The sun in the sky was white, and endless heat waves swept all the living beings on the earth. The vast white ground of the land seemed to be brushed with a layer of plaster, and the dense cracks were like hidden blood vessels, densely covering the shattered cheeks.

Some of the seedlings were black, some were yellow, and there was no new green in the vast land. The majestic wind blows, but it can't dispel the scorching heat. The child sat on his knees in the middle of the field, grabbed a handful of upturned crust, and with a pinch of his little hand, turned into powder, which was as fine as sand, and flew happily in the wind.

The adult man chewed a handful of half-dried weeds in his mouth, and the sorrow on his face added a three-point color to his emaciated face, and his dim eyes flashed with anger and unwillingness. Looking up at the sky, the compelling light forced him to lower his head, and a cloudy tear fell on the pale earth, disappearing in an instant, leaving only a faint light brown spot.

The look in his eyes became desperate and numb. Not far away, several hungry wolves excitedly tore at a freshly fallen corpse, blood splashing that had not yet cooled, and chewed minced meat flew sideways. From time to time, the hungry wolf howled in satisfaction, and his eyes drifted away with despair and numbness, but he was indifferent to a tragic scene.

Cao Ang woke up suddenly, his body was like a spring with full strength, and he stood up in an instant. His forehead was dripping with sweat, and his eyes were still full of fear, staring vacantly ahead.

After a long time, Cao Ang came back to his senses from the dream, and he felt a sense of emptiness. Stretched out his hand to push open the window, a cool breeze blew, and the heart-penetrating coolness spread all over the nerves of the body, and he involuntarily trembled slightly, and a layer of small goosebumps appeared on his arms.

His hands propped up on the edge of the window, and his eyes poked out. The rustling of the wind and the swaying of the branches are endless, but the eyes cannot see a single grass or tree. To the west, Ah Tou Mountain is like a monster hiding in the night, hiding its figure and staring silently at this small village. There was not a shred of light or life in the village, and the houses were like rolling graves in the wilderness.

"Why hasn't the gentleman rested yet?" A voice suddenly sounded behind him. Cao Ang was startled, and turned around almost at the same time as the sound sounded, and saw Webster standing at the doorway with a small piece of candle, looking at him with considerable concern.

"It's okay," Cao Ang squeezed out a smile on his face, stretched out his hand to wipe the sweat on his forehead, and said, "I just woke up, I'm a little depressed, Madame, let's rest early, you don't have to take care of Cao." ”

Wei Shi hummed softly, but did not leave, and after standing for a long time, he lowered his head and whispered: "Sir, don't worry too much about the land, Cai family ......" The words were full of resentment and helplessness.

Cao Ang sighed in his heart, but with a confident smile on his face, he said: "I think Mrs. Don't worry, as long as Cao is here, it will be difficult for Cai Liang's evil intentions to succeed." ”

Wei hummed quietly again, but his face was still full of sorrow under the dim candle flame, and after a moment of silence, he bowed slightly to Cao Ang and left quietly.

The dim candle flame faded away, and the room fell into graveyard silence again, except for the slight rotation of the wooden door, which creaked eerily. Cao Ang was stunned for a moment, looked in the direction of Wei's departure, and then turned to look out the window. In the east, there are thousands of lights in Xiangyang City, and there are faint pieces of singing and laughter, which is completely different from the ghostly Xiangyang Village.

In the early morning, Cao Ang, who was worried about his heart, woke up early.

There was a jumble of whispered words outside the house, and it seemed that many people were deliberately lowering their voices and communicating. Cao Ang quickly got dressed and walked out before he had time to wash up.

There were forty or fifty people standing outside Webster's house, men, women, children and old people, and when they saw Cao Ang coming out, one of them coughed violently, and the crowd instantly quieted down.

"Sir...... Am I waiting to disturb your sleep? The villager squeezed out a smile that was more ugly than crying, rubbed his hands gently, and said a little helplessly.

Cao Ang shook his head casually, his eyes swept over the faces of the villagers in front of him one by one, his brows jumped a few times involuntarily, and said, "Why don't you all gather here early in the morning to get water for irrigation?" ”

The villagers fell silent, their heads bowed one by one, like frosted eggplants.

After a long time, Zhang Qiang suddenly walked out of the room on the right side and said loudly: "We worked hard to get water for irrigation, and in the end, we didn't pay back the Cai family's dog thieves, who would want to work?" ”

Cao Ang chuckled, glanced at everyone, and said, "You think so?" ”

The villagers looked at each other, and some nodded silently.

"These lands are yours now, and they will be yours in the future." Cao Ang's tone was very firm, and his sonorous words caused the silent villagers to riot.

After a long time, the noisy discussion became more and more intense, and finally a villager couldn't bear to come up, and asked with a happy face, "What Mr. said is true?" This land is ours? ”

Cao Ang nodded in affirmation, but there was a solemnity on his face, and said, "I can let Cai Liang's plan fall through and prevent your family's land from being annexed." But what about in the future? When I'm gone, will you still be able to protect your land from being swallowed up? ”

The villagers fell silent again, and the excitement and joy that had just risen disappeared in an instant. Cao Ang couldn't bear it, but he didn't persuade him. This is what they are bound to face.

"You think about it carefully," Cao Ang said to the crowd, then turned back to the house, and said softly: "I'll take care of the rest." ”

The villagers looked at each other in confusion. Zhang Qiang followed Cao Ang's footsteps into the house with a gloomy face.

"What is the gentleman going to do?"

"Go to Cai's house and seek justice."

Zhang Qiang's pupils contracted sharply, and an anxiety welled up on his face, and he said continuously: "Sir, no, how can the Cai family reason with Mr." ”

A shallow smile bloomed on Cao Ang's face, and he said plainly but very firmly in Zhang Qiang's worried eyes: "Cai Liang can be unreasonable with me, but the Cai family must be reasonable. I want to get justice, and the Cai family doesn't dare not give it. ”

Zhang Qiang looked at Cao Ang in a daze, and for a moment felt that Cao Ang seemed to have become another person, and the same body shape and appearance gave people an extremely convincing feeling at this moment.

"Sir...... You ......" Zhang Qiang didn't know how to describe the vibration in his heart, and it was difficult to continue after stammering a few words.

"Trust me!" Cao Ang looked at Zhang Qiang indifferently and said in a low voice, "In addition, I need your help with something." ”

Zhang Qiang's spirits perked up, and he looked at Cao Ang eagerly, and said, "Mr. just give orders, Zhang Mou will not give up." ”

Cao Ang shook his head again and again, and said, "This matter is not dangerous, but you need to travel day and night." If you are a little faster, you have more hope for the preservation of all. If you are a little slower......"

Zhang Qiang nodded hurriedly, looking at Cao Ang with great determination, like a soldier waiting for the general's order.