Lord of Earth Fiend

Chapter 164 Lantern Festival to send poor ghosts,
After a little snow, winter turns into spring.

The fifteenth day of the first lunar month is the Lantern Festival, also known as "Yuanxiao".

In Jiangzhou, the Lantern Festival is a very big one, with grand and lively scenes, such as viewing lanterns and guessing lantern riddles, eating glutinous rice balls and eating Lantern Festival, playing dragon lanterns and playing Taiping drums, etc.

Among so many programs, Chen Jin's favorite is the River Lantern Festival.

Jiangzhou has a well-connected water system, and the largest is naturally the Jinling River. This river is full of mighty water, with strong winds and waves, so it is not suitable for displaying lanterns.Generally, just after the lanterns are put into the water, they will be swept away and overturned within a short distance after drifting, which is unlucky.

But there are exceptions. Some rich families are willing to spend money to build large-scale lanterns. Like a small boat, the lights are bright and beautiful. They are placed on the river and drifted down with the wind. They can travel far. Arrive to go downstream.

These lanterns either entrust people's thoughts, or are full of people's wishes, and there are other themes.

One of the more extensive ones is called "Sending Poor Ghosts".

Sending off poor ghosts and sending off plague gods are two very famous folk customs in the Daqian Dynasty.As for the date and time of the holding, it varies from place to place, and the days will be different in different places.

The poor ghosts in Jiangzhou start from the third day of the first lunar month until the fifteenth day, for ten days in a row, every day until they are all sold out.

There are poems as evidence: Every year to this day, Lijiu worships the street.Thousands of households and thousands of doors look at it, and no one does not want to send the poor.

As for the way of "delivery", it is quite particular, and there are many different forms.But one thing everyone will do is to clean the inside and outside of the house, especially the corners, and sweep out all the cobwebs and dirt in the dark, plus one or two worn clothes, bundled into a heap.

This pile of rubbish can be named "poor".

When "poor" is swept out, how should we deal with it?

According to the folk appellation, it is very polite, not "beating", not "killing", but "sending".

This represents a kind of polite etiquette, and it can even be said to be "worship".

There is no way, in the minds of the common people, no matter the "God of Plague" or the "Poor Ghost", they are all existences that cannot be provoked. I am afraid that if the other party is annoyed, then the other party will directly stay at home and stay at home. Wouldn't it be bad luck for eight lifetimes? ?
Therefore, I can only politely ask them to go and leave my home.

Therefore, it is not enough to sweep out the "garbage" and throw it outside the house.That approach is too simple and rude, and it may annoy the "poor ghost" and run back again.

Be pious and obtain the Fa.

Some people wrap up the precious and precious "garbage", choose a good place, dig a hole and bury it, and erect a monument and offer incense;

Some people put "garbage" in their pockets and went out of the city, deliberately going to the far side of the road, throwing away while walking;
Some people pack the "garbage" and put them on a plantain boat, then light the lamps, put pancakes and fruits and other tributes on them, then put them in the water and float away with the wind...

Folklore is a habit, and it has its own sustenance and vision. Even if it is only a form, it should be done consistently if it is good.

Xiaoqian was particularly conscientious, starting from the third day of the first lunar month to tidy up the house, from the inside to the outside, not letting go of any corner, such as the roof beams, those high places on the roof, which were handed over to Xiaosheng.

This monkey is very delicate when it comes to housework.

The rubbish that came out of the cleaning, and the old clothes worn by Chen Jin, Xiaoqian put all of them into a big pot with a round belly. After more than ten days of sweeping, it was filled for more than ten days, and it was full. Finally, seal it with a red cloth.

According to the girl, this is what Li Village did.

Chen Jin couldn't help but joked: "You ghost cultivators have been afraid of poor ghosts for generations?"

Xiaoqian said seriously: "People are afraid of poor ghosts, and ghosts are also afraid of poverty. Otherwise, there would be no such saying that 'money can make ghosts grind'."

Chen Jin listened and thought it made sense: "Then what should we do with this tank?"

"It can be buried under the road; it can be thrown into the deep mountains and old forests; it can also be sunk into the bottom of the water, but the time for processing is particular, and it will be until nightfall today."

"it is good."

Chen Jin had no choice but to say, "I will write another sacrificial article tonight."

Xiaoqian suddenly asked: "Master, last time you said that Hanhan is not dead, but has become a god, should we go and see him?"

Chen Jin replied: "I went to see it a while ago... Well, how should I put it, He hasn't condensed into a ghost and god, and can't communicate. In this case, it's best not to bother."

It is not easy for ghosts to condense ghosts and gods. It takes a relatively long time to accumulate, and the unit is often "years".It is already a rare chance for Hanhan to get the literary spirit bestowed by Chen Jin and stabilize quickly, but it is not enough for him to become a god immediately, and it will take some time for him to evolve.

