Coincidentally!My name is Liu Bian

Chapter 180 After the layout of the ancestor worship
Time flies, and in a blink of an eye, the day of worshiping ancestors has arrived.

It is better to say that it is a sacrifice to ancestors.

"Book of Rites" says: "The etiquette of the Jiaoshe is to serve God; the etiquette of the ancestral temple is to worship the ancestors. If you understand the etiquette of the Jiaoshe and the meaning of the taste, how can you govern the country as if it were shown in the palm of your hand?"

Although worshiping "God" is placed before worshiping ancestors, "the god who founded the country is on the right side of the country and on the left side of the ancestral temple." It is said that Mr. Zheng Xuan commented on this that "people of the Zhou Dynasty were still on the left side." It can be seen that worshiping the ancestors' gods is still the first priority... It's still the same old saying Replay:

In the concept of the people of the Han Dynasty today, death is not the frightening end of life. The souls of ancestors who live in the underground world after death still yearn for and miss everything in the human world, and can return to the temples built in the human world. , enjoy the spiritual and material sacrifices of your descendants and family members...

Therefore, people believe that cemeteries and ancestral halls are "the places where ghosts and gods reside, and where they worship". The exchange of ideas between humans and ghosts, and the integration of ethics and emotions can be realized through "sacrifices"!
Furthermore, the concept of filial piety and the idea of ​​ghosts and gods were prevalent in the Han Dynasty. From the emperor to the subjects, everyone went to the tomb to offer sacrifices to their ancestors, relatives, friends or ancient sages... The practice of worshiping ancestors was very popular!

Liu Bian: "..."

Forget it, forget it, don’t think about anything!Just follow the customs when you think about it, and follow the customs when you think about it.

Even if he is really a science-loving person, he cannot challenge today's mainstream ideas.

Furthermore, there seems to be nothing wrong with treating "ancestral worship" as a grand ceremony?

Anyway, ready.

...Liu Bian, who was serious in speech and had lost his usual composure, was carefully attended to by his bodyguards, He Xian, He Bai and He Mu. He not only washed and bathed, but also put on a brand new set of formal court clothes.

Nowadays, He Xian and other guards have almost become all-round butlers: they can protect him on the battlefield, but they can obey orders at home and take care of others.

Wearing a beam crown, the broad robe is trimmed with gold, and the rest is composed of white, black, and maroon.Liu Bian looked left and right in front of the bronze mirror, wondering if this outfit was custom-made according to the royal... prince's court attire?

Otherwise, how would he look and feel like a little emperor...cough cough cough!Illusion, it must be an illusion!It was because he was so handsome that he had this illusion!

With a straight face, he quickly put aside his distracting thoughts and stood there with the crowd attentively, waiting for the opening of the ancestor worship ceremony.

With a glance from the corner of his eye, he could see officials such as Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, He Miao, etc., all dressed up and standing in two rows according to their positions, making it easier for Liu Bian to take a look. Looking up, I saw a spacious avenue, and at the end of the avenue was the place where incense was burned.

Quietly, turning his eyes again, he could see that this grand event also attracted countless people from Nanpi County.

A group of soldiers escorted the people to prevent the people of Nanpi County from being too excited and impulsive, and enthusiastically crowded over and destroyed the sacrificial ceremony.However, what is surprising is that the people in Nanpi County are well-behaved, gathering on both sides of the perimeter and not running around.

When he listened carefully, he could still hear one or two young children among the many people.

The children were babbling and said in tender voices: "Mom, are there many people there?"

The women nervously covered their children's mouths, stared at the ignorant children with warning eyes, and whispered: "Shut up, shut up, don't make any noise..."

The children were very sensible. They shut their mouths obediently and stopped making unnecessary noises.

With a smile, Liu Bian came back to his senses and listened intently to when the drum would sound.

After a while, at about auspicious time, I saw in a corner not far away, a group of musicians finally took action:
"Boom-"

The drums sounded, once.

At the same time, the chimes were also played by the musicians, playing a pleasant song.

Everyone present was excited: Great!The festival has begun!

At the end of the song, the drums sounded again, for the second time.

The same goes for the chimes, and the musicians played a second sweet tune.

Then, the third time.

After the sound of three drums and chimes, a group of unfamiliar older men entered the room. They were deacons, talents specially recruited by the officials... The talents have all been trained and rehearsed countless times. It's today.

Then, the accompanying priests took their seats, and with the accompaniment of chime bells, they sang:

“Where the waves of the sea return, the virtuous people please the hearts of the people.

Dashan Cui, a hundred flowers and plants.How expensive are the people?Noble and virtuous. "

Is it "An Shi Fang Zhong Song"?

The beginning of the ancestral temple worship in the Han Dynasty was included in the "Han Yuefu". According to legend, it was written by Mrs. Tangshan of Liu Bang, the emperor of the Han Dynasty.This song strongly expresses respect for heaven and earth, praise of ancestors and yearning for beautiful qualities——

It sounds so good!

