hotmtlnovel Chapter 473: Ancestor worship, the first person in the clan to have great achievements
Chapter 473: Ancestor worship, the first person in the clan to have great achievements
The clan leader patted Jiang Youzhen's thin and frail shoulders, feeling a little sad for a moment. He was only a 15-year-old boy, and the clan had never given Jiang Youzhen any help.
"You don't have to worry about it. It's just that I don't need this now, so I'll give it to the younger generation in the clan."
That little bit of money was a drop in the bucket for Jiang Youzhen now, so of course she didn't take it seriously.
The clan leader smiled with relief. This kid is soft-hearted and does not respond to tough measures. In fact, he has been soft-hearted for a long time and also regards the development of the clan as a responsibility, but she herself has not realized it.
In ancient times, the ceremony of ancestor worship was very grand, and any clan with a large population would not be stingy on the day of ancestor worship.
For example, preparing offerings, three kinds of animals (cow, sheep, pig), three kinds of tea and five kinds of wine, incense and candles, paper money, etc.
Jiang Youzhen watched the tribesmen working and helped with what she could. Unfortunately, when she was there, everyone was very reserved and didn't let her work, so Jiang Youzhen left after only a short while.
To the villagers, Jiang Youzhen looked quite dignified when she wasn't smiling. Plus, she was dressed elegantly and looked like a young master, so it was even more impossible for them to let her do any work.
The next day, as soon as the sky was just getting light, Jiang Youzhen got up early to practice calligraphy.
A day's plan begins in the morning. Since she came here, she has developed a good habit of going to bed early and getting up early.
It was late September and the mornings were slightly cool.
Jiang Youzhen put down his pen only after Qinglang came in with some water.
"Master, it's very lively outside. Everyone has started preparing for the meal, and the door to the ancestral hall is open."
It was the first time that Qing Lang saw such a lively ancestor worship scene, and he also had a smile on his face. He was actually only sixteen years old, which was the age when he loved to play.
"Then let's go and join in the fun after breakfast."
Yesterday, Jiang Youzhen asked Qinglang and Qingyan to send invitations to relatives' homes to invite them to a banquet. The three sisters in the family rushed back last night, but they were all at their respective in-laws' homes and their own houses, and would not arrive until this morning.
Jiang Youzhen also invited the county magistrate and Magistrate Wan, as well as several classmates.
As for Qian Chongen, although he can now walk with the help of a cane, it is still inconvenient. Jiang Youzhen went to his house in person to explain the situation before coming to save him the trouble.
"Young master, the auspicious time is almost here. The clan leader asked me to invite you to the ancestral hall." Qingyan came in hurriedly. At this time, Jiang Youzhen had already dressed.
Because today is a solemn day, Jiang Youzhen wore a black robe with a stand-up collar and right lapel with a red edge, and hung a double fish pendant, which symbolizes the carp leaping over the dragon gate.
He looked in the bronze mirror and straightened his clothes. The black clothes made the young man in the mirror look more mature and dignified. Jiang Youzhen nodded with satisfaction and then took Qinglang and the others to go.
Jiang Fugui was already waiting in the outer courtyard. When he saw Jiang Youzhen coming out, he looked him up and down, and seeing that it was very grand, he nodded.
"You are young, and the process of ancestor worship this time is more complicated than the New Year's Day. Just follow the instructions of the clan leader!"
Jiang Youzhen nodded, and then heard Jiang Fugui ask, "Are you nervous?"
In fact, Jiang Youzhen was not really nervous at first, as she had been to the ancestral worship ceremony during the Chinese New Year. Jiang Fugui took her in, kowtowed, and left without staying.
In fact, she knew in her heart that women were not allowed to enter the ancestral hall. If she disguised herself as a man and did not go in to worship the ancestors, it would arouse suspicion, but Jiang Fugui still felt uneasy.
However, the ancestral hall was opened today because of her, so she couldn't help feeling a little nervous.
"Don't be nervous!" Jiang Fugui didn't get a response from Jiang Youzhen, so he thought Jiang Youzhen was panicking.
He took a deep breath, "Xiao Lang! Since you have chosen this path, you must go all the way. But your father and mother will obey you. What happens in the future is entirely up to you. Let's not talk about this for now, but there are some things that cannot be avoided at the moment."
Jiang Youzhen looked at him and found it a little funny. Wasn’t this father more nervous than her?
"You can enter this ancestral hall! Passing the imperial examination is a matter of honor for your ancestors and has nothing to do with gender." Jiang Fugui said in a low voice.
Jiang Youzhen was really surprised. She didn't expect Jiang Fugui to say this.
This father, who was able to make concessions for his daughter, is indeed better than many feudal old men.
"Stand up straight, today is your big day." Jiang Fugui looked forward with sharp eyes.
Jiang Youzhen couldn't help but straighten his chest and raise his head, looking straight ahead. Unexpectedly, he was shocked by the scene outside the ancestral hall.
People! It was all people! So many people!
Jiang Youzhen never knew that there were so many members in the Jiang family?
"The Jiang family has a successful candidate. As long as they are able to make it back, all the clan members are here. On such a great day, all men should come inside and women should stay outside to participate in your ancestor worship ceremony!"
Jiang Fugui's words were ringing in his ears as Jiang Youzhen looked at so many clansmen, all of whom had respect on their faces.
At this moment, she seemed to have some understanding of the clan.
"Xiao Lang, come here quickly, we still need to make some preparations!" The clan leader waved at Jiang Youzhen and the others, and Jiang Youzhen came back to his senses.
Before offering sacrifice to the ancestors, check the ritual texts and ritual vessels, and place the offerings on the altar.
The host of this event was a respected elder of the tribe. One of the tribe members shouted, "The time has come!"
The tribesmen nearby immediately set off a string of firecrackers, and then began to line up, light incense and kowtow.
Jiang Youzhen knelt in the second row. After everyone kowtowed three times, the clan leader called her to the first row and asked her to kneel in the middle.
The sound of chimes and drums began to sound, and then the clan leader stood aside and began to recite the sacrificial text.
"On an auspicious day of September in the 25th year of Chengming in the Great Yun Dynasty, the fifth-generation filial grandson Jiang Youzhen wrote an article to offer sacrifices to the spirit of his ancestors, saying: The filial grandson Jiang Youzhen passed the imperial examination in August and brought honor to the family. Fortunately, with the blessing of the ancestors, he studied hard and was finally listed on the list of top scorers..."
Jiang Youzhen knelt down and listened to the clan leader reading the sacrificial text in a rhythmic manner.
In fact, many of the tribesmen present were illiterate, but they were all very pious. Even those who were beating the chimes and drums had solemn expressions and played with great passion.
Jiang Youzhen once again felt the power of the clan. Everyone gathered together, and everyone came to see her succeed in the imperial examination.
"I hope that all the descendants of our clan can take Jiang Youzhen as a role model, bring honor to their ancestors, and change their family status. I hope that the spirits of our ancestors in heaven will protect our descendants. I hope that the Jiang family will be blessed with longevity and good health."
Jiang Youzhen listened carefully to the clan leader's sacrificial text, which was written by the clan leader himself.
At this solemn moment, I suddenly heard so many wishes coming from behind, and they regarded me as a role model. In addition to feeling that the patriarch had many wishes, I also realized that the Jiang family had a shallow foundation.
Although he wrote the eulogy, Jiang Youzhen heard that the ancestors of the Jiang family were from a farming family. Except for a few scholars in later generations, at least the family had a heritage.
No wonder the clan leader wanted her to shoulder the responsibility of revitalizing the family, because she was the first person in the Jiang family to have the title of Juren, and her status was very respected.