Chapter 19. Building momentum and showing off (1).
Offering sacrifices to heaven and praying for blessings is not only a major event in the eyes of the people, just to obtain the necessary self-comfort in their hearts; it is also a necessary procedure in the eyes of officials, so as to put on a coat of "acting on behalf of heaven" to better control the people.
In Zhao Junchen's eyes, the so-called offering sacrifices to heaven and praying for blessings is his best opportunity to build momentum and show off.
Yes, in Zhao Junchen's eyes, the so-called offering sacrifices to heaven and praying for blessings is, in the final analysis, just a publicity stunt, a show, so that the people can follow him to cull the locusts with peace of mind, and by the way, improve his behavior between the government and the public.
A disgraceful reputation.
On this day, people gathered outside the city of Lu'an Prefecture, and there was a sea of people. Not only the people around the city were here, but also the officials and businessmen in Shanxi, the gentry and elders in Lu'an Prefecture, and all the people with names and surnames were also here.
Everyone gathered around the altar set up overnight and watched the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven and praying for blessings.
At this time, near the altar, there are loud gongs and drums, bursts of firecrackers, monks are chanting sutras, Taoist priests are doing rituals, magic sticks are praying, and witches are dancing. Although it is nondescript and not formal, it can even make people laugh.
, but it also takes into account the emotions of believers from all sides.
I have to say that this is very useful. Exterminating locusts is a big deal in the eyes of the people. No one knows whether the legendary locust god has a character that will bring vengeance. Now that the spokespersons of the gods and Buddhas in the sky are gathered here, the people are speculating and uneasy.
My emotions have calmed down somewhat.
It was noon, the sun was high in the sky, and the ritual of offering sacrifices to heaven finally got to the point.
Under the gaze of everyone, amidst the cheers of officials and businessmen, Zhao Junchen dressed in sacrificial attire and walked slowly onto the altar with the accompaniment of elegant music.
Then, the firecrackers stopped, the gongs and drums stopped, and the monks, Taoists, magicians, and witches also stopped their respective rituals. The quiet atmosphere near the altar began to spread to the surroundings. Soon, there was silence, and everyone's eyes were focused on
On Zhao Junchen.
Seeing this scene, Zhao Junchen nodded with satisfaction, then took out the memorial inscription Liu Changan had prepared for him and chanted it in the loudest voice.
"The way of heaven is supreme, let's work together to reward each other, bow our heads, swear to take responsibility, offer three sacrifices respectfully, and only hope to protect..."
Halfway through reading, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but frown. He was wondering whether the common people could understand this obscure memorial text.
However, Zhao Junchen also knew that the people did not actually value what the memorial text said. They only valued the solemnity and mystery of the memorial text. If Zhao Junchen used vernacular to worship heaven at this time, maybe the people would underestimate this event.
Sacrifice.
Looking up, sure enough, every common person looked solemn and awe-struck.
After finally finishing reading the sacrificial text, Zhao Junchen put the article in his sleeve and began to explain the purpose of this sacrificial offering to the people in vernacular.
"Common people, God is unkind and has brought a locust plague to Lu'an. We have worked hard for a year, but there is no harvest. Fortunately, Magistrate Liu is a capable man and reported to the court in time. The emperor loves his people and allocates food and rescue in time. However, the locust plague does not stop.
On the contrary, it is getting worse and worse, and now it has spread to Taiyuan, Hedong and other places. Once the misfortune of Lu'an Prefecture spreads throughout Shanxi, great chaos will occur. By then, even if Lu'an Prefecture is rescued by the imperial court, how can it be alone?
Therefore, not only for the sake of the stability of the world, but also to prevent the locust plague from recurring in the coming year, I have made up my mind to destroy the locusts!!"
Although they had already received the news, after hearing Zhao Junchen's words, there was a slight confusion among the people, and the soft whispers among the people mixed together and made a buzz.
"quiet!!"
Seeing this situation, Liu Changan, who was sitting nearby, stood up first and shouted.
Liu Chang'an had served as the parent officer of Lu'an Mansion over the years, and he had already established a strong influence in the hearts of the people, so the people soon became quiet.
After giving Liu Changan a slight nod to express his appreciation, Zhao Junchen continued to speak louder: "I know that everyone is worried that this locust plague is a punishment from heaven, and it is deliberately done by the locust god. If you rush to destroy the locusts, you may suffer revenge from the locust god.
But I would like to make it clear here that this locust plague is definitely not a punishment from heaven, because I believe that the people of Lu'an Prefecture are honest and kind, and have never done anything harmful to nature. If this is the case, why would God punish Lu'an government?
