The atmosphere of the banquet finally became lively again. The fight for the crown prince was originally the most concerned matter for everyone in the Qin party. Previously, the emperor's attitude was ambiguous, and the Prince of Pu'an County also competed for power, so there was not much progress. This time, from the exposure of Pu'an to

Starting from the Wanchun Garden under the secret control of Prince An, to Prince Pu'an being placed under house arrest, and now the emperor finally mentioned the matter of establishing a heir apparent. In a very short period of time, he completed the triple jump. It was perfect.

The established goal. How could this not make everyone happy?

Everyone understands that the choice of the new emperor in the future is related to everyone's wealth, life, honor and disgrace. If they fail in the battle for the new emperor, there will be endless troubles in the future, and everyone will be liquidated. And once Prince Enping comes to the throne, people like themselves will

He could completely control the situation, eliminate the opposition forces unscrupulously, and firmly control the Song Dynasty court. The difference between the two is more than just clouds and mud.

Amidst the cheers and laughter, the musicians and singers came on stage again. The music was melodious, the atmosphere was warm, and everyone drank happily. Even Qin Hui, who was restrained, drank a lot of wine, which made him a little dizzy.

Just as the hall was filled with joy, someone suddenly heard shouting loudly outside the hall, and the sound was extremely frightening.

"It's terrible, there's a fire in the back house, there's a fire in the back house."

Qin Hui was holding a glass of wine to drink when he was startled by the shouts outside. He turned around and asked, "What's going on?"

Qin Tan said in a deep voice: "My grandson, go and have a look."

Qin Tan quickly walked out of the hall, but saw people running around in panic. Just as he was about to ask, the steward Qin Fu rushed over with a look of anxiety on his face.

"Uncle Fu, what happened?"

"Sir, I was about to report to Prime Minister Qin that there was a fire in the eldest master's residence in the west cross-yard of the back house." Qin Fu said hurriedly.

"Ah? Is the fire serious? What happened to my parents?" Qin Tan asked in shock. Xikuaoyuan is Qin Xi's residence. Qin Tan is nominally Qin Xi's adopted son, so he calls Qin Xi and his wife his parents.

"The fire is not small. I have sent the fire infiltration team in the house to go to the rescue. The eldest master, his wife and several young masters have been escorted out. It is okay for the time being. The fifth young master hurriedly reported to the prime minister, and I immediately dispatched manpower to put out the fire." Qin

Fu replied quickly.

Qin Tan nodded and said: "Go quickly, go quickly, I will report it to grandpa."

Qin Tan rushed back to the hall. Qin Hui, Wan Qixi, Tang Sihui and others also stood up, looking at each other and listening to the noise outside. Seeing Qin Tan come in, they hurriedly asked questions. Qin Tan quickly explained the reason.

, Qin Hui was shocked and said repeatedly: "Go and have a look at the situation."

Everyone helped Qin Hui out of the flower hall and all the way to the back house. The location of the fire was the large courtyard at the west end of the back house of the Qin Mansion. The Qin Mansion was a mansion with four entrances and eight bays plus a bunch of attached courtyards. Just walk from the second entrance to the flower hall.

It took a lot of time to find the fire in the back house. After arriving at the West Cross Courtyard, where people were running and swaying, everyone took a breath of cold air. The main hall of the West Cross Courtyard and the three-story building connecting the back were already on fire, and the fire was extremely intense.

Although it didn't look that serious, it was still burning in the house and had not jumped to the top. However, the fire in the house seen from the door and window was bright, like firewood burning in the furnace.

Qin Xi, who was disheveled, came up to him. Qin Hui cursed angrily: "What's going on? Why is there a fire?"

Qin Xi said with a sad face: "I don't know, the weather is cold, and my son's old hair is sore."

I was sick again, so I went to bed early. While I was sleeping soundly, I heard a fire and ran downstairs. The house was already on fire. There was also a fire in the main hall."

Qin Hui cursed angrily and was about to speak, but when he heard a crash, the fire on the top of the three-story wooden building behind him jumped up and shot straight into the sky. The flames and sparks scattered in all directions, drifted in all directions with the northwest wind, and were annihilated in the dark night sky.

After a moment, a layer of hot ashes fell on everyone's heads. Tang Situi, who was standing next to Qin Hui, suddenly jumped up, barking and jumping like a giant monkey.

"My neck, oh, help me quickly. My neck seems to be on fire." Tang Situi screamed.

Someone rushed forward to help and found a piece of hot charcoal in Tang Situi's neck. Holding it in his hand, there was actually a trace of red charcoal light.

"Hurry up and put out the fire. The wind is strong tonight and it might ignite other buildings." Qin Tan shouted loudly.

In fact, hundreds of servants from the Qin Mansion have arrived here, including the 30-person fire-fighting team of the Prime Minister's Mansion. However, there is really nothing they can do in the face of the explosive fire. The Qin Mansion's luxurious buildings

, they are all carved and painted houses, mostly made of wood. If the fire was discovered at the beginning, the progress of the fire could be contained. However, after the fire broke out, it was discovered very late. It took a while for the fire to be discovered by the servants, and now it has

The main building in the west courtyard and the three-story wooden building behind it all burst into flames. Just like the Cining Hall that night, the best opportunity for rescue was lost and there was no possibility of extinguishing it.

Everyone tried in vain to water the burning house with buckets, but in response to the phrase "a drop in the bucket can help a lot", it had almost no effect.

