Luming Lake is the collective name for a large lake and swamp. There are reed swamps everywhere on the periphery. There are not to mention how many spirits lurk under the silt of the water.
Especially during the winter every year, many spirits that do not like the cold will also sneak into this swamp depression from the upper reaches of the Luming River to hunt for food for the winter. The remains left behind by many spirits in the fight are also A large number of medicinal materials were raised.
The Prefectural Government would send troops to clean this place every year before and after the Chinese New Year to prevent the spirits from gathering too much and building their nests for too long, creating monsters and causing chaos.
Recently, for the purpose of the prayer ceremony, various forces such as Junwei Mansion, Changle Shanfang, Huangta Temple, Xueling Tea Clan, etc. have joined forces to use their best talents.
In more than ten days, we hunted spirits day and night, built wooden pile bridges, and each family could not divide up the spirits they brought up. After hearing the news, many merchants came and traded directly on the embankment. .
Because there are so many people gathered, small vendors who open tea shops and sell soup cakes in the county town also come here to set up stalls. Farmers from nearby farmers come here in large numbers to help during the slack season, and their wages are paid daily.
Before the blessing ceremony officially started, the area around Luming Lake had already become lively and lively.
On the eve of the ceremony, the high platform in the center of Luming Lake, which is about seven feet above the water and 100 feet square, was completed after several tests.
Those who participated in the construction of this high platform were at least small-scale Qi Hai figures. They were able to carry a heavy weight and just take it easy. There were many Ladder masters and True Form masters who took action personally.
Otherwise, it may not be possible to build such a platform in the middle of Luming Lake and ask thousands of people to spend two or three months.
The county governor's office sent people to hang red silk around the high platform, embed ritual vessels, and nail various wood relief carvings. Then, according to the rules of worshiping gods in the north, a total of sixteen large iron holes were set up on the four corners of the new platform. The pot is made of smokeless fire oil and charcoal, and the fire is burning all night, which is called a warm table.
For several miles on the shore, countless people and vendors gathered. Looking at the high platform in the middle of the lake with the bright fire in the night, I felt indescribably happy.
The ceremony has not officially started yet. They are already lively and lively that night, celebrating like a New Year. There are many tourists who live far away and come to watch. Some people have good eyesight and some skills. , I drove a boat at night and wanted to get close to the high platform to watch it.
Su Hanshan and Ji Buyi were also sitting on a small boat, floating among the reeds.
They came to check the copper pillar formations hidden under the high platform again to see if there was anything strange about them.
But because Su Hanshan had been in retreat in the past few days, after coming out, he felt a little strange that Luming Lake was so busy.
"Actually, I wanted to say before that the area near the Commandery's Mansion is a bit too deserted. It is located alone on the north bank of Luming Swamp."
Su Hanshan looked at the people on the shore. Densely lit by torches and boats on the lake, he smiled and said, "It's still like this, which makes people feel more comfortable."
< br>Ji Buyi's expression was indifferent, revealing some memories, and he nodded slightly: "Xueling is not inferior to any of the nine counties of the East China Sea in terms of the size of the area, but the number of people flowing between them is basically only that of the one county of the East China Sea. One in ten.”
“It’s really not easy to see such a scene.”
Su Hanshan didn't know much about Dachu's nine counties in the East China Sea, but he also had an analogy.
The area of Xueling is larger than the entire territory of the Southern Song Dynasty, but think about how many levels of yamen were built up and down in the Southern Song Dynasty, and how many levels were set up in terms of regional divisions before it could be managed.
Here in Xueling, there is only one county under the county. Two levels of yamen govern each place. The county yamen often have more manpower than others. One can imagine the population density of Xueling in the past. The difference between the Southern Song Dynasty and the Southern Song Dynasty.
This time, the Situ family proposed to hold this blessing ceremony. Although they didn’t hold back any good intentions, it was really the right time.
In recent years, the world has become increasingly turbulent, but Xueling has not been affected by war after all.
