Chapter 179 Using the same trick again
Everyone was bewildered by Liu Zhixia's "same old trick".
Aunt Zhou said worriedly, "Xia, these people are extremely vigilant. What if they get caught and do something desperate?"
Liu Zhixia's gaze was firm: "We'll proceed in two steps. First, we'll put drugs in the Shen family's food. Old Man Shen will send it over, and if they're cautious and have someone taste it, even if they get poisoned, it will weaken their fighting ability."
Captain Liu frowned and waved his hand: "No, no! What if they find out they've been drugged and take it out on your fourth son? It's too risky!"
Liu Zhixia nodded: "So we need to have a backup plan. The autumn harvest has just ended, so there must be a lot of wheat stalks left in the fields, right? It's time to burn them. As for where the smoke will drift, that's not something we can control."
Captain Liu's eyes lit up, and he slapped his thigh: "Great idea! Add some stuff to the wheat straw, and let the wind blow it into the cave!"
Aunt Zhou was still a little confused: "Why burn wheat straw? To smoke them out?"
Captain Liu lowered his voice: "It's not smoked out, it's drugged! We'll mix the drug into the wheat straw and burn it. The smoke will drift in unnoticed. We'll choose a location beforehand, let the villagers know, and pretend to burn stubble. Even if they see the smoke, they won't suspect anything for a while!"
Aunt Zhou suddenly realized, her face lighting up with joy: "This trick is brilliant! But this sleeping potion..."
Liu Zhixia interjected, "I'll go prepare. I know a friend who deals in medicinal herbs; he should have connections."
"Alright! Let's split up and get started!"
Liu Zhixia rode her bicycle straight to the town and went to the address Gangzi had left.
When Gangzi knocked on the door, he was visibly taken aback when he saw her: "Comrade Liu? What brings you here?"
Liu Zhixia gave her a look: "Let's go inside and talk."
"OK."
Upon entering the room, a strong smell of traditional Chinese medicine wafted over.
"I just made some medicine for my wife, and the smell is a bit strong. Should we go to the balcony?"
"No need, let's talk inside."
Liu Zhixia sat down and got straight to the point: "Brother Gangzi, do you have any medicinal herbs that can knock people unconscious if you throw them in a fire? My brother has been kidnapped by He Shijie, and we're trying to find a way to rescue him."
Gangzi was shocked: "That bastard really did something to you? I heard he's wanted by the police and is on the run all over the world."
"Yes, they're hiding in our mountains. They have hostages and weapons, so we can't take them by force; we have to outsmart them. I'm thinking of using sleeping powder to knock them out first."
Without saying a word, Gangzi pulled out a crumpled little booklet and rummaged through it: "There really is one! Wait here, I'll go get it for you. How many do you need?"
Liu Zhixia took out a wad of cash and placed it on the table: "I'll take as much as you have."
"Fine! You wait!"
Gangzi carried a large bag of medicinal herbs out of the warehouse: "Do you need any other help? Just let me know."
"Yes. We plan to use smoke fumigation, but we're worried about accidentally injuring our own people. Is there any antidote, or any way to protect ourselves?"
Gangzi's eyes lit up: "You know what, there really is! We can make a simple gas mask. Come on, let's go to your village, and we can make it and discuss it together."
Liu Zhixia glanced at the tightly closed bedroom door: "What about your wife?"
"It's alright, I've hired a housekeeper, someone will look after the child. I'll just go tell her and then I'll leave."
"Okay, thank you so much this time."
After bringing Gangzi back to the brigade, Liu Zhixia gathered the educated youth together. These young people were quick-witted, and they immediately understood after Gangzi gestured.
Everyone brainstormed, found materials, and spent a whole day cutting and sewing, finally making several simple yet practical gas masks.
While things are bustling with activity here, the food delivery work continues there.
Liu Zhixia and Zhao Dongmei went up the mountain again.
He Shijie looked at the late-arriving food, his face darkening: "Why so late? Did you go to call for reinforcements?"
Liu Zhixia sighed, looking exhausted. "Boss He, I need to go to the city to find buyers and raise money from all sides. Two days really isn't enough. Could you give me two more days?"
He Shijie sneered, "Don't try to play tricks on me! My men saw you bring a man back to the village. Who is that man?!"
Liu Zhixia's heart tightened; she hadn't expected He Shijie to send people to monitor the area down the mountain.
But she remained calm, even somewhat helpless: "You should know that person. Didn't you steal his dendrobium? I've done business with him a few times, so we're acquaintances. I'm really out of options, so I'm thinking of borrowing some money from him."
He Shijie narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing her: "Borrow money? He'll follow you back to the village? Did you tell him about this?"
“How could that be? Would I dare to say something that could cost me my head?” Liu Zhixia shook her head. “I just lied to him and said there were good medicinal herbs in the village. He wanted to come and see the source of the goods in person, and if he was satisfied, he would lend me five hundred yuan.”
He Shijie looked at her in surprise: "I never expected you to have this ability. No wonder Xiaoman couldn't beat you. I thought two thousand yuan would be a challenge for you, but it seems it's too easy for you."
Zhao Dongmei's heart tightened, and she blurted out, "What are you trying to do? Raising the price at this time is really inconsiderate!"
He Shijie scoffed, his eyes mocking: "I've already kidnapped and extorted you, why should I talk about morality with you?"
Liu Zhixia's face darkened: "Boss He, we haven't even raised two thousand yet, and you want to raise the stakes again?"
He Shijie's lips curled up: "I want your pickled vegetable recipe. The real one. You tricked me with a fake recipe before, and I haven't forgotten that. If you dare to try anything again, I'll make you regret it!"
"Two thousand yuan plus a genuine formula shouldn't be difficult for you, right?"
Liu Zhixia nodded without hesitation: "Okay. Here's the recipe. If you're worried about it being fake, you can have Xu Zhiqing write one down too. She helps out in the workshop, and she knows the recipe by heart."
"Really? Looks like I made the right choice by taking this hostage."
Looking at He Shijie's smug face, as if he had gotten a good deal but was still acting innocent, Liu Zhixia wanted nothing more than to punch him.
"I will bring the money and the formula in one more day."
After saying that, the two turned and went down the mountain.
After walking a short distance, Liu Zhixia lowered her voice and said, "The situation is not good."
"What's wrong?"
"Since they can see me and Gangzi, it means they have spies in the shadows. If Shen Yi and the others come in a big show, they will definitely be discovered."
Zhao Dongmei's expression changed drastically: "What should we do? I'll go stop them!"
"No, they recognize you. You'll be exposed as soon as you show your face."
Zhao Dongmei gritted her teeth: "Then I'll take the long way! I'll go out through the old road of the next brigade! That road is hidden, you can't see it from the mountain, and it's dark at night, so it'll definitely be fine."
"Okay. Take a few more people with you, and be sure to pay attention to safety."
Zhao Dongmei went back to the educated youth settlement and called two male educated youths, who then took flashlights and prepared to set off.
The mountain road was unfamiliar to begin with, and they were heading out in the dark. Aunt Zhou was worried and caught up with them, saying, "I'll take you to the other side of the village. Although we don't usually travel together, this road has been repaired and it's been convenient for them. It shouldn't be hard to find someone to guide you."
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