The villagers were frightened by Chen Changyuan's momentum and quickly took action separately.
Lao Yuan led a group of people to the river to fetch water to put out the fire.
Chen Changyuan commanded the team, including the reluctant Zhou Dazhui, to rush into the mountains.
Along the way, he kept directing the villagers to cut down trees, weed, and open up isolation zones.
"Dazhu, go over there and chase away the hare!"
Zhou Dazhu took two steps and took one step back, shrinking back and saying, "I... I'm scared..."
Chen Changyuan had no choice but to rush forward and take the lead in driving away the wild animals.
At this moment, a pungent smell entered Chen Changyuan's nose.
He frowned and followed the smell, finding an empty kerosene can and a few burnt matches.
"Didn't someone set this fire?!"
Chen Changyuan's heart suddenly became alarmed. He put the evidence away and continued to engage in firefighting operations.
Thanks to the joint efforts of the villagers, the fire was finally brought under control after more than two hours.
Although some trees on the back mountain were burned, the loss was not too great.
The villagers gathered at the foot of the mountain, all of them sweating and covered in mud, but they all stared at Chen Changyuan with admiration in their eyes.
"If it weren't for Changyuan's careful command, the fire would have spread to the village long ago!"
An old man in the village sighed.
"That's right, Changyuan is really capable!"
Another person echoed.
Wang Fugui stood aside with a gloomy expression.
He looked at Chen Changyuan, who was covered in dust but still energetic, and then glanced at Zhou Dazhui, whose clothes were still clean, behind the crowd. He couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
At this moment, someone in the crowd suddenly shouted, "I think we should rent the back mountain to Changyuan! He's most familiar with the things in the mountains."
Chen Changyuan looked around and the villagers' eyes were all on him.
He quickly pulled out a kerosene can and a few overburned matches from his pocket.
"Fellow villagers, listen to me!"
His voice boomed, "This fire wasn't accidental! I found these things while putting it out."
The villagers were immediately in an uproar.
"Oh my god, someone set the fire on purpose?"
"This is something that will bring retribution!"
"Who did this wicked thing?"
Lao Yuantou squeezed to the front and carefully examined the evidence in Chen Changyuan's hand.
"I think I've seen this kerosene can somewhere..."
He murmured softly.
Zhou Dazhu's face turned pale in an instant and he quietly retreated behind the crowd.
Zhou Dazhu's reaction was irrational. Chen Changyuan was delighted and shouted even louder, "I remember the Zhou family bought some kerosene cans like this a few days ago."
These words were like a thunderbolt, and Zhou Dazhu trembled all over.
Old Yuan suddenly realized something, slapped his thigh, and shouted, "That's right! The day before yesterday, I passed by Zhou's house and saw Dazhu carrying a kerosene canister like this into the house!"
When the villagers heard this, they all turned their attention to Zhou Dazhu.
"Zhou Dazhu, you bastard!"
A highly respected old man shouted, "Are you jealous of Changyuan's contract for the back hill and deliberately set the fire?"
Zhou Dazhu was so panicked that he waved his hands and stammered: "No...it's not me...I didn't..."
Wang Fugui's narrowed eyes stared at Zhou Dazhu like nails: "Dazhu, if you didn't feel guilty, why did you hide behind me while we were putting out the fire?"
Zhou Dazhu was so scared that he was sweating all over, but he couldn't find a clear reason.
At this moment, Chen Changyuan stepped forward and said calmly, "Fellow villagers, we can't conclude that Zhou Dazhu was responsible. However, this matter must be thoroughly investigated."
Wang Fugui nodded gently and looked at Chen Changyuan: "Changyuan, what you said makes sense. I will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly."
The old man interrupted Wang Fugui and said, "Village chief, I think we should rent the back mountain to Changyuan. He has experience. If he hadn't discovered the fire early and made appropriate arrangements, the village would be in big trouble!"
One by one, the villagers agreed: "That's right! Changyuan is familiar with the mountains and forests and knows how to hunt, so the back mountain should be given to him!"
"Besides, Zhou Dazhu just retreated to put out the fire, unlike Changyuan who was the first to rush forward!"
Wang Fugui was speechless after being surrounded by so many people. He looked at Chen Changyuan and said, "Changyuan, shall we sign the one-year contract you mentioned earlier?"
Chen Changyuan nodded: "Yes, Village Chief. If you have any concerns, let's try it for a year. If I don't do it well, you can always take it back."
Wang Fugui thought for a moment and finally agreed: "Okay, that's it. Let's meet at the village committee tomorrow and sign the contract."
The village was filled with cheers and excitement.
Chen Changyuan smiled and nodded to the villagers.
Zhou Dazhu stared at Chen Changyuan hatefully, his teeth chattering, and he felt really upset.
"Chen Changyuan! Watch out for me!"
Zhou Dazhu spat at the ground viciously, turned around and left in a hurry. Looking at his back, the resentment he had been holding in his body was about to burst out.
Chen Changyuan curled his lips and let out a chuckle.
He didn't bother to pay attention to this threat, it was just a drizzle.
He turned around and called out to the villagers who had gathered around him: "Uncles and aunts! Let's clean up the fire quickly to avoid leaving hidden dangers and causing another fire."
"Yes, yes, yes! Move, move!"
The old man waved his hands and shouted, "Everyone, hurry up and clear out those burnt branches!"
The villagers gathered in groups of seven or three, holding tools and working.
Chen Changyuan was also busy working nearby, but he kept his head turning a few times, paying attention to the surrounding mountains.
He glanced around and asked, "Huh?"
A hint of fresh green jumped out on the dark ground.
He quickly gathered around, squatted down, and took a closer look: "Seven-leaf flower?"
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