Chapter 239 He Knows Everything
Changxi Village.
The fire was much bigger than Gu Huai had imagined.
Thick black smoke rose into the sky, raging flames devoured everything recklessly and ruthlessly, and the raging orange-red flames illuminated the night sky.
When the wind blew, the flames grew wildly.
Houses burned down, leaving behind charred ruins.
Xie Yan suppressed his anxiety, forced himself to calm down, and led the people of Changxi Village to dig ditches to prevent the fire and fetch water to put out the fire in an orderly manner.
His face was covered in dirt, his clothes were torn and tattered, and his palms and backs of his hands were covered in blisters.
The fire in spring is really hard to put out.
The fire was finally extinguished when the sky turned pale.
It was a mess and the ground was in disarray.
The air was filled with a strong smell of burning.
Xie Yan sat on the ground exhausted, gasping for breath.
As the villagers pushed and shoved in unrest, the old village chief coughed lightly and said hesitantly, "Xie Yan, the fire started from the private school and burned half of the village. All the wealth that everyone had accumulated in their lifetime was burned, and there was no place to shelter from the wind and rain. Many people were burned and injured."
The old village chief's words seemed a little difficult to understand.
Last night, everyone saw clearly that if it weren't for Xie Yan, there's no telling what the fire would have turned into.
Xie Yan repeatedly rushed in despite the fire to rescue the elderly with disabilities.
Kindness must be remembered.
but……
We all have to find a way to survive.
"You, you and the Lu family's Ming Dynasty trade is big, can you..."
“Can I…”
The old village chief pursed his lips, hesitated, and repeatedly swallowed the words that were about to come out.
Seeing the old village chief hesitating, some impatient people slapped their thighs and said anxiously, "You can't just leave it alone."
"You'll lose!"
Life is difficult for every household.
When survival becomes a luxury, virtue is thrown out of the window.
"The private school doesn't have a stove room or firewood storage. All along, each family takes turns to prepare meals and send them to the substitute teacher. How could such a big fire start in the middle of the night?"
Some smart people murmured quietly.
"That's true. Even if the old scholar accidentally knocked over the candle, it wouldn't have burned like this."
"Is there someone doing something shady?"
"Well, we have to pay. If we don't pay, we really can't survive. All we can do is hang ourselves on the old tree in the south of the village."
As they talked, many people began to cry.
It is crying for the survivors of disasters, and also crying for the many calamities and difficulties.
Xie Yan stood up holding Yun Zheng's arm, and the movement pulled the wound on his back, and he couldn't help but frown.
The subsequent resettlement matters are the top priority, and he must come up with the rules as soon as possible.
For the people of Changxi Village, this was indeed an unprovoked disaster.
Gu Huai!
A hint of coldness flashed across Xie Yan's eyes.
"This fire was not an accident but man-made."
"The doctor at the clinic diagnosed that the old scholar was poisoned by incense, and there were kerosene residues outside the private school. These signs all point to a deliberate arson incident. I will report it to the authorities."
"I also hope that those implicated can sign the petition together with Mr. Xie."
"Of course, Xie will not evade the responsibilities he should bear."
"For the villagers injured in the fire, Xie Mou fully covered the medical expenses required for diagnosis and treatment, ensuring that the injured can receive timely treatment."
"However, the damage to the furnishings in each house is different, so it is difficult to generalize. After returning to the city, Xie will ask the county magistrate to send a lawyer and yamen runners to assist the old village chief in assessing the damage to each house."
"I will never shirk my responsibility for compensation."
"It will take at least half a month to repair the houses. During this period, Xie will arrange for people to provide porridge and dry food to the villagers affected by the disaster on time, and build simple sheds to provide temporary shelter from the wind and rain."
The reason why Master Yuan and the yamen runners were invited here was just to prevent someone from causing trouble out of greed.
"In addition, if anyone can provide information and evidence about the person who set the fire last night, Xie will be grateful."
"The matter of determining damages and compensation will be completed today or tomorrow."
"Fellow villagers can rest assured."
"Old village chief, what do you think?"
"If there is anything wrong, we will discuss it again."
As soon as he finished speaking, the villagers surrounded the old village chief and started talking at once.
A quarter of an hour later, the old village chief slammed the ground with his cane and said, "It's done!"
“Enough is enough.”
"Xie Yan's explanation was very sincere."
"Don't forget that Xie Yan's elder brother Xie Sui built a private school to benefit all the children and grandchildren of Changxi Village."
"We can't forget to thank our families for their hard work just because the private school caught fire and caused a fire."
"Also, last night, many old, weak, sick and disabled people were rescued from the fire by the people Xie Yan brought with him."
"Xie Yan, let's do as you say."
The old village chief's words made some people blush and stammer, "I'm tired of the hard times..."
The compensation settlement was thus settled.
Xie Yan put away the petition that was covered with bright red fingerprints and was about to open his mouth to say something when his vision suddenly went dark, his body swayed, and he almost stumbled and fell to the ground.
Yun Zheng supported Xie Yan, feeling worried.
Thinking of the message sent by Commander Mi, I didn't know how to start.
"Sir, let's go back to the city and heal our wounds first."
Last night, while trying to save someone, a thick beam that was on fire fell down. Even though the young master dodged in time, he was still hit hard.
Xie Yan nodded and said, "Yes, it needs to be treated."
Otherwise, the injury would be too scary and the Ming Dynasty would be worried if they saw it.
"Are you hiding something from me?" Xie Yan glanced at Yun Zheng who seemed to be hesitant to speak.
Xie Yan knew that Yun Zheng was not a person who could keep things to himself or hide his thoughts.
Yun Zheng took a deep breath and said, "Sir, be mentally prepared."
Xie Yan's heart skipped a beat, and he thought to himself, "Did Gu Huai take the Ming Dynasty away?"
impossible.
He left behind not only Shuyuan's hidden guards, but also his secret agents.
Unless Gu Huai is truly fearless and unscrupulous and makes things out of control, those people will definitely be able to protect the Ming Dynasty.
Yun Zheng shook his head. "Commander Mi said that Madam ordered him and Uncle Chen to hold their troops in place."
"Sir, the Madam voluntarily followed Prince Gu back to the capital. It's not because she has feelings for him, it's..."
Xie Yan was slightly startled, waved his hands, and said softly, "I know."
His Ming Dynasty protected him in its own way.
He did not want the Ming Dynasty to be in danger, and the Ming Dynasty was equally unwilling to bring him trouble.
He knew it without anyone explaining it to him.
He knows it all.
However, a husband should protect his wife from wind and rain.
"Bring the horses home."
Yun Zheng exclaimed in surprise, "Sir, you are injured and it is not appropriate for you to ride a horse."
"If you want to get your wife back, you can give orders for your subordinates to send a letter and bring her back even if they have to."
Xie Yan was silent.
Do you want to take it back even if you rob it?
"Don't make a big fuss." Xie Yan pursed his cracked lips.
He could not destroy the Ming Dynasty's reputation, ruin its plans, or waste its efforts.
"No."
"I'll go see her off alone."
His Ming Dynasty was a very intelligent and brave woman.
"Send a message to Xuxun, and let Madam take over the power in Shangjing."
"My lady's orders are my orders."
Farewell