The old craftsmen of the sword shop proposed a gate cleaning ceremony similar to the sword washing ceremony.
With Ouyang Rong's consent, preparations began in full swing that day.
In the afternoon, Yin Zheng was first carved.
The priests and shamans of the Dragon King Temple who were invited by Mr. Chen and others from Guyue Sword Shop arrived at Di Gong Gate one after another.
"Mr. Chen, you have prepared a lot of things for your gate cleaning ceremony. They arrived so quickly. It looks like they were prepared a long time ago."
On the gravel beach outside Digong Gate, Ouyang Rong looked at several carriages carrying strange-shaped ritual vessels and pottery pots passing by, and turned to Mr. Chen and other craftsmen to ask curious questions.
Mr. Chen smiled:
"The county magistrate doesn't know that every time a good sword comes out of the sword furnace on the West Bank, there will be such a sword washing ceremony. It is held frequently, so the temple blessings are always ready.
"However, there is a ready-made dragon's head platform at the sword shop on the west bank, so it is more convenient. There is no high platform here, so we can only choose a site on site and build a platform by the water. Naturally, there are more things to transport, which is more troublesome.
"But don't worry, I will go and ask the priests to speed up, so as not to affect the progress of repairing the gate... Please bear with me, County Magistrate."
"Nothing. Take your time, don't be in a hurry."
Ouyang Rong waved his sleeves generously, put his hands behind his back and said with a smile:
"But old gentlemen should be particular about it. Although I am a disciple of a sage and don't believe in strange powers and gods, I still respect the local customs of this county. By the way, what kind of temple do you usually worship at?"
"My Lord, this is the Dragon King Temple that local people have always believed in. It is dedicated to the underwater Dragon King."
"Dragon King Temple?"
Ouyang Rong thought for a while and thought:
"Then every time there is a flood in Dragon City, it shouldn't be washed away, right? After all, the Dragon King protects it."
Diao Xiancheng, who was watching from behind, added:
"Mingfu, don't tell me. It's really like this. The largest Dragon King Temple in the county is on the top of Xiaogushan Mountain. Normally, floods can't reach it. It's similar to the Donglin Temple in Dagushan Mountain."
Ouyang Rong laughed: "The location is great."
A certain girl from the Xie family, who was inseparable from him, curled her lips as she held her sword and stared at the dressed-up priests and witches in front of her.
The two well-known scholars in the front were joking with each other. Mr. Chen and other old craftsmen in the back didn't dare to argue. They observed the young county magistrate's face with a smile, and they couldn't help but explain:
"My Lord County Magistrate, the main thing is to seek peace of mind. People of the older generation say that the location of Yuenv Gorge is a bit strange, and the construction of the gate has always been uneven. Let's make a ceremony to ask the gods to reward the Dragon King, which can also be considered to seek peace of mind.
"By the way, it's a coincidence that there's been a rumor going around in the county recently, and it's related to the county magistrate and the Underwater Dragon King."
"Oh? What's the matter?"
"Everyone said privately that the Sunset River drowned on the day the county magistrate took office. The Dragon King did not dare to take away the county magistrate's life. Instead, he taught the county magistrate the clever flood control strategy and came back to benefit the people of Dragon City. The county magistrate is the destiny of the Dragon King.
My son."
Ouyang Rong nodded and said nothing.
However, I have gained some new understanding of some of the superstitions of the people in Longcheng.
As a parent official, he must be aware of this matter.
While thinking, Ouyang Rong looked away from the painted face of a black-robed priestess in the team passing in front of him.
He suddenly turned his head and asked curiously:
"By the way, you used to hold sword washing ceremonies at the sword shop. There were no human sacrifices, right?"
Realizing that everyone around him was looking at him one after another after hearing this, Mr. Chen and other old craftsmen waved their hands hurriedly:
"The county magistrate is joking. Our sword shop is doing legal business, but now we are casting tribute swords for the nobles in the Luojing Palace. How could it be so vulgar?"
"Not now, but before?"
"It didn't happen before." The old craftsmen quickly added.
Ouyang Rong pressed down with his right hand, smiled and comforted:
"It's okay. I'm just asking casually. Well, it's fine if you don't. This matter is not just for me, the court also hates it deeply and has zero tolerance."
The last few words of the young county magistrate seemed to have something to say.
The crowd didn't dare to answer, so they all nodded in agreement.
In Ouyang Rong's eyes, there is nothing special about the gate-cleansing ceremony performed by the Dragon King Temple priests and the shamans. It is even a bit boring, just like dancing to the great gods.
Moreover, the leading priestess in black robes and dreadlocks was neither generous nor generous, which was why Diao Xian Cheng and others behind her who lacked entertainment life enjoyed watching her with gusto.
Not long after, the gate washing ceremony ended on the high platform illuminated by the orange sunlight at dusk.
Seeing that it was getting late, the young county magistrate said goodbye to Diao Xian Cheng, Mr. Chen and others as before.
But before leaving, he turned his back to the sunset, and his expression was obscured by darkness in everyone's eyes, but his eyes actually swept across the crowd in front of him.
Ouyang Rong's eyes paused for a moment on a chubby clerk among the crowd of county clerks, and then moved away as if nothing had happened.
