思考的时间不多了，鲜血已经涌出来，他三十九年的生命结束，他甚至不知自己死于什么罪名，只知道自己一直在做著应该做的事情，或许，他会在最后一刹那间觉得：这就是生命，生命本来就是如此可悲的？ 从塑像那么深邃的悲痛神情之中，不知可以使人联想起多少问题来，好几个年轻人发出哽咽声，我在至少二十分钟之后，才能勉力镇定心神，把视线从塑像移开之后，自然首先落向米端的身上。 米端和上次一样，仍然伫立在陈列室的一角，一切不动。不过这一次，他却是面向著屋角，背向著外面，所以看不清楚他的神情。 可是在一看之下，我立时有了一种强烈的感觉：如果这时我是面对著他的话，他的神情，一定又和塑像上所表现出来的一样。 不过，我没有机会证实我的感觉，当我轻轻叫了他一声之后，他停了一停，才转过身来，在他脸上，已看不出有什么异状来了。 他仍然用那种只要用心听，就可以听出那多半是强装出来的平静的语调道：“岳家父子的事迹，大家一定都十分熟悉了，下一个陈列室──” 有五、六个青年人一起道：“我们……不准备……再参观下一个了。” 米端作了一个“悉随尊便”的手势，那几个年轻人脚步沉重地走了出来。我本来很想留住他们，问一问他们在看了这样的情景之后，究竟有什么感受。但看到他们那样沉重的脚步，也就不忍心再去打扰他们了。而且，还有三个年轻人留下来，我想，等一会，再问这三个青年，也是一样的。 谁知道，在米端带著我们，又经过了一条走廊，一打开第三间陈列室的门，我们一进去之后，那三个青年人，不约而同，齐齐发出了一下惨叫声，掩面转身，脚步踉跄地向外就逃。 在看到了第三间陈列室中的情景之际，我也几乎有立时离开的冲动，可是我却令自己留了下来，尽管强烈的、想呕吐的感觉是如此难以遏制，以致我不由自主，发出了十分乾涩的呻吟声来。 一进入第三间陈列室，就是一阵血腥味，简直是扑鼻而来的，那一定是真正有这种气味在，而不是感觉上的。虽然眼前的情景，也足够可以使人感到有血腥味了。 一个人，倒在地上──并不是整个人倒在地上，而是分成了两截，倒在地上，是齐腰被斩断的。 腰斩！ 令人起强烈的呕吐感的，还不是不断在冒出来的，浓稠鲜红的血，也不是狼藉在血泊之中，几乎分不出是真是假的内脏，而是那个人的下半截身子，应该已经是静止不动的了──实际上也是静止不动的，可是仍使人感到它在颤动，在极度痛苦之中颤动！ 至于这个人的上半截，塑像自然是不动的，但是由于表达出来的动感如此之甚，在看到的人，神经受到强烈的震撼之后，看上去，像是他脸上的肌肉，正在不断地抽搐一样。 至于他的手，更像是在动，是的，他的手，手背上的骨，凸起老高，由于血在迅速大量流失，手已变得乾枯，看不到有突出的血管，他左手用力撑著，令得只剩下半截身子的他，头可以仰得更高，而他的右手满是血，血是从他自己身体内流出来，形成了一个血泊处蘸来的，他用蘸来的血在写字，已经写了一个，正在写第二个。 已经写了的一个是“篡”字，看来，第二个要写的，还是那个“篡”字。 他那在写字的手，仿佛在抖动，他双眼紧盯著自己要写的字，看起来像是要把自己生命之中，最后一分气力，贯彻进他写的字之中。 我只感到自己面部的肌肉，也不由自主的在抽搐了，啊啊！有野史记载著，他一共写了十二个半“篡”字，现在才第二个。 这时，他在想什么呢？他应该知道，至少还要有几百人，会因为他的行为，而跟著死亡，灭十族啊！连学生都不能幸免。 （他在那时不会知道正确的被杀人数，后来，证明被杀者有八百七十余人，不论是男是女，是老是幼，甚至是婴儿，都不能幸免，八百七十余人，完全是无辜的，只不过因为他们和这个受刑人有人际关系而已。） 而他，明知道，自己不肯为新皇帝写登基诏书之后，会有这样的结果，他还是作了这样的选择，为什么呢？总有一种信念，在支持著他的行为吧。看他这时的神情，愤怒之中，带著卑视，那种卑视，自他的眼神中可以找到，自他的口角上可以找到，甚至在他的眉梢中也可以找得到。 