Twilight Boundary

The longer Huma has been in this world, the more respect she has for this world in her heart.

It's not about respecting a certain person, but knowing that being able to live in this evil world means that the human group itself deserves respect.

Because of this, he knew how much this village valued Lao Huotangzi's sacrifices.

In his previous life, Hu Ma also knew about these things, but at that time, he didn't really believe in these things. Sometimes he saw elderly people always taking such trouble to prepare and always paying so much attention to these frivolous things. , will also find it difficult to understand.

They even thought that they were wasting energy and money on these illusory things, but now, they gradually understand.

Showing respect for unknown things is itself an attitude towards life.

In this world, these rules and rituals are even more mysterious and rigorous.

In particular, if my mother-in-law is so capable, why must she stay in Laohuotangzi?

Did she really just want to be protected by Lao Huotangzi and have a handful of Tang Hui to protect herself?

not necessarily.

Having gained experience outside and learned the skills of a night watcher, Hu Ma already knows that there are many ways to survive in this world, such as the towns and villages around Zhuangzi. They do not have old fire ponds, but they rely on worshiping the red light. My dear, you can also avoid evil spirits.

Laohuotangzi seems to be an ancient and traditional way to ward off evil spirits and worship ancestors in this world...

The more she learned her skills, the more Hu Ma discovered that her mother-in-law was unfathomable.

And she maintained deep respect for every decision she made, so Hu Ma also took the matter of offering sacrifices to the fire pond very seriously.

Fortunately, my second master taught me and helped me prepare.

The fire pit sacrifice is a major event in the village, and every household must be well prepared. Of course, the second master also has his own things to be busy with.

However, the second master is from the Zhou family, and the leader of the Zhou family who leads the sacrifice to the fire pond is the clan leader, so the second master has a chance to teach Hu Ma one by one what to prepare, when to go to the old fire pond, and what to wear when the time comes. , and what should I say.

Hu Ma wrote down one by one and prepared everything that the second master mentioned.

In a few days, it was the New Year's Eve, and people drinking and playing cards in the village suddenly disappeared, with a solemn and serious expression on their faces.

Just after noon, the people in the village all brought their bags, carried their own dolls, and carried their elderly people, silently walking towards the old fire pond in the middle of the village. Looking from a distance, there were so many people, and there was something mysterious about it. And the breath of silence.

The old patriarch stood next to the old fire pond, lowering his voice and ordering the people in the village to kneel down according to the rules of the past and not to fight.

In order to be closer to their ancestors, there were many fights over space.

"Little Huma, come forward."

Seeing that the pond was full of people kneeling on their knees, the old patriarch shouted in a low voice when he saw Hu Ma coming over with a bundle on his back.

So Hu Ma squeezed through the crowd, and an old man kneeling in front of him signaled his family members to step back, leaving room for Hu Ma.

Hu Ma nodded gratefully to the other party, saying nothing.

It was the Cui family who gave up their place.

The Cui family was originally one of the four surnames in the village, and could be regarded as the second largest family. However, Mrs. Cui's family was expelled for causing harm to others, and the entire Cui family could not hold their heads high.

This time the dolls from the Red Lantern Festival came back, and the flowing water mat was so lively that no one from the Cui family had the nerve to come.

Afterwards, everyone asked how to send their own dolls in, but they couldn't ask.

But when it comes to worshiping ancestors this time, as usual, people have to kneel in front. The only difference is that this position used to belong to the Cui family’s grandma and her four strong and arrogant sons. This year, another elder from the Cui family will take the place. .

But this is according to the rules of previous years, but this year there are differences. First, a Hu Bai family's mother-in-law has entered the pond, and secondly, a young steward has appeared in the Hu family.

It's hard to change the position, and if you change it, you'll get into a fight.

But under special circumstances, it should be changed to let Hu Ma come to the front, not only to respect his Hu Ma, but mainly to respect his mother-in-law and the Hu family.

Of course, Hu Ma's identity as the manager played a big role.

Of course, the Cui family could refuse to give in, and it would not be an exaggeration to take the opportunity to cause trouble, but this senior Cui family member simply gave in.

Even the old patriarch did this intentionally when he asked Hu Ma to come over.

Just take this opportunity to ease the relationship with the Cui family and resolve their grievances.

Even though the person named Cui just moved one position back, this kind of thing is already a big deal in the eyes of the people in the village.

No matter how powerful Hu Ma is in the future, it will be hard for him to cause trouble for the Cui family again.

The Cui family was finally able to take this opportunity to clear up their relationship with the Cui family's grandmother and avoid being implicated by them.

…

…

"Please open your eyes, ancestors..."

Right in front, closest to the old fire pond, the old patriarch gave a long shout. The people in the village who were already kneeling all over the hillside, mainly the heads of the family, took off their baggage and put it on the ground. Incense, bowls, paper threads, etc. were produced.

They all lit the three sticks of incense in their hands, and then raised them high in the direction of the old fire pond. The aroma filled the hillside.

