Royal road

When I got home, it was past noon.After cleaning his hands and face, Liang Feng took off his hunting suit and put on Xuan Duan.This is the dress that the princes would wear when offering sacrifices. It is black and has no decorations. It is formal and extremely dignified.Wearing Xuanduan and Weimao Crown, he took Liang Rong to the family temple.

In the Han Dynasty, it was popular to build ancestral halls on the left side of the tomb, which was extravagant and unethical.Therefore, the construction of ancestral halls was prohibited in the Jin Dynasty, and only princes could build family temples.As Tinghou, Liang's family naturally had a family temple, where they could sacrifice "Shaolao", that is, use sheep and pigs to worship ancestors.The animals had already been prepared, and they were offered on the altar together with the grains and wild animals from hunting.

Although the number of people is small, the etiquette of the sacrificial ceremony cannot be less. After offering sacrifices to the ancestors, mountains, and five sacrificial offerings according to the rules, the sun has already set to the west, and it is the last link of the sacrificial ceremony.

Wearing that dignified and formal robe, Liang Feng came to the side courtyard.At this moment, under the watchtower, a high platform was erected, and a person stood on it.He is tall and tall, wearing bear skin, black clothes and Zhu clothes, with a fierce ghost face on his face, four golden eyes, a spear in one hand, and a solid shield in the other, just like a ghost walking in the world.

This is Fang Xiangshi, the chief priest in the Nuo ceremony.Beside him, there are twelve children with combed horns, they are scorpions, each of them is made of red ribbon and soap, holding a drum, pretending to be twelve divine beasts.There are twelve servants on the periphery, holding horns and torches, standing solemnly.

Looking around at everyone in the courtyard, Liang Feng walked up to the watchtower.Standing in front of the wooden railing, he shouted loudly: "Er Nai leads the New Year's Eve Nuo, and drives away the crowd!"

As soon as the voice fell, the dull drums and trumpets sounded in unison. Fang Xiang raised the spear and shield in his hand high, as if dancing wildly, and also seemed to be fighting fiercely with unknown ghosts. With his movements, he shouted loudly: "Nuo! Nuo!"

This is the cry that frightens away evil spirits.The dance is ancient and clumsy, and the shouting is simple, but amidst the simplicity, there is a chilling air.It's just because the people who perform Nuo are not those who dance the sticks of the great gods. This ceremony is specially designed to drive away the plague and pray for good weather in the coming year.All those involved are in awe, believe and take their responsibilities seriously.The collection of such emotions in one place can naturally give birth to breathtaking power.

The drums and trumpets grew louder and louder, almost deafening, and with that sound all the doors opened.The gates of the Liang Mansion, farms, farmers, and even distant villages are all open.After walking around the yard for a while, Fang Xiang led the mobs to dance far away. They wanted to walk through every house along the road, take away the bad luck of the corpse, and drive away the plague and severe cold.Those farm households all stood leaning against the door, as if they were welcoming a real god, and stood aside respectfully.

It's not an easy job.However, holding a heavy spear and a large shield, Fang Xiang didn't stop for a step, just ran across the farm, stepped out of the courtyard gate, and came all the way to the gate of the village.The sky was already dark, and the twelve torches were handed over to the knights who had been waiting by the door for a long time. They took the torches and rode their horses away without hesitation.Just throw the torch into the distant river, and all the plagues will be carried away by the river.

The flames flickered, but disappeared in an instant.The shocking drums stopped, but the cheers came faintly, getting louder and louder, as if the whole farm was singing in unison.In this era, there are no firecrackers, and there are no fixed Spring Festival ceremonies, but this Nuo is more festive than any ceremony.

Hearing the joyous shouts beside his ears, Liang Feng let out a long breath: "Let's hold a banquet."

After the big Nuo, there is a big feast, and every household must prepare rich and delicious meals to fill their stomachs.It may not be surprising in normal times, but it is very rare in Bingzhou after a major disaster and drought.However, every household in the Liang family got two catties of horse meat, and the army also had wild game from field hunting.There is surplus grain in the warehouse, bacon in hand, and a landlord who is willing to drive away the plague for them, what more can we ask for?