支持他宁愿选择这样可怕的下场的信念是什么呢？叔父做皇帝，还是侄子做皇帝，对他来说，又有什么大关系呢？ 可是，他就是那样固执，到了生命的最后一刻，还在坚持他的信念，认为新皇帝的行为是不对的，是应该受到谴责。 他所谴责的，看来不单是帝位之争，而是信念之争，是维护正当，谴责不正当之争。叔父把帝位在侄子的手中抢夺了过来：篡！ 凡是用不正当的手段取得什么的行为，都可以包括在内，上至用武力把本来属于老百姓的权力化为己有，下至剪径的小毛贼，甚至也可以包括一切巧取豪夺的行为，一切心灵上丑恶的想法，一切人类丑恶的行为在内。 唉，方孝孺被断成了两截之后，奋起最后一刹那的生命，写下那十二个半“篡”字之际，是不是不仅止在谴责新皇帝明成祖，也谴责了一切人类的丑恶行为？ 从他痛苦中的鄙视神情来看，他对人类丑恶的行为，充满了不屑和鄙视，他坚持了信念，却遭到了如此的极刑，怎能叫他对人类再有尊敬之心呢？ 这一次，我想得更多，也立得更久，当我终于深深吸一口气，去看米端时，米端也正在深深吸气，他先开口：“到今天为止，能参观完四个陈列室的人，只有七个，希望你能成为第八个。” 我声音木然：“哦，还有一间？”米端点了点头，向外走去。我心中在想，已经看到过的三间陈列室，所见到的情景如此触目惊心，第四间至多也不过如此了，所以，我立即跟在他的后面。依然是狭窄的走廊，米端也一样走得很慢，所不同的是这次他一面走，一面在说话。他道：“在进入第四间陈列室之前，我照例要征求参观者的同意，肯定他是不是真的想参观……” 他讲到这里，顿了一顿，才继续下去：“……第四间陈列室。” 我吸了一口气：“我找不到不想参观的理由。虽然参观你创作的那些艺术品之后，受到巨大的震撼，那种不舒服的感觉，不知会在心中停留多久，可是我还是想继续看下去。” 馆主听得我这样说，略停了一停，但是并没有转过身来：“你知道那些人像全是我的作品？” 我道：“是，虽然只是我的推测。” 他没有再说什么，沉默了片刻，我跟在他的后面，也无法看到他的神情，自然也无从知道，在他片刻的沉默之际，他心中在想些什么。 接著，他就全然不再提及这个话题：“刚才你看过的情景，其实还不算是人生际遇之中最悲惨的。” 我吃了一惊，一时之间，对他这种说法所能作出的反应，只是“啊”地一声。 他又道：“他们所受的酷刑，对受刑人来说，痛苦相当短暂的，即使是凌迟，大约也不会超过三个小时。” 我发出了一下类似的呻吟的声音，对他的话表示不满：“三个小时，每十分之一秒都在极度的痛苦冲击之中，什么样的三个小时。” 米端闷哼了一声：“还有更长的，譬如说三天，三个月，三年，甚至三十年……” 我道：“你是指精神上的折磨和残虐？” 米端道：“肉体上和精神上，双重的残酷。” 我吸了一口气：“那就不是……死刑了？死刑是一直被认为是极刑的。” 米端的身子颤动了一下，他的声音也有点发颤：“不见得，死刑，不论处死的方法多么残酷，痛苦的时间总不会长……” 他说到这里，又顿了一顿。 我陡然之际，想起中国历史上几桩有名的、对人的残酷虐待的事情来，不禁打了一个冷战，失声道：“第四间陈列室……不会是一个女士吧？” 米端忙道：“不，不，不是她，我知道你想到的是谁，不是她。” 我苦笑了一下，我想的是被斩去了手和脚，被戳穿了耳膜，被刺瞎了眼睛，又被灌了哑药的一个女性，这个女性在受了这样的酷刑之后，头脑还是清醒的，生命并没有被立时夺走，当她被放在厕所之中，继续活下去时，尚能活动的脑部，不知道会在想什么？这实在是想想也令人遍体生寒的事。 （这件事，发生在汉朝，被害人是汉高祖的宠姬戚夫人，害人者是吕后，历史上有明文记载。而汉朝，正是中国历史上的黄金时代，大多数中国人，都是汉人，可见得“汉”字是一种光荣的代表，是佳称，好名。） 我不由得更是紧张：“比……这位女性的遭遇还更惨？” 