Zongsheng Temple, Jiaxiang County, Shandong.
Today is the day for the Zeng family to pay homage to their ancestor Zeng Shen.
Early in the morning, Zeng Hong, the 61st leader of the Zeng family, led hundreds of direct members of the Zeng family to the Zongsheng Temple outside Jiaxiang County to make final preparations for the upcoming sacrifice.
Zongsheng Temple was built in the 55th year of King Kao of the Zhou Dynasty. It was originally named "Zhongxiao Temple". It was renamed "Zongsheng Temple" after reconstruction in the 9th year of Zhengtong in the Ming Dynasty. The reconstructed temple has three main halls, three sleeping halls and three halberd gates. The main buildings are There are three squares, Zongshengmen, Zongshengmen and so on.
At this moment, Zeng Hong looked at the orderly and busy Zeng clan members in the ancestral hall. He couldn't help stroking his beard, with a happy smile on his face.
Since he became the head of the Zeng family, the Zeng family not only had more allies in the court, but at the same time, more and more people came here in admiration and took the initiative to surrender to the land.
In addition, before the maritime ban was lifted, the Zeng family also had an unclear relationship with the smuggling families along the southeast coast.
In short, through smuggling and getting involved in business, the Zeng family made a lot of money in the process.
At this moment, after looking around, Zeng Hong called a tribesman and asked with a gloomy face.
"By the way, where are the people from the Nanzong branch? Why didn't I see them coming?"
"Clan Chief, not long ago, Zeng Xian, the chief of the Nanzong branch, sent someone to inform us that he was delayed by something on the road and might come later."
After listening to this tribesman's report, Zeng Hong became furious and immediately reprimanded him.
"Hmph, the Nanzong branch is really getting more and more outrageous. Don't they know that today is the day to worship their ancestors?"
"It's almost time now. Really, hurry up and send someone to hurry them up. Don't waste time!"
When the Zeng clan member saw the clan leader speaking, he didn't dare to hesitate at all and responded continuously.
"Yes, clan leader, I will send the family members to inform the people of the Nanzong branch and ask them to come as soon as possible!"
Hearing this, Zeng Hong nodded slightly and immediately stepped out of the Zongsheng Temple.
The weather today was exceptionally clear, with not a single cloud visible in the blue sky.
In the square outside the Zongsheng Temple, there is a huge long table, which is covered with red cloth. There are three animals used to worship ancestors, as well as ancestral tablets with the words "ancestor Zeng Shen" written on them.
In addition, next to the long table, there is an incense burner with extremely complicated patterns all over. Since today is the day to worship ancestor Zeng Shen, everything around it has been re-decorated and repaired, even the old copper bell. It has also been re-decorated, with red silk hanging on it.
Seeing the arrival of Zeng Hong, the 61st patriarch of the Zeng clan, the Zeng clan members felt honored and immediately worked harder to handle the affairs at hand.
At this moment, Zeng Xian, the clan leader of the Nanzong branch, hurried to the Zongsheng Temple with his clan members.
As soon as he entered Zongsheng Temple, Zeng Xian saw the figure of Zeng Hong, the 61st patriarch of the main family.
Without any hesitation, Zeng Xian immediately stepped forward, knelt down in front of Zeng Hong with a plop, and spoke respectfully.
"The Nanzong branch has appeared before, and I have met the clan leader!"
Zeng Hong looked at Zeng Xian who was kneeling in front of him, nodded, immediately lifted him up from the ground, and said slowly.
"Well, did something happen on the road?"
When Zeng Xian heard this, a look of shame appeared on his face at the right time, and he spoke to Zeng Hong.
"Clan leader, to be honest, the reason why the Nanzong branch is so late is that there is nothing we can do about it!"
When Zeng Xian said this, he immediately turned his eyes to the several Zeng disciples aside and gave instructions.
"Zeng Qing, Zeng Ming, you two, go bring the things over!"
"Yes, patriarch!"
As soon as Zeng Xian finished speaking, the two Zeng clan members who had been called by him immediately looked stern and responded respectfully.
Soon after, under the command of two Zeng clan members, Zeng Qing and Zeng Ming, a gilded statue of Zeng Shen was carried into the Zongsheng Temple with the efforts of a dozen strong men.
Zeng Hong looked at the statue of Zeng Shen, which was nearly two people tall, and was so surprised that he was speechless for a moment.
After a long time, Zeng Hong came back to his senses, pointed with trembling fingers at the statue of Zeng Shen, which was as tall as two people and was covered in gold, and asked.