This person is none other than the clerk named Yuan who Liu Ashan followed his orders and specially arranged to join the gate repair team a few days ago. He was also a fish that slipped through the net when the county government was cleaning up rats last time.
Ouyang Rong looked calm and took Xie Lingjiang and other boats to leave and return to the county.
When Diao County Magistrate and other county officials saw that Shangguan had left after get off work, he no longer concealed his actions, cleaned up his affairs, and prepared to go back by boat.
In fact, as the date of completion of the Dickong Gate was approaching, in order to ensure nothing went wrong, the Longcheng County Government's manpower kept vigil at the Dickong Gate on a rotating basis.
Last night it was Ouyang Rong who kept vigil with his junior sister, and tonight it stands to reason that Diao Xian Cheng would stay and watch over the new gate.
However, this side of Yuenv Gorge is full of undeveloped mountain forests, and it is a hot and humid season, so there are many mosquitoes when sleeping at night.
Diao Xiancheng felt that it was still necessary to give some opportunities to the young people under his command and put more burdens on their shoulders. They could not do everything by themselves like the Ming Dynasty, which robbed young people of their performance opportunities.
So Diao Xiancheng decided to go back to Longcheng in the evening and come early tomorrow, well, earlier than the Ming Mansion... You are already very diligent, aren't you?
"How long will your hairdressing ceremony take?"
Prime Minister Diao Xianxian, who was about to leave, held up his official hat and turned to the leading black-robed priestess to ask seriously.
The Jade Fairy lowered her eyes and replied: "Your Majesty, I'm fine now."
"Okay, let's go quickly. There is a martial law around here at night. No one is allowed except the county clerk and the gate repair craftsmen."
"Yes, sir."
Under the sight of Diao Xian Cheng, the Jade Fairy led all the witches and wizards to leave.
Only then did Diao Xian Cheng turn around and give a few words of advice to several of his clerks who were keeping vigil at Di Gong Gate. They were all old-fashioned words.
Before leaving, Diao County Prime Minister glanced at the gate and dam not far away. The two carriages seemed to contain wooden barrels and were covered with gray oilcloths. They seemed to be the priests of the Dragon King Temple just now.
The shamans didn't take it away.
"Xiao Yuan, what is that?"
Diao Xian Cheng frowned, pointed at that place, and turned sideways to ask a chubby steward behind him.
Secretary Yuan glanced over there, with a flattering smile on his face, and explained:
"Sir, this is a new batch of gate repair materials that Mr. Chen and the others need for the final completed inner gate. I just happened to be on the way today and they were transported by the priests of the Dragon King Temple."
"oh?"
At this time, Diao County Magistrate saw Mr. Chen leading his men to pull the two carriages away not far away, and he also withdrew his gaze.
He turned back and glanced at the Duke Dee Gate under the setting sun.
The dazzling orange sunset fell on the water on both sides of Dickong Gate, creating a burst of sparkling light.
Occasionally, water birds take flight,
On the new gate across the Yuenv Gorge, the busy figures of workers and craftsmen during the day are no longer visible. They have all left and it looks empty.
A peaceful scene with fishermen singing late in the evening.
Diao Xian Cheng nodded with satisfaction and turned to leave.
What a fulfilling day.
Diao Xiancheng sighed inwardly. He actually enjoyed the atmosphere of going home when he was off duty. Working overtime and the like were not suitable for the elderly at all. As an official, you have to be kind to yourself.
He imitated the appearance of the young county magistrate, put his hands behind his back, boarded the bow of the ship, and accompanied the ship as it sailed away from the Yuenv Gorge, raising his head slightly and humming a little tune in his mouth.
A round of red sun slowly fell into Yunmengze, and the sky gradually darkened.
Diao County Prime Minister touched his beard and looked at the spectacular scenery. He suddenly became interested and started reciting poems on the spot, until... two uninvited guests suddenly boarded the ship.
"Master Diao is very good at poetry."
"Mingfu? You...why are you here!"
Diao Xian Cheng almost pulled out his beard and was so surprised that he stretched his neck and looked around at the river behind Ouyang Rong and Xie Lingjiang, asking in astonishment.
"Why, you're not welcome?"
"Welcome, of course! Warmly welcome!"
Diao Xian Cheng quickly bent down to salute and at the same time stammered:
"Xiaguan...Xiaguan is going back to get something. He will leave for a while and return to Di Gongzha immediately."
The young county magistrate who had been waiting for a long time on the nearby river bank and was taken on board by the junior sister who was very good at qinggong said with a smile:
"Master Diao, you want to go back and get a pillow and quilt, right? It's not comfortable to sleep in the camp at Di Gongzha."
"Yes, yes... no, no." Diao Xiancheng nodded, and then shook his head like a rattle after realizing.
Ouyang Rong didn't see through it, so he turned around first and asked the boatman to turn around: "Let's go, Master Diao."
"Mingfu, where are you going? You...won't you go back?"
"Take Mr. Diao to see interesting things and make a personal statement at the same time."
"Witness?"
Diao County Cheng was confused.
The young county magistrate smiled and said nothing, standing on the bow of the boat with his hands behind his back.
After a while, on the river, an orchid boat turned around and returned to the direction it came from.
At the same time, the setting sun completely sank into the river.
The white sun comes to an end.
This chapter is a bit short, there is another chapter, it should be during the day, brothers go to bed early~