books44 Chapter 192 Poisoning
Chapter 192 Poisoning
Thinking that the surrounding prison cells had been "booked" by the yamen runners, Lin Ziping's eyes lit up and an idea came to mind.
These are all experienced comrades who have worked at the grassroots level for many years, and they certainly have different opinions on these issues in light of their actual experiences.
"Uncle Huang, Brother Shi, what are you all doing?" Lin Ziping called out as he approached the cell door.
No one answered for a long time.
Lin Ziping shook the prison door so hard it rattled.
But still, nobody paid any attention to them.
Lin Ziping felt inexplicably uneasy and began kicking the door hard.
I guess the food hasn't been very good these days, because I started panting after just a few steps.
Lin Ziping calmed his breathing, then kicked a few more times.
Persistence pays off; thanks to Lin Ziping's persistent efforts, the bolt on the prison door loosened.
After a few hard tugs, the cell door was finally opened.
Lin Ziping hurriedly ran towards the prison where the county yamen runners were being held.
The small windows on the cell doors were completely covered.
Thinking about the stove that was brought in a few days ago, could these people have suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning?!
Without thinking twice, Lin Ziping jumped up and tried to tear down the cover on the small window of the cell door.
After several attempts, they finally managed to tear the things off the prison doors.
Lin Ziping looked into the cell; it was pitch black inside, with only the blue flames flickering on the stove.
Everyone was lying on their beds, unconscious.
Upon seeing this, Lin Ziping's heart skipped a beat.
He covered his mouth and nose and ran out of the cell.
Fortunately, there were guards outside the cell, and Lin Ziping ran and shouted, which quickly attracted their attention.
Seeing Lin Ziping run out of the cell, he quickly drew the sword from his waist and stared at him menacingly.
Before he could explain, Lin Ziping said, "Quick...quickly go save them..."
"Stop right there, or we won't be so polite!"
Lin Ziping quickly calmed his breathing and looked at the person in front of him.
It just so happens that the officers and soldiers who arrested him that day were number 1 and 2.
"Quickly, go save them! The people inside have been poisoned!!" Lin Ziping shouted.
After saying that, he collapsed to the ground, exhausted.
Officers and soldiers No. 1 and No. 2 looked at each other, unmoved.
Lin Ziping couldn't help but feel anxious upon seeing this.
He angrily said, "The prefectural government... the prefectural government only said they would imprison us, they didn't order our execution. What if something happens to us in prison..."
The outcome is self-evident.
Lin Ziping patted his chest. He was now feeling tightness in his chest and shortness of breath. Could he also be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning?
Seeing that the two still did not move, Lin Ziping continued, "We are all colleagues. How can we really just stand by and watch someone die? I know you two have concerns, but once you go in and take a look, you will know that what I said is true."
The two men exchanged a glance, and Officer Number 1 said, "You come in with us."
Lin Ziping said no more, and slowly stood up to lead the way.
“Although we were all locked up in the cell, we would talk to each other usually. But just now I suddenly felt a tightness in my chest and realized something was wrong. When I called out to them, there was no response,” Lin Ziping said. “In desperation, I had no choice but to break down the door and get out.”
"Cough-cough-"
Lin Ziping coughed twice, his voice filled with anguish, and continued, "After I came out, I saw that their cells were completely covered up. I saw something covering the cell doors, so I tore it down, but who knew..."
He pointed to the black thing next to Lao Huang's cell door and said, "That's it."
Officer No. 2 stepped forward and kicked the black object: "This is the blanket from the cell."
“Yes, yes, that’s where I tore it off,” Lin Ziping said, pointing to the small window on the cell door.
Officer No. 1 stepped forward and looked inside through the cell door window.
Seeing that Lao Huang and the others did not react, they even shook the cell door.
The door lock made a rattling sound when shaken.
But Lao Huang and the others still did not react.
Officer No. 1 frowned.
He took the key from his waist and opened the cell door.
"Go in and take a look," Officer No. 1 shoved Lin Ziping.
Lin Ziping stumbled and fell to the ground, bracing himself with his hands to steady himself.
I almost came face to face with the person lying on the ground.
Lin Ziping went closer and saw that it was Old Huang lying on the ground.
Despite making such a commotion, Lao Huang remained motionless.
Lin Ziping hurriedly stepped forward to check his breathing and carotid artery.
Thankfully, she just fainted.
"They've fainted!" Lin Ziping shouted, turning his head towards the door.
The two men brought in a candle and lit it.
Lin Ziping then saw the entire prison.
There were four people in this room, which was a little larger than the one I was in. Except for a window in the cell door, everything else was sealed.
The room consisted of a square table, four chairs, and a large communal sleeping area.
Normally, four people can make a mahjong table, but now they're all lying on the ground.
"He's still breathing; he must have just passed out." Officer No. 2 came in and checked on them one by one.
Lin Ziping coughed twice: "It's too stuffy in here. Now that you two officials are here, I'll head back."
After thinking for a moment, he lowered his head and said apologetically, "The door to my room is broken. Could you please come and fix it in a little while?"
Lin Ziping clasped his hands in a salute, then turned and left.
1, 2, 3...
Lin Ziping silently counted down, "3" had just been uttered...
"Wait a moment."
A voice came from behind.
Lin Ziping slightly curled the corners of his mouth; it was just as he had expected.
He stopped and turned back in confusion: "Is there anything else, gentlemen?"
"You come with us to carry them out," said Soldier No. 1.
"This...this doesn't make sense, does it? Shouldn't I be able to move around freely without causing any problems?" Lin Ziping said, looking troubled.
“We will report to our superiors,” said Officer Number 1.
Lin Ziping reluctantly helped the two men carry Old Huang Shiyong and the other yamen runners out.
A dozen or so people fainted at the same time, causing a sensation.
Gao Chi, Ji Xun, and others, along with the officials from the prefecture that day, all rushed over.
The doctor from Fuchun Pharmacy was also brought along.
The scene was somewhat chaotic.
But how things unfolded had nothing to do with Lin Ziping.
He returned to his cell.
All information was kept out.
Although it was called a prison, it was actually just a temporary transit station for prisoners held by the county government.
Interrogations and sentencing are conducted here, and long-term prisoners are transferred away.
The county yamen runners must have been cleaned when they were brought in.
Apart from the dozen or so of them, no one else was in the other rooms.
Now everyone else has been sent away, leaving Lin Ziping standing strong all alone.
The cell, which was noisy just two days ago, is now so quiet that only my own breathing can be heard.
I walked into the cell where I had been staying for several days.
The outside was a complete mess, and no one cared about the broken cell door.
After being gone for so long, the fire in the stove had gone out.
Lin Ziping ran to the other cells, looked around, and brought back a lit stove.
After running around several cells, I realized that this one was the warmest.
It may be due to the fact that other cells are often dark and shady.
After going for a run, Lin Ziping was exhausted and hungry. He felt he might have inhaled some carbon monoxide, as he felt weak all over.
He left the cell door slightly ajar, checked the ventilation inside, and lay down to rest.