The elder lifted the cover, put it aside, and said to Cao Bao: "Please offer a sacrifice, doctor!"
According to what he said yesterday, Cao Bao poured a handful of grain into two baskets, and then retreated to the door. The elders exited the door, knelt in front of the threshold, and saluted respectfully. This time, Zheng Anping just stood aside and did not salute.
The elders were scattered on both sides, and one elder sang: "Sacrifice!"
The city lord and the heads of the family, who had been kneeling in front of the steps at the end of the corridor, each held a sacrifice, went to the hall one by one, and poured the sacrifices in their hands into two baskets in an orderly manner. He didn't even kneel down and went straight out of the hall and down the steps. The elders then also came down the steps and stood in front of the steps; Zheng Anping came down the steps and stood at the edge of the pit next to the big cauldron.
The elder sang: "Raise the fire!"
A young man ran in quickly from outside the door, holding a torch in his hand, and threw the torch into the pit. Then everyone who held dead branches in their hands came forward one by one, first lit the dead branches in their hands, and then put them into the pit. Soon, the flames in the pit were rising, and the temperature of the surrounding air rose rapidly. It became difficult to light the dead branches on fire. Many people simply threw the dead branches directly into the fire pit.
After everyone had thrown away all the dead branches, the elder sang: "Sacrifice!"
The city lord came out of the queue and came to the chicken coop. By this time, the blazing flames had frightened the chickens so much that they couldn't help but jump around in the cage. Regardless of the high temperature around him, the city lord reached into the chicken coop with his left hand, grabbed the chicken, held the chicken's head in his palm, took out a knife with his right hand, and strangled the chicken's neck. Blood flowed out, and the chicken made a death struggle. The city lord spread the chicken blood around the fire pit. After one circle, the chicken had stopped struggling. The city lord threw the chicken into the fire pit. A stream of flames soared into the sky, chicken feathers flew all over the sky, and sparks flew straight into the sky. Then bursts of burning aroma came. The elder sang: "Bye!"
All the people knelt down on the spot and bowed three times following the elder's command.
The smell of barbecue in the air became stronger. The person kneeling on the ground murmured his wish. Slowly, the murmuring sounds gathered into a buzzing sound, and finally became a roaring sound, flying into the sky together with the flames.
After the sound of making wishes gradually subsided, the elder sang: "Get up!" Everyone stood up. The elder sang again: "Spread blessings!"
After a few words, the parents went to the hall and took out the two big baskets. A large pile of firewood was brought in from outside the door, put into the fire pit, and burned on the ground. The cauldron was lifted over the fire pit, and the offerings in the large baskets were poured into the cauldron, along with the jars of water.
The aroma of barbecue gradually dissipates, and the aroma of food evaporates. Everyone's faces showed a look of anticipation, and they waited until the fragrance was strong and the fire in the fire pit gradually extinguished. The elders sang: "The ceremony is completed! Guan Zu bless me!" Everyone also shouted in unison: "Guan Zu bless me! Guan Zu bless me! Guan Zu bless me!"
The women and children waiting outside the courtyard gate swarmed in, each found their husbands and fathers, and handed bowls to them one by one. A parent took the spoon and began to divide the "eight treasure porridge" in the tripod, a small spoonful for each family. Everyone lined up and went forward one by one. This parent was very measured and distributed the pot of porridge roughly evenly to each household. Each family divided into porridge, each person took a large or small sip according to the number of people in the family. Some naughty children deliberately took a big sip and were slapped several times by their parents. Those who sipped the porridge left with satisfaction.
Zheng Anping and the other five people only received a small bowl. Like the stewards, each of them took a small sip to taste the food. The five of them all praised: "It's delicious! It's delicious!"
The head of Guan Zhongming's family is his father. Guan Zhongming and the child supported the old man on the left and right, and lined up to receive the porridge. When the queue arrived and they received the porridge, Zheng Anping stepped forward and saluted. The old man and Guan Zhongming quickly returned the gift. Zheng Anping said: "The former is a very good lesson in prenatal life. I don't know if I can just listen to the lesson again?"
Guan Zhongming said: "I didn't dare to refuse when the doctor called me. But I haven't prepared for the night meeting, so I dare to ask the doctor to prepare a meal for me and meet by the bonfire at night!"
Zheng Anping said: "In this case, we will come again at night to cause trouble."
By the time all the houses of the governors had passed their blessings, the sun had already set in the west.
If sacrifices are mainly men's work, then women are the protagonists of night parties. Women from various families in Guanyi have already set up firewood in the open space outside the city, prepared their own meals, and have a good time together!
Zheng Anping stood from beginning to end and was exhausted by the end. Return to the room in the city lord's mansion to rest, and meet again at moonrise. Cao Bao suggested that while the bonfire was in full swing tonight, he could simply set another fire to burn the wasteland. It has been sunny here for almost a month since the day of Zi Lingjun's sacrifice. The snow has melted away and the weeds have withered further. It should be a good time to burn the wasteland. The other four people were not in the mood to discuss, so they all agreed.
When Zheng Anping woke up, it was already dark and his stomach began to growl. He stood up, and Wu Wang, who couldn't rest, was poking firewood in the courtyard out of boredom. Seeing Zheng Anping coming out, he asked, "Do you have to have such leisure every day?"
Zheng Anping said: "But after today, there will be hard work, I'm afraid it will be difficult for you." Wu Wang curled his lips in disbelief.