At this time, the exuberant incense sacrifices of the Fish Temple began to play a role, which could provide him with great help, not only speeding up the speed of gathering ghosts and gods, but also preventing the erosion of evil spirits.

You must know that at this stage, it is similar to the monk's yin spirit coming out of the body, and it is most likely to cause yin and evil delusions.

Incense protects the body, just like protecting the Dharma.

Xiaoqian said "Oh" and said, "Then see it next time."

At noon, Gu Leyou came over to talk to Chen Jin:
"On the tenth day of the Lunar New Year, Taoist Baiguan became immortal."

Speaking of which, Chen Jin had never met this old Taoist before, so he knew that Gu Leyou couldn't be talking about this specifically.

Gu Leyou went on to say: "Before the old Guanzhu died, he passed on the position of host to his first disciple Su Yun, but his ability is limited, so I'm afraid he won't be able to keep it."

Chen Jin asked: "How do you say this? Could it be that someone has taken a fancy to Taoist temples?"

Loose cultivators of small Taoist temples have no fields or land, and have nothing worthy of coveted by others. It stands to reason that they will not cause trouble.

Gu Leyou explained: "Since the new emperor came to power, not only the reform of the imperial examination system, but also the two schools of Taoism and Buddhism, the affairs of ghosts and gods, and the martial arts world have all been greatly affected. Accept various assessments, and those who fail will be deprived of their qualifications."

Hearing this, Chen Jin understood.

In fact, he had heard about these government orders and measures for a long time, but he didn't care too much about the matter. His main concern was the changes in the imperial examinations.As for the rest, it's all just hearsay.

Regarding the New Deal, temples and Jianghu sects from all over the country complained quite a lot and were unwilling to cooperate. However, what greeted them were the Tiqi from the inner factory, who trampled on the cavalry and cut down the mountains and destroyed the temple.

This time, no one dared to refuse.

At least, on the surface, they are convinced.

The new emperor's iron fist method is undoubtedly for the needs of the rule.From this point of view, it seems to be full of courage, quite the demeanor of a great emperor.

It's just another thing to kill with iron hooves, and everywhere it goes is a bloody storm, causing countless people's sufferings.

Gu Leyou went on to say: "Based on the current situation and staffing of Yunshan Taoist Temple, it will not pass the assessment at all. If it cannot be improved, the Taoist Temple will be delisted and cease to exist."

"so what?"

"What Su Yun meant was to let me bring Liu Yuan to join the Taoist temple, and then recruit two or three disciples to support the Taoist temple."

Chen Jin asked: "How to join?"

Gu Leyou replied: "Yunshan Temple and Izumo Temple are merged into one, and combined into a new Taoist temple."

"What about the signboard? Who is the master and who is the assistant?"

"This is what has not been negotiated yet. Let me ask your opinion."

Chen Jin chuckled: "You should have made up your mind a long time ago."

Gu Leyou said: "Of course I want to hang up the signboard of Yunguan, but the procedures are very cumbersome. If it is done, the Taoist temple on the Wuling side will not know what to do. The current situation is very strict, and the government is looking for opportunities to come Tossing people, whether they are Jiang Hu people or monks, have to be obedient. If you are disobedient, click!"

He made a hand gesture.

Chen Jin said calmly: "No matter who ascends the throne, he hopes that the people under his rule will be obedient, so that it will be convenient for management."

Gu Leyou sneered and said, "But this new emperor is too strict in management, treating the people like weeds... Forget it, let's not talk about it, let's get down to business, Su Yun's attitude doesn't really care about signs."

Chen Jin murmured: "Listen to you, if you move Izumo Temple to Zhongyuan, you won't be able to keep it?"

"That's for sure. It's just me and Liu Yuan. It's not much better than the current Yunshan Temple."

"What about recruiting disciples?"

Gu Leyou smiled wryly and said, "Just like me, I don't have the cultivation of Taoism to establish a sect. Even if I recruit a Taoist boy, one more person means one more mouth. It's all consumption and money."

There is no Taoist temple with a fixed industry, and the income is unstable, which is a problem in itself.

Speaking of money, Chen Jin asked, "Have you given away the poor?"

"Of course I have to give it away. I don't share the sky with the poor ghost. But as practitioners, we know what a poor ghost is, and we don't just give it away if we want to. To solve it, we still need to work hard to get rich."

"Then your idea is to merge."

Gu Leyou nodded: "The low-level casual cultivators had to report to the group to keep warm. I am new to Jiangzhou and have no connections. If I walk with Su Yun and the others, I can quickly open up the situation. Brewing and selling medicine are all It would be a pity if we don’t start a profitable business.”