米端挥著手：“不是这个意思，而是……而是受刑人如果是女性的话，那……与我……那不在我的研究范围之内，所以……”他这几句话，说来有点断断续续，甚至有点语无伦次之感。 我在竭力揣摩他真正想表达什么，还是想掩饰什么，他又道：“并不是我歧视女性的感觉，女性自然一样也会痛苦绝望，不过和男性……心理上多少有点不同，我无法达到同样深切的感受！” 我“嗯”地一声：“当然，如果不是你有那么深切的感受，你绝不能创造出那么惊人的作品来。” 米端又震动了一下，喃喃地道：“是……就是……这个意思。” 他说话的声音虽然低，可是我还是可以听得出，他虽然是在说“就是这个意思”，表示同意了我的说法，但实实在在，他心中所想的并不是如此，只不过是不想在这个问题上讨论下去，想快点结束话题而已。 我不禁又想到：不是这个意思，那又有什么别的可能呢？我更进一步想到，一般来说，一个艺术家，总喜欢人家谈论他的作品的，为什么米端总是回避这种话题？ 我直到那时为止，仍然不知道米端的真正身分，但是称他为艺术家，那是绝无疑问的事，因为他创作了那样惊心动魄的作品。 看出他不愿再讨论下去，我自然也不便再说什么。这时，已来到了第四间陈列室的门口，我突然道：“让我再来猜猜，我会见到什么人！” 米端直到这时，才转过头向我望著：“谁？” 他自然是想要我猜，我略昂起了头，自然而然，神情苦涩，因为在中国历史上，可供作为第四间陈列室主角的人，实在太多，随便想想，就可以想出几百个，甚至几千个、几万个来！他们全曾受过各种各样的酷刑，而他们绝不是罪有应得的，相反地，受刑人没有罪，施刑人才是有罪的。 可是，一直是这样在颠倒著，自古至今，一直在这样颠倒著！ 是的，自古至今。别以为种种酷刑，只有古代才有，就在十多年前，因酷刑致死致残的人，就数以百万计。听到过什么叫“铜头皮带”吗？是又宽又厚的皮带，配上生铜的厚重的带扣，抽打在六十岁老人的身上，就能把人活活抽死！ 当我想起，在众多的受刑者之中，我实在无法确定一个之际，我心绪极度低沉，不但感到战栗，而且感到耻辱：人类的性格行为，竟然有那么可怕的一面在！ 我感到喉咙发乾，叹了一声，心中想，应该有人，把历史上发生过，或正在发生的种种人类酷虐同类的行为，好好记录下来。 一想到这一点，我自然而然，想起了一个历史上著名的人物来，他，一定就是他，是第四间陈列室中的主角，一定是！ 我缓慢而深长地吸了一口气，然后才一字一顿地道：“司马迁！” 米端才一面点头，一面道：“你第一个在门外猜中了会见到什么人的。” 我一点也不因为猜中了而心里高兴。相反地，更加不舒服，以致我讲起话来，声音相当哑：“想想他所遭遇到的，真不知那是一种什么样的痛苦，而且，正如你所说，他的痛苦，是那么久远。” 米端的反应，出于我的意料之外。 任何知道司马迁这位伟大的史学家的遭遇的人，在谈及他的不幸遭遇时，自然会嗟叹唏嘘，都会同情，可是米端反应之强烈，却超越了常理之外。 他一听我这样说，脸上立时现出了痛苦和屈辱交织的神情来，那种被极度的侮辱和伤残的痛苦，是如此之强烈，仿佛接受官刑的不是司马迁，而是他本身一样。 在那一刹那间，我只是惊骇莫名地看著他，他也立时警觉了自己的反应太过强烈，连忙转过身去，然后，喘了好几口气，语音恢复了平静：“进去看看吧。” 这种情形，在第一间陈列室中，我已经见过一次──米端曾现出和袁崇焕同样痛苦的神情，这时，我简直可以肯定，我即将见到的司马迁的像，神情会和刚才米端所现出来的一样。 在我前面的米端推开了门，我一眼就看到了那塑像。我不详细叙述那塑像的情形了，那是正受完了刑之后。塑像的头向上微仰著，并不望向自己的伤口，而是望向极遥远的地方。 自然，在刑室中，他不可能望得太远。他至多只能看到见溅满了鲜血的牢墙，可是他双眼之中的那种空洞和绝望，却叫人感到他在望向极遥远之处，甚至超过了天空的障碍，一直望向宇宙的深处。 