In the main hall, steaming meals were also prepared.Because he wanted to eat freshly hunted game, Liang Feng had already ordered the cook to get a few small copper kettles.The cauldron is filled with charcoal fire, and pheasant, fungus, and fungus are put into the cauldron to make a broth, then the venison is marinated with ginger juice and rice wine, cut into thin slices, and placed together with bean sprouts, Chinese cabbage, and radish that are rare in winter , a saucer of mashed garlic and clear oil was placed in front of him.

After a tiring day, Liang Rong sat by the desk, looked curiously at the raw meat on the plate and the broth in the pot, and asked, "Father, do you want to eat deer?"

Raw meat has been used since ancient times.The so-called "never tire of fine food, never tire of fine meat", the practice of cutting meat into thin slices and eating it raw can be called kuai.

Liang Feng said with a smile: "It is not suitable to eat raw in winter. Just pick up these slices of meat and vegetables with chopsticks, put them in the soup, and they will be cooked in a short time. It is most appropriate to eat such hot food."

He had never seen such a way of eating before, and Liang Rong suddenly regained his energy, but his father didn't move his chopsticks, and he couldn't start them, so he just looked eagerly at the boiling soup in the pot.After a while, he heard footsteps coming from outside the house, he looked up, and saw the Capricorn man with different eyes walking in.

Why did he come?Liang Rong frowned unconsciously, but the two adults paid no attention to him.

Yi Yan stepped into the room, bent over and saluted, "Master, the torch has been thrown into the river."

Liang Feng nodded: "Today's Nuo ceremony, thank you for your hard work."

It was Yi Yan who played Fang Xiang on stage today.Holding a heavy spear and shield, dancing, shouting, and walking around the mansion, the amount of activity can be imagined, not to mention that Yiyan also hunted a leopard back in the morning.

"Pray for the lord, the subordinates don't feel bitter." The sweat on Yiyan's forehead has not faded, but his eyes are firmly fixed on the person in front of him.The solemn Xuan Duan had long been replaced, and Liang Feng had returned to his old Yanju attire.However, no matter whether it was a hunting suit or a formal dress, or the ordinary clothes in front of him, nothing would damage his appearance.The lord took him to hunt in the field and ordered him to dance Nuo. Is there anything more important than this trust?

Long accustomed to Yiyan's appearance, Liang Feng smiled: "Sit down and have dinner with us."

"Thank you, my lord!" Yi Yan immediately got up and sat behind the table beside him.This is a family feast after the grand Nuo. If the lord invited him to join him, wouldn't he be regarded as his family?

Liang Rong's eyes widened involuntarily, Father actually let this Jie person sit at the table?Why didn't this guy go to the army, and insisted on joining him and Father's family dinner?However, no matter how awkward he was, the good family education made the little guy unable to speak, so he could only hold the corner of his clothes aggrieved.

Liang Feng didn't forget about Liang Rong, and said to Zhao Yu who was waiting on the side: "Don't let Rong'er pick up the meat by himself, just help him pick up the meat in a bowl. Also use less garlic oil, it's too spicy."

After giving the order, he turned his head to Yiyan and said: "Put the meat yourself, boil it in the cauldron for a while, and the meat will turn white. If you don't think it's spicy, you can add some garlic oil yourself."

After both sides had explained, Liang Feng raised his chopsticks with great interest, and put a piece of venison into the broth.Soon the sliced ​​meat was rolled up, picked up the meat, lightly dipped it on the garlic plate, and put it in the mouth.This is the fattest part of the deer, soaked in ginger rice wine, it doesn't feel fishy at all, it melts in the mouth, only the strong fragrance reverberates.

In winter, this is how you should eat hot pot.Nodding in satisfaction, Liang Feng raised his head, only to find that one big and one small were staring at him, he couldn't help laughing and said: "The style is a bit novel, but the taste is really good. Use it soon."

Looking at Liang Feng's shiny rosy lips, Yi Yan swallowed his saliva unconsciously, feeling a burning sensation of hunger and thirst in his stomach.Without further hesitation, he picked up a large lump of meat and started to boil it.Liang Rong glanced at the rude-looking Jie man, lowered his head sullenly, and began to eat the sliced ​​meat that Zhao Yu gave him.After chewing two mouthfuls, I felt that it was sweeter than all the meat I ate in the past, and I couldn't help but look at my father in admiration.

Father really knows everything!He also put several small bird eggs here, which must have been prepared specially for him by my father.It would be fine if there is no such person.

