Now, Ao Tu had tricked the laborers into eating the "poison fish."
The laborers noticed nothing amiss. Although they had not seen Ao Tu remove the poison that day, their habits over the past several days led them to assume he had removed it while they were not looking.
After all, he was the Lord Dragon King. How could he possibly make a mistake?
After eating the poison fish, the laborers felt a hundred times more invigorated, strength welling up within them, and each went off to work.
As they worked, the laborers discussed how rich and succulent the fish had been that day, and how delicious the fish soup had tasted.
They worked all the way until noon, yet their bellies still felt warm.
The laborers ate their dry rations, rested briefly, then resumed working.
They kept working until the sun sank behind the western hills before returning to camp.
When they arrived, however, they found the camp different from usual.
White cloth hung all over the workers' sheds, lending the place a mournful air.
The laborers were puzzled, wondering why white cloth had been hung up.
Going inside, they saw the Lord Dragon King sitting in the center, grief written across his face.
The laborers stepped forward respectfully and asked:
"Grandfather Dragon King, you look so sorrowful. May we ask what grieves you?"
Ao Tu said, "Many people are going to die. That is why I grieve."
The laborers asked curiously, "Who is going to die?"
Ao Tu said, "You are going to die."
The laborers exclaimed in alarm, "We're going to die! Grandfather Dragon King, what do you mean? We're alive and well. How can we be about to die?"
Ao Tu said, "My memory is poor. When I caught the fish this morning, I accidentally forgot