Chapter 173 Lantern Festival Night Weiyang
At dusk, the news finally came.
"Our team is arranged at Daozheng Ward."
Manager Wan looked a little excited, "Daozheng Ward is next to the palace. There is a three-story building there, right next to Xingqing Lake."
"Because we performed well during the day, we were specially arranged here. When the time comes, everyone Chang'an Prince Manor will climb up to watch, and each team will be given wine as a token of encouragement."
"Okay!"
All the men immediately cheered, their faces full of excitement.
Although they are also people in the world, the industries they are engaged in are, to put it bluntly, low-level. Normally speaking, they are as powerful as dirt, but they still feel happy to be praised by the royal family and nobles.
No matter what the outcome is, it can be used as a source of discussion in the future.
Li Yan was naturally not interested in Prince's encouragement, and asked in a deep voice, "Where are all the nearby teams from?"
Manager Wan naturally knew what he meant, and said with a solemn expression, "One is a team from Jinzhou, just Shengye Ward. They are both guests and have a background in big bank accounts. Prince will meet them first."
"The other one is at Changle Ward. It was formed by warlocks from Yulin. It has a decent reputation and I know most of them."
"Most of the Jinzhou team will take advantage of the speed of the drum car to leave first, build momentum along the way, use the French flag to gather incense, and get a spot first."
"The Yulin team will meet us at East Market. This is the first game. Either we can keep our distance and keep moving forward, or we have to fight hard."
"I want to preserve my strength. After all, carrying the sacred tower across Chang'an City takes a lot of physical strength. There is no need to fight from the beginning."
"I guess the other side thinks the same way. If they take the first step, we won't run into each other."
"But how to choose depends on the person..."
Finally, night falls and the city lights begin to light up.
They know that the real test is coming...
Chang'an Lantern Festival, there has always been a lot of noise.
In the prosperous Tang Dynasty in the past, people believed that all gods appeared in the middle of the night. Therefore, in addition to various rituals during the day, there were even more activities at night.
If the Tang Dynasty welcomed Goddess Zigu, Zi Hour would start. Also, Buddhism was popular at that time, and since the Han Dynasty, lanterns would be lit to worship Buddha on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.
Of course, there is another reason. There was a curfew system in Chang'an at that time, but it will be lifted on Lantern Festival. Even the palace will open its doors, and the emperor will go out to have fun with the people.
Singing girls and dancers were dressed up and swimming in the sea of lights under the moonlight.
Some poets described the grand scene at that time: the trees and silver flowers bloomed together, and the iron locks of the star bridge were opened. The dark dust followed the horses, and the bright moon chased the people. All the players were stalking plums, and the plumes fell on the singing path. Jin Wu could not help himself at night, and the jade leaks did not rush each other.
Today, Chang'an has long lost its former glory.
Heroes of the Five Mausoleums, the romance of the prosperous Tang Dynasty has long since turned into dust.
But the excitement of Lantern Festival has been passed down.
Every house is decorated with lanterns and colorful lanterns, and there is no end to the colorful lanterns on the street. Some businesses hire people to perform dragon and lion dances, and walk on bamboo horses, Land Boat Dance.
There was a huge flow of people, and the children carried fish lanterns, laughing and chasing each other. Even if they broke the colored lanterns next to them, the adults were not angry at all, but considered them lucky.
Of course, the highlight is the tour of the shrine.
Daozheng Ward approached the corner of the city wall, and Manager Wan's team had already been waiting here. The men carrying the sacred tower were gearing up, encouraging each other, and even beating their chests and roaring loudly to build up their momentum.
They are going to get serious tonight.
If they meet other teams and meet on a narrow road, they will collide directly and overturn the opponent's sacred tower.
This is not disrespectful to the gods, but rather a ritual to entertain the gods.