Both happy and worried, the little guy ate the delicacies on the plate with complicated thoughts.

■

Sima Ai walked into the inner hall with big strides. He was not wearing armor, but an auspicious costume.Although Luoyang was besieged and fought fiercely for several months, the La Festival should not be missed.On the contrary, with His Majesty presiding over the sacrificial ceremony, the people in the city could be more or less appeased.

They won another game before, and Youzhou also started to attack Chang'an.It was Zu Ti's ingenious method, and the governor Liu Chen was extremely talented and loyal to the country. As long as the king of Hejian could be fearful and recall Zhang Fang, the battle would have a chance of winning.

Thinking of his half-brother, Sima Ai couldn't help clenching his fists.Since King Qi was killed, Sima Ying has become more and more arrogant. It is not enough to control the government in Yecheng. She also wants to kill the Queen's father and Huangfu Shang, and even ignores the matter of King Hejian sending someone to assassinate him.How is this different from the original Zhao Wang, Qi Wang and others?

The imperial court has raised troops for more than ten years, and the smoke of war is everywhere, and the people are in dire straits.If the imperial court can regain power and all officials return to their hearts, it will naturally save this crumbling world.However, Wang Yan was sent out before, but Sima Ying still failed to persuade.He would rather kill each other, would rather intimidate the court, and he would not give up his power.If he is allowed to enter Luoyang, will His Majesty be safe?Can the court still be stable?

No matter what, he must defend Luoyang!

Although his heart was full of worry and anger, Sima Ai knelt and sat in front of the case as before.On the case, there are only memorials submitted by courtiers.He has ordered several times to order the maids to pound rice by hand for military rations.He also made all men over the age of 13 serve as slaves, sent slaves to garrison troops, and ordered the king to open his warehouses.With such various measures, the soldiers are united and willing to die.If the army's morale is available, Luoyang will not be attacked by the enemy, as long as it lasts for a while...

There was a sudden sound of messy footsteps, the door of the main hall was pushed open suddenly, and a guard covered in blood shouted: "My lord! Run away..."

Before he could finish speaking, a long spear shot out from his chest.The soldier opened his mouth, blood gushed out of his mouth, and slowly fell to the ground.The door of the palace was completely pushed open, and after stepping over the man's body, several palace guards in armor and armed with knives and guns rushed in.

"Great Governor! Now the people in Luoyang are struggling to survive, and the rice and food are all cut off, all because of the chaos. I also ask the Great Governor to follow your subordinates to the front of His Majesty, to open the city and stop the war!"

Sima Ai opened his eyes angrily, looking at the familiar faces in front of him: "Who told you to come?!"

"Of course it's all the officials in the city!" One of the generals sneered, "The governor only cares about military exploits and doesn't care about the lives of all the officials. Do you still hope that everyone will return?"

"Hahaha..." Sima Ai laughed wildly, "If the king of Chengdu enters Luoyang, will all the officials survive? Have you forgotten Zhao Wanglun and Qi Wangjiong?! Putting these people as the masters is the end of all officials. That laughter was full of resentment and resentment, which made people feel chills. The palace guards didn't dare to hesitate, rushed forward, and held Sima Ai down: "Governor, please be at ease, you are the clan, as long as you Plead guilty to His Majesty, he will definitely forgive you..."

spare him?Of course His Majesty will spare him, but will Sima Ying, who lost his army and general, spare him?Will the person who colludes with the generals in the palace and is behind the scenes spare him?Why should the great rivers and mountains be destroyed by these treacherous hands?He struggled for a long time, but it was folded in the hands of the villain behind him, he was really unwilling!

The crown on the head rolled to the ground, and the dignified clothes were stained with blood, but none of the people in the palace cared.

That night, Sima Ai was imprisoned in Jinyong City, and held in this cold palace where countless Sima ethnic groups had been imprisoned.

The author has something to say: I must say that among the idiots of the Sima family, Sima Ai is really good.

There is a comment in "Book of Jin": "Changsha is extremely talented, loyal and outdated, throwing bows and tucking doors, falling into the air of a strong man; driving in Wei Que, full of martyrs' spirit. Although Fuyang Jiushutun, in the There is no robbing of the three loves. Caressing about the legacy, it will be impressive from the beginning to the end."