A long salute.
The morning breeze blows, and the corners of clothes flutter.
Gu Zhengchen wore sacrificial robes and returned the greeting with his hands raised: "May you all work together to achieve great success in Jurong."
Jurong officials, students, elders, etc. stood up and declared that it was true.
Guo Xu, who was in his early forties and looked upright, came out and said to Gu Zhengchen: "Mr. Gu, I would like to give birth to Guo Xu in Jurong. The time has come. Please come with me to worship at the temple."
"Please also ask Guo Lisheng to guide you."
Gu Zhengchen replied solemnly.
Guo Xu looked at Gu Zhengchen, nodded slightly, and led Gu Zhengchen, officials, students, elders, etc. into the altar of sacrifice.
The Sheji Altar in Jurong is far less spectacular than Jinling.
There is only a square earth base, with a three-story circular platform built on it. There is no five-color earth, only five-color silk cloth.
The high platform is not covered with four-color glazed tiles, only blue tiles.
Judging from the appearance, it would not be wrong to call it Blue House.
In front of the Sheji altar, sacrifices, wine and other items have been laid out, including a whole fat pig.
According to the etiquette regulations, the emperor's government is too strong, and the princes' government is too weak.
Tailao refers to cattle, sheep, and hogs, all three animals are present.
Too much prison means too few cows.
People like Gu Zhengchen, who are at the county magistrate level, can only use pigs, and are not even qualified to use sheep...
Lisheng is the person who supports the sacrificial ceremony. The whole set of sacrificial etiquette is not complicated, but it is quite troublesome.
"The first gift!"
Guo Xu led Gu Zhengchen to the Sheji altar and shouted loudly, while the people on the side shouted "kneel down".
Gu Zhengchen knelt down first.
They chanted in praise: "All officials and people kneel down."
Jurong officials, students, elders, and common people all knelt down.
"Honor!"
Gu Zhengchen took the cup from the deacon who was kneeling on his left and presented it to the throne of God.
Lisheng Guo Xu took out the sacrificial blessings, raised his voice, and read with a solemn face:
"In August of the sixth year of Wei Hongwu, Gu Zhengchen was ordered to come to the official position to take charge of personnel matters and to preside over the divine sacrifices. Now I pay homage to the gods, especially to swear an oath to the gods. The gods lead the underworld, yin and yang inside and outside... to promote our government and affairs. Peace for the people. If you neglect your government, commit corruption, frame your subordinates, or abuse your subordinates, God will bring disaster upon you. I would like to offer sacrifices with sweet wine, God will recognize you, and I will still enjoy it!"
Gu Zhengchen listened to the Zhu Wen, and the general meaning was just one sentence:
Swear to the gods, whatever, if you can’t do it, you’ll kill me...
"bye!"
"prosper!"
"A gift..."
"Three gifts..."
"bow……"
"bye……"
"prosper……"
After one set of steps, the sacrifice at the Sheji Altar was finally over.
So what, County Lord, continue in another place...
The stormy world has to go away, otherwise how can the weather be smooth?
The Mountains and Rivers Altar is a must, and the City God’s Temple is indispensable. Are you familiar with Confucius? You have to kowtow to this no matter what...
Gu Zhengchen was running back and forth with this group of people. Damn it, even these altar builders couldn't come nearby. How many miles must they be separated?
No wonder it was changed during Zhu Zhanji’s time to “set up an altar in the City God’s Temple to serve as the chief worshipper”. After running back and forth, I didn’t finish it all in the morning. By the time I finished reading Confucius, it was already the afternoon...
Everyone was hungry and tired, but no one dared to say they were tired.
What's pitiful is that those elderly people, who are already old people, still suffer from this crime and follow them around for a while. It's hard to say whether the gods will bless them or not, but it's possible that the Lord of Hell will take care of them.
There is no way, etiquette is etiquette and cannot be neglected.
After coming out of the Confucius Temple, Gu Zhengchen got on the carriage and changed into his official uniform.
