Volume Six, Long Huangtian Collapse, Chapter 155, One Kneeling
Jizhen Lane, Tan Jing's residence.
Xiao Yuanche, Su Ling and Guo Baiyi stepped out of the car, and their eyes were already filled with charcoal.
The fire has been extinguished, but there are still some embers emitting thin black smoke.
Not only Tan Jing's house, but also dozens of ordinary people's houses in the entire Jizhen Lane were burned in the fire and turned into rubble.
Xiao Yuanche and the others stood there silently, with solemn expressions in their eyes, and Xiao Yuanche's brows furrowed even more tightly.
In front of me, survivors who escaped from the sea of fire were huddled together in small groups. Their eyes were empty and confused.
Most of them looked sad and had tears in their eyes.
There were even a few octogenarians and a few young children hugging each other, sobbing bitterly, and it was so painful that it made people cry.
The strong burnt smell made the three of them cover their mouths and noses.
Su Ling couldn't hold it back anymore and coughed violently.
Xiao Yuanche couldn't bear it anymore and shouted loudly: "Where are the people, where are the people putting out the fire! Get some here over here!"
The sergeants who put out the fire were already exhausted. Their whole body was blackened by the smoke and there was no trace of human color. They were leaning against each other in twos and threes, breathing heavily.
Two people had already trotted forward, saluted Xiao Yuanche and said: "Sikong, if you alert Sikong, the general (junior) will die!"
Xiao Yuanche looked at the two people in front of him who were so smoked that they were beyond recognition. He recognized them for a long time before he was sure who they were.
Xiao Zizhen, the temporary acting commander of the Shadow Division on the left, and Han Zhihao, the main commander of the City Patrol Division on the right.
Xiao Yuanche frowned and said, "Why did you two end up like this..."
Han Zhihao's eyes were covered with bloodshot eyes, he cupped his fists and said: "Sikong, the fire is too big. The houses in this area are all made of wood. When the fire comes, it becomes a sea of fire. An hour ago, this place was a sea of fire. I organized manpower to put out the fire and rescue the people.
Unfortunately, the fire was too strong. Even though Xiaguan and others risked their lives, they still could not prevent dozens of houses from being devoured by the fire. Xiaguan was incompetent!"
Xiao Zizhen bit his lip and said nothing.
Xiao Yuanche said in a deep voice: "Don't tell me this, let me ask you, how many casualties and losses are there?"
Han Zhihao choked for a while, and Xiao Zizhen hurriedly held up his hands and said: "Reporting to Sikong, eighteen parts of the house were burned down, and three more parts were burned more than half. Fifty-six people were injured and died..."
Xiao Zizhen's lips trembled and he did not dare to speak further.
"Say! How much!" Xiao Yuanche shouted angrily.
"Three hundred and two people died, most of them children and the elderly..." Xiao Zizhen returned with a trembling voice.
"What!..." Xiao Yuanche's eyes almost burst.
But now that things had come to this, he had no choice but to raise his head, look at the mess in front of him, and listen to the low sobs and sad cries of the children and people in front of him.
His heart seemed to sink to the bottom of the sea, feeling cold.
At this moment, a young man suddenly ran over from the alley and rushed desperately to the ruins of Tan Jing's house.
"Plop -" with a sound, his legs went weak and he knelt on the ground.
He grabbed the ashes and debris on the ground with his hands and cried loudly.
After a while, the tears in his eyes turned into tears of blood.
While crying, he screamed: "Aniang...Adi, Tan Baimen is one step too late, one step too late!"
As he spoke, he pointed to the sky with one hand, his eyes full of sorrow and anger, and said: "God, thief! Why are you so cruel? I just went to the market to buy a fish, and when I came back, I was separated from my loved ones, leaving me alone.
, how to live in this world!..."
He was extremely grieved and his mind was narrowed. He suddenly stood up and slammed into an incompletely burned large pillar about ten feet in front of him!
He had already made up his mind that he would die. He was despairing of all thoughts and wanted to go with his loved ones.
As soon as the figure flashed, someone dared to stand in front of him, grabbed him, and said in a deep voice: "Do you want to die? If you die, you will have nothing!"
Xiao Yuanche and others, as well as all the people in distress and the soldiers fighting the fire, all looked at it at the same time.
A young man, with a bandage on his right arm, struggled to hold Tan Baimen, who was seeking death.
Never take a step back.
Even so, Tan Baimen still wanted to die and struggled hard to please this young man.
With the tugging, all the bandages of the young man were torn apart, and the wounds inside were shocking and stained with blood.
The young man didn't even look at his bleeding wound, but still held Tan Baimen tightly, unwilling to let go for a moment.
The soldiers and civilians present all had red eyes, and some were already sobbing softly.
Xiao Yuanche was also greatly moved and shouted loudly at Xiao Zizhen and Han Zhihao: "Why are you still standing there? Why don't you go over and help Su Cao!"