"Is this the reason why your Nanzong branch is late?"
Zeng Xian on the side heard Zeng Hong's words, nodded firmly and responded.
"Well, that's right, Patriarch, it was precisely because we had to transport this statue of our ancestor that we were delayed for some time on the road. You see..."
When Zeng Hong heard this, he immediately withdrew his gaze from the statue of Zeng Shen, stroked his beard, his face was filled with relief, and then he said to himself.
"It doesn't matter, your Nanzong branch is really thoughtful!"
After that, everyone exchanged a few words. At this moment, a member of the Zeng clan came to Zeng Hong and spoke cautiously.
"Chief, it's almost time, do you think?"
Hearing this, Zeng Hong waved his hand quite casually and immediately gave instructions.
"Well, without further ado, let's get started now!"
Seeing that the sacrifice was about to begin, Zeng Xian, the clan leader of the Nanzong branch, led his clan members to the designated location to wait.
At this moment, the sound of gongs and drums was heard, and the atmosphere at the scene suddenly became extremely warm. All the Zeng clan members present looked at the Zeng clan with their backs to them with feverish expressions. The eleventh clan leader, Zeng Hong.
"Please clean your hands, chief!"
After Zeng Hong placed his hand in the copper basin for a moment, he immediately raised it. The Zeng clan members who had been waiting aside immediately stepped forward and respectfully handed over the silk scarf.
After Zeng Hong wiped off all the remaining water stains on his hands, he took three burning incense sticks from the hands of the tribesmen on the side and walked solemnly towards the direction of the long table.
'Dong-dong-dong! '
When Zeng Hongxing arrived at the long table covered with red cloth, he only heard three dull bells ringing.
Seeing this, Zeng Hong solemnly bowed three times to Zeng Shen's tablet. After doing this, Zeng Hong stood up from the ground and began to recite the memorial in his heart.
"The ancestors are above all, and they are unworthy of their descendants. Zeng Hong, the sixty-first patriarch of the Zeng clan, would like to greet you..."
Time passed like this minute by minute. Just when Zeng Hong was about to insert the three sticks of incense in his hand into the incense burner, something happened suddenly.
Just outside the Zongsheng Temple, there was a steady sound of horse hooves, and the sound of swords being unsheathed kept ringing.
"I've surrounded this place, don't let anyone go!"
"Yes, sir!"
A moment later, countless heavily armed and armored guardsmen were seen filing in from the Zong Sheng Gate and taking control of all the hundreds of Zeng clan members who had come to participate in the sacrificial ceremony.
When Zeng Hong saw this, he seemed to be greatly frightened, and even the three sticks of incense he was holding fell to the ground with a 'clack'.
Immediately, when he reacted, his face was full of gloom, he turned his eyes to the guards and reprimanded them.
"You are so brave. Who instigated you to disrupt my Zeng family's ancestor worship ceremony?"
"Say it!"
Because he was too angry, Zeng Hong's chest was heaving violently at this moment, and his breathing became rapid. His eyes were staring at everyone, as if fire was about to burst out of his eyes.
Not long after, Hai Rui was seen walking leisurely into Zeng Sheng Temple with his hands behind his back. Behind him, he was followed by Commander Zhang Yuan and the rest of the Jinyi Guards.
Seeing that the official uniforms Hai Rui was wearing were of high quality, Zeng Hong had no choice but to suppress his anger, patiently turned his gaze to Hai Rui, and asked.
"I am the 61st leader of the Zeng clan, Zeng Hong. When my Zeng clan was worshiping our ancestors, your Excellency brought troops to surround my Zeng clan. You actually dared to use weapons in the Zongsheng Temple. ?”
"If your Excellency cannot come up with a reasonable and legal explanation today, then don't blame me for reporting the truth to the court!"
After hearing Zeng Hong's threatening words, Hai Rui's expression did not change much. Instead, he turned his gaze to Zeng Hong and spoke to himself.
"I am Shi Hairui, the left deputy capital censor sent by the imperial court to investigate the case. I am here because I have investigated that your Zeng family has colluded with the White Lotus Sect. I am here specifically to arrest him!"
After Hai Rui finished speaking, he looked away from Zeng Hong and asked immediately.
"Why, isn't my reason sufficient enough?"
At this moment, after listening to Hai Rui's words, Zeng Hong turned pale and trembled all over.
Because before that, he had already received news that the imperial court had sent an extremely difficult official to Shandong to investigate the case.
