Today we have the custom of staying up late on New Year's Eve, but the origin of this custom is to worship ancestors. The time for worshiping ancestors is usually midnight, which is exactly four o'clock in the middle of the night. This time happens to be the time when morning and night end, and the long night is gone.
, the early morning is approaching, and it is also the time when the new year is about to begin.
At Yin Shizheng, Guo Song's family took a shower and changed clothes, and came to the Guo Ancestral Hall in the north. Although it is called an ancestral hall, it is not only Guo Song's father Guo Huaishan and grandfather Guo Liang who are worshiped there, but also other relatives.
For example, there are the spiritual tablets of Guo Song’s mother Yang, the ancestor of the clan, Guo Ziyi, Xue Tao’s grandfather, Du Lingqiu’s spiritual tablet, and even the spiritual tablet of the eldest sister Guo Ping’s husband.
His decision won the support of his whole family. It not only paid tribute to his ancestors, but also expressed his longing for his family.
The lights in the ancestral hall were brightly lit, and the altar table was filled with three animals, big and small. People dressed in black robes, led by Guo Song, knelt down to worship, offered sacrifices, and came forward one by one to offer incense.
Pushing the time forward slightly for half an hour, the lights in Guo's house in Datongfang were brightly lit, and hundreds of people from the Guo clan came from all over Guanlong.
The Guo family is also divided into Chang'an direct family, Huazhou family, Qizhou family and Lingzhou family. Among them, the largest family is Huazhou family, which is Guo Ziyi's birthplace. The northernmost family is Lingzhou family. Their existence is closely related to Guo Ziyi's.
It is related to his long-term service in Shuofang.
This time, more than fifty people came to Lingzhou House, led by the patriarch Guo Zhi. Guo Zhi has always been resentful of his father's short-sightedness. Guo Zhi's father, Guo Yangchun, removed Guo Song from the family in order to take care of Guo Shichang's emotions.
As for the irreparable mistakes caused, his father Guo Yangchun also passed away in regret seven years ago, and Guo Shichang and his son also died of illness one after another.
After the death, Guo Zhi had no choice but to accept the reality and swallow the bitter fruit his father had brought to the family.
Unexpectedly, tonight the head of the family, Guo Shu, told him that the Crown Prince of Jin would come to attend the sacrifice tonight, which made him overjoyed. Could it be that His Highness, Prince of Jin, changed his mind and rejoined the Guo family?
Guo Zhi felt as if his heart had been scratched by a cat. He finally saw Guo Shu and immediately went to meet him.
"Master, please take a moment to speak."
There were many people in the lobby, and everyone gathered together in twos and threes to talk. Guo Zhi pulled the head of the family, Guo Shu, aside.
Guo Shu chuckled and said: "Brother Xian wants to inquire about the crown prince's affairs, right?"
Since this morning, everyone has been asking Guo Shu for news about the crown prince, and his head is getting big.
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"Exactly. Is the Crown Prince here?"
Guo Shu glanced at him warily and said calmly: "The Crown Prince has arrived, but he won't see anyone else for the time being."
Guo Zhi sighed and said: "I just want to apologize to his father in person. The stupid things we did back then made my father die with regrets. It has been a thorn in my heart for so many years."
Guo Shu nodded, "I understand your feelings. This is not only a regret in your heart, but also a regret for the entire Guo family. But you cannot rush this kind of thing. Take your time. If you are too hasty, haste will make waste. The future is long.
Well!"
"Okay! Can I have a few words with him and talk about the situation in Lingzhou? Maybe His Highness Prince Jin is very concerned about it. I promise not to mention the apology."
Guo Shu was helplessly pestered by him, so he had no choice but to agree, "Then just say a few words less and don't get too excited, otherwise you will scare the prince and he will not come next year."
"No! No! I'll just say a few words, otherwise I won't be able to explain it to my people when I go back."
"You come with me!"
Guo Shu took Guo Zhi to the inner house and came to a study. There were four guards standing at the door. Guo Shu said to one of the guards: "Please tell me about the prince. This is the head of the Guo clan in Lingzhou. I want to see him."
As soon as I meet the Crown Prince."
The guard nodded and went in to report. After a while, the guard came out and said, "Please, you two!"
Guo Shu brought Guo Zhi into the room. In the room, Guo Jincheng was sitting at the table reading a book. Guo Shu didn't feel anything unusual, but Guo Zhi was very skilled in martial arts. He immediately felt a murderous aura in the room. This murderous aura turned out to be the murderous aura of the two people behind the prince.
Famous female guards came. They wore long swords at their waists, their faces were pink and frosty, and their eyes were as sharp as knives.
Guo Shu had just met Guo Jincheng, so he didn't need to give a big salute. When he saw Guo Zhi wanting to kneel down, he quickly supported him. To give a big salute would embarrass the prince.
"His Royal Highness, let me introduce you. This is the patriarch of the Guo family in Lingzhou. His name is Guo Zhi. The King of Jin knows him."
Guo Zhi's face turned red and he bowed and said, "See you, Your Highness!"
"Please sit down, both of you!"
The maid moved two chairs for them, and the two sat down. Guo Jincheng smiled and said: "My father has always been very concerned about the situation in Lingzhou. He often said that there are many old friends in Lingzhou that he misses very much. He also hopes that Guo Jincheng of Lingzhou
If the family can value education, its children will study hard and pass the imperial examination, which will bring honor to the family."