The biggest issue was just the migration of refugees. The Situ family used this matter to create problems for the county captain.
Later, with the intervention of General Shenwei, the matter was finally resolved, and the county governor had to terminate the plan and assume its responsibilities.
During that period of time, the upper level of Snow Ridge was able to operate at full capacity.
The refugees who migrated from the Nine Capitals of the East China Sea were resettled, the bandits were suppressed and subdued, and the spirits were guarded and strangled. For the people of Xueling, this year was more lively than in the past.
Due to the large influx of refugees, small businesses and small households have received a large number of workers who do not even need wages and only need to take care of the food. Various knitting, embroidery, carving and folding gadgets are on the market. There are much more than in previous years, and the price is naturally lower, making it affordable for ordinary people who are in a bit of embarrassment.
Here in the county, after the weather gets warmer, the refugees will have to open up wasteland and cultivate fields. They will inevitably have to borrow cattle and farm tools, etc. They also have to ask the locals for tips on farming here and what the soil is like.
Although these will not develop into a big business, there are always exchanges of favors. The person who lends things will get some gifts, and the family will be richer.
Therefore, in this season, a blessing ceremony is held. The people of the county have both the mood and the family background to participate in this festive atmosphere.
Even those refugee families who have just settled down will become more optimistic about their future life in this strange place after experiencing such a grand event.
Su Hanshan withdrew his gaze, turned to look at the high platform in the center of the lake, and said: "This formation has been agreed upon, and then Tieying San and Hai Wubing will co-host it, right?"
"After all, the two of them have the highest attainments in formations, and Tieying Sanren is absolutely reliable."
Ji Buyi said, "I asked her to think over it again and again. The operation process and effect of this formation will not have any impact." The whole process of material casting is supervised by me and Dongfang Xin.”
Su Hanshan stood up from the bow of the boat and reached out to touch the wood on the side of the platform. After a while, he patted it a few more times. Listening to the solid sound that came back, he nodded and said, "As long as you think there is nothing wrong. ”
The two of them walked around the high platform, checked the formation repeatedly, and played for a long time.
There are constantly tired people on the shore, going home to rest, but more people are also coming.
Judging from the overall trend, the crowds are getting bigger and bigger, several times more than late at night.
When the stars faded, the moon was still hanging in the western sky, and the sky took on a leaden gray color, a grand fleet of ships also broke through the waves on the Luming River.
The people who came to participate in this ceremony will not go on stage, but will only gather on the north bank.
The Situ Family’s fleet came from the west, and from a commanding position, they had an unobstructed view of all the people on the shore along the way.
“More people gathered for this ceremony than we expected.”
Wu Renyong was full of ambition and said with a smile, "It just so happens that demonstrations cannot be done just for those factions that have become famous."
"In recent years, Situ Yuntao has fought hard with us. The removal of many of our self-imposed tax collectors and the expulsion of our decentralized personnel have made these small people, who have always been more fearful of power than virtuous, more indulgent. "
"This time we will use this grand ceremony to eradicate the momentum of Situ Yuntao and others, and deeply implant our majesty in the hearts of the people. In the future, we can use our arms and fingers to say the same thing and let the snow ridge go up and down. "We are of the same mind."
The people on the same boat are all confidants of the Situ family. Anyone who can hear these words can't help but nod secretly in their hearts.
Although the majesty of aristocratic families is invisible, it is very important. If it is established well, not only these ordinary people will become more obedient, hard-working and respectful.
Even if there are any talents among these common people in the future, they will be the first to think of joining the Situ family because of their subtle and deep-rooted majesty, seeing this as the fastest way to get ahead.
This is the only way to grow a family.
Situ Lang had similar considerations in taking care of this blessing ceremony. When he heard Wu Renyong's words, he naturally nodded, but did not speak.
His eyes were cast in the direction of the Junwei Mansion, and he searched the crowd for people who might come from Changle Shanfang, Huangta Temple and other places.