Liu Bian was almost intoxicated.

So is everyone.

Everyone looked happy and listened to the beautiful tunes with relish.

During this period, Chuxianguan, Yaxianguan, and Zhongxianguan also took their positions one after another - it is not important what they are responsible for. What is important is that these people respectfully invite the chief priest to go to the washroom to wash themselves, put in towels, and even open the door, that is, The yellow cloth was unveiled on the ranking list.

Finally, after the group of talents had finished their work, it ended with three drum beats.

The chief priests and the presenting officials faced the statue of Confucius, lit incense and shouted:
"Welcome the ancestors!"

Immediately, the musicians also changed their tunes and played the exclusive "Xianhe Song" that could only be used to worship Confucius.

At this time, Liu Bian and others finally came in handy: following the presiding priests, Liu Bian took the lead, and then all the officials and the people present bowed three times until the musicians finished playing "The Song of Xianhe" .

The musicians played "The Song of Xianhe"!
Liu Bian: "..."

Isn't it over yet?

His heels hurt a little from standing.

But hold back.

With a smile on his face, he saw the chief priests facing the statue, lighting incense on the right side of the incense table and handing it over to the chief priest. Offer incense and go before the gods."

And he and everyone else were responsible for bowing, bowing, and bowing again. After bowing three times, they watched the chief priest return to his position.

But there was a sound of a drum, and the music stopped again.

Next, is the first gift?
Liu Bian recalled it without changing his expression.

Then we saw that the musicians finally changed the tune and played "The Song of Peace" instead.

It is the turn of the Chuxian official to perform the first offering ceremony. He goes to the altar of God, offers silk, honors, food, and fruits. He then bows three times with the accompanying sacrificial officer and the crowd, and then the Chuxian official is reinstated.

The music stops again.

At that time, all the people stood in silence, and the first official read the Zhu Wen respectfully. After reading the Zhu, he led the people to bow three times.

Coupled with two bells and drums, it is counted as the end.

——Is it over?

Liu Bian complained silently.

If this was not a public occasion, I'm afraid Liu Bian would not be able to stand firmly.

Especially just now, what are the words of congratulations read by the first official? What are they talking about? —he couldn't understand it at all!
Just like a medical witch, he was mumbling something. He was confused, but everyone looked solemn - Got it!Could it be that this is a mantra?Need to make a wish?

Maybe it will come true?
Therefore, when Chu Xianguan was reading the congratulatory message just now, he prayed silently:
"Bless the Han Dynasty from perish and the Three Kingdoms from coming! I have tried my best, but I can't still divide the world into three parts?

That's too bad!
Anyway, I have suffered a lot. Can I give you some soup as compensation?
I wish my father good health and live for a few more years - I really don't want my father to die three months later? ...I decided to believe that when I was reading time-travel novels in the past, those crazy readers would always leave messages in the comment area: Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty, my cheap father-in-law, not a foolish emperor!Well, since you are not a foolish king, how about living a little longer?I hope that when I grow up, or when Bohai County becomes stronger, it will not be too late for my father to pass away.

correct!O ancestors!May my wish come true!I hope I can die, rather than be poisoned to death half a year after taking the throne... Isn't that possible?After all, the torrent of history has been changed a lot by me, wow? "

He murmured randomly in his mind.

No one could see through his respectful appearance that he had a very disrespectful heart.

The "Song of Peace" sounded again, and this time it was Yaxianguan's turn to imitate Chuxianguan, and there was another round of offering honors, food and fruits, and then he and the accompanying sacrificial officer led the crowd to bow three times, and finally Yaxianguan was reinstated...

The only difference is: this round involves beating drums and ringing bells, and it ends after three rings.

After that, it is "The Song of Jinghe". The final official comes on the stage and presents the title, food and fruit. Then he and the accompanying sacrificial officer lead the crowd to bow three times. Finally, the official resumes his position and ends happily...

——Liu Bian finally understood: Is it true that this group of sacrificial talents represent him and the younger generations of the public, lining up to eat, is equivalent to honoring their ancestors?
And each round of ancestor worship process is really grueling, taking at least half an hour—

Although everyone's expressions remained calm and calm, when watching Liu Bian, his feet were trembling and it hurt to stand!

Ugh!
Liu Bian thought blankly: Too little exercise.

It's because he often sits and handles paperwork instead of running every day like the people in Nanpi County... Thinking back carefully, it seems that he suffered some hardships when he first came to Bohai County, but in the future he The days are becoming more and more prosperous, so where can I receive training?
——After this ancestor worship is over, I will take time to run!

Liu Bian was determined and did not realize that this was the first time he had made a vow.

The ancestor worship ceremony is still in progress.