The two men quickly turned around and walked over in a few steps. Only then did the three of them restrain Tan Baimen.
Tan Baimen was still wailing, his heart broken.
"If you die, the truth about this fire will never be found out! Are you so willing to let your mother and brother die inexplicably?"
Su Ling took a deep look at Tan Baimen and patted his shoulder slowly.
Tan Baimen woke up as if from a dream, and then became quiet, with tears in his eyes, and slowly fell to his knees again.
Su Ling took a deep breath and seemed to have made a decision in her heart.
One step, two steps, three steps...
Every step he took was very heavy.
But I have never been more determined.
Su Ling walked slowly to Xiao Yuanche's side and suddenly knelt down on the ground.
This is the first time Su Ling has come to this world.
Kneel down.
Xiao Yuanche was a little stunned, and suddenly said: "Su Ling, what are you doing? This is the first time I've seen you kneel since I've known you!"
Su Ling remained silent, knelt on the ground, and suddenly bowed three times to Xiao Yuanche.
Xiao Yuanche hurriedly stretched out his hand to support him and said, "Su Ling, if you have something to say, what are you doing?"
But no matter how hard Xiao Yuanche tried to support him, Su Ling's body remained motionless.
Xiao Yuanche had no choice but to accept Su Ling's three bows all his life.
Su Ling's expression was full of heartache, and he spoke slowly and slowly: "Your Majesty, the West Cao of Sikong Mansion, Su Ling, begs Sikong to thoroughly investigate this matter on behalf of Tan Baimen and all the innocent people living and dead.
Let the truth be known to the world so that the living can be comforted and the dead can rest in peace!"
"This..." Xiao Yuanche was startled.
Seeing that Xiao Yuanche didn't speak, Su Ling suddenly bowed three times and said in a slightly louder voice: "Your Majesty, the West Cao of Sikong Mansion asks Su Ling to plead with Sikong on behalf of Tan Baimen and all the innocent people living and dead.
, investigate this matter thoroughly and let the truth be made known to the world, so that the living can be comforted and the dead can rest in peace!"
"Su Ling...you..." Xiao Yuanche's eyes burned and he spoke sadly.
Su Ling bowed three times again, and his words were full of sonorous meaning: "Your Majesty, the West Cao of Sikong Mansion sent Su Ling to plead with Sikong on behalf of Tan Baimen and all the innocent people living and dead to investigate this matter thoroughly.
Let the truth be known to the world so that the living can be comforted and the dead can rest in peace!"
At this moment, Tan Baimen, all the soldiers, and all the surviving people in the surrounding area, whether young or old, women or children, suddenly surrounded him.
All of them knelt down behind Su Ling, kowtowed to Xiao Yuanche and said, "Common people, I beg Sir Sikong to investigate this matter thoroughly and give us justice!"
His voice is booming and his feelings are regrettable!
Xiao Yuanche stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes filled with despair and endless compassion.
At this moment, another gentle but firm voice sounded: "My lord, the military advisor, Guo Baiyi, implores Sikong to thoroughly investigate the fire in Jizhen Lane and provide justice to the innocent people!"
Baiyi moved slightly, and Guo Baiyi also knelt down suddenly.
"The last general Xiao Zizhen..."
"Han Zhihao, the Commander-in-Chief of the City Patrol Department..."
"I implore Sikong to investigate this matter thoroughly!"
Xiao Zizhen and Han Zhihao also shook their clothes and slowly knelt down.
In the entire Jizhen Alley, everyone was kneeling on the ground.
There is only one Great Jin Sikong, independent between heaven and earth, looking up to the sky and sighing, with his eyes slightly closed.
After a long while, Xiao Yuanche stroked his long beard on his chest, then lifted Guo Baiyi up, then turned to Xiao Zizhen and Han Zhihao and said, "You two, get up too."
Xiao Yuanche then slowly walked up to Su Ling and sighed: "Su Ling, Su Ling... you are really good... okay! Get up!"
After saying that, he stretched out his hand again to help Lidya Su.
With a little help, Su Ling became as motionless as a mountain.
Xiao Yuanche's eyes flashed and he whispered: "Su Ling, do you believe me?"
Su Ling's pupils shrank, then he lowered his head and murmured: "Su Ling, Brother Xinxiao..."
Xiao Yuanche sighed, nodded and said: "Then get up first!"
Su Ling slowly stood up, his eyes full of desolation.
Xiao Yuanche then looked behind them again.
The soldiers with tired faces and blackened bodies, and the miserable and pitiful civilians with eyes full of sorrow.
At this moment, his heart was full of intolerance.
He took a few steps towards the kneeling crowd and suddenly said loudly: "Yuan Che is not talented, but he also cares about the common people, which makes the people more peaceful and peaceful. Now that such a tragedy has happened, my heart is the same as yours.
How can I not feel pain, how can I not feel sad?"
