Chapter 42: The Argument is Ridiculous: A few words in history books might describe half his life. ...
The so-called "parade of the gods" means that the jade statue of Huaixian, enshrined in Zhe'erzhai, is respectfully invited out of the temple on a sedan chair. Believers are required to lift the sedan chair high and circle the city center three times. Believers burn incense and offer sacrifices, and parade in Huai Street, praying to Huaixian for the protection of their relatives, for fertile fields and abundant harvests, and for the continuation of their offspring for generations.
Although Huaixian is revered as the guardian deity of this city, people have mixed opinions about this deity.
The reasons behind this need to be explained from a hundred years ago.
Ying State borders Qing State to the east, a nation constantly at war. Huaicheng sits on Ying State's border, a nation with a long history. Despite this, Huaicheng only became part of Ying State a little over a century ago. When Ying State was first established, Huaicheng was devastated by a falling star. Even after several years, the area remains impoverished, making it a refuge.
During the early years of the Three Dynasties of Ying, a plague broke out in the country, causing panic among the people. The emperor who respected the emperor of a country should benefit the country and the people, but the emperor at that time used the most extreme and brutal method to deal with the epidemic. Anyone infected with the disease, regardless of age, was expelled from the borders of Ying. Huaicheng was only a stone's throw away from Daying, but Ying used Huai land as a cemetery, piling up dead bodies and dying people.
It is not known which year or day it was, but it is said that there were a man and a fox who traveled through this city. The young man claimed to be a doctor who traveled around the world. In just a few days, he brought many Ying people who were infected with plague back to life. Since then, neither of them wanted to return to Daying. Instead, they abandoned their identity as Ying people, settled down in Huaicheng, and cultivated the land.
Over time, Huaicheng, once barren, became a vibrant place. Fires burned brightly, and the people continued to prosper. Because of its large population, the people elected a ruler to rule over the rest. Living in peace, they no longer faced the high taxes of Daying. They were abandoned children expelled from their motherland, wandering abroad to create a kingdom for themselves.
However, no matter how much the people worked together, the resources here were still very scarce. Whether it was food or land, it was far inferior to that of Daying. Everyone could only barely make ends meet. Therefore, the emperor of Ying allowed his son to build a new city and did not even bother to occupy this city.
Until a hundred years ago, a new city lord came to the throne. Compared with all the previous city lords, this man was like a god descending to the earth. Song Ling personally went to the fields to open up farmland, help the people out of their difficulties, promote trade, and trade with merchants from various countries. In just three to five years, he greatly improved the people's living standards.
The good times did not last long. The city lord Song Ling died young, leaving behind only one son, Song Lang.
Song Lang has another younger brother, but he is not his father's son, but is conceived by his mother during her second marriage.
Song Lang had been extremely talented since childhood, not even a bit inferior to his father. Logically, he should have inherited his father's position, become the master of a city, and bring blessings to the people. Therefore, when Song Ling passed away, he was about to turn ten years old, so he had to entrust his uncle to govern Huaicheng on his behalf. All the people were eagerly looking forward to Song Lang growing up.
After waiting for a long time, I finally got the news that Song Lang was the top scorer in the high school entrance examination.
The Ying Kingdom did not explicitly prohibit the people of Huai from serving as officials in the court. Before the Ying Emperor even spoke about Song Lang's move, the people of Huai City were already in disarray. Their ancestors suffered abandonment from the Great Ying and left their homes and land. Now, the future city lord is abandoning all the people to serve as an official in the Ying Palace. What kind of thing is this?
In the 57th year of Luoyuan, Emperor Ying died. His twelfth son Jiang Zhi inherited the throne and changed the reign title to Jiarui, with the name Mingci. Song Lang was promoted from the Prince's Grand Tutor to the Imperial Teacher of the country.
In order to please Emperor Mingci, Song Lang was willing to offer the city to Daying. However, since he was the direct descendant of the city lord, the people cursed him behind his back, but he had to welcome him with a smile in public. Fortunately, after the unified resistance of the people of Huaicheng, Emperor Mingci did not accept this gift. Seeing that this method was not feasible, Song Lang had to give up the idea for the time being.
In the third year of Jiarui, the war between Ying and Qing countries turned into a bloody war. The war was so fierce that people's livelihood was devastated. Huaicheng, which was caught in the middle, was also in trouble. Perhaps Song Lang had a change of heart, so he resigned from the position of imperial teacher and returned to Huaicheng.
The people of Huai originally thought that he had inherited his father's position and was going to benefit all the people, but he opened the city gates and helped the King of Qing's army to march straight into Huai City and set up camp.
Once the city was opened, the people of Huai were like fish on a chopping board, at the mercy of anyone. Although the financial resources of Huai City had greatly improved compared to the past, the people of the Qing Kingdom's national teacher inevitably had trouble getting enough food. Song Lang was cruel and merciless, and he joined forces with the generals of Qing Kingdom to kill the elderly people of Huai City just to reduce food and fodder expenses. In just one day, Huai City was littered with corpses.
