Poisoning (Seeking Collection and Recommendation)

This temporary peace existed only because Li Family Village was in a position of weakness, which was why Dire Wolf Village was so arrogant. Naturally, if an opportunity arose, Dire Wolf Village would certainly break the current status quo and charge into Li Family Village to loot and plunder.

Although Dire Wolf Village had long coveted Li Family Village, they had never found the right opportunity to strike, while Li Family Village remained on constant guard against them.

At this moment, Li Youcai kindly warned Zhao Fu, "Your village will be discovered by them sooner or later. You should make preparations early; it will be too late once they find you."

Zhao Fu shook his head gently with an unexpected, earnest expression. "Village Chief Li! If I help you eliminate Dire Wolf Village, what will be the benefit for me?"

Upon hearing this, the eyes of everyone in Li Family Village focused on Zhao Fu, filled with a mix of suspicion, belief, gratitude, and fear.

"My Lord, as long as you help us wipe out Dire Wolf Village, our Li Family Village will follow your lead from now on!" Li Wen said with some excitement.

Li Youcai quickly stopped Li Wen and explained, "My apologies! The boy is young and ignorant; please do not take his words to heart, My Lord."

A smile appeared on Zhao Fu's face as he asked again, "Then, Village Chief Li, if I were to wipe out Dire Wolf Village, what benefits can you offer me?"

Li Youcai's expression was hesitant. On one hand, he knew Dire Wolf Village was watching like a tiger eyeing its prey, always looking for a chance to strike at Li Family Village. He wasn't a fool; how could he believe the words of a group of bandits who claimed they wouldn't attack? Thus, the entire village lived in constant fear and defense, but this was no long-term solution. Eventually, Dire Wolf Village would break through, so he was very moved by Zhao Fu's proposal.

On the other hand, he feared that if Zhao Fu were not a match for Dire Wolf Village, they would surely vent their anger on Li Family Village, and the consequences were unimaginable.

Zhao Fu sensed his concerns and said, "Village Chief Li, rest assured. You won't need to expend a single soldier, and the matter will absolutely not implicate Li Family Village."

Hearing this, Li Youcai finally made up his mind and asked, "What benefits do you want?"

Zhao Fu smiled slightly. "I want Li Family Village to join my Great Qin Village!"

Li Youcai hesitated upon hearing this. After pondering for a while, he finally agreed: if Zhao Fu wiped out Dire Wolf Village, Li Family Village would join Great Qin Village.

Seeing this, Zhao Fu took Bai Qi and departed.

After Zhao Fu left, some villagers expressed their dissatisfaction. "Joining another village just like that? This is too rash. I don't approve!"

Hearing this, Li Youcai snorted coldly. "Idiots! If they can easily wipe out Dire Wolf Village, it means Great Qin Village is very powerful and could just as easily wipe out our Li Family Village. This visit was likely a case of 'courtesy before force.' If we hadn't agreed, we might have been the first village to be destroyed."

Hearing Li Youcai's words, the crowd suddenly realized the truth and were filled with lingering fear.

After Zhao Fu and Bai Qi left Li Family Village, they followed Li Youcai's directions and found Dire Wolf Village.

Dire Wolf Village had over three hundred and fifty people, mostly men with strong combat capabilities. As for their defenses, they were somewhat lacking—just a fence with a few men standing guard outside.

At this moment, Dire Wolf Village was preparing a meal, but only one plume of smoke rose into the air. Seeing this, Zhao Fu wore a confident smile as he returned to his own village, halted all activities, and issued a series of orders.

That night, under the thick veil of darkness, a scrawny youth from Dire Wolf Village looked around, intending to find a large tree to relieve himself, but he suddenly felt a pain in the back of his head and collapsed to the ground.

When he woke up, he found himself tied up in a strange place with several people watching him. Realizing the situation, the youth cried out, "Spare me, masters! I have nothing! Did you grab the wrong person?"

Zhao Fu looked at the scrawny youth and asked, "What is your name?"

Wang Ergou realized that Zhao Fu was the master of this place and hurriedly replied, "My Lord! This small one is called Wang Ergou."

"Good! Wang Ergou, I need you to do one thing for me. If you succeed, I will give you rewards beyond your imagination," Zhao Fu said with a faint smile.

A Bandit Village was not a place filled with good people, and there was no such thing as loyalty there, so Wang Ergou quickly said, "Yes, yes, My Lord! Whatever you command, I will do it."

Hearing this, Zhao Fu said, "Untie him."

A soldier stepped forward to untie the ropes, and Wang Ergou stood there with his head lowered, acting submissively.

"I want you to put this into your food during dinner tomorrow night," Zhao Fu said, handing Wang Ergou a bottle.

Wang Ergou's face stiffened; he knew what Zhao Fu was asking him to do—poisoning. His hands trembled as he took the bottle.

At this moment, Zhao Fu handed him a red pill. "Swallow this!"

Wang Ergou realized something was wrong and smiled awkwardly. "My Lord, is this really necessary? Rest assured, I will definitely get the job done."

Zhao Fu did not trust his words. If he truly believed a bandit like him, he might be sold out in an instant, so he said coldly, "Will you swallow it yourself, or shall I have someone help you?"

Hearing this, Wang Ergou grabbed the red pill, hesitating.

Zhao Fu tilted his head, signaling for them to assist him. As two soldiers stepped forward, Wang Ergou had no choice but to swallow the pill, his face turning mournful.

Zhao Fu then grabbed a wild rabbit from a cage, fed it one of the same pills he had given Wang Ergou, and tossed the rabbit to Wang Ergou's feet. The rabbit hopped a few times, then its body stiffened, foam spewed from its mouth, blood flowed from its eyes, and it died.

This terrified Wang Ergou, his face turning deathly pale. He understood that if he didn't complete the task, the rabbit's fate would be his own.

"This is for you. Don't worry, I will give you the antidote afterward!" Zhao Fu said, handing Wang Ergou five silver coins.

Wang Ergou nodded with a pale face and tremblingly took the coins. Then, Zhao Fu had someone cover Wang Ergou's head and released him.

The next day, Wang Ergou returned to Dire Wolf Village, his face still pale. Because he was preoccupied with the task, he wasn't paying attention and bumped into a large man. The next second, he was slapped to the ground. The stinging pain brought Wang Ergou back to his senses, and he steeled his heart, forcing himself to return to his usual demeanor.

Zhao Fu also began to assemble all his forces, including the Gnomes and Goblins, waiting for the right moment.

That evening, inside the great hall of Dire Wolf Village, a burly man with a fierce appearance sat at the head of the table and shouted, "Brothers, eat and drink well today! Tomorrow, we go to Li Family Village to take some women to play with!"

"Yes! Yes, Boss..."

Everyone in the hall responded enthusiastically, and the scene was very lively.

Outside Dire Wolf Village, Zhao Fu watched the village with cold eyes and said, "Bai Qi! Do you think that Wang Ergou will actually use the poison?"

Bai Qi immediately lowered his head and cupped his hands. "This subordinate would not dare to question His Highness's wise decision!"

Zhao Fu smiled. "Alright, enough of that. Tell me your thoughts!"