In August, every family is busy preparing the Autumn Festival, and farmers prepare cakes and wine.
We kneel down to welcome the gods, offer sacrifices to them, and pray that my granary will grow every year.
The Autumn Festival is usually held on the fifth day after the Beginning of Autumn. Because it is close to the Mid-Autumn Festival, it is also called the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The Spring Festival celebrates farming, and the Autumn Festival celebrates harvest. Both are important solar terms for farmers to pray for a good harvest, and are also major festivals for the whole country.
On the day of the Autumn Festival, women are required to return home to their parents' homes, women are not allowed to use needlework, and farmers are required to stop farming for a day. Every household is required to prepare community cakes, community wine, community meals, etc. to entertain relatives and friends and celebrate together.
In each county and village, local officials led the people of each clan to set up three birds, five grains, and six livestock, and held an altar to offer sacrifices to the land god to thank him for the donations made throughout the year and pray for good weather and full granaries in the coming year.
The aroma of new rice filled the air in Fuzhou City. Every household was steaming community rice, and the kitchens of the post stations were also steaming it to entertain travelers.
Every family makes community meals, and the methods are similar, but each family has its own taste, and each family thinks theirs is the best.
The community meal at the post station is made by picking Artemisia annua from the fields, blanching it in water to remove the bitterness, then slowly drying it, adding bacon, dried tofu, shepherd's purse, and stewing it with this year's newly harvested white rice.
The flavor is salty, fragrant and delicious. After two bowls, your stomach will be full and you won’t feel hungry even if you work all day.
The most delicious thing was the rice crust. Xu Jiang was guarding the stove and finally got a piece. He chewed it with relish, making a "crunch crunch" sound amid the cook's laughter.
After eating the rice crust, he went back to his room and had a bowl of rice and two pieces of community cake with Liu Mei.
During the past two days, Liu Mei had been running around the village with Xu Jiang, and her appetite had gradually increased. Seeing how relishing Xu Jiang's meal was, she also ate two bowls of rice, and finally she was so full that she was walking around the room.
"Where are we going today?"
"Let's not go to the village today. Let's go to Beishan Academy." Shan Bo had just gone to the government office to inquire and came back, saying that Qiushe Academy was going to hold a ceremony to thank teachers, and Du Hui would go directly there after returning from his inspection tour of the county, so if they went to the academy today, they would definitely be able to see him.
Liu Mei asked, "Where is the academy?"
Xu Jiang cleared the dishes, drank a cup of refreshing tea, and took her to the top of the inn's pavilion. He pointed to the highest point on the other side of the river and said, "That's it."
Liu Mei looked at the rolling river water below her feet, her calves trembling, "How do we get across?"
"Take the ferry and then climb up." That's why Xu Jiang didn't stop Liu Mei from adding the extra bowl of rice.
Climbing a mountain takes a lot of effort.
"Can I not go?"
"Yes, as long as you don't mind being bored, you can wait for us at the inn."
Thinking back to the first day of staying at the inn, Xu Jiang took everyone to the countryside, but she felt too tired to go. As a result, she felt bored staying at the inn. In addition, she was unfamiliar with the place and did not dare to go out casually. She was so bored that she didn't even eat a few bites of food.
When Xu Jiang, Shan Bo and others returned in the evening, he saw that they were all in good spirits and talking and laughing non-stop, which made him feel quite unhappy. The next day, he said he would not stay in the inn no matter what.
It was refreshing to go out for a walk, but her back and waist ached after coming back. Now, looking at the water and the mountains, she felt tired before she even crossed or climbed.
But thinking about the hustle and bustle of the Autumn Festival and her being alone waiting in the inn, she felt a little miserable, so she had to sigh and agree.
"Go ahead."
Xu Jiang smiled secretly, she knew it.
"Don't worry. If you don't want to leave after crossing the river, I will rent you a donkey and lead you up the mountain."
"Forget it. Shan Bo doesn't ride a donkey at his age, so why would I ride one?"
Shan Bo happened to come over and heard this. He pretended to be angry and said, "How can I be so old? Look at me. I climbed the mountain today without taking a single step."
The two of them turned back in surprise, and saw that they had been caught talking nonsense. Liu Mei quickly said, "You are indeed old but still strong."
Xu Jiang chuckled.
Shan Bo glared. "What do you mean by 'old but strong'? This is called being in the prime of life."
Liu Mei quickly smiled and said, "Okay, okay, you're not old at all."
Xu Jiang smiled at Shan Bo and asked, "Is everyone ready?"
Shan Bo nodded, "Everything is packed, waiting for you."
Xu Jiang went downstairs with her eyebrows drawn up. "Then let's go. I heard the ferry this morning runs until Si hour, and then in the afternoon it goes to worship the gods, so it won't run again until You hour. There are a lot of people crossing the river today, and if you go too late you won't be able to catch the ferry."
"Hurry up then."
The guards played rock-paper-scissors, and the loser stayed behind to watch the luggage.
Several people gathered around to watch, and amidst the laughter, the loser denied and wanted to try again, but he still lost. He had no choice but to accept his fate and stay, accompanying the chief clerk and the postman who were also left behind to guard the post station.
Xu Jiang and his entourage arrived at the Luobu Temple Ferry on the river bank to wait for the ferry. There were already many people waiting at the ferry, including vendors, students, farmers, and travelers like them.
When the ferry arrived, everyone rushed to get on. Fortunately, the boat was not small and could carry twenty or thirty people. After Xu Jiang and others got on, the boat was almost full.
That was a close call.
Liu Mei leaned close to Xu Jiang, not daring to look at the surging river. Xu Jiang teased her from time to time, scaring her and making her scream.
Fortunately, the boat reached the north bank in just a moment. After Liu Mei got off the boat, she chased Xu Jiang and played with her. Xu Jiang dodged and begged for mercy.
Shan Bo saw the two of them happy and smiled as well.
Xu Jiang finally survived this ordeal.
Going up the mountain, there are small paths and stone stairs, both leading to the top of the mountain.
The path was covered with weeds. Although it was already autumn, there were still snakes and poisonous insects. To be safe, everyone decided not to take shortcuts and went up the stone steps.
Xu Jiang was used to walking, and he climbed to the middle of the mountain in one breath and still had energy left.
Liu Mei and Shan Bo were already out of breath, standing there with their hands on their knees, catching their breath. The guards were originally relaxed, but were dragged by Shan Bo, and their faces were red with exhaustion.
Xu Jiang returned and took Liu Mei with him as they continued walking, joking as they walked: "Are you still full?"
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