"Song Lang was previously the Imperial Preceptor of a nation, but supporting Daqing is now a betrayal! He is the son of the city lord Song Ling, and to kill the people of Huai is tantamount to slaughtering his own people! Song Lang behaves like a dog and a pig! He is inhumane!"
"Yes, yes, yes! Song Lang is truly inhuman, yet you fear him and yet you have no choice but to worship him as a god. Therefore, Song Lang considers himself a god. How can a mere mediocre person like you be qualified to discuss gods with ordinary words?"
The storyteller was setting up a small stall and indignantly denouncing Song Lang's crimes. When the story was about to get to the exciting part, a girl in pink suddenly appeared, holding a string of candied haws, and said unhappily, "Well, it's true that he was an imperial teacher in his lifetime, but if you say he committed treason..."
Zhu Hao carefully chose his words and said, "According to official history, the cavalry that entered Huaicheng obeyed the orders of the Daqing military advisor, the founding emperor of the current Dacheng Dynasty! You claim he is a traitor, but isn't the country Song Lang aided the Dacheng Dynasty, the one the people rely on today?"
"Song Lang was once the Imperial Tutor of Ying, but he only assisted Qing after resigning from that position. The founding emperor of Dacheng was from Qing, but after conquering Daying, he didn't expand Qing's territory. Instead, he changed the country's name to 'Cheng'. Emperor Cheng reigned for seventy-two years, a lifetime of conquest. Not only did he unify Ying and Qing, he also brought neighboring smaller nations and tribes under his rule. He curbed war at its root and brought peace to the people."
"Dacheng levies taxes based on the people's residence and detailed income and expenditure. Dacheng treats the people like their own children and regards them as the foundation of the state. The people live and work in peace and contentment under the protection of Dacheng, while the people under the rule of Emperor Mingci suffer greatly. Throughout history, dynasties have been a common occurrence. Successful dynasties are kings, while failures lead to the rise of bandits. Moreover, Emperor Mingci was a brutal leader!"
"Song Lang assisted Emperor Cheng in killing the tyrant Mingci. In that sense, he can be considered a meritorious minister of Cheng. Emperor Cheng was certainly arrogant and ruthless, but he was hailed as a sage emperor and wise king by history books for centuries. How could such a wise ruler order a general to slaughter farmers and old men just to cut food and fodder expenditures? Well, if you want to say that the general conspired with Song Lang behind Emperor Cheng's back, or that the general's actions were instigated by Song Lang, that's fine too..."
"The founding emperor was a wise ruler," Zhu Hao retorted. "If Song Lang had indeed committed such cruel and atrocious acts, why did Emperor Cheng personally visit Huaicheng when he unified the two kingdoms, just to urge Song Lang to serve as an official? Oh, but Song Lang declined the offer. And now, a hundred years later, is there any concrete evidence that Song Lang massacred the people of Huai? What happened to Song Lang's life is entirely up to you storytellers to spice it up."
Zhu Hao, who had been ignorant of historical facts last year, had already caught up on them, and could easily argue with the half-baked storyteller in front of him. "Sir, although there are more or less people in this city who hate Song Lang, there are also Huai people who sincerely respect him as a guardian god. A hundred years ago, he died..."
Zhu Hao choked up, "Song Lang died at the hands of his own people, suffering the pain of dismemberment. If he was truly that powerful and cruel, how could he willingly endure such torture? How could he willingly accept death?"
"It's ridiculous that a few words in history books can only describe half of his life. He is a villain in history books, and his people use their tongues and whips to criticize him."
The storyteller slammed the table in anger, "He must be guilty of his crime, unable to face the consequences, and must die to atone for his crime!"
Zhu Hao pouted, "I think you're guilty of something! A hundred years ago, Song Lang was dismembered, his body parts abandoned in the wilderness to feed wild beasts. Since then, Huaicheng has been plagued by natural disasters. Only when the people kneel down and kowtow to him three times and nine times to retrieve his remains, build a jade statue for him, offer incense to him, and deify him, will peace return to this city! You hate him, but you're also afraid of him. Do you think cursing Song Lang is fair and just, speaking out for justice? Yet, you have no choice but to worship him as a god! It's hilarious."
"Besides, Huaixian is parading through the streets today! Hey, sir, are you so bold? The Immortal King is parading through the streets to protect the people of Huai, and you, you, you! How dare you scold him in public?" Zhu Hao whispered, "The Immortal King has a bad temper, and his patience is even worse..."
She coughed twice and said righteously, "As one of the Immortal Lord's few followers, I will kneel before his statue and sue you!"
Originally, there were only a few people at this stall. Although it was the Huaixian parade today, most Huai people were more excited about the temple fair, fireworks, and lanterns organized on the day of the parade than Huaixian. However, because the two people's voices were too loud, many people stopped to watch. When they heard the good wishes, they all burst into laughter.