After a pause, he said: "The character of the other party is also acceptable. Besides, I have the initiative, and you, an expert, stand by my side, so you can control the situation."

"I'm an expert?"

"Haha, scholar, you don't know, in the eyes of Nie Feng and the others: we are both masters, and we admire them very much."

Chen Jin looked at him: "There is a good saying: When others think you are a master, you'd better really be."

Gu Leyou blinked: "You are enough... By the way, your body?"

"It's still the same, if you can hold it down, it will always be resolved."

"That's good, what about the merger of Taoist temples?"

Chen Jin said: "You can make up your own mind, I believe you can handle it well."

"Okay, I'll go back first."

Gu Leyou cupped his hands, coming and going in a hurry.He is an enterprising person who has always wanted to build a foundation and is not willing to be ordinary.When opportunities arise, they reach out and grab them.

Chen Jin had a different understanding of the foundation. To outsiders, opening the Sanwei Study Room was a career, but he didn't seem to care about it. He often didn't go to the store, and Chu Xiucai had to come home to report many things.

In fact, there was really nothing to complain about, the little money from the profit, after paying the rent and paying Chu Xiucai's wages, there was not much left.

As for the purchase price adjustment, etc., it is all left to Chu Xiucai to decide.

The current Chen Jin is completely a hands-off shopkeeper.

Chu Xiucai has also gradually gotten used to it. When talking about the industry, the most he talks about is "33 Anthology":
"Young Master, this book is really selling like crazy. Almost everyone who reads has a copy. Many people find it very beneficial after learning it. If they imitate it, they will soon be able to write qualified and standardized articles."

Chen Jin said casually: "If you are familiar with three hundred Tang poems, you will be able to recite poems even if you don't know how."

Chu Xiucai clapped his hands: "That's what it means...but what kind of book is "Three Hundred Tang Poems"?"

Chen Jin realized that he had slipped his tongue, and asked, "Are there many editions of "33 Anthology" on the market?"

He already knew that this book was a big hit. After all, the ever-increasing literary charm in "Li Yan Pian" is the best proof, and there is no need to look at the market outside.

Chu Xiucai replied: "There are at least six or seven editions, and there are various manuscripts. It is said that in order to print this book, the price of paper has increased by [-]%. I don't know who the author is. It’s a big loss to be copied indiscriminately and not show up to report to the officials.”

Chen Jin couldn't help laughing: "The government can't control this kind of thing, right?"

"It's a big deal to go to court, print so many books, and spread them to other state capitals, even in the capital, how much will it cost?"

While talking, Chu Xiucai secretly looked at Chen Jin's face, but he couldn't see any clues.

Chen Jin changed the subject: "Lantern Festival, is anyone looking for me?"

Speaking of this, Chu Xiucai immediately said: "Of course, I have received several invitations, all of which are for you to participate in the poetry meeting."

Poetry clubs are often held in response to festivals. As long as it is a festive season, there will be poetry gatherings. Naturally, the Lantern Festival is no exception, and it is even more prosperous.

As literati, they all like to participate in poetry gatherings. They can socialize, and maybe they can write a good poem, which will become a blockbuster.

But now Chen Jin doesn't have much interest in these things. Wenqi Shenyun has "33 Collected Works" output, which is enough for now.

After flipping through several invitations, they threw them aside.

Chu Xiucai knew that he would not participate, so he was not surprised, so he made a gift and went home.

Xiaoqian couldn't help asking: "Young Master, won't you go out to socialize at night?"

"No, I'll take you to the night market tonight and enjoy the lanterns."

Hearing this, Xiaoqian was overjoyed and showed a rare sweet smile, her eyes forming a crescent shape.

After a sumptuous dinner, it's nighttime, and it's time to send the poor ghosts off.

Chen Jin didn't look far away, he directly chose to sink the crock pot in the river, just outside the door of his house.

Before that, let's spread the four treasures of the study and write a sacrificial article called "Send the Poor Ghost":
"When the day is good and the time is good, the four directions are good, and the old is gone, and the new is made, please go ahead... The poor kings of the world, the face is ugly, the skinny ones say: life is poor... the language is tasteless, and the pen and ink are dusty, say: learning is poor... Walking alone, lonely and silent, said: "I am poor..."

Eloquently write a large article, and put down the pen after writing.

Xiaoqian asked: "Can it be sealed in a tile vat?"

"No need, I just burn this sacrificial oration together with the incense."

So the tile tank sank into the river, and incense was lit on the bank, and the sacrificial text was burned and thrown into the river.

The fireball is facing the wind, burning more vigorously.

Riding the wind and dust, following the waves, please leave the poor ghosts quickly, don't send them off!
　The author also wants to send poor ghosts away...

　　
　
(End of this chapter)