The Earth God Shrine

Madam Zhang fainted and was carried home. She regained consciousness later but remained silent, not uttering a word. Steward Zhang was at a loss. In worldly matters, with his many years of accumulated wisdom, he could usually find a solution if he put his mind to it. But the dissipation of the Ancestral Spirit was a once-in-a-century event. Though he was wise from age, he was completely stumped. He could only send someone to the county to report the news and then notify the clan.

Madam Zhang said nothing, letting Steward Zhang handle the household affairs. Steward Zhang was startled, thinking to himself that his lady, having suffered so many blows, might be close to breaking.

He could only instruct the servants to prepare ginseng soup for her. Beyond that, there was nothing else to be done; dealing with Zhang Huaizheng's funeral matters was the priority.

Steward Zhang had managed the Zhang Mansion for many years. Though flustered at the moment, he still managed to sort out the affairs and assign tasks clearly. Soon, the entire Zhang Family had changed into mourning attire, white lanterns were hung, a mourning hall was set up, and people were dispatched to announce the death.

The Zhang clan resided together in Qingxi Township, so the news spread quickly. These relatives, who usually trembled before Zhang Huaizheng, secretly breathed a sigh of relief. However, they couldn't show it at the moment. Putting on sorrowful faces and changing into mourning clothes, they came to pay their respects.

The mourning hall was set up in the front hall. The rear hall had a room cleared out. Those dressed more lavishly were invited here after paying their respects. These were influential people in the township, invited together to re-divide the interests. While they could have been excluded, they would have certainly gathered privately and divided things up anyway, losing the initiative. It was better to invite them all and make things clear.

Madam Zhang sat in the main seat, with Steward Zhang standing beside her. He looked at the relatives seated on both sides and sighed inwardly, knowing they were all like hungry wolves. His lady was still silent. Just as he was about to speak, she spoke first.

Madam Zhang's voice was hoarse as she said, "My husband has unfortunately passed away early. Thank you all, uncles and elder uncles, for coming to pay your respects. Alas! The household is in disarray, and as a woman, I truly have no ideas. However, I can still manage for now. But the positions of Clan Leader and Township Chief are beyond my capabilities. I ask that you all select a virtuous and respected person to take on this heavy responsibility!"

As she spoke, she produced two items: a Family Genealogy and a Waist Token. The Family Genealogy was managed by the Clan Leader, and the Waist Token was the symbol of the Township Chief. The Township Chief was a Clerk-level official. According to regulations, they did not have official seals but only the Waist Token as proof. With this, they were essentially halfway there. The rest was to go to the county, spend some money, and register it. Since they were all of the Zhang clan, the county would surely approve.

Madam Zhang presenting these two items was, in a way, meant to incite conflict among others, allowing her to benefit as a third party. Even Steward Zhang secretly praised her. Unfortunately, although the people below had eager eyes, no one spoke a word. Steward Zhang observed carefully and finally noticed them watching the expressions of two individuals. His heart sank. These people were quick to act; had they already met privately? At this moment, someone softly cleared his throat, and the hall fell silent. Steward Zhang looked and saw it was one of those two, Zhang Qing, the second most influential person in the township. Zhang Qing stroked his three-strand beard and said in a clear voice, "The position of Clan Leader must be held by someone virtuous and respected. I recommend one person: Old Master Zhang Jingyun. He has always been just and stern, and I have always admired him. He will surely be competent as Clan Leader and lead our Zhang Family to greater heights!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jingyun shook his head and chuckled, "Young Qing, in terms of seniority, I am indeed qualified to be Clan Leader. But in terms of talent, who is stronger than you? Your household is flourishing, which makes me envious!" Zhang Jingyun's seniority was very high, even a generation above Zhang Huaizheng. However, he often relied on his age and was not favored by Zhang Huaizheng.

Madam Zhang watched these two put on a show of three refusals and three acceptances in front of everyone, her teeth almost biting her lip until it bled. At this moment, Zhang Qing said, "...Uncle, there's no need to decline further. This is the will of the people. Don't you agree?"

The other relatives chimed in, praising Zhang Jingyun for being virtuous and respected, the choice of the people. Zhang Jingyun's face, full of wrinkles, broke into a smile like a chrysanthemum. Only then did he agree, taking the Family Genealogy from Madam Zhang, feeling a great sense of satisfaction.

After Zhang Jingyun put away the Family Genealogy, he spoke again, "I see young Qing as an astute person. The position of Township Chief suits him best!"

As soon as this was said, Madam Zhang wanted to retort. However, the people present, as if by agreement, again strongly supported Zhang Qing, leaving Madam Zhang no chance to even state her conditions before the matter was settled.

When Zhang Qing snatched the Waist Token from Madam Zhang's hand, Madam Zhang's face had lost all its color. Suppressing her grief and indignation, Madam Zhang said with a chilling tone, "The matters have been discussed. My household has other affairs, so we will not be keeping you all!" She no longer even addressed them as uncles and elder uncles. In the past, she had heard tales of the cruelty of great clan struggles, dismissing them as mere stories. She never expected to experience it herself today.

Zhang Jingyun smiled and said, "There is one last matter. That boy Huaizheng is filial! He told me a few days ago that the clan school in the township has long been dilapidated and needs major repairs. He was also afraid that the ancestral offerings would be insufficient, so he prepared to donate two hundred mu of land to the clan for the education of the young children and the support of the ancestors."

Zhang Qing chimed in, "He told me this himself, and even signed the document!" He produced a document. Madam Zhang took it with trembling hands. She saw the black and white text clearly stating the intention to donate two hundred mu of land to the clan. Looking at the ink, although it was her husband's handwriting, it was very stiff. She immediately discovered the flaw and cried out, "This... this is something you forged! Well done... My husband has just passed, and you come to bully us, a widow and orphans..."