The storyteller's spiky white beard trembled with fury. On the day of the parade, there were many people setting up stalls to recount the past of Huaixian. If the stories were engaging, they could easily earn enough to cover a few meals. But who would have thought that a madwoman would suddenly appear? The storyteller's annoyance grew worse and worse. He pointed at Zhu Hao, stuttering for a long time before he could utter a single word. Furious, he piled up the storybooks on his stall and threatened to throw them at her. She tried to avoid him, but was unexpectedly pulled behind him.
Shi Chunsheng spoke calmly, but the anger on his face was hard to conceal. "Old man, you can't defend yourself, are you still planning to use violence?"
When the storyteller saw that the girl was accompanied by accomplices, he had no choice but to pack up his stall and ran away.
Zhu Hao looked at the newcomer and asked suspiciously, "Chunsheng, don't you need to be a member of the parade and worship the gods today? I was planning to go shopping on my own first, and I thought I'd come to Zhe'erzhai to find you when you were done."
He knew that although the young lady in front of him appeared to be gentle on the outside, she was actually a ruthless person. She was full of justice, but also very stubborn. Once she made up her mind, no one could pull Zhu Hao back even with eight horses.
Shi Chunsheng had been standing not far away, listening to her frank remarks, but he didn't quite understand why Zhu Hao was so interested in Huaixian. "My neighbor Liu Lang saw me rushing to Huaicheng this morning, and he sympathized with my fatigue, so he took my place in the parade."
Zhu Hao nodded, but didn't say anything.
She and Shi Chunsheng had booked a trip together at the ferry half a month ago.
"Pianpian, shall we go to the Lantern Festival? Wait for the Jade Maiden to light the candles, and then walk to the Seven-Curve Bridge to watch the fireworks?"
The so-called Jade Girl is the girl who waits in the main hall of Zhe'erzhai on the day of Huaixian's parade to hold candles and cleanse Huaixian from the dust. The Jade Girl's birth date and horoscope must match Huaixian's. However, because Song Xieqing has a bad reputation, some girls with matching horoscopes try all means to refuse to hold candles. If no Jade Girl recommends herself, the girl will usually be chosen by drawing lots from girls with matching horoscopes.
Over the past hundred years, the candle held by the Jade Maiden has been extinguished at least a hundred and eighty times.
Thinking of this, Zhu Hao couldn't help laughing. It must be Song Xieqing who was secretly obstructing him. If he didn't like these cumbersome formalities, why didn't he just send a dream to Zhe E Zhai and make it clear?
"elegant?"
Zhu Hao responded cheerfully and walked side by side with him.
There were stalls and shops in the three streets and six alleys, and the ears were filled with laughter. A bright moon hung in the sky among the bright lights, and the moonlight on the road ahead was reflected by the lights of thousands of houses. Pedestrians came and went, and their presence flashed before her eyes, but her eyes were fixed on the sky-blue figure ten steps away.
The young man stood at the end of the long street against the bright moon, a smile on his lips and peach petals on his shoulders.
Zhu Hao rarely saw him smile, but tonight she could see it very clearly under the bright moonlight.
Zhu Hao was stunned there for a moment. She remembered that two days ago, she called Song Xieqing. Zhu Hao struggled for a long time and made up her mind to tell him the truth about Yusha's invitation.
At that time, Song Xieqing just said lightly: "I know."
These days, she has been wondering what "knowing" means? Will he go or not?
Zhu Hao quickly glanced around him, feeling curious and worried about whether he would really see other young ladies around him.
Clearly... she is with another man now...
Zhu Hao tightly grasped the candied haws, feeling inexplicably uneasy in her heart. For the first time in her life, she felt embarrassed as if someone had seen her cheating on her husband.
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The author has something to say: Xiao Song’s inner thoughts: How can she speak for me! Help, she likes me?
The next chapter is about Da Tiantian. Hehehe, my mother is so anxious.
Ahhhhh I could have updated last night! But I was so exhausted by the parents-in-law conference that I put it off until today... I'm so anxious at work every day, my mind is blank...
Although the role of "One Man and One Fox" is not very big in the whole text, it is very important~
The full text has about 30w+ views, and I will definitely finish it! I feel very sorry. Although I am unpopular, it seems that there are still a few readers following me. However, due to work reasons, it is really difficult to update. Sorry! (Bow) If it really doesn’t work, you can stock up~
Here is a passage that was abandoned hundreds of years ago but is one of my favorites:
She had a dream in her life.
In the dream, the young man spoke of justice until the corners of his mouth bled. He disobeyed the order of heaven and only wished for the well-being of the people. He killed his brothers with a sword, and also used the same sword to commit suicide under the full moon.
His name was Song Lang, with the courtesy name Xieqing, which was the name his mother wrote during his coming-of-age ceremony. However, his mother died at the hands of his younger brother Changgong, and the boy also died during his coming-of-age ceremony at the age of twenty.
It's ridiculous that only a few strokes in history books can describe half of the young man's life. He is a villain in the history books, and the people criticize him with their tongues and whips.
How could her husband be a villain?
She wanted to be his posthumous name and return the bones of the young saint in her dream.
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