For centuries, it has been a tradition that when the roof beam of a new house is raised, the homeowner prepares steamed buns and sweets and scatters them in the street. The more steamed buns are thrown, the more people will try to catch them, symbolizing that the homeowner will prosper after moving into the new house, and those who catch the steamed buns will also be blessed with good fortune and wealth.
In short, this is a win-win situation.
Li Chang held a dipper in his hand and recited a joyous song on the roof. He drew out the words very long, like he was singing opera. Without careful listening, it was impossible to hear the specific words he was saying.
The measuring cup used to weigh grain was used by landlords in the past to lend grain to the poor. They would give out grain in a small cup and take it in in a large cup.
He would read a sentence, then reach into the container, grab a handful of small steamed buns, sugar cubes, and a penny, and scatter them into the crowd below.
Today, almost everyone in Quanshui Village came to the house-raising ceremony. From the moment Li Chang reached his hand into the mortise, everyone's eyes were fixed on his every move.
Small steamed buns, candies, and coins rained down like raindrops. People cheered and reached out to catch them, while those who missed picked them up from the ground.
The steamed bun was the size of a ping-pong ball, and it rolled around on the ground when it fell.
Wherever the little steamed buns rolled, people would scramble to grab them, and whoever got one first got to keep it.
Those who are quick and sharp-eyed grab more, while those who are less dexterous grab less.
"Hey, hey, don't step on it! You've squashed the little steamed bun."
"Don't take my candy! I got it first!"
"Brother, I found two cents!"
...
Cheers and laughter rang out from the crowd.
Li Chang moved things on a scaffold erected on the roof, and people below followed suit.
I'm afraid that when he throws down the small steamed buns or other things, I'll be too far away to grab them!
Li Xiangdong watched from the sidelines as the children patted their dusty little steamed buns and popped them into their mouths to eat with relish, which also whetted his own appetite.
In his past life, he also loved to snatch small steamed buns when other people were raising the roof beams. Although the small steamed buns were thrown on the ground and everyone was fighting over them, they were covered in dust and looked quite dirty.
But these little steamed buns seem to taste especially good.
Li Xiangdong squeezed through the crowd and shouted at Li Chang, "Uncle Chang, throw a couple more balls!"
Hearing his shout, Li Chang calmly recited a joyful song, but when it came time to throw the small steamed buns, he grabbed three large handfuls and scattered them towards where Li Xiangdong was.
People were hit on the head with small steamed buns, candies, and coins, and the cheers reached a climax!
Everyone scrambled to grab them, stuffing them into their pockets when their hands were full, and eating the small steamed buns. Even though they were cold, they tasted even better!
The grand spectacle of throwing beams
After Li Chang finished reciting the celebratory song, all the large bucket of things had been scattered away, and the workers began to officially put up the main beam.
A piece of old elm wood, thirty centimeters in diameter and polished to a bright yellow, was lifted onto the roof and secured.
With this, the important ceremony of raising the roof beam is considered complete.
In the past, people would also place grains wrapped in red paper and copper coins on the main beam to pray for a bountiful harvest, a prosperous family, and abundant wealth.
This is a type of "suppression technique" often used by carpenters, which is believed to bring good fortune and wealth.
These things aren't considered important anymore.
This time, the ceremony of reciting auspicious songs and scattering steamed buns during the roof-raising ceremony is unique to Quanshui Village in the past ten years.
No fancy family would throw white steamed buns out!
Grandma Hong said with a smile, "In the past, if the host family didn't treat the workers well, some of the workers would do something bad. They would put rusty scissors on the beam, and someone in that family would commit suicide. If they wrapped a lock of hair in a peach branch and then wrapped it in red cloth, the man and woman of the house would have an affair. If they put a small horse-drawn carriage with the horse's head facing outwards, the family would lose money. Of course, if the front of the small horse-drawn carriage faced inwards, it would become a good talisman."
Li Xiangdong clicked his tongue in amazement; it really was an Eastern sorcery.
Grandma Jiang dismissed it, saying, "In the past, carpenters and bricklayers were people with hard lives. It was common for wealthy and powerful employers to refuse to pay their wages after the work was finished. These so-called curses are just a means for these unfortunate craftsmen to improve their social status."
Doctor Gu nodded, "Yes! Yes!"
Doctor Gu nodded in agreement with Old Madam Jiang, then turned and called Li Xiangdong aside, mysteriously handing him something wrapped in red cloth. "Have the workers put this on the main beam. Remember to keep it a secret, don't let your master see it."
Li Xiangdong: ......
What's in here?
As he spoke, he was about to open the red cloth bag to take a look.
Doctor Gu wouldn't allow it, saying, "I've already wrapped it up; you'll just mess it up if you open it."
"Then I can't let it go!"
Li Xiangdong spoke with righteous indignation.
Helpless, Doctor Gu carefully opened it himself and found a bamboo branch with three connected leaves inside. On each leaf were written the words "Great Fortune", "Peace" and "Taiping" in calligraphy.
Another branch is a Chinese cypress, with lovely green leaves.
Chinese arborvitae
What does this mean?
"Place these on the main beam, and from then on, the master's family will enjoy peace, good health, and longevity!"
"Dr. Gu, how can you be two-faced? You were just agreeing with my master, and now you're being so particular. You want me to put it away? No way, no way!"
"You brat, stop talking so much! Go on, go on!"
Li Xiangdong smiled, took the red cloth bag, and turned to find Li Chang.
Based on his limited romantic experience in his previous life, Doctor Gu probably had some feelings for his master.
Li Xiangdong scratched his chin. Although they were known as Old Lady Jiang and Doctor Gu, they were actually not that old. In their sixties, they would still be considered middle-aged in later generations!
Hehe, but Doctor Gu's methods for pursuing girls are not good. If you do good deeds in secret without letting the girl know, how can she understand your feelings?
Putting aside Li Xiangdong's own wild thoughts, a small problem arose on Lijiapo's side.
Li Jin chose the same day as Old Lady Jiang to break ground and build a house, and they also raised the roof beam on the same day.
Li Jin simply believed that Old Madam Jiang was incredibly powerful and that the day she chose must have been auspicious.
With the help of Qi Yuexian, Chunhua, and other aunties and grandmas, Zhao Sufang steamed two large pots of small steamed buns early in the morning, dotted them with red dots, and placed them on a bamboo mat to cool.
Around noon, the carpenter came over with a measuring cup to fill with steamed buns. He looked left and right, "No sugar or coins?"
It's normal not to have any coins, since those are real money, but you should always have a few candies on hand.
In particular, this is a new house built for newlyweds, and scattering candy symbolizes that the couple will have a sweet and harmonious marriage.
Most importantly, given the current conditions in Lijiapo, how could they be reluctant to part with this little bit of candy?
Qi Yuexian quickly called out to Zhao Sufang, "Sister-in-law, where did you put the candy?"
Zhao Sufang said, "It's with Wei Jun! I asked him to buy it from the supply and marketing cooperative yesterday."
The group went to find Li Weijun again, but Li Weijun glared at them and said, "I saw Xiang Dong buy two jin of fruit candy and exchange it for a lot of one-cent coins."
Everyone was stunned.
Li Xiangdong went to Quanshui Village!
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