Zhong Lu stood on the altar, searching for Lou Yunchun, but saw him and Xu Jiang huddled together with the villagers, seemingly unable to squeeze in. Looking down, he saw Zeng Zhui fiddling with the offerings, and he grabbed him and brought him up to the altar.
"You come and serve me as a messenger."
A divine messenger was a messenger who brought offerings to the gods. Zeng Zhui, confused, stood behind Zhong Lu, and then a gong rang loudly, numbing his ears.
The villagers fell silent, and only the village chief shouted loudly: "The auspicious time has arrived, sacrifice -"
Zhong Lu took a scroll of bamboo slips, walked to the altar and chanted aloud:
The sun's transits are recorded, and Da Lu presides over the morning. Mysterious phenomena change their order, and the people are renewed. Yearly affairs are completed, and the eight waxes reward hard work.
How to report the success, a good harvest and abundant crops. Abundant sacrifices and filial piety, this brings endless blessings. How to reward hard work, the agricultural work is returned.
My lord, be gracious and diligent in your work, and be diligent in your cultivation, and be prepared for the most pressing hunger. Your feasts and offerings are pure, and all quarters are visited with comfort.
Filling the suburbs, flocking to the capital. Intertwined trade and migration, a riot of flowers chasing each other. Blending sleeves to form a curtain, connecting hems to form a curtain.
There are meats as plentiful as hills, wines as abundant as springs. There are delicacies as abundant as forests, and goods as abundant as mountains. All the land rejoices together, and harmony prevails.
Auspicious winds are in harmony, blessings are bestowed from heaven. Peace and tranquility reign, and good fortunes extend day by day. Enjoy leisure with the people, and enjoy a thousand years.
After reciting the eulogy, Zhong Lu shouted: "Kneel——"
The villagers knelt down one after another, but there were so many people that most of them could only squat, such as Xu Jiang and Lou Yunchun.
The two of them squatted among the villagers, their hands never separated.
Zhong Lu handed the sacrificial text to Zeng Zhui, asking him to place it on the altar. He then took the bamboo slips from the village head and chanted, "First, sacrifice to the ancestors, may they bless our crops to grow. Second, sacrifice to the ancestors, may water flow to all directions. Third, sacrifice to the farmers, may the fields be reclaimed and cultivated. Fourth, sacrifice to the farmers, may all be kind and righteous. Fifth, sacrifice to cats and tigers, may rats not eat the crops. Sixth, sacrifice to the river bank, may the earth return to its home. Seventh, sacrifice to the water, may the water return to its valleys. Eighth, sacrifice to the insects, may the grass and trees return to the marshes."
After chanting, he shouted again: "Bye——"
Everyone bowed, and Xu Jiang and Lou Yunchun also bowed three times together.
"Presenting sacrifice——"
After the worship, the offerings were presented. The village chief and the elders of each tribe handed the prepared offerings to the divine messenger. Zeng Zhui was very reliable in such a solemn occasion, and he arranged the offerings of each tribe neatly.
After placing the offerings, Zeng Zhui stepped aside and prayed with everyone else, praying that Mrs. Lin would be healthy and happy forever.
Xu Jiang and Lou Yunchun also closed their eyes and prayed, praying for a warm day and a peaceful year.
Another gong sounded, and the village chief shouted, "Exorcise the Nuo!" Then a group of people wearing ghost and god masks jumped out of the crowd and rushed to the altar.
Gongs and drums sounded, and hundreds of gods danced together.
This was a ritual to exorcise evil spirits, and the villagers stood up, jumped up and shouted along with the ghosts and gods.
Xu Jiang was held in Lou Yunchun's arms. Listening to the deafening shouts around her and feeling the villagers' happy and unrestrained dancing, she felt happy in her heart.
Inadvertently, she raised her eyes and met Lou Yunchun's dark eyes.
Lou Yunchun opened and closed his lips, silently saying to her, "I wish to thank you for the years to come, and to walk with you forever."
Xu Jiang was slightly stunned, then felt a warm feeling in her heart. She then silently replied, "I wish to thank you for all the years to come, and to travel with you forever."
The two smiled at each other and held each other tightly.
Life is like the sea, mountains and rivers, with you and me.
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