不出我所料，塑像脸上神情所表现出的被辱和痛苦的神情，和刚才米端所现出来的，几乎是一样的。他在这样的精神和肉体的双重屈辱之中，正在想什么呢？看他的样子，一定是在想什么。他在想以后怎么活下去？他有没有想到过结束自己那痛苦的生命？ 要是活下去，怎么活呢？一天十二个时辰，每一刻每一分，都要在身心上受无边痛楚的煎熬，这样子的生命值得再拥有吗？ 他是不是在想：我犯了什么罪，要受这样残酷的酷刑？真的，他做了什么呢？为他的一个好朋友辩护了几句，惹得皇帝生了气，于是，他的噩运就降临了。有一种人的身分叫“皇帝”，他一个人动一动念，就可以决定另一个人，另十个人，另一百个人，另一千一万十万百万人的生或死，他可以随心所欲，把种种酷刑加在其他人的身上而没有力量可以对付他。人类单是有这种身分的人在，单是有这种事实在，人类就甚至不能算是高等生物了！ 塑像的被侮辱感，是由于感到了他做为一个人，已经是够侮辱的了？ 我盯著塑像看了很久，才缓缓转过身来，缓缓摇著头：“够了，真的够了，我不希望再有第五间陈列室。” 米端苦涩地道：“第五间──” 他只讲了三个字，就立即变了话题：“读过他所写的'报任少卿书'的人，都可以知道他受刑的经过，在文字之中是看不出他身受的极度的痛苦来的，或许是他故意掩饰──身心所受的痛苦，要故意掩饰，那使痛苦的程度，又深了一层。” 我点头，表示同意他的说法，同时道：“我想……去透透气。” 米端指著另一扇门：“从这里出去，是一个院子，穿过院子，就是另一条街。” 我当时只想离开陈列室，心想，米端一定会跟出来的，所以也没有作特别的邀请，就循他所指，急急走了出去，一到了外面，先深深地吸了一口气。 天色已经完全黑了下来，城市的灯光在黑暗中闪烁著，正是仲秋时分，风吹上来有点清凉，把我来自内心的燥热驱散了不少。 回想刚才在蜡像院中的那两小时，简直是做了四场可怖之极的恶梦一样。 我在院子中站了一会，果然看到米端也推开了那道门，慢慢地来到我的身边。 我挥了一下手：“你的艺术造诣如此之高，只做蜡像，真是太可惜了，我敢说，这些人像，是人类艺术的无价之宝。” 他低叹了一声：“用什么材料，是没有分别的，我觉得蜡更容易处理，所以就制造蜡像……我不敢称自己的作品为艺术，因为它们只表达人类的痛苦，而不能表达人类的欢乐。” 我兴奋起来：“你能表达人类的痛苦，就一定也能表达人类的欢乐。” 他抬起头，向我望来，像是想说什么，但是却又没有发出声音，接著，他现出一个无可奈何的苦笑来，没有再就这个话题再说下去，只是在院子中来回走动了几步，才道：“卫先生，我看过你不少的记述。” 这样的话，大约是我听到过最多的一句话了，我照例只是摊了摊手，微笑一下，算是作答。 米端却现出了犹豫不决的神情来，我看出他是想讲什么而又在踌躇，就道：“你要说什么，只管说，我们虽然第一天认识，但是我非常高兴有你这样的朋友。” 米端听得我这样说，神情略现激动，“呵呵”了两声：“我想请卫先生帮……一个忙。” 我回答得爽快：“只管说。” 在这样的情形下，他要我帮什么忙，应该立刻说出来了。 可是米端却立即改口道：“我的意思是，日后，我会请你帮一个忙，你答应得那么痛快，我实在衷心感激你。” 我心中不禁嘀咕了一下，米端的行为，实在不是令人感到十分愉快。他不把要我做什么说出来，却又先向我道了谢，那等于说，不论何时，他提出了什么要求来，我都要答应他了。 不过，刚才看到他的作品，实在给我太深刻的印象，就算他的行动不近情理，倒也不是不可以原谅的，所以我心中不快的念头，一闪即过，只是笑了笑，道：“米先生，你是在哪里学制作蜡像的？” 米端道：“我自小就喜欢，算是无师自通。” 我又道：“像你这样的作品，应该介绍出去给全世界知道，我认识不少艺术界的朋友──” 我话还没有说完，他已连连摇手：“不，不必了，我不想出名……我的目的，只不过是想借那些人像……来表达人类的苦难，在很多情形之下，正是人类自己造成的，是由一些人强加在另一些人身上的。” 