Chapter 510 The most urgent task is to appease people
Sang Zhixia's arrangements were clear and compact but not at all chaotic.
Old Qi sat quietly without interrupting. After Sang Zhixia had told the nervous little ones not to leave without permission, he said slowly, "We're almost done with the arrangements. Why don't you go and rest for a while?"
"Just keep your mind at ease. I'm here to protect you, and nothing will go wrong."
If someone could break in and hurt Sang Zhixia right under Mr. Qi's nose, it would be a real joke if it were made public.
Sang Zhixia paused and said frankly, "I can't rest even if I go there, so I might as well wait for news here."
Regardless of the sudden changes on the farm or Xu Yu's uncertain outcome, the situation on both sides was not optimistic.
Before getting specific news, Sang Zhixia could restrain her impulse and wait in the North Courtyard, but it would be really difficult for her to act as if nothing had happened.
Old Qi didn't force her. He pointed at Sang Yanyou, who was staring at Sang Zhixia eagerly, and said, "Go get a chessboard and ask your sister to play a game with me."
Sang Yanyou ran very fast after receiving the order, and soon he and Xu Mingyang and others brought the chessboard. They consciously found small stools and sat in a circle around Sang Zhixia.
Old Qi let Sang Zhixia make three moves, and after she made her move, he jokingly said, "Girl, you're confused."
Sang Zhixia was speechless. Old Qi said calmly, "When you are a few years older and look back on today, you will find that it was just a small quarrel, not worth getting so upset about."
Sang Zhixia moved her lips but did not defend herself. She unconsciously rubbed the round black spot in her hand.
Old Qi slowly placed a white piece down and chuckled, "It's just a small matter, nothing to behold."
"As a leader, if you want to command your subordinates without losing even a fraction of the initiative, you must keep your mind steady."
"How can you be convincing if you're so confused?"
Sang Zhixia absentmindedly placed the chess piece on the board, hesitated for a moment, and said in a hoarse voice, "I'm a little worried."
"I...I don't know if my arrangements are any use, but I feel so helpless."
The feeling of being unable to do anything can be really frustrating.
“There are things in life that are beyond one’s ability, and there will always be a time when one’s strength is exhausted.”
Old Qi smiled knowingly, calmly blocking Sang Zhixia's path with the white piece in his hand, and said subtly, "You became the head of the family too early, and the people in this family are too dependent on you. But this is not a long-term solution, what do you think?"
"Girl, try to trust the people around you, and try to let go a little. They are not as weak and useless as you think."
As soon as he finished speaking, Mr. Qi mercilessly picked up the trapped black piece and smiled leisurely: "Okay, let's play chess."
The black and white chess pieces on the chessboard were arranged in all directions, and Sang Zhixia, who was at a disadvantage, had to calm down and concentrate.
The rising sun slowly moves towards the center.
Meanwhile, inside the farm, Uncle Xu, who had appeared from nowhere covered in black smoke, wiped his face in anger and said through gritted teeth, "Someone deliberately set the fire. We found traces of kerosene at the very spot where it first started."
In the northwest, there is a lot of snow but no rain in winter, and the straw in the fields is dry.
The circle of huts built along the farm were all made of grass and wood, which would catch fire immediately when exposed to fire. With the help of kerosene, the sparks spread out into a whole sea of fire in the blink of an eye.
The first thing to catch fire was the straw in the threshing floor. The fire spread rapidly and people rushed out to put it out. Soon the surrounding huts also caught fire.
The old man's eyes were frosty, and he suppressed the anger that was boiling in his heart and said, "The arsonist has been nearby."
First he used the fire in the threshing floor to divert attention, and the next second he attacked the hut where people lived. It can be seen that this person was always observing in secret, waiting for an opportunity to act.
However, the fire lasted for half the night, and there were countless people coming and going, so we missed the initial opportunity. It would be much more difficult to catch the culprit from the crowd at this time.
Uncle Xu gritted his teeth, unable to bear it any longer: "Father, we can't just let this go!"
"This farm is..."
"Shut up!"
The old man interrupted Uncle Xu in a harsh voice, his eyes dark, "You're not even as calm as a child."
"Have you forgotten what Xia sent someone to tell you? What's important right now isn't the things, it's the people."
Human beings are the foundation of all things. With enough manpower, all that is lacking for a comeback is time.
But if people lose their hearts...
The old man pressed his palm down sharply, completely cutting off Uncle Xu's words: "The fire has been suppressed. The most urgent thing is to calm people's hearts."
"Immediately take someone to count the personnel, and arrange for the injured to be separated according to their severity. Also..."
"Hey, what are you doing?!"
"Why can't I explain it to you clearly? I've already said..."
"Is all this nonsense you say of any use?"
The person who caused the commotion roughly pushed aside the village chief who was blocking the road, glaring angrily and saying, "They all said that this was revenge provoked by the Xu family! This is the Xu family's enemy, why do they want to drag our lives into this?"
"When we first came to work, you said we were free to come and go. We're scared to death now and don't want to lose our lives here. Why are you still trying to stop us from leaving?!"
The old man's eyes narrowed silently when he heard the voice. The village chief, who had been pushed away, was in a state of disarray. He hurriedly stood up and stamped his feet in anger: "Who said such nonsense?"
"Tell me who was blabbering, I..."
"Does it matter who said that?"
The man, his head and face covered in black and gray, roared angrily: "Who said I don't remember?"
"I only know that we were almost burned to death today, and it was all because of those who came seeking revenge! This is all the fault of the Xu family!"
In the chaos, the village chief wanted to stop them and ask them clearly, but his feet stumbled and he was immediately supported by Uncle Xu who came over.
The village chief was so anxious that sweat covered his forehead. He didn't even bother to stand still before shouting hoarsely: "You can't stop people who want to leave, but you have to clarify things before you leave!"
"It's all so unclear, and everything has become a complete mess. Now you're making a fuss and wanting to leave. Do you think you deserve the kindness they've shown you?!"
A fire broke out without warning, causing heavy losses on the farm.
Countless chickens, ducks and geese in the pens were burned to death, and not many were rescued from the oxen and pig pens. Less than 30% of the livestock were still alive, some dead and some injured.
Even this was saved by the people on the farm who risked their lives in the fire, otherwise the tragedy would have been doubled.
The grain stored in the barn was also burned by the fire. The rice bags snatched from the fire were burned with black smoke and holes. The white rice was mixed with the black ash piled up in the mud, and could not be separated even with a sieve.
The fire was barely put out, but the farm that used to make people happy at the sight of it had completely changed. The ground was filled with smoke and black smoke, and the houses were collapsed and in ruins.
At times like this, whether it’s post-war recovery or reconstruction, what the farm lacks most is people!
But these people just happened to start a commotion at this moment. Aren't they just putting a knife to someone's neck and trying to take their life?!
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