Chapter 5 The Change of the Wind and Clouds Section 29(1/2)
In the fourth year of Zhongping, Dahan (187 AD), the first month.
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The first day of the first lunar month.
The ancient Emperor Zhuanxu and Xia Dynasty both used the first month of the spring as the Yuan Dynasty, which used the Xia calendar of Jianyin, with the first day of the first month as the New Year's Day; the Shang Dynasty used the Yin calendar and the Yin calendar as the Jianchou, with the first day of the twelfth month as the New Year's Day; the Zhou Dynasty used the Zhou calendar, with the Jianchengzi, with the first day of the eleventh month as the New Year's Day; the Qin calendar used the Qin calendar, with the Jianhai calendar as the New Year's Day as the New Year's Day in the early Han Dynasty, and the Qin calendar was still used in the first year of Taichu in Emperor Wu of Han (104 AD) and the Taichu calendar created by Luo Xiahong, and the Xia calendar of Jianyin was reused, with the first day of the first month as the New Year's Day.
On this day, people have to worship ancestors, welcome the god of joy to visit each family to pay New Year's greetings, and set off firecrackers. (Firecrackers are the predecessors of firecrackers. They first threw bamboo into the fire. When the bamboo exploded in heat, they thought that this would drive away ghosts.)
The first day of the first lunar month will be counted. When the year is counted, the people will use the weather to enter the new year to make the year complete. The theory begins with Mr. Dongfang Shuo's "Suizhan" by this dynasty. It means that the eight days after the year are the day of the rooster, the two days are dogs, the three days are pigs, the four days are sheep, the five days are cattle, the six days are horses, the seven days are great men, and the eight days are valleys. If the day is clear, the things that are in charge will be bred, and the day that is in charge will not prosper. Later generations follow their habits and believe that the weather from the first to the tenth day of the lunar month is auspicious for the clear weather, without wind or snow.
The main activity of people on this day is to greet New Year. The New Year greeting style already existed in the Han Dynasty. If there were too many neighbors and friends in the village, it would be difficult to visit them everywhere. Most officials and wealthy families sent their servants to congratulate them with famous posts, which was called "thorn" at that time, so the current business card was also called "thorn". At that time, the upper class of society had the custom of congratulating each other with famous posts. The "thorn" and "thorn" mentioned here are the origins of the current New Year's greeting cards.
From the first day of the first lunar month to the fifth day of the first lunar month, most families do not receive women, which is called "no gate". Women must wait until after the sixth day of the first lunar month before going out for a visit.
The New Year’s greetings will be extended for a long time, and it will be around the 15th day of the first lunar month. Visiting people to pay New Year’s greetings in the evening is called “Worship Night Festival”, and after the tenth day of the lunar month, it is called “Worship Lantern Festival”.
On the day of the first lunar month, the ministers came to the palace to worship, and the king and his ministers were having fun. The emperor gave the soup made of Ji (or other grains) and mutton to the ministers to eat.
The emperor was happy today. In front of everyone, he praised Li Hong, the general of the Qiang Protecting Central Army. Fortunately, no one jumped out to denounce Li Hong because of the Chinese New Year. The 26th day of the twelfth lunar month was the day to impeach Li Hong, and everyone had already scolded him. Li Hong was led by Taiwei Zhang Wen and Zongzheng Liu Yu to wish him New Year's greetings to the bureaucrats he knew and did not know.
Zhang Wen smiled and asked Xu Xiang, "I heard that Mr. Xu Jing has come to Beijing?"
"Yes, yes." Xu Xiang nodded happily, "We brothers haven't met for seven or eight years. I'm very happy that he can come to see me."
Zhang Wen smiled and said, "It's not easy for you brothers to get back together. On the day of the happy day of my son and nephew, can Mr. Xu Shao come?"
"Let me stop talking, he will come after the New Year." Xu Xiang said happily, "When the general comes, Luoyang City will definitely be a sensation."