The old patriarch waited for a while, and when he saw that everyone was lighting up, he raised the incense in his hand and shouted:

"I pay homage to my ancestors to protect my peace and keep evil spirits away from me."

"Secondly, we pay homage to our ancestors to protect their houses and fields, and to build a stronghold with high fences to keep out evil spirits."

"Three bows to the ancestors will bring blessings, and the harvest will be abundant and the jar will be filled with money."

"Four thanks to our ancestors, they will be immortals soon, and our children and grandchildren will be safe, and our ancestors will feel at ease..."

"..."

Every time the old patriarch shouted, he held three sticks of incense and bowed to Lao Huotangzi.

Behind him, people all over the hillside also followed the old patriarch and bowed down. Smoke curled up all over the mountains and fields. The wind did not blow, and the sounds of animals could not be heard. Even the children in the crowd seemed to be attracted by the thick and solemn atmosphere. Infection, no crying at all.

There are three gods and four ghosts. Even if you are worshiping the ancestors in Laohuotangzi, you have to bow four times.

Hu Ma followed the surrounding elders and the old patriarch in front of them one by one, thinking silently in her heart.

"Did the old patriarch think about what he was praying for out of his own sincerity, or was it something passed down from generation to generation?"

"Everything in this ancient rule is straightforward and simple, but it seems to contain some kind of thoughts and blessings..."

"..."

After worshiping Lao Huotangzi, it was time to offer sacrifices.

Following the old patriarch's order, the crowd all took the fish, meat, rice, and grain they had prepared first, walked towards the old fire pond, put down the offerings they had prepared, and then returned to the crowd. .

All of a sudden, the old fire pond was surrounded by bowls and plates full of food that each family had saved up because they were reluctant to eat.

"My ancestors, please rest assured that there will be no disasters in our Dayang Village this year, and our children and grandchildren will be safe..."

After placing the sacrifices, the old patriarch straightened his back again and told Lao Huotangzi. The fragrance was floating around him, and he could only be heard. He seemed to be talking about some important events in the village, and even Hu Ma and others He also talked about people becoming successful.

"Burning paper..."

The old patriarch didn't kowtow again until he finished speaking, and shouted loudly behind him.

For a moment, the silent and solemn crowd became busy again. People who had just made offerings rushed over and went back to get the sacrifices they had prepared.

The ancestors only enjoyed the sacrifices, but did not actually eat them. Each family had to take them back.

It's just that the rules in Dayang Village have their own characteristics. When they take them back, they won't distinguish between what they see and what they take.

But the people in the village don't mind either. You take what's mine and I take what's yours. They were all rewarded by our ancestors.

The pig head prepared by me was taken away by others, and I only took back three steamed buns from others, so I didn't mind.

On the contrary, I think this is a good thing.

At the same time, some people took the sacrifices, and some parents of various families began to burn paper. At this time, paper scraps were flying everywhere, the fire was spreading, and some people's eyes were red from the smoke.

The clan leader had already arranged for people to stand around to prevent the flying sparks from attracting the firewood pile, but those people seemed to be standing there in vain, because the paper burned this year seemed to be particularly effective.

A gust of wind swirled around and swept back all the flying sparks.

It's like the ancestors in the old fire pond were so petty that their children and grandchildren burned them, and they didn't want to be robbed by others.

"Okay, it's time to invite our ancestors to go home for the New Year!"

After burning the paper, the atmosphere became more relaxed. The old patriarch also turned around and smiled at the villagers in the village.

The villagers still didn't say much. They just carefully picked up the incense burning in front of them and muttered words such as "Dad, Aunt", "Grandpa, Grandma", "Big Brother, Little Brother". , ask them to follow the incense and go home to celebrate the New Year.

While thinking, he scattered around the old fire pond. From a distance, he could only see little incense flying to each house beside the old fire pond.

On this day, every household in the village put delicious food on the table and wiped the Eight Immortals table and the Grand Master's chair.

However, no one would sit on the Grand Master's table, and the tables were all empty.

Food and wine were served, but no living person was served.

Hu Ma also followed the rules, holding three sticks of incense that had not yet been burned, and invited his mother-in-law to come back to celebrate the New Year. Because he knew that her mother-in-law's situation was different, he didn't know whether he could really invite her to come.

But this rule was not wrong at all. In the small house of his own house, he set up wine, food, a chair for the grand master, and inserted the three sticks of incense into the incense bowl on the table.

He glanced outside and saw that it was already dark.

Everyone is staying at their own home, even the second master, it is impossible for him to come to his home today. There are only him, and Xiao Hongtang here.

Looking at the empty Taishi chair and the burning incense, he wondered if his mother-in-law was back.

But just as he was carrying a portion of dumplings and preparing to put them into the pot, he suddenly saw Xiao Hongtang riding on the threshold, as if waiting for something, and suddenly looked out the door.

A naive smile appeared on his face, and he shouted to Hu Ma crisply:

"Mother-in-law is back for dinner..."

During the new book period, please vote!