The county magistrate Liu Boqin brought a tall horse and helped Gu Zhengchen get on the horse, and then everyone rushed to the county government office.
After passing the archway of Xinghuafang, there is Pingzheng Bridge to the north. After crossing the bridge, not far away, you can see a wall. To the north of the Zhaoqiang is a tall tower with symmetrical pavilions on both sides:
Jingshan Pavilion in the east is responsible for writing about good people and good deeds;
Shen Ming Pavilion on the west side is responsible for writing about bad people and bad things.
Both pavilions are blocked by fences and cannot be viewed or entered.
Further north is the eight-character Yamen of Jurong County.
The reason for choosing the horoscope is said to be that Emperor Yao's eyebrows were shaped like the inverted horoscope, which looked very stern. It also highlighted the solemn atmosphere when building the yamen. The effect was good and it has been used ever since.
On the wall next to it, there are still some announcements posted, and some torn papers have not been cleaned.
When he arrived at the gate of the magistrate, Gu Zhengchen still did not dismount. Instead, he rode into the county government office. When he reached the Yimen in front, he got off his horse.
"Open the ceremony door."
Guo Xu shouted, and the official stepped forward and slowly pushed the door open.
The ceremonial gate is not open on weekdays. It can only be opened when the imperial edict is read, the county magistrate takes office, guests are greeted, or there are major celebrations, as a sign of solemnity.
As the new county magistrate, Gu Zhengchen is naturally qualified to use this gate. Of course, he usually has to go through the small east gate, also called "Renmen" or "Ximen". He cannot go through the small west gate, which is "Ximen". "Ghost Gate" or "Jue Gate" is used by prisoners and death row prisoners...
After passing the Yimen, I saw the incense table again.
Lisheng Guo Xu continued to guide, performing five bows and three kowtows. This time it was not to worship the gods, but to thank the emperor and thank Lao Zhu for giving him this official position.
By this time, Gu Zhengchen was almost suffering from internal injuries from exhaustion, but the torture was not over yet...
Being an official is not easy.
Gu Zhengchen looked at the towering and majestic Sanying County Government Hall in front of him, with its eaves and corners raised, and his eyes fell on the plaque of "Friendly People's Hall", and then looked at the open door.
County Magistrate Liu Boqin led the way: "Your Majesty, please come in."
Gu Zhengchen nodded slightly and stepped into the People's Hall.
At the same time, the assistant officers, chief officers, subordinate officers, Li Dian and Zaoli officials were divided into two groups and followed on both sides, while the students and elders stayed outside the hall.
Gu Zhengchen walked to the desk in the lobby, tidied up his official uniform, and sat down solemnly. At this time, all the officials and family members in the yamen were standing on both sides, neatly, orderly, and solemnly.
Looking at the unfamiliar faces, Gu Zhengchen straightened his chest. From now on, he is the magistrate of Jurong and the top leader of Jurong. The people and everything in this land will be governed by him!
Although the official position is small, the responsibility is important!
The county magistrate Liu Boqin came out and shouted loudly: "As a courtesy!"
The officials came out in unison, bowed twice, and shouted: "See the county magistrate."
Gu Zhengchen nodded slightly, remained motionless, and simply responded: "Thank you for your hard work, get up."
Li Dian walked out, bowed twice, and shouted: "See the county magistrate."
Gu Zhengchen nodded slightly and responded: "Thank you for your hard work, get up."
Then the officials from the sixth room came out and bowed twice...
Gu Zhengchen bowed his hands in reply.
The chief officer walked out and bowed twice...
Gu Zhengchen stood up and raised his hands in greeting.
The second official, the county magistrate and the chief registrar came out and bowed twice...
Gu Zhengchen stood up, walked out from behind the desk, and bowed his hands in greeting.
After the meeting ceremony, Gu Zhengchen invited the students, elders, etc. into the lobby, and solemnly said: "Gu is not sensitive, and he is responsible for the heavy responsibility. It is up to you all to work together and do your best, so that we can be safe..."
At this point, the etiquette part finally came to an end.
The harsh part is over and only the easy part remains.