"That's, that's it." Zhang Wen smiled, "At that time, I'm afraid the threshold of Sikong Mansion will be stepped on."
Xu Xiang laughed happily. Yesterday, he went to Yuan Wei's mansion in person and took his younger brother Xu Jing home. Today, he deeply felt how correct the decision he made was. Now, when his colleagues saw him, they would ask Xu Jing and Xu Shao about his brothers, and congratulate him. The emperor asked about this matter specifically and said to him: "If Mr. Xu Shao comes, I must meet him."
If I hadn't taken Xu Jing home yesterday, my experience today would probably be very embarrassing. Xu Jing and Xu Shao were a symbol of the Xu family and the glory of the Xu family.
As soon as Zhang Wen left, Xu Xiang saw Zhang Rang.
Zhang Rang did not hide his unhappiness. He had no smile on his face and looked suspicious. He looked at Xu Xiang solemnly and asked slowly: "Public Aid, how can you use to invite Xu Jing back to the house? He and Mr. Xu Shao have never liked you. Why did this time it was abnormal and the brothers reconciled as before?"
Xu Xiang was intoxicated by the glory of the Xu family at this time, and did not notice Zhang Rang's face and tone of speaking. He replied enthusiastically: "We are all brothers, and there is no hatred that cannot be resolved. It's just that there is different political views. Putting aside each other's political views, brothers are still brothers."
Zhang Rang wanted to ask again, but Xu Xiang had been surrounded by several bureaucrats to ask questions.
Duan Gui slowly approached Zhang Rang and sneered: "Xu Xiang did not tell the truth. Who is Xu Jing and Xu Shao? Will they abandon their integrity for the sake of brotherhood? Xu Xiang will not be pulled over by that old guy Yuan Wei, right?"
Zhang Rang snorted coldly, feeling vaguely uneasy in his heart.
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Liu Yu wiped the sweat from his head, pointed to the buzzing palace, and smiled and said, "Socials, are you lively?"
Li Hong nodded and smiled, "Sir, I know why everyone is going to Luoyang to become an official."
Liu Yu looked at Li Hong with care and smiled bitterly: "Zengmin, you don't understand yet. In the future, when you understand the blood of the officialdom, you will not like to stay here."
Li Hong nodded repeatedly and bowed to receive the teachings.
"What are you discussing with Your Majesty in the Imperial Study every day these days?" Liu Yu asked casually.
"Your Majesty has great ambitions. He wants to expand his territory, build the achievements of Emperor Wu again, and become the best monarch of the Han Dynasty." Li Hong smiled. "Your Majesty has been discussing with me recently how to conquer the Xianbei people. He wants to incorporate the northern thousands of grasslands into the territory of the Han Dynasty."
Liu Yu was stunned at first, then glared at Li Hong fiercely, and scolded loudly: "A pair of idiots."
Li Hong was scolded for no reason. He looked at Liu Yu who was angry and smiled and said, "Sir, don't be angry, today is the New Year."
"What do you know? That's the theory of destruction of the country, do you know?" Liu Yu cursed, "Your Majesty doesn't understand, don't you understand either?"
Li Hong smiled and said, "Your Majesty doesn't need to be angry. During the Chinese New Year, you must always make Your Majesty happy, don't you?"
Liu Yu glanced at him suspiciously and asked, "Do you really understand?"
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On the second day of the first lunar month, heavy snow rose again.
In the morning, Yuan Feng and Yuan Wei from the Yuan family rushed to Sikong Mansion to pay New Year's greetings. Soon, Yang Biao and Yang Qin from the Yang family also came to congratulate Lord Sikong on the New Year.
In the afternoon, Shi Zhaoqi, Wang Yun and Kong Rong, the general's mansion, also came to Sikong's mansion to wish him New Year's greetings to Lord Sikong and the famous scholar Xu Jing.
