When Ning Youan got dressed and went out, hundreds of people had gathered outside the yard. Money, clothes and other items had been hidden at home early. He only took a few rations with him, not many things, so it was convenient for him to travel.
The group of people drove along the path for about half an hour and finally arrived at the barren mountains in the east of Zhuangzi. The mountains were not very high, but the vegetation was lush and green, making it a good place to hide people.
Ning Youan was quite unreliable when he was a bastard, but when he needed to fight something, he was very unambiguous. He moved things, counted people, laid out tarps, and was so busy that his feet never touched the ground.
It was already past meal time after everything was set up. The butler carried a kettle and a lunch box to distribute the water and rice one by one. Because everyone had something to worry about, everyone's appetite was not very good, so they just took a few bites and then stopped.
The next step was to wait for news, an hour, two hours... It was almost dark, but no one from Zhuangzi came to notify me.
Old Mrs. Ning was anxious, and she sighed and complained: "I said before dawn today that our farm was going to be searched. It's been a day, and there's still no news. Is there anything going on?"
"Grandma, don't worry, everything will be fine." Ning You'an squatted next to her and comforted her: "The name of Zhuangzi is not the name of our Ning family. Even if they come, they can only search according to the rules. If they can't find it, they can't find it."
If you retreat when someone is present, what could happen?"
Mrs. Ning sighed again, "Oh, go there as soon as possible, otherwise I won't feel at ease."
The others also sighed, each one withering like an eggplant beaten by frost.
The Ning family and the Qi family are both business families that have been in business for a hundred years, and their family assets are rich. The masters of the house have not suffered much since they were young. How can they feel comfortable when something unexpected happens suddenly?
Ning Youan felt clear, straightened her clothes, stood up and said, "Everyone, just hold on for one more night. I will go out to find someone for help early tomorrow morning. I will definitely find a way to solve this problem."
"How can you solve it? Rush into the palace and stab the rebel Qi Sheng?" Ning's father rolled his eyes at him.
"Maybe I can really do it..."
Ning Youan retorted weakly, turned his head and saw a moving ball hanging on a tree branch in the distance, and Lian walked over curiously.
As I got closer, I saw clearly that it was Meng Qixue hanging on the branch of the tree. She was holding the branch with both hands and trying hard to climb up the tree. Unfortunately, her legs were too short and she couldn't step up for a long time.
"Auntie, how dare you climb over there!" Ning Youan took three steps at a time and then ran over to hug him. "I turned around and fell from the tree. I will smash your butt into pieces and you will lose your skin."
!”
Meng Qixue puffed up her cheeks and groaned: "I have no skin! I want to help my grandma see the people in the village. Only by standing high can I see far."
"Ah, yes, stand high and see far away." Ning Youan raised his arm and lifted her above his head, "Just look at it like this, it is much more reliable than climbing a tree."
The little man above his head didn't say a word and really looked at it seriously.
Ning Youan saw that she was looking attentively and deliberately teased her: "Little clairvoyant, have you seen anyone?"
"I didn't see anyone." Meng Qixue shook her head.
Ning Youan smiled and thought that this place is seven or eight miles away from Zhuangzi. You have to be able to see it to be a ghost.
As soon as she finished complaining, she heard her mutter: "But it seems to be on fire over there, it's red and there's smoke."
"Which way?"
"It's where we live."
"Really? Let me take a look." Ning Youan put her down, stood on tiptoes, stretched her neck and looked to the west, but she was not tall enough to see what was going on.
At this time, two young men who were resting at the foot of the mountain also noticed something unusual. They ran up in panic and spread the news: "It's on fire, Zhuangzi is on fire!"
The crowd started making noises. Some climbed trees to observe the situation, some whispered to each other, and some secretly wiped their tears with handkerchiefs.
"They must have discovered that we lived in Zhuangzi, and when they couldn't press us, they deliberately set the fire to vent their anger."
"In the future, will we have no place to go and will have to hide in the mountains and become savages?"
"While the savages can still survive, if someone discovers our traces and comes over with a knife to kill us, it will be a disaster!"
Everyone screamed, and everyone was in danger for a moment.
Seeing that the situation was getting more and more out of control, Ning Youan quickly stepped forward to stabilize the overall situation, "Don't scare yourself first. Maybe some girl cooked without watching the fire and set the kitchen on fire, and then put it out later?"
But the truth is not as simple as he said.
The fire in Zhuangzi grew stronger and stronger, and the black smoke rushed into the clouds, making the clouds seem to fall down.
Half of the sky in the west is red, and you can feel the heat wave from a long distance away, making your skin tight.
The crowd's discussion became louder, and there were also the uncontrollable cries of women and children.
Obviously, if the cause of the fire cannot be found, it will be difficult for everyone to continue to stay in this barren mountain.
Ning Youan tied up her sleeves, carried Meng Qixue to Qi Xingtang, and warned: "Uncle, grandmother, and parents will be left in your care. I'll go down the mountain to see what's going on."
Qi Xingtang quickly grabbed his sleeve, "No, if it is really Qi Sheng's gang who set the fire, wouldn't you be sending a sheep into the tiger's mouth if you go back like this?"
"It's okay. I'll check out the situation and come back. I won't go in." Ning Youan pulled his sleeves out of his hands and said with a smile: "I caused the trouble, and it's my turn to solve it. I can't let everyone follow me all the time.
suffer."
After hearing this, everyone looked at him in unison, with strange expressions in their eyes, and then a burst of emotion surged from their hearts.
Who in Xiangcheng mentioned the name of the eldest son of the Ning family without adding two adjectives?
He is wandering around and not doing his job properly.
Those eight words are synonymous with him.
But at critical moments, he stood up faster than anyone else.
This is probably the character of the son of the Ning family. The outer shell can be corrupted, but the inside is filled with eternal blood.
Ning's father patted him on the shoulder and said earnestly: "Go, pay attention to safety, we will wait for you to come back."
Ning Youan smiled and walked down the mountain on the rugged mountain road.
Tuanzi chased after him, "Master, wait for me. Without me, who would you kick if your feet are itchy?"
Everyone on the mountain: "..." What a strange pair of masters and servants!
Afraid of making any noise, the two of them didn't even dare to ride a horse. They walked on two legs for seven or eight miles. By the time they reached the place, the village had almost burned down. The farm that was still bustling during the day had now become a
A piece of burnt ashes.
Looking around, everything was devastated, but not a single person could be seen.
Tuanzi grabbed Ning Youan's clothes tightly, his legs were shaking violently, and tears flowed down his face, "Dead, young master, they are all dead."
"I know." Ning Youan took a deep breath, and the hot air flowed into his lungs, making his whole chest hurt.
He lowered his head and said with a sad expression: "I was the one who harmed them."
It was because of his lack of ability that Qi Sheng manipulated him at will, causing his family to become homeless and innocent people to lose their lives.