Chapter 19 Crisis, a Fire
The old doctor was very cooperative, "Okay, I'll make a note of it."
"As long as the girl is willing to let me treat that boy, I can be his nephew, not to mention his uncle!"
"Bah!" Aunt Zhang spat, "You are too old to speak properly!"
She stood up to clean up the dishes and winked at Xixi to follow.
The two were washing dishes in the kitchen. Aunt Zhang said, "In my life, I have only seen people holding money and begging doctors for help."
"How can a doctor rush to find patients?"
"I think he is just a liar. Maybe he can't cure diseases at all."
Gu Xixi couldn't explain too much to Aunt Zhang, so she coaxed, "He gave Chen Fang some medicine."
"I watched coldly, and Chen Fang's face looked much better. Maybe it worked."
"Anyway, he doesn't charge for medicine or consultation, and he can just eat the same meals as us every day."
When Aunt Zhang heard that it was free, she was relieved and said, "Okay, let him be treated for a few days and then we'll see."
She asked again with concern, "Where is Xiao Chen injured? Is it serious?"
Gu Xixi evaded the question calmly, "It's just that my ankle is dislocated, and the rest... is still the same old problem."
Aunt Zhang nodded solemnly, "Hey, it's not easy for him either."
"Many children born with this disease cannot grow up. He must have suffered a lot since childhood."
When it comes to sleeping at night, the old doctor is not picky. He asks Gu Xixi to help carry the patient to the bed.
He slept on the floor next to the bed.
Gu Xixi placed a small paper bag next to the old doctor.
"When you get back, try adding this to the pure water. It might be more effective in washing wounds."
After Gu Xixi left, the old doctor picked up the paper bag, put it to his nose and sniffed it.
He suddenly raised his head and looked straight in the direction where Gu Xixi left...
Two days passed, and although Mu Nanzhao had not yet woken up, he could already be fed some warm water and rice porridge.
During this time, the old doctor asked Aunt Zhang for a small mill, a small stove, and two bowls.
The rest of the time, he hardly ever went out except for eating.
A strong smell of medicine lingered around the west room all day long.
Aunt Zhang tried to go in to find out what was going on several times, but was blocked outside the door by the old doctor, who swore that he was only prescribing medicine and would never burn down the house.
Under the east wall of the courtyard, there are a pile of pots and jars, each with a small wooden stick with a number on it.
The first thing Gu Xixi does every morning when she wakes up is to check these treasures.
Who needs watering, who needs light diversion, who is in poor condition and needs to adjust the cultivation plan...
This day was just like any other.
Gu Xixi had just moved a pot of wild tea saplings to a location with scattered light but not direct sunlight, and was bending over to observe it.
Suddenly, there was a loud bang from a bronze bell.
She was stunned for a moment, then immediately ran to the door, "Aunt Zhang! Aunt Zhang! Put out the stove first and look after the old doctor and Chen Fang. I'm going to see what's going on!"
There is a bronze bell hanging at the entrance of Huachidu Village.
It is said that it was donated to the village by an ancestor who passed the imperial examination.
Because this place is close to the border, it was often harassed by bandits and foreign cavalry in the early years.
The bronze bell became a life-saving alarm bell for the entire village.
Whoever discovered danger would ring the bronze bell, and when the whole village heard it, they would quickly flee to the back mountain for their lives.
The bronze bell was hung under the locust tree. After so many years, two small holes had been eroded on it.
I heard from the old people in the village that this bell has not been rung for at least ten years.
If you hear the bell again, it must be a matter of life and death.
Gu Xixi ran across the dirt road in front of the door and met villagers in groups of three or four, carrying buckets and basins.
"It's on fire!"
"Everyone, hurry up! The fire can't be put out, it's already burning this way!"
"What a sin! What shall I do if I lose my buckwheat?"
From afar, black smoke was billowing in the direction of the fields and flames were faintly visible.
Gu Xixi was horrified. Although she looked in the direction, the fire had not yet reached her fields.
But with the fire going on, if the wind changes direction, her corn and yams...
Without wasting time, she turned around and rushed home, briefly explaining the whole story to Aunt Zhang.
Aunt Zhang was so anxious that she wanted to get a bucket of water to put out the fire, but was held down by Gu Xixi.
"The more the whole village is in chaos, the more we fear that someone from outside will take advantage of the situation and deliberately cause chaos."
"I will go and meet up with Chen Dafu and the others, and I will definitely protect our family's land."
"After I leave, you will lock the door and guard our house for me."
Especially the situation where Mu Nanzhao was seriously injured must not be seen by anyone.
Aunt Zhang panted and nodded repeatedly, "Okay, okay!"
She took a hatchet and held her hands in front of her chest, "I will definitely protect the house, Xixi, you must take care of yourself."
When Gu Xixi arrived, Chen Dafu was leading his hired workers to draw water from the canal and pour it on the narrow road that divided the end of their fields.
But with such a long line, the water would be absorbed into the soil the instant it was poured on it, and would be of no use at all.
The hired workers finally saw their savior, "The boss is here!"
Chen Dafu said worriedly, "Boss, dozens of acres have been burned over there. We have to take some precautions."
"The fire may seem far away now, but if the wind changes direction, it could burn here in the blink of an eye."
Gu Xixi nodded, "You had foresight and took measures in advance, which is already very good."
"Now listen to me."
Chen Dafu and three hired workers stayed here to dig out all the yams on the ridge at the western end and clear the weeds.
Then dig a horizontal trench along the ridge.
Although everyone felt sorry for the yams, they all did as they were told without hesitation.
First of all, we must save human lives, and secondly, it would be great if we could save most of the crops.
Since the boss is capable, they believe in him.
After Gu Xixi made the arrangements, she hurriedly left with the other four employees without saying what she was going to do.
To the west of the village, flames shot up into the sky.
The villagers poured water like crazy, but facing the spreading fire, it was just a drop in the bucket.
"It's that damn guy who's burning a fire in the field! Is he trying to kill our entire village?"
Uncle Gu's vegetable field has been smoked by the fireworks.
The cabbage leaves on the west side of the tree have begun to curl and turn black.
Grandpa Gu was standing on the edge of the field, trembling all over. "Quick! Pour water on the vegetables, pour more water!"
His eldest son was holding a bucket of water and was in a dilemma, "Dad, should I put out the fire first or water the vegetables first?"
Uncle Gu stamped his feet and yelled, "Of course it's for watering the vegetables!"
"The city is still waiting for this batch of cabbage! If our vegetables are burned, everything will be ruined!"
"Of course, we should put out the fire first!" The woman's voice spread into the noisy scene.
"If this fire continues to burn, not only will the fields of the whole village be destroyed, but even our houses and our lives will be in danger!"
Everyone was startled and looked towards the source of the sound.
Gu Xixi stood in front of a tattered cart filled with fine sand.
The four hired workers each took a basin or bucket filled with fine sand and sprinkled it far into the edge of the fire where the fire was weakest.
Gu Xixi climbed into the car and said loudly, "It's too late to water it a little bit now."
"If you have a car, livestock, or someone strong enough, you can go with me to the mountain to dig this fine sand."
"Those with less strength, stay here and learn what they do, spreading the sand."
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