At this time, a group of scholars from the Imperial Academy, Mu Xu Jing Daming, rushed to Sikong Mansion to visit Xu Jing. Xu Jing warmly received the guests and talked about the government affairs with the scholars. Then Zhao Qi and Kong Rong were invited by the scholars to join the discussion, and the discussion reached a climax. Then more scholars from the Imperial Academy came and Sikong Mansion was overcrowded for a while.
In the past 20 or 30 years, due to the extreme corruption of the government, foreign relatives and eunuchs took turns to control the country's power, causing the country's power to decline and the signs of destruction gradually emerged. Scholars and students were unable to rest assured to write and study, and gradually turned their energy to concerns and discussions about the country and the government. The original style of academic debate in this dynasty used to focus on debates and questions about the classics and principles. After the disaster of the Party and the corruption, scholars began to appreciate human ethics and criticize the government's affairs. The discussion not only lasted for days and nights, but also grew larger and larger, and even expanded to six or seven thousand. Being able to speak and eloquent was regarded as an attractive talent for famous scholars. Talking had become a trend in this dynasty.
Kong Rong was keen and very eloquent. When he saw about five or six hundred scholars from the capital gathered in Sikong Mansion, he was even more excited and talked very much. He was eloquent and talked endlessly, gradually leading the topic of discussion to the country of traitors and eunuchs. For a time, the emotions of the scholars were mobilized by him. Everyone looked excited, and the sound of whipping against the traitors and eunuchs resounded throughout Sikong Mansion.
Xu Xiang sat in the house with the two clans and chatted without realizing this situation. He did not realize that the matter was getting worse until his family came to report it.
The first commentary in the New Year's capital was hosted by Xu Jing, Kong Rong and Zhao Qi, and it lasted all night long and did not end until the next day.
After hearing the news, Zhao Zhong, Zhang Rang and other officials were furious. They sent someone to question Xu Xiang, asking him what he meant and what he wanted to do? Should he betrayed the alliance and rebel?
Cao Song of the Great Honglu and Fan Ling of the Shaofu were entrusted by Xu Xiang and rushed to Zhao Zhong and Zhang Rang's mansion overnight to explain the misunderstanding, but the officials were already feeling the crisis.
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Li Wei went to greet his teacher Zhu Jun on the first day of the first lunar month, but he did not see Xiao Lan.
Today, the friends of the Imperial Academy, Chen Hao, Tang Yun, Yin Si and Yu Peng came to Zhangyuetai.
"Big axe, how about it?" Li Wei welcomed the four of them into the house, without singing, and immediately asked Chen Hao, "Have you seen Xiaolan?"
Chen Hao was less than 20 years old, tall and agile, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, and a round face that was flushed red with cold. His name was Yiqian, and he was from Chengdu, Yizhou. His father was a clerk of Yizhou Prefecture, a small official of 400 stones. His father hoped that his son would have a future prospect, so a few years ago asked someone to send Chen Hao to the Imperial Academy in Luoyang, hoping that he would be able to honor his ancestors in the future. Chen Hao was very strong and good at practicing martial arts. He was recommended by others and studied under Zhu Jun, who was both civil and military.
Chen Hao spoke a strong Yizhou accent, and he nodded and said, "Zhongyuan, Xiaolan is about to get married, she said she doesn't want to see you."
Li Wei felt suffocated and his face looked painful.
"Zhongyuan, things have reached this point, so you can see it." Tang Yun, who is also from Yizhou, said, "Is there any room for recovery now?"
Tang Yunbo's courtesy name is Wenlong, and he is from Jiangzhou, Yizhou. He is of medium figure, thinner, and looks calm and resolute.
"What is Xiaolan's intention?" Li Wei looked at the four of them and asked, "Does she still want to marry me?"