Finally, Liu Bian saw the officiating officer performing the ceremony of blessing and receiving blessings. He drank the blessing wine in front of the incense table, held the pastry high above his head, and his face looked like a statue of Confucius. At the offering table, he led the accompanying priests and led the crowd to bow three times, and then the chief priests returned to their posts.

The music didn't stop, it was still playing.

Then it's time to remove the food, that is: move the food down a little, cover it with a yellow cloth, and close the wine lid.

During this period, the musicians played "The Song of Xianhe".

When the drums are beaten three times and the bell rings three times, the music stops and the round is over.

—Is there any more?

Liu Bian was tired.

But Kunai couldn't speak freely.

It is said that talking nonsense during the ancestor worship is disrespectful to the ancestors and will bring bad luck in the coming year.

Although Liu Bian did not believe in these, he obediently remained silent due to custom.

No, no!
If he can't speak, then let him continue to act as he pleases?

"Ancestors! Please protect the Han Dynasty from destruction and the Three Kingdoms from coming! I don't want to experience the world being divided into three parts!
Although the Three Kingdoms is good, with a gathering of heroes, it is a chaotic world!
Please wish that I could live a long life and not be poisoned to death half a year after taking the throne!
I will take good care of the Han Dynasty and strive to let the people live a good life! "

...Is it useful to pray to gods, worship Buddha and worship ancestors?

While he prayed, he doubted himself: Did he really believe in leaving his life to the so-called ancestors?

The ancestors are all dead!
He just remembers: If you want to have a good life, you have to rely on yourself and everyone's hands to work hard, right?There is no free pie from the sky...

Thinking about this, he had an idea: I want to set up a plan!
He wanted to prolong the life of his father, Baidi. Without his intervention, his father would have passed away inexplicably in three months, at only 33 years old!

Zeng Aniu!
He has decided!After worshiping his ancestors, he sent Zeng Aniu to Luoyang to nurse his father back to health.

It would be better for my father to live a few more months, or even a few more years. He still has a lot of things to do in Nanpi County!
...Although he couldn't make a sound, he could look around with his eyes.

Interestingly, he saw that Cao Cao and Liu Bei had serious faces, Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu had awe on their faces, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were well-behaved, and Shi Yue and He Miao had meticulous expressions... Although everyone looked tired, they were persistent and did not show any signs of it. dissatisfied.

Right.

After struggling for so long, the sacrifice comes to an end: sending off the ancestors!

The music is still playing "The Song of Xianhe".

Everyone present stands in awe, and invites the opposite group, that is, everyone, the chief priest, and the presenting officer to follow the statue of Confucius - turn around, bow three more times, and be happy.

Everyone, please reset.

Seeing this, Liu Bian wanted to pat his chest: It's not easy!It’s finally coming to an end!
Sure enough, everyone stood in awe and watched the sacrificial talents hold silks and burnt the altar, reset and close the door again, covered the statue of Confucius with a yellow cloth, drummed and played, and the ceremony was completed! !

Liu Bian burst into tears: Woohoo!Very good!The sacrifice is over!
He couldn't take it anymore.

This sacrifice takes a whole day.

By the time the ceremony was completed, it was already evening!
——To show respect, he and everyone didn’t have time to have lunch!

Just watching the sacrificial talents eat and drink...cough!The sacrificial talents euphemistically said: The ancestors and ancestors have "revealed their spirits"!After eating the offerings, you will definitely bless Nanpi County, the seat of Bohai County, in the coming year!

...With the ceremony of offering sacrifices to the ancestors, the priests lined up to leave.

The musicians also moved their instruments and dispersed one by one.

--correct!For this "ancestral worship", Liu Bian specially recruited and supported a group of musicians!

From then on, this group of musicians lived in the palace of Prince Bohai. If there was any banquet in the future, it would be the musicians who would appear on stage to make the atmosphere lively.

The only thing Liu Bian regrets is that these musicians are all young men... Tsk.

A group of servants who worked hard rushed forward one after another, put away all the relevant sacrificial props, and moved them away.

The other party will probably be moved to a certain warehouse in the Bohai Prince's residence?
The surrounding people who watched the sacrifice for a day also dispersed one by one, only the dedicated soldiers were still patrolling, and the people of Nanpi County were not allowed to approach Liu Bian and others at will.

Seeing this, Liu Bian said to Cao Cao and others: "How do you feel?"

Cao Cao and the others looked at each other in blank dismay.

Cao Cao took a step forward and was about to say something when he suddenly heard someone not far away asking:

"Brother, is it over like this?... I still want to watch quizzes and buy lanterns——"

"Second brother, don't be impatient. Listen to father and you will see him in the evening."

"really?"

"real."

——Hearing this, Liu Bian looked at Zhuge Xuan without hesitation.

Then he saw Zhuge Xuan looking forward.

Ahead, among the dispersed crowd, stood three young children...

(End of this chapter)