Daily life of farming and supporting a family on the ancient Loess Plateau

Chapter 612 Poisoning

As Huo Zhenglian had predicted, the bandits inside Li Family Fortress were in complete chaos.

A few days ago, some people started experiencing weakness in their legs. At first, they thought it was heatstroke and that drinking more water and resting would help. However, one after another, dozens of brothers developed the same symptoms.

What's even more painful is that, starting the day before yesterday, everyone started having stomach aches and diarrhea. Some people had diarrhea so badly that they could have it up to twenty times a day, to the point that their legs were so weak that they couldn't get up.

Ma Chenfang himself also felt weak in the legs, his body felt unsteady, and he felt like he couldn't muster much strength. Although he didn't experience stomach aches or diarrhea like the other brothers, the feeling of not being able to control his body as usual was extremely uncomfortable.

The atmosphere in Lijiabaozi has changed from its former arrogance to its current fear and unease.

"Brother, something's not right! All the brothers are collapsing without any strength. Could they be possessed by some evil spirit?" The third leader, who could barely stand, clutched his stomach, his face turning pale, and shouted at Ma Chenfang.

Ma Chenfang struggled to sit up in the chair, gritting her teeth and angrily saying, "What nonsense! What kind of evil spirit are you talking about! Someone clearly poisoned us! So many brothers have diarrhea, it's obvious that their food was poisoned! Quickly send the healthy brothers to investigate and see who tampered with what we've been eating and drinking these past two days!"

Another bandit, pale-faced, clutched his stomach in pain and said, "Brother, where are our brothers in good health these days? Everyone's either weak in the legs or suffering from diarrhea. They don't even have the strength to go and investigate!"

Besides, everything we ate and drank was originally from the fortress, and the food was prepared by the Li family's servants under our supervision. There was simply no opportunity to poison them. Even if someone from outside wanted to poison them, they couldn't get in! So... the poison came from Ada, right?"

Upon hearing this, Ma Chenfang's face darkened considerably. He looked around and realized that there were very few brothers left in the fortress who were strong enough to stand; the rest were either collapsed on the ground or clutching their stomachs and running to the outhouse repeatedly.

He was both anxious and angry. Where did this poison come from?

Suddenly, he remembered the two baskets of apples he had brought back from outside a few days ago. Although apples were not yet in season and were a rare commodity, he was not a person who liked to eat apples. Whenever he saw apples, he would think of his mother who had died young.

When her mother was suffering from morning sickness, she craved sour fruit and gritted her teeth to buy two. But after taking only one bite, the man's wife came knocking on the door, accusing her mother of stealing the fruit. In the end, her mother was beaten to death with the fruit stuffed in her mouth, and the pool of blood beneath her body is something he can never forget.

Therefore, he hated eating fruit more than anything else in his life, especially green apples! The two baskets of apples that were brought back from outside the fort that day, he didn't eat a single one, but shared them all with his brothers to enjoy.

So that's how it is! That girl actually poisoned the fruit!

Ma Chenfang slammed her hand on the table and roared, "That damned girl surnamed Ji, how could she be so ruthless as to poison the fruit! I'll kill her!"

The bandit who had his tooth pulled, who was clutching his stomach in so much pain he couldn't straighten up, was somewhat skeptical upon hearing this: "Boss, how could the fruit be poisoned? We always cleaned the fruit before eating it!"

If she weren't so weak, Ma Chenfang would have kicked this idiot to death.

He yelled, "Have you lost your mind? Think about it, besides fruit, what other things have we eaten that could be poisonous? Who says that rubbing fruit won't cause poisoning? What if the fruit was soaked in poison?"

The bandit who had pulled out the tooth was still somewhat incredulous. With his last bit of strength, he said, "Boss, didn't you not eat any fruit? How come... you also..."

Yes, he didn't eat any fruit, so why was he so weak? What could be wrong with him? However, before he could figure it out, a loud "thump-thump" sound suddenly came from outside the fortress.

"Boss! It must be that corrupt official who led his men to break into our compound while we're not guarding the walls!" the bandits inside said nervously.

"Brothers, grab your weapons!" Ma Chenfang said, barely managing to sit up.

Ma Anliang, who was usually a man of few words, frowned and said, "Brother, nowadays, there are hardly any of us brothers who can hold a knife steady. We definitely can't hold off the people outside!"

“Yes!” the other bandits echoed.

After thinking for a moment, Ma Chenfang could only grit her teeth and say fiercely, "Then let's not fight today. Tell the brothers to scatter and hide in the tunnels, and take advantage of the night to escape!"

The third leader frowned and said, "Brother, time is too tight. We haven't even dug all the tunnels yet, and they don't lead to the outside ravine. We can't get out!"

"Hide inside first, then come out and chop up the soldiers when it gets dark, and then act according to the situation!"

"Yes!"

The bandits helped each other up and hid in the tunnels they had dug earlier. Not long after, under the violent impact of the battering ram, the gate of the fortress collapsed with a loud thud amidst a cloud of dust.

Commander Liu smiled smugly, raised his hand and waved his hand, ordering, "Everyone, follow me and charge in to wipe out the bandits!"

Under his command, the soldiers from the prefecture swaggered toward the gate of Li Family Fortress. However, just as they rushed into the gate, a huge log suddenly fell from above, crushing the soldiers at the front of the charge.

Commander Liu was shocked and immediately ordered a retreat, his face turning deathly pale. He clearly hadn't expected the bandits to have set up an ambush.

Huo Zhenglian stood aside, observing coldly, shaking his head inwardly. This Liu Qianzong probably lived a life of luxury and had no idea how formidable the bandits of the Northwest were. A bandit leader like Ma Chenfang, who had established a certain level of influence, was definitely not incompetent and must have some backup plans.

Commander Liu retreated to safety in a disheveled state, his face ashen. He turned to Huo Zhenglian, his tone tinged with embarrassment and anger: "Lord Huo, what... what's going on? Didn't you say the bandits were already poisoned? How come there's still an ambush?"

Huo Zhenglian smiled faintly and said calmly, "This is probably not an ambush, but just a trap. Although these bandits have been poisoned, their cunning nature remains unchanged. Commander Liu, I already warned you about this."

Commander Liu was speechless, choked by Huo Zhenglian's words, and his face grew even more grim. He gritted his teeth and forced out a sentence, instructing everyone, "Be careful when entering the fortress. Beware of other traps!"

"Yes!"