我觉得他有点答非所问，我道：“如果你有这种想法，就应该让更多人看到你的作品。” 米端摇著头：“只怕看到的人，不会像你那样，有这么强烈的感受，唉，其实，几千年了，人类都是那样生活，我做的事……实在没有意思……” 他结结巴巴地说著，我睁大了眼睛，简直不相信那些话是从他口中讲出来的。为什么忽然之间，他会变得这样子了？ 看起来，他像是有著极大的顾忌，可是，哪有什么顾忌呢？把那么出色的作品，公诸于世，让更多人知道，有什么不好呢？他本来就是把那些作品公开让人参观的，只不过参观者极少而已。 我实在弄不懂他在弄什么玄虚，不过他既然不想照实说，这只好归于艺术家的怪脾气一类，我也没有理由逼他非讲出来不可。 我只是道：“当然由你自己决定，我也想不到会看到那么伟大的塑像，米先生，你对那些历史人物的一切，一定十分熟悉了？” 他不经意，或是故意回避地“唔”了两声，算是回答了我的话。 我又道：“最主要的，然是你对那些人物的内心世界有极深的了解，对他们的精神痛苦，也有极深的感受，不然就不能──” 米端这一次，“艺术家的怪脾气”真正到了令人目瞪口呆的地步，我自认，我所说的话，绝没有半分得罪他之处，可是，他却不等我说完，一个转身，像是我手中握著一根烧红了的铁枝要追杀他一样，脚步踉跄，奔了开去，一下子奔进了那扇门，立刻重重把门关上。 像这种情形，我真是极少遇到的。 我错愕万分地在院中又站了几分钟，门紧闭著，看来米端再也没有出来的意思，那自然是不愿意和我谈下去了。 在这样的情形之下，虽然我惊讶于他态度之不合情理，但当然也没有自讨没趣，再去敲门求见之理。所以，在十分有耐性地停留了几分钟之后，也就一面摇著头，一面走出了院子。 院子外面是一条相当僻静的街道。我沿著街边，慢慢走著，心想一定要对所有我认识的人说起那些蜡像，请他们去看，第一个，我会要白素去看，那是寓有极深含义的艺术精品，把人性的丑恶面，把人的精神痛苦，表现得如此彻底。 虽然离住所相当远，但是我一面想，一面走，竟在不知不觉之中，到了住所门口。 我取出钥匙开门，家里显然没有人，我也不开灯，倒了一杯酒，就在黑暗之中，楞楞地坐著发呆，在经历了刚才目睹的情景之后，心头所受的震动，绝不是短时间所能平复的。 我闭上眼，四个陈列室中的景象，历历在目。艺术家自然都有丰富的想像力，米端的想像自然丰富之极，每一个细节，都给人以那么真实的或觉，简直就像是那些事件发生之际，他就在现场一样。 而且，就算是他真的在现场，事后也不能把一切记忆得如此详尽。 我不禁苦笑了一笑：想到哪里去了，一切细节的真实，自然都是米端是一个杰出之至的艺术家之故。我这时，渴望找一个人讨论一下那些蜡像，本来最好的讨论对象是米端本人，可是他显然不想和我谈论，那我就只好找向我介绍了不止一次的陈长青了。 喝乾了杯中的酒，著亮了灯。灯光一著，我就看到茶几上有一张纸，纸上写著相当大的字： “即听此卷录音带，我有事外出。 “素九时零三分” 那是白素留下的字条。录音带就在纸条旁边。 东西留在这样显眼的地方，本来我是一进来就可以看到的，可是偏偏我进来之后，没有开灯，而且精神恍惚，所以竟到这时才看到。 我拿起了录音带，上楼到书房去。白素要我立即听这卷录音带，自然是有道理的，她留字的时间是九时零三分，那正是我回来之前不多久，现在已经接近十点了，如果录音带中记录的是什么急事的话，是不是已经耽搁得太久了呢？ 我三步并作两步，一进书房，就把录音带放进了录音机，按下了按钮。 录音带一转动，就先听到了白素的声音：“以下录音，记述的事十分有趣，你可以听听。” 我听到了这样的开场白，就知道不会有什么紧急的事情，自然也不那么紧张了，舒服地坐了下来，听录音机中传出来的声音。