"Please, benefactor, preside over the ceremony on our behalf to offer sacrifices to Heaven!"
Unable to refuse the villagers' earnest invitation, Ye Liang said to his master with difficulty, "Please, Master, do it in my place. I am young and lack virtue, and I am ignorant of the ways of the world. How could I know the rules of the Heaven-worshiping ceremony? Please, Master, do it!"
These words made the master smile slightly: "I believe that Liang'er can do this well. Liang'er, please don't be modest, let Liang'er preside over it. Now, your master is no longer a person of the martial arts world. I am now at home taking care of my husband and children. It is no longer appropriate for me to participate in such occasions."
Even the master was modest; this was practically forcing Ye Liang into a difficult position.
"Please, benefactor, do not refuse, lead us in the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven!"
The villagers knelt down and begged again.
With the villagers' hospitality so warm, how could Ye Liang possibly refuse?
That would hurt the simple and kind hearts of all the villagers.
Although it was a forced situation, our young master is, after all, used to being a domineering CEO. His ability to improvise and his strong mental fortitude will certainly not falter in such a situation.
Even though Ye Liang was somewhat weak and needed the support of his senior sisters, he still steadily accepted the large incense sticks handed to him by the merchants and led the entire village in worshipping the heavens before lighting the incense sticks as a sacrifice.
Afterwards, he even composed a eulogy on the spot.
"Alas, my village, nestled amidst towering mountains and flowing waters, blessed with outstanding people and abundant resources for generations. Yet, years ago, Heaven was unkind, sending forth a scourge of crabs that threatened to destroy our village. So many sons and daughters of our village bravely fought the crabs, even sacrificing themselves in the lake, without regret. Can you find such courageous sons and daughters anywhere else in the world? But Heaven is merciless, treating all things as worthless. The crab infestation ravaged our village; in every household, fathers and brothers were lost, wives lost their husbands, young children were left without education, and the elderly were left without care. Our plight is unparalleled in the world. Now, fortunately, Heaven..." "May the spirits of our fallen heroes protect us, and may brave men and women once again sail our dragon boats into the Heavenly Lake, battle the dragon-like crabs, slay two crab kings, and vanquish the source of this scourge, thus saving our village! Now that our people are saved, wives will no longer lose their husbands, young children will be educated, the elderly will be cared for, and livestock will find their home! Our livelihoods have been lifted from dire straits, and a new era of peace and prosperity awaits! We pray that the spirits of our fathers, brothers, and sisters in heaven will protect our village, ensuring that within three years, life will return to normal! When that time comes, we, their descendants, will surely hold annual sacrifices to the spirits of our fallen heroes, our deepest gratitude forever etched in their hearts! Alas, may you accept this offering!"
A single eulogy was enough to evoke a chorus of weeping from the entire village at the small ferry crossing!
In this eulogy, Ye Liang did not sing praises to himself, but instead sincerely mourned the deceased relatives of those who, knowing it meant death, bravely sailed into the lake to fight the crab king for the sake of the entire village's peaceful life.
Just as Ye Liang wrote in his eulogy, those people were worthy of praise and tears, kind and respectable!
A memorial poem evokes countless memories of loved ones forever separated from their loved ones, and tears can flow uncontrollably without one even realizing it.
There were widowed women crying their hearts out, their cries so heartbreaking they were utterly devastating.
The poem is so beautiful and so sincere that it's no wonder it brings tears to the eyes of those who hear it, and even many traveling merchants couldn't help but shed tears along with it.
After Ye Liang led the entire village in three bows in remembrance, Madam Xu and her daughter Xu Na came over and, together with her senior sister, helped Ye Liang up. The mother and daughter, with tears in their eyes, bowed deeply to thank Ye Liang: "Thank you for the memorial text, my benefactor! Thank you!"
Their clothes were still soaked with tears, a truly heartbreaking sight.
Ye Liangxin said with heartache, "Madam, please don't thank me. Everything is over. We who are alive must continue to live and live our lives well. There are many good days ahead for the villagers of Xiaodukou Village."
Ye Liang smiled and said to Xu Liang, "Brother Liang, you must take good care of everyone. Celebrating is fine, but don't drink too much at noon, so as not to miss the afternoon's voyage. Only by opening the voyage as soon as possible can everyone's lives improve. Don't you agree?"
"Yes, benefactor, I understand. I will definitely take good care of the villagers, lead my brothers and make good preparations, and open the waterway this afternoon so that everyone can use this waterway again and the people in our village can live the peaceful life they used to live!"
"Good! Good, good!" These words were gratifying, and Ye Liang repeatedly said "good" with satisfaction.
Then he said to his senior sister and master, "Senior sister, let's go back."
"I'm seeing off my benefactor!" Xu Liang exclaimed excitedly, eager to see him off.
Ye Liang waved his hand and said, "Brother Liang, why don't you stay and have some fun with everyone?"
With such tranquility and detachment, despite his great achievements, he was never arrogant. Ye Liang then led his senior sisters back.
"My benefactor, you are truly the best person I have ever met in the world!" This was the sentiment expressed by Xu Liang as he watched Ye Liang leave, his eyes filled with reluctance. Ye Liang was the best person in the world in his heart!
"Ye Liang, you said you couldn't preside over the village sacrificial ceremony. Look how well you did! The sacrificial verses, you recited them so fluently, they flowed from your lips like poetry!"
On the way, the junior sister excitedly told Ye Liang.
Second Senior Sister also smiled and said, "Yes, our junior brother always has unexpected qualities. Don't be fooled by how he didn't know how to dress or do laundry when he first came to our mountain. When it comes to important matters, he's never ambiguous. Eldest Senior Sister, don't you think so?"
"Yes." Although the senior sister only said one word in a cool tone, you could easily see from her expression that she was happy.
Faced with such praise from his senior sisters, Ye Liang smiled sheepishly and said, "I had no choice. Master forced me into this. What could I do if I didn't step up? I couldn't let everyone feel disheartened. Everyone was so happy, so even if I had to grit my teeth, I had to do it. Besides, it's just hosting a ceremony; it's much easier than fighting the Crab King, right? What's so difficult about it?"
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