Cultivation: Start with Inviting Gods

The next morning, Jiang Nanhe got up early.

In his arms, the divine dog incarnation that he used as a pillow moved its ears and woke up.

Jiang Nanhe looked at the dog in his arms with wet eyes, and his sleepiness disappeared all of a sudden.

He hugged the dog hard, and then wanted to rub his head against him, but the general's divine dog incarnation disappeared in a flash.

Jiang Nanhe curled his lips, but still didn't call him back.

When he got up and dressed, the general had already poured him some hot water.

He washed his face, brushed his teeth, tidied the room briefly, and swept the dust from the general's temple and statue in the room.

There was a cushion in front of the temple. Jiang Nanhe sat on the cushion and took out a bundle of incense sticks from the place where incense was placed next to the temple.

He had put all the herbs in the room into other rooms, so the room was very empty and was filled with Jiang Nanhe's own things.

He burned incense every day, but he was worried that the smell of incense would conflict with the medicinal properties of the herbs, so he moved them all away.

He untied the bundle of incense and shook it in the air. The general appeared beside Jiang Nanhe, with golden flames flickering on his fingers.

The incense was lit in the blink of an eye. Jiang Nanhe shook the incense, the flame went out, and waves of white smoke floated.

The special fragrance soon enveloped the whole room. Jiang Nanhe moved his nose and his expression was intoxicated.

He made this incense himself, and added some herbs with unique fragrance.

The aroma released by burning this herb is not too strong, but it lasts for a long time.

Jiang Nanhe likes it very much. This fragrance has basically never dissipated from his body. Although others can smell it, no one asks much, they just think it is special.

After inserting the incense in the incense burner, Jiang Nanhe silently watched it burn for a while, and then slowly stood up.

He looked up and nodded to the general, indicating that he should not forget to wash the lamb. The general followed behind Jiang Nanhe and patted Jiang Nanhe on the back with his big palm, asking him not to worry so much.

Can he make mistakes? Jiang Nanhe and the lamb can be said to be brought up by him. He knows the living habits of one person and one lamb very well, and Jiang Nanhe is still worried about him.

Jiang Nanhe was pushed out of the door by the general, went to the corner, picked up the broom, and began to clean the yard.

The snow in the sky has not stopped, but it has turned into light snow.

I don’t know what’s going on. It’s snowing frequently recently, which is really annoying.

Some children like the snow, but some merchants or businessmen, as well as some farmers, don't like it very much.

Of course, poor people don't like it even more, after all, they can't afford to buy charcoal.

Jiang Nanhe arranged the snow in the yard and took the tools to deal with the snow outside.

But what surprised him today was that it was quite lively outside. Many people had woken up early and were busy cleaning the snow in front of their homes on the street outside.

A few people greeted Jiang Nanhe enthusiastically when they saw him come out. Jiang Nanhe nodded at them and also took a broom to clean the snow without saying anything.

A few children ran to Jiang Nanhe and looked at him with burning eyes.

Jiang Nanhe couldn't help being looked at by them, so he sighed and took out a few candies he made from his pocket.

He made this candy with beets, which looked red and festive.

He usually wrapped it in some paper and put it in his pocket. Now that the weather is cold, he doesn't worry about it melting.

The little guys took the candy from Jiang Nanhe, cheered, and ran in the surrounding direction.

Jiang Nanhe looked at their backs, shook his head, raised the corners of his mouth, and then swept the snow.

After waiting for a while, the little guys came back, holding other food in their hands and handed it to Jiang Nanhe.

Jiang Nanhe patted their heads, signaling them to go back quickly and not disturb him to sweep the snow.

Seeing this, some people around laughed loudly, and the topics they talked about became more heated.

Jiang Nanhe only realized at this time that it was only a dozen days before the Chinese New Year. From today, the whole county will be immersed in the festive atmosphere of the Chinese New Year.

Everyone will actively clean the surroundings, and then clean the house. Renovate everything that can be renovated, and make new clothes and new shoes in advance, so as not to run out of time.

These new clothes are basically made by themselves, and it is not cost-effective to buy them.

So if you want a new dress for the Chinese New Year, you have to make it a long time in advance.

If the family members are not skilled in craftsmanship, they still have to send it to a special shop.

Just pay some wages and hand over the materials, and you can get a decent piece of clothing and shoes, not too good-looking, not too ugly, at least better than what you make yourself.

Some families have started to hang red lanterns at the gate of the courtyard. The alley where Jiang Nanhe lives is considered a middle-class family in the county town. Every household has some skills and livelihoods, so although they are not too rich, they are not too poor.

Only then can they hang red lanterns on the threshold. In the next month, these lanterns will be lit for much longer than usual, and everyone will no longer save lamp oil because it is the New Year.

Doctor Mu walked out of the clinic and greeted Jiang Nanhe who was sweeping the snow. Jiang Nanhe nodded at him. Somewhat curious, why did he get up so early today?

"Teacher got up early enough today. Usually he would have to wake up half an hour in the evening. Is there anything going on today?"

Doctor Mu listened to Jiang Nanhe's question and pointed to the red lanterns that had been lit outside.

"It's time to replace the two lanterns at the entrance of the clinic. The market opened early today and things are selling fast. I have to go buy them early.

There are also couplets, blessing characters, New Year pictures and so on prepared for the New Year. You have to buy them. You have to grab them. If you don't grab them, you can't buy them. They are too popular."

Listening to Doctor Mu's words, Jiang Nanhe nodded in understanding.

"If the teacher doesn't grab them, you can buy some red paper and I can help you write couplets.

My handwriting is pretty good. When I was a child, the adults at home often urged me to practice calligraphy, so I still have some rules in my hands.

You can also buy some large red paper. I can also cut some patterns. Of course, my skills are not very good.

If you can grab them, it would be the best."

Listening to Jiang Nanhe's words, Doctor Mu's eyes lit up. He touched his beard and nodded happily.

"I didn't expect you to have this skill, Nanhe. Not bad, not bad. If I can't get it, I'll buy some red paper for you to write on when I come back.

It's just for the sake of celebration. I saw your handwriting and it's really elegant.

Oh, why didn't I think of asking you to write just now?

Your handwriting is enough to sell. I have to go buy it quickly. You wait for me here.

When I buy it back, you must write a good couplet for me.

And you should go back quickly and stop sweeping the snow, so as not to freeze your hands.

I've bought breakfast too. Wait for me in the clinic. I'll be back soon!"

After Doctor Mu finished speaking, he rushed towards the market that opened early.

I don't know how he ran so fast. After all, there was still some snow on the street.

The road was slippery on snowy days, and he was not afraid of falling. Jiang Nanhe looked at his back and shook his head, and then continued to sweep the snow.