PFC Chapter 88 Suffering a Loss to Avoid Disaster
Chapter 88 Suffering a Loss to Avoid Disaster
Wenwen listened to those sharp cries and felt as if they were the rapid sounds of arrows being released from a bow.
She sat up abruptly with a start.
Startled, Ah Ying quickly spread her wings in defense. "What's wrong?"
Wenwen left without saying a word and disappeared from the space.
As soon as I came out, I opened my eyes and immediately sat up.
Following the sound, I looked over.
Several flames streaked across the sky and landed precisely on the roofs of the stables and cattle sheds.
Because the roof was covered with dry thatch, layer upon layer, the thatch caught fire very quickly as soon as it came into contact with a spark. It spread out with a "boom," and flames shot into the sky, turning half the sky red.
Wenwen only had time to shout, "Fire!"
At the same time, she heard the voices of her father, her eldest brother, and her second eldest brother.
"Big Brother, go and call everyone. Second Brother, wake everyone up, quick!"
"Yes, father."
"Yes, uncle."
Wenwen called out to her family while frantically trying to wake them up.
Soon, the footsteps and shouts of yamen runners and soldiers could be heard from the front yard.
Those who woke up early in the stables and cattle sheds rushed out as soon as the firelight was just beginning to shoot into the sky.
The remaining group of people were in the stables and cattle sheds, scrambling to get out.
In an instant, the stables and cattle sheds were filled with shouts, chaotic cries for help, and the sounds of pushing and shoving.
The constables and soldiers quickly split into three groups: one group rushed into the fire to rescue people, another group called on everyone to fetch water to fight the fire, and the last group organized the orderly evacuation of the scene.
Because the Wen family lived closer to the back door, when the yamen runners opened the back door, the elderly, children, sick, and disabled members of the family followed the runners away from the fire scene in an orderly manner.
Every male member of the Wen family did what he could to help with the rescue and firefighting efforts.
The constables led the escaped prisoners out of the back gate of the post station and set up a designated area on the side of the street to settle them.
"Stay put and wait for Lord Zhu's instructions."
The constable left only one sentence before turning and departing.
The escaped prisoners looked at each other in dismay, terrified, and whispered among themselves, trying to ease their anxiety.
"My God, what's going on?"
"Luckily I went to bed late, otherwise I would have died here."
"Oh my god, I almost tripped over the cart."
As Wenwen listened to their discussion, she secretly felt fortunate.
If someone in the family hadn't been alert and moved to a quieter place, they probably wouldn't have escaped this ordeal.
In the corner where their family used to live, surrounded by carts, if a fire broke out, they wouldn't be able to escape even if they had wings.
When I changed positions before, I was subjected to different looks, and it was obvious that I had suffered a great loss. Little did I know that I had unknowingly avoided this disaster.
At this moment, Wenwen deeply remembered a few words: "Suffering a loss is a blessing."
"Bang, boom, boom."
"Help! My family and children are still inside! Help!"
Several loud explosions rang out in the night. The stables and cattle sheds could not withstand the fire and collapsed completely.
"Quick, quick, quick."
Rescue efforts and firefighting are both underway.
The rescued people gradually gathered on the street.
Some cursed, some wailed, some were grief-stricken, and some even blamed each other.
"It's all your fault. It would have been so much better to spend some money on a room. Why did you have to try to save money by staying in a stable or a cowshed? Look what happened, now everyone's suffering."
"How dare you say that to me? If you could run away, why didn't you take any luggage with you?"
"How could there be time? Didn't you see how quickly the flames caught fire?"
"That's true, where did that spark come from that was jumping so high?"
He does not mean that.
Wenwen thought to herself, "It's not like some spark jumped up."
To launch a sneak attack in the dead of night is the behavior of a scoundrel. They dare not be open about it; it is clearly arson.
A barrage of shots around the stables and cowsheds—that's a clear target.
The arrows were tied with torches, clearly indicating that the enemy had no way out.
After a moment of wild thoughts, Wenwen suddenly felt a chill run down her spine.
If she has paranoia, then this analysis suggests that the fire was targeted at their home.
The idea lingered in my mind for a while.
No.
Two heads are better than one, so she needs to discuss it with her family.
......
As time passed, with the help of many people, the fire was extinguished.
Ash filled the air above the inn, along with a cacophony of noises.
The yamen runners were busy going in and out.
Those who had come to join the commotion have been persuaded to go home.
The prisoners were left behind, waiting anxiously in place.
Just then, a sliver of light appeared on the horizon.
Normally, the yamen runners would be urging people to get up by this time, as they would be setting off soon.
But given the situation today, I don't know if we'll actually set off.
Even after the second ray of light appeared on the horizon, the officials still hadn't come to inform everyone to set off.
The prisoners all craned their necks and strained their ears to listen to the sounds around them.
......
Separated by a wall is the backyard where the stables and cattle sheds were originally located.
While cleaning up the scene, the yamen runners and soldiers reported the situation to Lord Zhu.
"Sir, the count is complete. There are more than 100 dead, more than 20 seriously injured, and more than 30 slightly injured."
Lord Zhu's face was ashen; clearly, the fire had greatly troubled him.
The casualties encountered on the way into the city were inexplicable, and now this incident of a stable burning down has occurred in the middle of the night.
Are they really that incompatible with Yanta Town?
They've only traveled a little over 300 li, and the number of people has already decreased by one-tenth. How many will be left after they've traveled over 3,000 li?
Whether he can continue in his position as the escort officer is a question.
Lord Zhu was struggling with his inner conflict, and his tone became even more unpleasant.
"Report the casualties during the entry into the city as well."
"Eight people have died, and more than fifty have been injured, mostly in the feet. Sir, this..."
"On your feet? What did the doctor say?"
"The doctor advised that it would be best to rest for a day or two."
Lord Zhu suppressed his anger, glanced at the collapsed stables and cowsheds, and then took a deep look at the cart at the foot of the courtyard wall.
"What time is it now?"
"It's past mid-morning."
"Pass down the order: rest in Yanta Town for the day. Those who need to stay at an inn should stay, and those who need to see a doctor should see a doctor. Depart promptly at 3:00 AM tomorrow without fail."
"Yes, my lord."
Many ears, separated only by a wall, heard the news.
Some are happy and some are sad.
Upon receiving the order, the yamen runners busied themselves with making arrangements.
Although there weren't many spare rooms at the post station, a few could still be squeezed out. Besides, even if it was just a woodshed, as long as it was a room, it would generate revenue, so why wouldn't the officials do it?
The constables arranged the arrangements one by one in order.
Soon, only three families remained on the street, including the Wen family.
Several yamen runners exchanged glances and then selected a representative to speak.
"The inn here is full. You families will go to the inn across the street."