What about the pigs used for sacrifices? Cut them up. Each person will receive a ten or twenty kilogram pig, and then go back and give it a good rub. There is also wine, let’s share it...
Only then did everyone rejoice, retreating when they should and leaving when they should.
County Magistrate Liu Boqin, Chief Registrar Zhao Doubei, and Dian Shi Chen Zhong accompanied Gu Zhengchen through the gate of the house and arrived at the magistrate's house to the north of Qinmin Hall.
Gu Cheng and Sun Shiba took their luggage to the house.
Liu Boqin said with a smile: "When the county magistrate comes here for the first time, we should choose a restaurant to entertain the county magistrate and wash away the dust. However, the laws of the imperial court are strict and officials are not allowed to be extravagant and waste public funds. The three of us will work together to I have enough salary to host a family banquet to invite the county magnate to show my respect without losing etiquette, and I hope the county magnate will appreciate me."
Gu Zhengchen happily agreed: "Since it's a family dinner, naturally I still want to go."
"Then I won't disturb the county magistrate from his rest."
Liu Boqin winked at Zhao Doubei and Chen Zhong, and the three of them bowed and exited the magistrate's house.
Gu Zhengchen walked to the table, stretched out his hand and touched it. Seeing that the table was clean, he said to Gu Cheng and Sun Shiba: "Some things are very clean and you can tell at a glance, but some things cannot be seen with just your eyes." Clean or not.”
Seeing that there was no one around, Gu Cheng asked in a low voice: "Are you talking about the county magistrate and the others?"
Gu Zhengchen sat down and ordered Sun Shiba to take out the pen, ink, paper, inkstone, and books: "People's hearts are separated from each other, who knows what they are thinking. But for you two, I need to set the rules."
Gu Cheng and Sun Shiba put down the things in their hands and stood with their hands down.
Gu Zhengchen said seriously: "Nothing about Jinling is allowed to be told to the outside world. This is one. Second, I am not allowed to accept money or belongings from anyone, and I am not allowed to have contact with anyone from the county magistrate's office without telling me. Third, I am not allowed to Relying on my status as the county magistrate, you do evil!"
"Master, don't worry about this."
Gu Cheng and Sun Shiba agreed.
Gu Zhengchen looked at the two people seriously: "Fourth, the magistrate's house is a private residence. Anyone who comes must report it. No matter who they are, they are not allowed to break in, and they are not allowed to lead others in here without my nod. ! Don’t break any of these rules!”
"yes!"
Gu Cheng and Sun Shiba promised.
Gu Zhengchen walked to the box and took out the sword inside.
This is Xiao Muchun's sword. Even though he is young, he has been practicing martial arts for many years, so this is his favorite thing.
Hang the sword next to the bed and keep it as a thought.
In the evening, Zhao Doubei came to invite him in person.
Gu Zhengchen left Gu Cheng and Sun Shiba to continue cleaning up the room at the magistrate's house and went to the family dinner alone.
According to the regulations of the Ming Dynasty government office, all county government officials live in the county government office. The county magistrate has the county magistrate's house, the county prime minister has the county prime minister's house, and there are also the main book house, the dianshi house, and the officials' house.
The magistrate's house of Jurong County Government House is located in the north, and the county magistrate's house is located to the east of the magistrate's house, not far away from each other by a wall. It is not far away after passing the Moon Gate.
Liu Boqin and Chen Zhong were already standing at the door. When they saw Gu Zhengchen coming, they stepped forward to salute and invited them to come inside and take a seat.
The banquet was quite sumptuous.
There is fish and meat, and the aroma is fragrant.
This is a family banquet, so the imperial rule of four dishes and one soup naturally does not apply.
After some pleasantries, Zhao Doubei took out two jugs of wine and put them on the table. He smiled at Gu Zhengchen and said, "There are two jugs of wine here. One is clear wine and the other is turbid wine. I don't know if the county official prefers clear wine or turbid wine. Is this boy going to be filled with adults now?”
Gu Zhengchen stared slightly.
This wine doesn't taste good...