"Brother Zhongyuan, of course Xiaolan wants to marry you." Yin Si said solemnly, "After you arrived in Xiliang, many adults came to mention marriage, but Xiaolan refused them with various excuses. The teacher couldn't resist her, so she had to follow her wishes. Think about it, Xiaolan is now sixteen this year. She is famous for her outstanding talent and beautiful appearance in Luoyang. If it weren't for waiting for you, she wouldn't marry? Do you know that the teacher's hair has turned much white for her lifelong event?"
Yin Sibiao's courtesy name is Zhongzhi, and is from Changsha, Jingzhou. He looks elegant and gentle.
"How can Brother Zhongyuan suspect Xiaolan?" Yu Peng said unhappily, "If the queen hadn't spoken this time and the general personally agreed, would the teacher agree?"
Yu Peng's name is Bohan, and he is a Xinye native of Jingzhou. He is strong and tall and gentle.
"I want to see her." Li Wei said, "I want to ask her myself."
"What do you want to do?" Chen asked curiously, "Even if Xiaolan is willing to marry you now, you can't marry you unless you go and grab it."
"Yes." Zhao Yun suddenly appeared at the door and said with a smile, "As long as Zhongyuan says, we will go and grab it immediately."
Chen Hao and three friends looked at Zhao Yun in shock, a tall, handsome and powerful young man.
"Who is he?" Chen Hao looked at Li Wei and asked, "This is Luoyang. Do you think it is outside the border county? If you want to, grab it."
When Li Wei saw Zhao Yun appear, he became even more powerful. He pointed at Zhao Yun and said calmly: "His name is Zhao Yun, and he killed June Yue Jinglei."
The expressions on the four people's faces suddenly changed from disdain to worship, with a look of admiration on their faces.
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Xiaolan is beautiful.
Xiaolan has fresh and fair skin and clear eyes. She stood quietly in the snow, standing gracefully, as if it were lotus from the water, and was born with beauty.
Li Wei looked at her silently, and a heart-wrenching pain suddenly penetrated his mind clearly and violently. Li Wei couldn't bear the piercing pain and opened his mouth and moaned.
Xiaolan opened her resentful and painful eyes widened, looking at him motionlessly, allowing tears to flow quietly.
"I promised you that I must marry you." Li Wei said slowly, "No one can take you away, I swear."
Li Wei glanced at her deeply, turned around and strode away.
"Zhongyuan..." Xiaolan looked at Li Wei's tall back with tears in her eyes, shook her head and shouted in grief, "Zhongyuan..."
Li Wei's heart was shocked and his heroism suddenly soared into the sky. Facing the snowflakes all over the sky, he raised his arms and yelled: "Who in the world can stop me?"
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The fifth day of the first lunar month.
The fifth day of the first lunar month is commonly known as Breaking the fifth day. Folk customs say that many taboos before Breaking the fifth day can be broken after this day. This day is mainly to send poverty, welcome the God of Wealth, and open the market for trade.
In the morning, Yuan Shao and Cao Cao made an appointment to get to He Yong's mansion to have a small gathering. The three of them had not met for more than a year. In the evening, Cao Cao was drunk and sent back by Yuan Shao.
Cao Song was very heartbroken and kept cursing around Cao Cao.
"Dad, can you curse a few less?" Cao Cao suddenly opened his eyes and begged, "Dad, I am in my thirties, not a child."
Cao Song looked at Cao Cao in surprise, then suddenly woke up, reached out and beat him, cursing: "You dare to lie to your father, I see you are looking for a beating..."
Cao Cao was so scared that he turned over and jumped up, begging for mercy.
"Ah Man, how many years have you been with Benchu? Why are you still playing this trick with him?" Cao Song asked in confusion, "What happened?"
Cao Cao pondered for a moment and said, "Dad, for the sake of security, I think you should say hello to the marquis in the palace and advise His Majesty to cancel this return home to worship his ancestors, otherwise..."
Cao Song shook his head and said, "Impossible, Your Majesty can't listen at all, he is determined." He looked up at Cao Cao and asked, "Why, what are you hearing?"
To be continued...