He slowly waved to everyone kneeling in front of him and said: "Everyone, please get up first and listen to what I, Xiao Yuanche, have to say!"
After saying that, he first walked up to an old man with white hair, bowed and lifted him up.
The old man suddenly felt warm in his heart, burst into tears, and said in a sad voice: "Sikong, Sikong can't do it... You are worth a thousand gold!... Little old man...
"
Xiao Yuanche insisted on helping him up, then looked around and said: "Everyone, get up!"
Everyone stood up slowly, their eyes full of sadness.
Only then did Xiao Yuanche regain his composure and said loudly: "Although I, Xiao Yuanche, am Sikong of the Great Jin Dynasty, how valuable is Sikong? I am also a member of the common people! Today's fire burned the homes of my people and took the lives of my father, elders and brothers.
,How can Xiao Yuanche not be in pain!"
After he said these few words, the crowd erupted in sorrow.
"Xiao Yuanche was a hero at that time, and he also knew what to do and what not to do! Dear fellow villagers, Xiao Yuanche hereby swears that he will investigate the cause and effect of this matter and make the truth known to the world! Please rest assured!"
Xiao Yuanche said every word with great solemnity.
"Sikong Yingming! Sikong is dedicated to our people! Long live Sikong!"
I don’t know who shouted out first, but everyone shouted in unison. The sound was loud, filling the sky above the entire Jizhen Lane, and lingering for a long time.
Xiao Yuanche waved his hand, and the people became quiet again.
Only then did Xiao Yuanche speak loudly: "Xiao Yuanche hereby promises that, firstly, for those whose homes are burned down, the imperial court will open the treasury to rebuild their homes for everyone. For those who have died at home, burial pensions will also be allocated. Tomorrow, Jizhen Lane will be erected
There are more than a dozen temporary settlement tents for the homeless to stay in temporarily, and they will be moved there after the court finds a resettlement place and rebuilds their homes!"
"Thank you Sikong for your great kindness! Sikong is truly the Sikong of our people in Jin Dynasty!" There was another burst of admiration and shouts from the crowd.
"Secondly, all registered households in Jizhen Lane are exempted from the corvee tax for three years. If more than half of the family members are injured or killed, after three years, half of the tax will be exempted for another three years!" Xiao Yuanche said without thinking.
At this time, everyone was even more grateful, and fell to their knees again, kneeling three times and kowtowing to Xiao Yuanche.
"Thirdly, the imperial court will allocate relief money and food, and the Sikong Mansion will take the lead in presiding over it. We must ensure that everyone has food to eat and money to live until they can settle down!"
After Xiao Yuanche finished speaking, he looked at everyone with a solemn face.
Everyone knelt down, and countless "Long live——" shouts came and went.
Su Ling slowly looked towards Xiao Yuanche, and there was a slight glimmer of light in his eyes.
After Xiao Yuanche said this, he slowly walked up to Tan Baimen, patted his shoulder and said, "Your name is Tan Baimen..."
With fear in his eyes, Tan Baimen nodded and was about to kneel down.
But he was supported by Xiao Yuanche.
Xiao Yuanche looked at him for a few times, and said with some seriousness in his voice: "Tan Baimen, you are very good. He is young and full of energy. Live well... I know that your father is Tan Jing. Although he has committed serious crimes,
, but you have been punished, and your family will not be implicated in the crime. Tan Baimen, you have good strength, are you willing to join the army? "
When Tan Baimen heard this, he trembled all over, suddenly raised his fists and said loudly: "Tan Baimen is willing to join the troops of Sikong Mansion to repay Sikong's great kindness!"
Xiao Yuanche then said loudly: "Okay! Where is Xiao Zi really?"
Xiao Zizhen walked out in response.
Xiao Yuanche pointed at Tan Baimen and said, "Take him there and see which camp is suitable. Don't wrong him!"
Xiao Zizhen nodded, waved to Tan Baimen and said, "Come with me!"
Tan Baimen nodded, and after taking a few steps, he suddenly turned around and ran towards Su Ling.
When he came to Su Ling, he suddenly knelt on the ground and worshiped: "Tan Baimen will remember Mr. Su's great kindness and virtue in this life!..."
Su Ling's lips moved and she was about to speak.
But Tan Baimen suddenly stood up and followed Xiao Zizhen with swift strides.
Under the command of the soldiers, the crowd gradually found a temporary place to stay.
The Jizhen Lane fire incident has come to an end.
Xiao Yuanche let out a long sigh and said to Guo Baiyi and Su Ling: "You two stay and discuss with Han Zhihao the details of resettling the refugees and draw up a plan. I will report to the emperor tomorrow."
Su Ling and Guo Baiyi nodded.
Xiao Yuanche then turned around and said in a deep voice: "Wei Chang'an, go back to Sikong Mansion!"
“Here—!”
Xiao Yuanche only had his carriage and horse.
The car curtain slowly lowered, and his face became increasingly gloomy and difficult to look at...