In front of the sacred tower, a Tai Xuan Orthodox Sect Daoist holds a Dharma flag, and with his other hand, he performs a ritual transformation, places the Dharma flag on the sacred tower, and burns incense to offer sacrifices.
This man has a round face and is a familiar face.
His name is Gu Chenzi, and he was the one who followed Luo MingZi, and Li Yan and the others in Xianyang Mass Burial Grounds, and sealed the person who rescued the mountain god.
After the other party finished the ritual, Li Yan immediately came forward to meet him.
"Jushi Li, I haven't seen you for a long time."
Gu Chenzi has a lively personality and is still smiling.
Li Yan also said politely, and then asked, "Has Daoist priest Luo MingZi come back?"
"No."
Gu Chenzi said in confusion, "Senior brother left in a hurry, and I don't know what the emergency is. My uncle also forbade us to ask more questions, but there is news from the capital that senior brother Luo MingZi may be transferred to the capital."
"Oh."
Li Yan thought thoughtfully, it seems that Zhao Changsheng's matter has attracted the attention of the imperial court and Tai Xuan Orthodox Sect.
Thinking of this, he stopped asking any more questions. Instead, he looked at the Shenlou Dharma Flag and asked, "Why the temporary change and such a big battle?"
Gu Chenzi hesitated for a moment, looked to the side, and whispered, "You are not an outsider, so please don't spread the word after I tell you."
"This winter has been snowy, and it stands to reason that there will be plenty of rain next year. However, many divination predictions all pointed to the coming of drought. Tai Bai Mountain Dipper Mother Palace noticed something was wrong, so Gao Gong did what he did to climb the mountain Qi Observation, and discovered that the disaster was coming from the Qinling Mountains."
"For natural disasters, rituals can be held to ward off disasters and pray for blessings, but man-made disasters can only be solved by oneself. Therefore, Enforcement Hall sent people to investigate and discovered Maitreya Sect's activities..."
"Is that Drought Demon?" Li Yan asked.
Gu Chenzi was surprised, "You know a lot."
"That thing is not simple, let's put it this way... Tang Era has records. It was later suppressed, but before its disastrous aura was eliminated, it was secretly taken out again. It was purely due to the viciousness of people's hearts."
"Tonight's ritual is to imitate the ancient merchant's 'Yu Dance' to entertain the gods, and use force to suppress it to make the thing stable. Then it will leave Chang'an and be transported to Huashan smoothly. The disaster can be solved."
"The entire army of Maitreya in Shaanxi Province has been basically wiped out, but there are inevitably people with ulterior motives. If you Living Underworld Messenger hears any news, please don't pretend to be deaf and dumb..."
Li Yan said seriously, "Don't worry, I will pay attention to the wind on the road."
Gu Chenzi cupped his hands, turned and left.
Perhaps it was Li Yan's several performances that made Luo MingZi and his brothers trust him more and no longer hide some things.
Watching the other party's leaving figure, Li Yan looked at the Shenlou again.
Daozheng Ward is adjacent to the palace, and the residents are all dignitaries in the city. The male owners may be a little reserved, but the women and servants in the palace will not miss this opportunity.
At this moment, the area around the shrine is densely packed with people, burning incense and praying, wishing for prosperity in the coming year. The green smoke of incense penetrates into the night sky.
Li Yan can smell that in one large and two small sacred buildings, the power of incense has gathered, and it has become a divine gang, and it is connected to the flag above.
Today's scientific rituals can also be regarded as a gamble.
Building a sacred tower costs a lot of money, but as long as the ritual is successfully completed, it is equivalent to a divine refining and consecration, and it truly becomes a magical weapon.
The greatest function of this kind of magic weapon is to settle down the house.
The gods have been gathered together, and they are enshrined in the ancestral temple of the family home. They offer incense in the morning and evening, and most of the evil spirits do not dare to approach.
Chang'an City, some people are willing to buy it at a high price.
For example, right now, there are already several old men who look like housekeepers, surrounding Manager Wan and asking questions.