Actually, he doesn’t need to look for it deliberately.
Because when the fleet sailed into Luming Lake, Su Hanshan and others had also changed into solemn clothes.
Stepping onto the bridge that extends directly from the north bank of the swamp to the high platform in the center of the lake.
Wow! ! ! !
Dozens of ships, large and small, guarded the high platform. Heavy anchors slid into the water with thick iron cables and sank to the bottom of the lake, helping these ships to stop one after another.
At the dawn of dawn, I heard a ship firing a salute and throwing flower petals. It seemed as if there was a rain of flowers in the Luming Lake. The petals, either pink or white, pink and light yellow, float on the water, causing some small fish to fight for them, and floating in the reeds, causing birds to pounce on them.
Floating on the bridge, blown away by the breeze brought by Su Hanshan while walking.
When Su Hanshan's footsteps crossed the boundary between the bridge and the high platform, Situ Langzhao and others also landed lightly and slowly on the high platform, accompanied by the rain of flowers.
Both Situ Yuntao and Situ Langzhao show very cheerful and talkative temperaments on weekdays.
No matter how much grudges there are in private, when they meet on similar large occasions, they can take the initiative to strike up a conversation. The two sides interact with each other without breaking the rules of etiquette, and the scene is very harmonious.
But today, when the two sides faced each other and their eyes met, they were speechless for a moment.
The crowd on the shore burst out into a thunderous roar.
They were separated from this high platform by seven or eight miles of water, and they had no idea whether the people on the high platform were talking to each other.
Just hearing the gun salute and seeing the people from both the county guard and the county lieutenant have already taken the stage means that the blessing ceremony has officially begun.
“It seems that the people on the shore are more straightforward than us.”
There was a rare smile on Situ Langzhao's face, and he said lightly, "Today's ceremony is said to be a blessing ceremony, and it does have a charter for praying for His Majesty, but before that, there are some things that need to be made clear. . ”
“Your Majesty’s merit lies in ruling the Central Plains. It is our duty as ministers. What we have to do is to follow His Majesty’s will and govern the people.”
“The duty of the people is, of course, to follow the rules from Your Majesty to us, from heaven to earth. Only in this way can we have discipline. , Only in this way can there be peace and prosperity."
His voice became louder and louder, and gradually people on the shore could hear it.
The cheers of the crowd could not help but drop, and they were filled with surprise and confusion, looking towards the high platform in confusion.
Situ Langzhao's tone was solemn and majestic, and the more he listened, the more he seemed to be asking for an apology.
“Since today is His Majesty’s blessing ceremony, County Lieutenant Situ Yuntao, you openly brought a group of local bullies who did not obey the government’s discipline to the stage. You are truly lawless and contemptuous of Your Majesty. What crime should you do?! ”
Behind Su Hanshan, Ji Buyi just moved his eyebrows.
Liu Zhaoheng stood on the left side of Su Hanshan, only half a body behind, with an expression like a dead son on his face, unmoved.
Tie Ying San's face on the right darkened, and Hai Wubing stared at the people from the Situ family.
Dongfang Xinze couldn't help but laughed angrily and wanted to argue.
But before he could say anything, he felt an invisible pressure coming down from the sky, but it was extremely overwhelming.
Everyone on the shore also saw that in the sky, between the gaps between the thick white clouds, strong lights suddenly shone down. In the morning mist on the lake, it was especially clear, like light pillars connecting the water and the sky.
As the light beam expanded, the white clouds and morning mist all dispersed and moved away, revealing a bright, blue sky.
In the center of the vast and lofty azure sky, there is a small black dot.
The next moment, the black spot suddenly landed less than ten feet above the high platform.
Bang! ! !
The extremely fast wind pressure spread in all directions, and the air flow roared, causing waves to rise on the lake.
Situ Daozi waved his sleeves, revealing his true face, and looked down, bringing an invisible pressure like a meteorite to all the Xuantai masters in the county and prefecture.
