Chen Jingle was very pleased with Brother Ji's progress.
Although this little bit of progress is nothing, it is better to be encouraged than to be beaten. Encouragement will give you motivation. Just like parents educating their children.
Of course, I don’t mean to be Chicken Brother’s father.
After completing the occupation of all the realm master temples in Orange County, I suddenly relaxed and couldn't help but take a half-day off to rest.
“It feels like I’ve finally stepped out of Novice Village.”
Chen Jingle burst into laughter.
But even though they talk about resting, they are actually not idle. They are mainly thinking about one question——
Where should we move forward next?
To the south is Suicheng, Chuanchuan and Kang Leinan. First occupy the peninsula and then consider whether to cross the sea. The beliefs of landowners on Qiongzhou Island are also very widespread.
Going east is towards the provincial capital, first entering Gaoyao, then based on the confluence of the three rivers, including eastern Guangdong, and then heading north to Fujian.
If you go west and north, you will enter the territory of the old cousins of Guang C. The only difference is that to the west is the old Qinlian Mansion where they used to have dinner together. To the north is Yulin, which belongs to Cangwu County.
"Let's go south first."
After thinking for a long time, I finally clapped my hands and decided.
After all, I am more familiar with the Chuchuan area and feel more confident.
As for whether settling down in a corner would hinder future development, Chen Jingle had considered it, but he didn't care. Because this is not an ancient dynasty fighting for hegemony, and he does not need money and food to support an army.
Chanchuan is a little poorer, but it has a large population and many villages, which cannot be compared with other directions.
Besides, if you haven’t protected your hometown, how can you guarantee that you can protect other places?
So, head south!
…
The first stop to the south is Suicheng.
Chen Jingle didn't know much about Suicheng. He mostly knew it from the chats of his elders.
Although it is right next to Orange County, I have never been there. At most, I passed through Suicheng City on the way to Chuchuan without stopping.
His impression of Suicheng was similar to that of most small counties, with a sense of life.
Well, to put it mildly, it means lagging behind.
Suicheng has 15 towns and one street under its jurisdiction, but its population is less than half that of Orange County. In addition, there are few pillar industries and the economy cannot develop. It is also close to Chuchuan River, so housing prices are much cheaper than those in Orange County.
When it comes to what Suicheng is famous for, Chen Jinngle only remembers two things.
One is Confucius Cultural City, but I’ve never been there. I heard it’s not much fun, so I eat a lot and it’s very lively during the New Year and festivals.
Another one is the lion awakening.
In folklore, people believe that lion dance can ward off ghosts and evil spirits. During festivals, new store openings, and even school opening ceremonies, lion dances are performed with gongs and drums to help celebrate.
The lion dance is divided into southern lion and northern lion.
Among them, there are three famous places in Nanshi. Needless to say, the hometown of Master Huang, the other is Guangzhou Teng County, and the third is Suicheng.
Each of the three places has its own characteristics, so I won’t go into details here, just introduce them.
Suicheng Lion Dance is most famous for its Wenche Lion Team, which has won many awards at home and abroad.
There was a scene in a previously released movie about young lion dancers chasing their dreams, in which the lion heads of the protagonist group were trampled to pieces. If this happened in Suicheng, you would probably have your heads smashed.
…
There is a strong lion dance atmosphere in Suicheng, and almost every village here has its own lion dance team.
Of course, they are all amateur players and are only responsible for annual tours and other activities.
Even if it is a professional competition team, most members of the lion dance troupe have their own work and life, and they only train together when they need to perform.
Otherwise, it would be too difficult to make a living on this alone.
Those who join the lion dance troupe do so out of love. Especially the Lions.
It should be noted that to learn lion dance, you must first learn Nanquan, Siping Horse, Ziwu Horse, Qilin Step, Sitting Pan Step, and various hard bridge and hard horse movements. The lightest lion head weighs 3.5 kilograms, and the heaviest one weighs 6.5 kilograms. It takes a long time to carry it and dance, and it requires agility and splendor. It is impossible to do it without any strength. During daily training, it is common to fall off a three-meter-high pile and suffer a bloody head and fractures.
If not because they like this business, few people can stick to it.
Some of them are students, some are young people who have just started working in society, and some are middle-aged people whose hair has begun to thin.
Everyone has dreams, but what they pursue is not the dream of moving bricks on a construction site in a big city, but the dream of the lion in his heart who is always working hard and standing at a higher level.
…
Lion dance is a traditional folk custom that inevitably involves ghosts and gods, so it has many taboos.
For example, you need to worship gods before raising a lion, dot your eyes before doing a lion dance, bow to gods after raising a lion, keep beating the gongs and drums and the lion will not stop, etc.
In a way, it is the inheritance and development of traditional folk customs, and it is also a respect for ancestors.
After all, the gods that Chinese people worship are basically their ancestors and sages.
Except for performances, the lion head is usually placed in the ancestral temple for worship, and someone regularly maintains it to prevent insect infestation and flooding. Also prevent it from being stolen.
Lionhead isn’t cheap.
Since it is not cheap, making a lion head is not an easy task.
Overall, the materials are carefully selected, the craftsmanship is unique, and the techniques are delicate.
Usually, thin bamboo strips are used as the bones, and the "dome" is first made to determine the size of the lion's head, and then tough paper is used as the skin, which is pasted on, and then hand-painted into special patterns, and finally decorated with wool, rabbit fur and colorful pom-poms. After embellishment and layers of processes, a lion head is completed.
Suicheng's Lion Head Caizha was included in the provincial intangible cultural heritage list a few years ago.
However, just like puppet making, fewer and fewer people are willing to learn this craft because of the low income and troublesome production process.
…
There is another important ritual in lion dance, which is to consecrate the eyes.
Only the lion can perform after being dotted. This is usually done by the buyer or employer.
For finishing touches, you need to use a brush and cinnabar, and also use formulas.
for example:
One point in the heaven, the lucky stars will shine; two points in the eyes, the future will be bright;
Three points of staggering speech can spread thousands of miles; four points of iron horn can shock the mountains and rivers.
It may vary from place to place, but it's basically the same.
A store in Jinfeng Plaza opened today. The owner was so proud that he reportedly invited the Wenche Lion Dance Troupe to perform. It was so lively, with several circles of people gathered inside and outside.
Chen Jingle didn't expect that there would be so much excitement while just strolling around, so naturally he couldn't miss it.
"Is this the real lion dance group? Don't brag!"
"It should be true, the banners are all out."
"Wow, there are plum blossom piles, it's a blessing for your eyes~"
"Last time I saw their performance at Confucius Temple City, a pile fell and it could fly over three meters away. Turtle, have you ever practiced Qing Gong?"
"I heard they are all good at kung fu. I don't know if they are light kung fu."
"It's started, it's started."
"Um, why are there still elementary school students?"
"..."
The primary school student was talking about a child who was about ten years old and about 1.4 or 5 meters tall next to the gongs and drums team. He was also wearing a lion dance team uniform and was standing next to a group of adults, staring at the performance on the field.
The reason why he attracted attention was firstly because of his young age, and secondly because of the sincere smile on his face and the sparkle in his eyes.
When Chen Jingle saw the child in the crowd, he couldn't help but be startled and smiled subconsciously.
"It's great to be able to do what you love."
(besides)
