Zhou looked at the donkey cart and pointed to the thirsty donkey, saying, "I want a big donkey leg, a pair of donkey ears, ten catties of donkey meat from the belly, and half a bucket of water. Will you trade?"
After Zhou finished speaking, she asked her eldest daughter-in-law to open the bucket lid so everyone could see that they hadn't cheated on the weight.
The Xu family member craned their neck to take a look and said, "Change!"
The young man quickly cut the meat.
Looking at the large donkey leg that had been cut off, Zhou was very satisfied. Now that his seventh son could get down and walk around, it was a good opportunity to nourish him.
After the Chen family finished exchanging the meat, the remaining people gathered around.
Most people traded a bamboo tube of water for meat, while a few traded half a jar of water.
In the evening, the village chief found a propitious spot for everyone to rest.
It was actually a sheltered hillside, bare, and no one knew where it was considered a feng shui treasure land, but that didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the Chen family and the Bai clan.
Tomorrow is the beginning of the month, and their ancestors will show their power in the next few days.
They couldn't set up an altar, so they built a makeshift platform. They didn't have any sacrificial animals, only the donkey meat they had traded for, and their previous stock—cured sausages, salt-baked chicken, and roast duck.
Previously, the ancestral worship ceremony was always held in the village. This is the first time it has been held outside the village, so everything has been kept simple.
The Bai clan members had no idea where the village chief got the chickens and ducks; hadn't they been eaten long ago?
These foods were prepared by the village elders and placed inside the eggs long ago. They themselves were reluctant to eat them and would only take them out during sacrificial ceremonies.
The Chen family found a high platform not far from them. Because they were few in number, it looked rather shabby.
When the Bai clan started holding sacrificial ceremonies in the village, the Chen family followed suit. Besides feeling it was a matter of face, they also felt it was necessary to have a sense of ritual.
Although the Chen family knew that it was Big Black that spat out the treasure, they also owed it to their ancestor.
Zhou prepared a new set of clothes for everyone to wear during the sacrificial ceremony tomorrow.
Old Man Chen sighed, "It's a pity there's no water, otherwise we would have taken a bath."
Daya frowned and said, "I haven't showered for almost ten days. My hair is so oily and tangled."
The eldest son's wife said, "I'll comb your hair in a bit."
Sanya sniffed herself and said, both amused and exasperated, "Mother, I think I stink."
Chen Kai's body also started to itch, feeling sticky and uncomfortable. He really wanted to take a shower.
Early in the morning, Old Man Chen and the others woke up and began to worship after everyone had arrived.
The ancestral tablets of the Chen family were placed on the highest earthen platform.
The lower earthen platform in front holds the sacrificial offerings.
The lowest altar is used for offering incense.
Old Man Chen bowed several times, inserted the incense sticks into the earthen platform, and then kowtowed three times.
Just then, the chanting and singing of the Bai clan members during their sacrificial ceremony drifted over, indicating that they were moving faster than they were.
After Old Man Chen finished kowtowing, he shouted, "The grand sacrificial ceremony of the Chen clan officially begins!"
After Zhou led everyone in kowtowing, they knelt down.
Old Man Chen continued chanting, this time expressing gratitude to the ancestors for their blessings and thanking them for their divine intervention. Although it was just one core message, he chanted it for quite a while.
After the chanting was finished, Zhou led everyone in kowtowing three times. Then, Old Man Chen continued chanting.
It is to commemorate the outstanding contributions made by these generations.
They certainly have something to boast about. They recite the names of Chishan Village's sleds, waterwheels, watermills, and food offerings every time they hold a sacrificial ceremony. They never get tired of it and become more and more proud as they recite it.
Chen Kai's lips twitched as he watched. They had completely ruined the science, turning it into theology, and each of them was more adept at playing the supernatural than the last.
They were unaware that people in Dashan Village and Hehua Village were also secretly kneeling and worshipping.
The sacrificial ceremony held by the Chen and Bai clans this time did not allow many people from other villages to witness it up close.
Therefore, those who cannot visit up close can only secretly kneel and pray, hoping to absorb some divine energy and be protected.
They weren't betraying their ancestors; they were just seeking peace of mind, like praying to gods and Buddhas.
After the song was finished, Zhou led everyone in kowtowing three times.
The final chant was encouraging words, urging everyone to unite and live well.
After reciting the words, he kowtowed three times.
The last step is for everyone to go up, light incense, kowtow three times, and then come down.
Originally, there was another step after kowtowing: someone would hold a basin of clean water, and an old woman would dip a willow twig in the water and dab it on everyone's hands twice, as a way of wishing them good luck.
But now that there isn't enough water, this step has been skipped.
After these things were done, the sacrificial ceremony ended hastily, and then four men were arranged to carry the memorial tablet.
Old Man Chen and his family had long ago built a shed using straw mats and bamboo curtains.
This isn't in the village; it's outside. Of course, the ancestors can't manifest their power in front of everyone.
The Bai clan members also carried the ancestral tablets into the shed, leaving only a few key figures to guard them.
The place is so small that even their own people don't have enough room to visit, so they don't allow outsiders to go in.
After placing the memorial tablet, Old Man Chen led everyone in kowtowing three times, then stood quietly to the side waiting.
When Dahei releases trash, the location can be specified. He can release trash anywhere within a ten-meter radius of Old Man Chen. This is what Dahei told Old Man Chen.
After that, whenever it was time to release the trash, Old Man Chen would always ask Big Black to release the trash in front of their ancestral tablets, as this would make it seem more solemn.
The secondary system bound to the Bai family ancestral tablets was in its initial mode, and the garbage it released was right in front of the tablets. Old Man Chen was too lazy to ask Big Black to change it, so this was better and more convenient.
When the wait was almost over, Old Man Chen thought to himself, "Big Black, release the trash!"
With a sudden thought, a pile of treasures appeared in the empty space where the ancestral tablets of the Chen family were placed.
Old Seven was seeing this for the first time, and his eyes widened in disbelief. It really could conjure up treasures out of thin air!
Old Man Chen and his group had already figured out the proper methods and started sorting the treasures.
Zhou picked up a pair of ripped jeans and said happily, "Great, we have this kind of fabric again."
Da Ya exclaimed in surprise, "There's water in this bottle!"
Chen Kai looked and saw that there was still half a bucket of water in a 5L mineral water bottle. He was lucky!
Old Man Chen exclaimed excitedly, "Let's look again and see if there's any water left!"
The second son's wife pulled out a large piece of cloth. "Huh? What kind of fabric is this? It's smooth."
When Chen Kai looked, he realized it was a blackout curtain.
Zhou leaned over and spread out the cloth, exclaiming with delight, "What a big piece! It's not torn at all. The material is nice, quite thick, and the color and pattern are beautiful. It can be used to make clothes."
Chen Nong picked up a mineral water bottle and said happily, "Grandpa, there's still water in this bottle!"
There wasn't much water, less than half a bottle, but it was still water, and I could drink a few sips.
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