At first, Zeng Hong thought that this Hai Rui was just sent by the court to investigate official corruption, so he didn't take it to heart. But now this Hai Rui stood in front of him and bluntly said that the Zeng family had nothing to do with it. It has something to do with the White Lotus Sect.
Zeng Hong knew very well that even though the Zeng family was extremely prominent, if it was really proven that they had colluded with the White Lotus Sect, everything would be in vain. After all, colluding with the White Lotus Sect was a naked death penalty!
At that time, no matter who comes forward, they can't save the Zeng family, and they will end up with their family being confiscated and exterminated!
Thinking of this, Zeng Hong's aggressive attitude softened instantly. After sorting out his words in his mind, he faced Hai Rui and spoke softly.
"My lord, have you misunderstood? Our Zeng family hates the White Lotus Sect deeply. What's more, our Zeng family has been deeply favored by the emperor. How could we do such a thing of digging our own graves?"
"There must be some villain who is framing my Zeng family behind my back. I hope you can find out the truth and give my Zeng family justice!"
When Zeng Hong said this, tears were already streaming down his face. His expression made everyone who heard it sad and shed tears.
When Hai Rui saw that Zeng Hong was determined to refuse to admit his guilt, he immediately looked at his personal guard Xiao Er and gave instructions.
"Show him the confession!"
When Xiao Er heard this, a trace of worry appeared on his face, and he said slowly.
"Sir, is there anything wrong with this? What if Zeng Hong destroys the evidence?"
When Xiao Er's words fell, Guan Rui, a member of the Jin Yiwei Baihu on the side, also followed up with words of admonishment.
"Yes, my lord, isn't this too risky?"
Hai Rui, on the other hand, looked confident and ordered in a deep voice.
"No problem, give him your mouth!"
Seeing Hai Rui give the order, Xiao Er had no choice but to step forward and bring the previous confessions from the White Lotus Sect members in front of Zeng Hong.
Due to the distance between the two parties, Zeng Hong did not hear clearly the previous discussion between Hai Rui and everyone. He only saw a suspicious look on his face as he took the confession from Xiao Er.
After Zeng Hong finished browsing the contents of the confession, he suddenly became angry. Because the confession was signed by the White Lotus followers, there was no doubt about its authenticity.
Immediately, Zeng Hong glanced at the Zeng family members of the Nanzong branch not far away, headed by Zeng Xian, with a selective and devouring gaze.
As soon as those people came into contact with Zeng Hong's gaze, they all lowered their heads in shame.
Seeing this situation, Zeng Hong completely understood that this matter was not groundless, but the evidence was solid!
After that, Zeng Hong's brain was running rapidly and he began to think about the next countermeasures.
"It's just that these idiots colluded with the White Lotus Sect, and they actually let people get the handle!"
"Now we might even be implicated in the master's family. They are really a bunch of losers who have failed to achieve anything and are prone to failure. Why don't we put aside the relationship now?"
At this moment, Zeng Hong's eyes accidentally glanced at the confession in his hand. In desperation, an extremely bold idea emerged in his mind.
"How about I take this opportunity to destroy this evidence and give him a dead end without any evidence!"
Just when Zeng Hong made up his mind and planned to take action, he accidentally glanced at Hai Rui not far away.
He found that Hai Rui's eyes were full of amusement when he looked at him. Not only that, but also mixed with a hint of expectation, as if he was looking forward to his next move.
Seeing this situation, Zeng Hong immediately calmed down, and at the same time he also realized how ridiculous his previous idea was.
If he destroyed the evidence here, wouldn't he be playing into Hai Rui's hands? By then, nothing would be clear!
Not only that, Hai Rui can also take this opportunity to get involved, and even the master's family will not be able to escape the blame!
After thinking about all this, Zeng Hong couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. He looked at Hai Rui full of vigilance.
"This Hai Rui is indeed very difficult to deal with. Fortunately, he didn't act impulsively before, otherwise, the entire Zeng family would be in a desperate situation!"
Hai Rui, who was not far away, saw Zeng Hong's movements stopped and the expression on his face remained unchanged, he said to himself.
"Humph, this Zeng Hong is quite calm and has not done anything impulsive."
"It's such a pity, otherwise, the entire Zeng family would suffer together today!"
Seeing that Zeng Hong didn't make any further move, Hai Rui shook his head slightly and immediately gave instructions to Xiao Er who was standing aside.
"Get the confession back!"
"Yes, sir!" (End of chapter)