Hearing Zheng Anping's words, others also came out one after another. The seven people finished dressing up and sat in front of the steps, waiting for the city lord to come over and invite them. When I was young, the city lord came over and said very politely: "Doctor has been working hard for many days, can you still take a nap?"
Zheng Anping and others said: "I will naturally feel refreshed after sleeping!"
The city lord laughed and said, "In this case, please let the officials rejoice with the people." He led everyone out of the city.
People have gathered outside the city, the fire has been lit, and the aroma is exuding from the cauldron. Each family has a fire for the men and a fire for the women. If there are many people, even half-grown children also have a fire. The current fire was burning chopped wood, and the flame was not very big; but the tall dead wood next to it foreshadowed the huge bonfire at night.
The food was not ready yet, so the women kept the men far away and did not allow them to come near; the men were also happy to gather in small groups, chatting together and not getting involved with the mothers-in-law.
The city lord led Zheng Anping and his party to the group of men and introduced each man to them one by one.
A woman like Guan Zhongming lived outside, and only men lived in the house. Naturally, the work around the fire was done by women of the same clan, and neither the grandfather nor the grandson could get close to the fire. Children naturally go to play with peers. This is one of the few happy times when they can play freely. Old people and old people gather together to chat. A group of young people gathered around Guan Zhongming, listening to Zhong's father telling vivid stories about the outside world and how to do business. Seeing the city lord coming with Zheng Anping and others, Guan Zhongming quickly stood up. The young man next to him also stood up. The city lord ignored Guan Zhongming and only recommended these young people.
After greeting each other, Zheng Anping said: "Sir, you have a good way of teaching children! If you are willing to get it, I will listen to the teachings." Guan Zhongming repeatedly said, "I don't dare. I should answer the doctor's call."
Zheng Anping asked this group of young people: "Is there anyone who traveled far away with Zhongfu and became rich?"
The group of people looked at each other, and one person said: "Those who want to follow Father Zhong must be smart. It is difficult for us to do it."
Guan Zhongming said: "I am far away in a foreign country, and it is difficult to protect my fortune and misfortune. Who can do it if I am not my own son?"
Zheng Anping nodded to Guan Zhongming and asked these young people again: "Is there anyone who is willing to help Guan Yi land?"
These young people also looked at each other in confusion, and the same man replied: "Litian is a lot of work and the profit is small, so no one wants to do it."
Zheng Anping said: "He has a quick body, quick legs, and great strength. Can he be used as a messenger?"
These young people still looked at each other, and the man replied: "If you talk about quickness of body and quickness of legs, none other than Jizi in our city is the best."
Zheng Anping asked: "Who is Ji Zi?"
The man said: "Who else is the third son of the city lord!"
Hearing the man mention Ji Jun, the city lord and Zheng Anping were a little worried. They said a few words in a hurry and left.
After meeting the people in Guanyi one by one, Zheng Anping tested the attitude and ability of the people in Guan Yi with words. Although he was mentally prepared, he still felt a little disappointed: these people who have been abandoned by life have basically given up on life.
The moon climbed up, and the women finally allowed the men to sit around the fire and eat. The city lord's family is naturally a big family in the city and owns three fire pits. The lord of the city and his three sons were sitting around with the men of their clan. The city lord's first wife and two concubines served them porridge mixed with various kinds of millet and rice, and even added dates and plums - something not every family had. The city lord's wife looks much older than the city lord. She is basically capable of working, and standing up is just a symbol. The second concubine who works may be younger than the mayor, but she is still quite old. Fortunately, she is strong and can work very neatly. Each person has a bowl of porridge, and there is a date in each bowl of porridge. The distribution between the two concubines is very fair. After dividing the porridge, the three of them returned to their own fires.
The meal was deliberately prolonged because everyone was talking to each other and even walking between the fires with bowls in their hands. Zheng Anping and his party dispersed to each fire in a tacit understanding, staying in each family in the name of paying tribute and observing everyone's speech and behavior.
Zheng Anping also took this opportunity to come to Guan Zhongming's family and meet the head of Guan Zhongming's family again. He and Guan Zhongming tasted each other's porridge and praised each other a few times. Then he quietly took Guan Zhongming to the outside of the fire, so that he could see everyone clearly, but everyone could only see his figure.
Zheng Anping asked Guan Zhongming quietly: "What are the pros and cons of setting up a car dealership in Guanyi?"
Zheng Anping clearly felt that Guan Zhongming's expression had become serious and asked, "Does the doctor want to do this?"
Zheng Anping said: "There is such a discussion, but I don't know the pros and cons."
Guan Zhongming said: "The cost of driving is high, and traveling in all directions makes it difficult for non-heroes and wealthy businessmen to travel."
Zheng Anping said: "Below Huayang City, there are four carriage shops, all of them wealthy businessmen?"
Guan Zhongming said: "Anyone who builds a chariot is rich and powerful. Try to use the four elements of Huayang to explain it. The Bai family, after Bai Gui, has been doing business for more than two hundred years, and his business is all over the world. The Lu family is a giant in Luoyang. Jia, who was preceded by Taigong Shang, was a rich man. The Chen family came from the Chen state. Chen was the country at the beginning, but was later destroyed by Chu. Qin entered Chu Ying, and Chu moved its capital to Chen. Chen's residence was dominated by wealthy families. It’s not just about being rich, it’s also about being expensive. The Bashi originates from the land of Ba, although it is in a corner, but the quality of its cinnabar is the best in the world. In ancient times, the mineral deposits must be disclosed to the public, but the cinnabar produced in Ba belongs to one family. According to the wealth of the world, If it is determined, how can his family be underestimated!"