What's even more frightening is that gusts of biting wind blew, and fires broke out one after another. Fireworks were scattered in all directions by the wind, and several nearby buildings also burst into flames. In addition, the pattern of the already dense corridors of buildings in the West Cross Courtyard

, it is conceivable that in the near future, the entire west courtyard and all the nearby buildings will catch fire. If it cannot be dealt with in time, the entire Qin Mansion's back house and more than a hundred rooms in more than ten courtyards will be under great threat, and even

All will be burned to the ground.

In other houses, the cries of women and children could be heard clearly. They were woken up from their beds and saw the fire in the West Cross Courtyard. They were so frightened that they cried and screamed one by one. Some of them had already begun to arrest and clean up.

Gold and silver have become soft.

"What should we do? What should we do?" Qin Hui shouted, stamping his feet and clapping his hands.

Qin Tan had no choice but to accompany Qin Hui to the sidelines. Seeing embers flying everywhere and fires bursting out from the roofs of several houses, the grandfather and grandson were at a loss and could not help but curse.

Wan Qixi, Tang Situi and others were also so shocked that they opened their mouths wide. Just now, there was a feast of singing and dancing, and in the blink of an eye, they were faced with such a scene. It was really a big ups and downs. Seeing that the fire was already difficult to control, the back house of the Prime Minister's Mansion was probably going to be destroyed.

Fortunately, the two of them stamped their feet anxiously, but there was nothing they could do.

"Prime Minister Qin, go outside and call someone to put out the torch. A few Dragon King vehicles from the fire department can put out the fire. Although there will be losses, they can be minimized. Call them out quickly.

It's about putting out the fire. Only they can put out the fire." Liang Shidao's mind was quick and he suddenly remembered how the fire in Cining Hall was finally put out, so he immediately suggested.

"Yes, yes, why did you forget the fire brigade? Hurry up and call them to come rescue."

." Tang Si retreat was like waking up from a dream.

Qin Tan said angrily: "What? Asking Fang Zian's people to put out the fire? Isn't this... isn't this a joke for him? This guy... I'm afraid he's going to die laughing. Asking his people to put out the fire, isn't that what he will do in the future?

Do you still have to worry about his favor?"

"Oh, Fifth Young Master, how long has it been and you are still thinking about those things? Put out the fire first. Isn't that what Fang Zian's fire brigade does? They have the obligation to put out the fire, so there is no need to worry about it.

What kind of favor? Besides, it’s not obvious whether it’s light or serious, slow or urgent?” Liang Shidao shouted.

Qin Tan said angrily: "What do you mean? Are you scolding me?"

Liang Shidao was startled and said hurriedly: "How dare you, how dare you. Shidao is just worried about the fire in front of him."

Before Qin Tan could speak, Qin Hui said in a deep voice: "Stop arguing, Qin Tan, quickly go and ask the fire brigade to put out the fire. Be quick, otherwise the whole house will be destroyed."

Qin Tan shouted: "Grandpa!"

Qin Hui said angrily: "Go quickly!"

Qin Tan stamped his feet, waved, and flew away with a few guards.

…

In the middle section of Zhonghe Royal Street, on the fire-watching tower of the Fire Army Camp next to Dawazi, Fang Zian and Feng Yiming stood side by side on the fence, with the cold wind biting in their ears, and below them the dark and dimly lit Lin'an neighborhood. Their gazes

It was directed in the direction of Qin Hui's mansion on the east side of Wangxian Bridge.

On such a night, the fire in the back house of the Qin Mansion was particularly eye-catching. Waves of northwest wind blew fiercely, and with each blow of the wind, the fire in the distance became brighter and more violent. The fireworks flying in all directions became more brilliant and spectacular.

Without going to the scene, Fang Zian also knew that the fire there was already uncontrollable.

"Brother Feng, how many fires have you set? I don't think the whole west courtyard is on fire." Fang Zian laughed in a low voice.

Feng Yiming chuckled and said: "Just two fires. Qin Hui's family is so rich. The house is so tall, with carved beams and painted beams. The room is covered with felt carpets and hanging curtains. The walls are all inlaid with carved wood.

Tiao. Isn’t that the most ideal thing to start a fire? Besides, the two large barrels of refined kerosene your brother Fang gave me also contributed a lot.”

Fang Zian laughed and said, "You still need Brother Feng to get in. If it were me, it would take a lot of effort."

Feng Yiming said: "The security is indeed tight enough. The walls of the back garden are tall and smooth, and there are people guarding the walls. There are also whistles in the dark. I was almost discovered by them. Fortunately, it didn't delay your important event."

Fang Zian nodded and said: "The real test is at the back. Have you seen the building to the north of the West Crossing Courtyard? That is Getian Pavilion. After we sneak in, we will go to that building to find things. Success or failure

In one fell swoop.”

Feng Yiming nodded and said: "I understand. However, if they don't come and ask us to put out the fire, wouldn't our work be in vain?"

Fang Zian smiled and said: "Unless Qin Hui wants his house to be burned to the ground, he will naturally ask us for help. In terms of fire-fighting skills, is there any other method in the capital besides my firefighting army office?"

Feng Yiming was about to speak when he saw a dozen horses galloping down the long street outside the camp, heading straight for the camp. Fang Zian also saw the dozen horses galloping towards him and laughed in a low voice.
Chapter completed!