Before she could finish, the document was snatched away by Zhang Jingyun, who sneered, "The black and white text is right here. It's not being given to an outsider, but to the clan as filial piety. Is there any falsehood? Huaizheng's wife, could it be that you are overcome with grief and have lost your senses!" Madam Zhang opened her mouth, wanting to say something more, but spat out a mouthful of blood and fainted.

Zhang Qing came out and said, "Since sister-in-law is unwell, we will visit another day. Farewell!"

As they left the Zhang Mansion, one person sneered, "That Zhang Huaizheng was always overbearing. He finally got what he deserved. I am greatly pleased!" Zhang Qing nodded and said, "Other great clans, even if they have some dirty dealings, do them in secret. Unlike Zhang Huaizheng, his methods were crude. In the past, he even dared to alter the accounts of the clan land and pocket it himself. He also suppressed young people with talent in the clan. He has finally received his due."

Another person sighed, "However, the matter of the Ancestral Spirit is greatly worrying!"

"Hmph, hmph... What's there to worry about?" Zhang Jingyun interjected. "Young man from Xu Zheng's family, you are too young and lack experience. The ones worshipped in the Ancestral Hall are all ancestors of Zhang Huaizheng's lineage. And that Zhang Qingyun only cared about Zhang Huaizheng's line, giving us scraps. Look, when we go down to the villages, we have incidents frequently, but nothing happens to their family. Such biased ancestors are better off without!"

At this point, Zhang Qing said, "But this matter is also very concerning. Fortunately, our township is surrounded by four villages. It is said that those four villages are protected by Earth Gods, so ghosts cannot enter. With this defense line, there is no immediate danger. But in the long run, we still need to make plans."

Zhang Jingyun's eyes lit up. "Rebuilding the altar will take too long. Inviting another Ancestral Spirit... first, let's not even talk about whether it's possible. Even the issue of kinship and closeness would be difficult to handle. In my opinion, we might as well directly worship the Earth God. I heard that deity is impartial and offers ample protection. A hunter from Qingyu Village spent a night in the mountains and was completely unharmed!"

Zhang Qing nodded and said, "This is also a solution!" He then looked around at the crowd and said with a smile, "Alright, the two hundred mu of land we took back from Zhang Huaizheng, neither Uncle Jing nor I will take any. You all discuss and divide it!"

Immediately, cheers erupted from the crowd. Zhang Qing inwardly sighed. If it were another family, most would feel a bit ashamed. Here, however, there was only cheering and jumping. This was truly due to Zhang Huaizheng's unpopularity during his lifetime. He pondered that he should be vigilant and teach his own children well when he returned.

The crowd then divided the land. Although it was listed as clan land, it was still divided among the families for cultivation and how to share the proceeds. There were many intricate relationships involved. Fortunately, Zhang Jingyun and Zhang Qing mediated, setting the rules. In the end, everyone received their share, and no one was left empty-handed. It was truly a case of the Zhang Family falling, and the whole clan feasting.

The next day, Zhang Jingyun, in the name of the Clan Leader, announced that the Zhang Family Ancestral Hall would be taken over by the clan. He ordered the Zhang Family to retrieve their ancestral tablets, with no extensions for latecomers, and then convert the Ancestral Hall into an Earth God Shrine. He also issued an order to sculpt an Earth God statue as tall as a person, to be consecrated first, and then to choose an auspicious day to invite the deity into the shrine.

Without the protection of the Ancestral Spirit, the villagers were somewhat uneasy. Hearing that an Earth God would be invited to protect them, and having heard of the deity's efficacy for a long time, they were all overjoyed and worked more diligently.

Only the Zhang Family objected, as they had previously forbidden the Earth God. Now, with the deity being worshipped, they didn't know how they would be treated. Unfortunately, Madam Zhang had been bedridden since spitting blood. Steward Zhang came out to speak and handle affairs, but his words lacked legitimacy, and any occasional outcry was quickly drowned out by the tide.

May 20th was an auspicious day. The welcoming of the Earth God into the shrine was set for this day.

The former Zhang Family Ancestral Hall had already undergone a drastic transformation.

Only from its overall shape could one still recognize a hint of its former appearance.

Above the door, a new plaque had been hung. The original "Zhang Family Ancestral Hall" had long been removed. Zhang Qing personally inscribed the three characters "Earth God Shrine" and had a craftsman make it into a plaque, which was hung here. Zhang Qing was somewhat talented, and the calligraphy was like iron strokes and silver hooks, possessing considerable charm.

By this time, the villagers, except for the Zhang Family, had basically arrived, filling the small square in front of the shrine, chatting amongst themselves, creating a lively scene.

When the auspicious hour arrived, the crowd surged into the shrine, surprised by what they saw. The main hall in the center had been converted into a grand hall. In the middle stood a deity statue, wrapped in red silk, with an offering table in front, laden with incense, candles, and offerings.

The room on the right, which used to be a storage room, had not changed much. The room on the left was naturally no longer occupied by Zhang San. Instead, it was occupied by a new person: Li Dazhuang, a robust and sturdy temple keeper transferred from Qingyu Village.

Qingxi Township had over two hundred households, the sum of the other four villages, and was located at the center, making it of utmost importance. Fang Ming naturally attached great importance to this, transferring Li Dazhuang to be the temple keeper, also with the intention of suppressing any troublemakers. This matter was facilitated by Fang Ming's dream message to Zhang Qing and Zhang Jingyun, also allowing the two to witness the divine power of the Earth God and deepen their faith.