But Manager Wan shook his head, obviously not planning to sell.
At this moment, a man suddenly raised his head and said, "Look, Prince is out!"
After hearing this, many people raised their heads and looked around.
On the other side of the street is the palace. A few dozen meters away behind the wall, there is a three-story library. At this moment, the doors and windows are wide open, the lights are bright, and many people can be vaguely seen leaning on the railings to look out.
Li Yan has practiced martial arts all year round and has extraordinary eyesight. He can see that Prince and Young Lord both look ordinary and a little fat.
The only thing that caught his attention was Prince, a Daoist dressed in white next to him. He had handsome features, a long black beard hanging down his chest, and was quite dignified.
Sha LiFei and Luo Faqing are familiar with each other, and they have inquired about each other. Qiao Sanhu is not the cousin of Yue Fachong, but the only son of their master.
Yue Fachong protected his teacher to repay his kindness.
Although it is a virtue to a certain extent, lax discipline is no different from letting a tiger hurt someone.
Therefore, Li Yan has no favorable impressions of Yue Fachong...
Above the Wangfu Library, the scenery is even better.
"Hahaha..."
Looking at the lights all over the city, King of Chang'an Xiao Qingyuan was in a very good mood. He was helped by the eunuch to sit down and said with some nostalgia, "When the Great Propaganda was first established, nearly half of Chang'an was burned down by Golden Horde Wolf Country, leaving it in a state of ruin. It took decades for it to recover."
"Ten years ago, Maitreya rebelled and there was another fire. Now it seems that it has obviously recovered well."
People around him started to flatter him one after another.
"Prince is generous."
"Chang'an is really lucky for the people under the rule of Prince."
Although it is a compliment, many people also mean it sincerely.
Great Xuan Dynasty The vassal king was named after the city where he was located from the beginning, and there were rules that could not be exceeded.
For example, all expenses of the King of Chang'an palace are based on local taxes, which are considered by the Court of the Imperial Clan and then allocated downwards.
In other words, the local wealth and poverty are directly linked to the royal palace. If the people are deprived of their livelihood, the title will also be deprived.
Today's King of Chang'an is the younger brother of the current emperor. He has never disturbed the people since he came to the place, and his reputation in Shaanzhou is very good.
But now that I am old and frail, I am no longer able to do many things.
Hearing everyone's flattery, King of Chang'an didn't care. He shook his head and said, "I know that my abilities are average and I can stay safe. I just don't cause trouble for His Majesty."
"I was chatting with Zen Master Zhikong that day, and I realized that no movement is worse than silence. From now on, I will rest in peace and recuperate, and I will leave the affairs of the house to Young Lord."
Everyone looked at each other and hurriedly tried to persuade him.
Of course, King of Chang'an just shook his head slightly and was too lazy to say anything more.
Yue Fachong's eyes darkened, feeling helpless.
He knew that Prince's words completely gave up on forming a fleet, and he wanted to hand over the rights to Young Lord and train them in advance.
Perhaps, he also felt that his time was running out.
"Father..."
Young Lord Xiao Hongqi's lips were trembling, there were tears in his eyes, and he was speechless.
"Lantern Festival, why are you crying? It's bad luck..."
King of Chang'an laughed and cursed, and then said, "Young Lord, this year Drum King Assembly, heroes from all over the country will gather together, and I am exhausted. From now on, it is up to you to give them wine to make them prosperous."
"My child obeys my command."
Young Lord Xiao Hongqi took a deep breath, took the drumsticks presented by the eunuchs, waved his arms, and struck the dragon-patterned drum next to him.
Boom, boom, boom!
Accompanied by the sound of drums, Li KongQing immediately stepped forward and shouted, "Young Lord will give you wine to support each drum team!"
Chang'an was so noisy at the moment that his voice couldn't be heard very far. Even Li Yan and others outside the opposite courtyard couldn't hear clearly.