Many of the true form and ladder masters who were watching on the shore changed their faces drastically.
In their imagination, although today's grand event will inevitably have some undercurrents, it is best to pass it through safely.
No matter how bad it is, it is still a complicated game of people's hearts. They compete with each other and suppress the opposing camp in all aspects.
Who would have known that the blessing ceremony had just begun, and Situ Langzhao openly launched an attack without even reciting the serious opening speech.
The ancestor of the Situ family's Shenfu appeared directly, which was obviously going to completely break up the relationship.
Many power heads who are not too involved in either camp and are trying their best to ride on the wall already want to seize the last moment and leave this place of right and wrong quickly.
Some people who had arranged for the transfer of some of their family members' property in advance hesitated at this time, not knowing whether to take advantage of the opportunity to escape or to take a gamble.
If you stand in the right place today, you don’t need to actually participate in the battle in the middle of the lake. You only need to deal with the men of the enemy camp, and there will naturally be great benefits afterwards.
But no matter what they think, their reaction speed and action ability are not as good as those Xuantai masters in the center of the lake.
The first time he saw Situ Daozi coming, Dongfang Xin completely gave up the little luck in his heart.
He pulled out a knife, but it was not the tiger-headed knife that he usually used to chop people, but a bull-headed knife that had never been stained with human blood.
The entry-level lessons for all disciples in Changle Shanfang are not to practice fighting sword skills, but to practice kitchen knife skills and the art of cutting cattle, sheep, pigs and fish.
After practicing cutting up a pig, there is no oil on the knife. This skill is considered complete.
If Dongfang uses the tiger-headed sword, no matter what kind of sword, sword, or air sword move he uses, he will have to contend with Situ Daozi's momentum, and he may not be able to break through it.
But he uses a bull-headed knife, and with this pure desire to cook, even if he really cuts the knife on someone's neck, he will instinctively stop.
It is precisely because of the sharpness of the sword that he can directly tear apart the aura that was pressing down on everyone with one extremely smooth slash.
"Situ Family, if you really dare to ignore the cost, why don't we dare to fight?!"
Dongfang Xin's thought was accompanied by the flash of the sword.
The Tieying Sanren, who had escaped from the suppressed momentum, had pierced the crutch into the high platform, causing the entire high platform in the center of the lake to vibrate, and a huge Bagua array emerged, emitting white light.
Hai Wubing made a seal in his hand. Below the high platform, there are sixty-four copper pillars and iron piles that lead directly to the bottom of the lake, attracting the power of the earth's veins to support the formation.
The entire Bagua pattern is like a piece of silk, suddenly rolled up, and the eight corners are simultaneously folded and squeezed towards Situ Daozi.
If we use the formation to slightly block Situ Daozi and eradicate or capture Situ Langzhao, we may still be able to fight today's battle.
But the other people who were supposed to take action in a tacit understanding suddenly turned into elbows and armpits.
"Liu Zhaoheng" slashed at "Situ Yuntao" with his sword, and Ji Buyi took out his sword and pointed it at the blade of Fei Liu Sect Master.
Situ Langzhao and Wu Renyong shouted together, and their skills penetrated and blocked the formation.
Situ Daozi's expression did not change at all. In a flash, he left the Bagua formation and raised his hand to hit "Situ Yuntao".
He hit "Situ Yuntao" on the forehead, but what he looked at was the ruby ring on "Situ Yuntao"'s hand.
Earth Release Taihuo Talisman, activate it, let me see the power of this talisman! !
When Situ Daozi was just thinking about this idea, he suddenly caught a warning sign from the faint place between heaven and earth.
Faced with any attack from Xuantai's enemy, the master of Yuanshen could sense it and attack it later, but before he had time to change his attack, he was already punched in the ribs on his right side.
The one who punched was not "Situ Yuntao", but... "Liu Zhaoheng"!
(End of this chapter)