Guo Zhi said quickly: "In the past, the Guo family valued martial arts, but now they attach great importance to both civil and military skills. They have set up three schools to educate their children. In addition, please tell His Highness the King of Jin that we released all the more than 300 vassal slaves of the Guo family last year.
For the common people, the government gave them land."
"Thank you to the patriarch for his understanding of justice. My father also asked about a man named Shi Tong. Does the patriarch know him?"
"Of course I know him. He is now prosperous. He owns Xishi Restaurant, the largest restaurant in Lingwu County. He also has a winery that specializes in brewing high-quality wine and owns thousands of acres of vineyards."
After a pause, Guo Zhi smiled again and said, "What needs to be explained is that this Shi Tong is my son-in-law."
"I see!"
Guo Jincheng pondered for a moment and said: "Before the clan ceremony, I have a few words to say to the family head!"
After hearing this, Guo Zhi quickly stood up and said goodbye.
Guo Jincheng asked again: "Is anyone from the Guo family serving as an official in Lingzhou?"
Guo Shu bowed slightly and said, "Guo Zhi's second son Guo Xi is currently serving as the chief registrar in Huaiyuan County, Lingzhou, and has a good reputation."
Guo Jincheng nodded, "My father also sent people to investigate the Guo family in Lingzhou. He was afraid that the Guo family in Lingzhou would dominate Lingzhou and bring disaster to one party. But now it seems that the reputation is indeed good. This makes my father very satisfied. I plan to report it to
My father recommended Guo Xi to be the magistrate of Lingwu County, does the head of the family think it is feasible?"
Guo Shu thought for a while and said: "It's not a big problem to be promoted from chief registrar to county magistrate. Everyone can understand it. I think it's okay!"
Guo Jincheng added: "In addition, please be prepared for the head of the family. There may be changes in the political affairs hall after the New Year. Cao Xiangguo will make every effort to prevent the epidemic. He may serve as the observation envoy of Henan Province, and then the head of the family will take over the post of privy council envoy."
This news really came suddenly, Guo Shu was stunned for a long time, and he suddenly realized that King Jin was paving the way for the Guo family with practical actions.
He nodded slowly, "Please tell your father that I will accept the appointment and thank him for his trust!"
At this time, there was a sound of the cloud board knocking outside, and Guo Shu stood up and said: "The time has come, Your Majesty, let's invite him!"
.........
Although every household began to offer sacrifices, for some internal guards, this year's New Year's Eve was not so comfortable. Zhou Min led a thousand internal guards north to Fangzhou overnight.
According to the discussion between Zhou Min and Wang Yue, on the one hand, they cannot alert the enemy, and on the other hand, they cannot be too far apart. If Yuan Wei appears directly in the manor, they will not be able to arrest him in time.
They had been fighting wits and courage with Wei Tang Hui and Yuan Wei for nearly a year, and they were deeply aware of Yuan Wei's cunning. The opponent's actions did not follow common sense, and there was no trace at all like an antelope hanging its horns.
And this time is their best opportunity. If they can seize this opportunity, they will most likely seize Yuan Wei and completely destroy this sting on the back.
To this end, the elite internal guards were sent out as much as possible, including Lei Zhenzi and Ying Caihe, and the two masters were also sent out.
War horses galloped in the snow, surrounded by endless white snow. Only the official road was crushed into black mud by the passing vehicles and pedestrians. A thousand cavalry rushed out of Chang'an City in the biting cold wind and galloped towards the east.
And go.
........
Yunyang County, Jingzhao Prefecture, is a large county to the north of Chang'an. In the northwest of the county, there is a large house covering an area of about five acres, called the Northwest Inn. In addition to a two-story long building in the front, there are several independent courtyards in the back of the inn.
, the entire inn is managed by a shopkeeper and six waiters. Since there are several large shops selling leather goods near the inn, business is very good and they are basically full.
On the morning of the first day of the first lunar month, a horse-riding customer dismounted in front of the store. A waiter came up to him and said with a smile: "Master Jia is back."
The man threw the horse's reins to the man, rubbed his hands and complained: "I'm freezing to death after running all night. Prepare some food and hot soup for me. I'll come back to eat."
"Everything is ready. Mr. Jia will come over at any time."
The man had something to report, so he didn't bother to eat. He hurried to the backyard and walked into a private courtyard.
There was an old man in his sixties in the yard, standing in front of the pool with his hands clasped behind his back, meditating silently.
"Boss, it's cold outside, please go inside and warm yourself by the fire! I'm reporting to you in this humble position."
"Have you met the head of the Doulu family?" the old man asked calmly.
"Both Doulu Baowu and the head of the Doulu family saw it. Their head said that the property can be taken away, but only with the tokens from back then."
"I know, there must be a token, but have you told them that we need to inspect the goods?"
"I have spoken in my humble position, and the head of the Doulu family has agreed. Doulu Baowu will accompany us to inspect the goods at that time. According to the requirements of the chief manager, the agreed time for the inspection is the fifth day of the first lunar month."
The old man looked up at the sky and said to himself: "There are still four days left, it's time for us to set off."