Of course, the palace had other preparations.
As he shouted, the palace guards downstairs immediately shouted, "Young Lord give me wine to support the drum troupes!"
The sound soon spread outside the palace.
There were knights waiting there. After hearing this, they immediately rode out and rushed to every corner of Chang'an City, shouting at the same time, "Young Lord gives you wine to support each drum team!"
When the people heard this, they were just curious about why there was a change of people this year.
But when people in the city heard about it, they immediately knew that the real master of the Chang'an Prince Manor from now on would be Young Lord Xiao Hongqi.
Some people don't care, while others lament.
The Shaanzhou Chamber of Commerce, which they had been planning for a long time, has officially declared bankruptcy. According to Young Lord's nature, Chang'an Prince Manor will definitely not be allowed to participate in going overseas.
All they can do is hug the Li family tightly.
Although the teams participating in Youshen are distributed in various directions in Chang'an City, they are all surrounded by manpower arranged by the palace.
Next to them, there are large black wine jars wrapped in red cloth.
This is the private collection of fine wines from the royal palace. They are all Xifeng Old Wine from the last year. You can't drink them at ordinary inns outside.
Upon hearing the order, the palace servants took action one after another and opened the mud seal. One person picked up the ladle for ladling the wine, and the other picked up the Pottery Bowl stacked high next to it.
The men in the drum corps have already lined up.
Although the wine jar is large, there are hundreds of people in each drum troupe. After each person gets a bowl, the jar becomes empty.
"Everyone, win the battle!"
The leader of the drum troupe roared loudly, drank all the wine in the bowl, and then smashed it to the ground.
"Wan Sheng!"
The others acted in a decent manner, all finished, and then broke the bowl into pieces.
This is an ancient military salute, which means that it is better to have broken jade than complete tiles.
After drinking Zhuangxing wine, everyone became more energetic.
Boom, boom, boom!
At this moment, Zi Hour is approaching, and with the sound of three cannons, the highlight of Drum King Assembly, the night Wandering Gods Society, officially begins.
"Brothers, get up!"
"Hey ho!"
Guo LuQuan roared, and the men immediately lifted the sacred tower.
They shouted trumpets, accompanied by drums and music, and started to set off.
Equally excited were the people around them. The old ones smiled and waved, while the young ones kept cheering. They all held incense and followed closely behind.
Qin Han Drum Rhythms is already majestic, and walking in the lantern market at night, with everyone following him, makes them feel like they are marching with the army, and they are very excited.
In ancient times, there were shamans and beasts, and people walked with torches at night to drive away plagues and evil spirits.
Although witchcraft has declined, its shadow can still be seen in many rituals and folk customs.
Gradually, more and more people followed behind.
At this moment, looking from the sky above Chang'an City, you can see twenty-four fire dragons, starting from all directions and converging towards Vermilion Bird Avenue.
"Ouch~~"
The people danced with incense and the ghosts cried and the wolves howled.
But no one laughed at this time, everyone was immersed in the atmosphere.
Guo LuQuan The men carrying the sacred tower were already tired during the day, but now they seemed to have forgotten their fatigue. Their eyes were wide-eyed and their faces were red, and they moved forward shouting slogans.
The huge sacred tower also rises and falls.
Qin Han Drum and Music Troupe also played drums to cheer up, adding to the momentum.
As for Li Yan, feel free to slap it.
It's not that he is lazy, but that he has to reserve some energy to deal with unexpected events.
Rumble!
As soon as Daozheng Ward came out, there was a roar in front of it.
But it was the Jinzhou team, with their chariots pulling huge drums and their momentum like a rainbow, rushing forward with a large number of people behind them, and the incense was like a dragon.
Just as Manager Wan expected, they chose to start.
Immediately, some good-hearted young people left and ran after the Jinzhou drum car.
Li Yan and others didn't care and continued to move forward. Finally, they met Yulin's team near East Market...