Anfu? Even if this locust plague is caused by the locust god, I am still willing to pray to the gods and Buddhas of heaven and earth. The matter of culling the locusts is my strong suggestion, Zhao Junchen, just to save the people from hardship. If God
If you are dissatisfied and punished, I, Zhao Junchen, am willing to shoulder the punishment and will never blame others!!"
Zhao Junchen has said the last sentence countless times in the past few days, very skillfully, and his voice was actually louder than before. It spread loudly to the ears of the surrounding people. Under the leadership of officials, businessmen, gentry and elders,
, causing a burst of cheers.
Even if the people far away did not hear Zhao Junchen's words clearly, there were "good Samaritans" who had been prepared for a long time. They repeated Zhao Junchen's words to the people around him and finally added, "This Master Zhao is really a good person."
"Official" exclamation.
These "good Samaritans" were naturally arranged by Zhao Junchen in advance.
The people of this era are simple and ignorant, and are most easily deceived by "what others say". Seeing Zhao Junchen's behavior and listening to the admiration of the people around him, he might not be thinking to himself: "This imperial envoy, Mr. Zhao, seems to be a good person indeed."
Officer, in order to save our people, he is willing to bear the punishment of heaven on his own. Some people said that he is a corrupt official before. Well, someone must be slandering Mr. Zhao."
Thinking like this, the people's cheers for Zhao Junchen became even louder.
Finally, when the cheers of the people died down, Zhao Junchen was about to continue speaking, when something unexpected happened.
I only heard a young man's voice suddenly rang out from under the altar.
"If the Imperial Envoy really cares about the people, why would he indiscriminately arrest and detain dozens of innocent people because of a misunderstanding? To this day, he does not even try or release them, and allows dozens of good families to pass the news at night
The crying has caused countless people to be in panic all day long?"
Zhao Junchen followed the sound and saw a dozen scholars gathered there near the sacrificial platform. The leader was about the same age as Zhao Junchen, with an ancient face and a green shirt. He was looking at him with a slightly provocative look.
By Zhao Junchen.
In this era, scholars had a high status in the hearts of the people, so these people came to the altar easily, and the people around them even consciously gave up some space to prevent them from being crowded.
Seeing this sudden change, before Zhao Junchen had time to speak, Liu Changan stood up again. The anger on his face could be seen by anyone, and shouted loudly: "Zhang Qicheng, after those rioters threw stones and attacked the imperial envoy,
You dare to celebrate by setting off whips in the street. I haven't even settled this matter with you yet. Now you dare to provoke me again. Don't you think that your father once served as the Minister of Civil Affairs, so I can't arrest you? Don't think that I can't arrest you?
I know that the reason why those rioters dared to attack the Imperial Envoy last time was because of your instigation!!"
Zhang Qicheng, however, was not afraid of Liu Changan's official authority at all, and said coldly: "The ancient sage said that wealth cannot be lustful, and power cannot be subdued. Liu Changan, others are afraid of you, a corrupt official, but I am not afraid. The people are simple and are most easily deceived by others. Some people are afraid of you."
Corrupt officials think they can deceive the world by showing off, so the reason why I show up and speak out is to wake up the people and not let them be deceived by corrupt officials!!"
Having said this, Zhang Qicheng looked at Zhao Junchen again, the provocation in his eyes becoming more obvious.
"What's going on with Zhang Qicheng?"
While Zhang Qicheng was bickering with Liu Changan, Zhao Junchen asked a Lu'an official not far away.
The official of the Lu'an Prefecture was filled with anger and explained to Zhao Junchen: "This Zhang Qicheng's father is Zhang Xuan, the former minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. After he was dismissed from office a few years ago, he shouted all day long that 'corrupt officials are rampant in the world'.
He finally died of illness a few years ago. I thought he would be a little cleaner. Unexpectedly, Zhang Qicheng had the same temperament as his father, and was even more stubborn than his father. He had caused trouble to the prefect in recent years, but his father was still in court at that time.
He has quite a few close friends, so the magistrate cannot punish him at will. As a result, Zhang Qicheng actually thought that no one could control him, and now he is becoming more and more lawless."
Zhao Junchen nodded thoughtfully, looking at Zhang Qicheng with a jealous look on his face, he was secretly happy and thought: "This Zhang Qicheng has come at the right time!!"
On the other side, Liu Changan was already angry at Zhang Qi for being a "corrupt official" and shouted angrily at the government officials around him: "Why are you still standing there? Why don't you tie this man up and take him to jail!!"
"Wait a minute!!"
At this moment, Zhao Junchen suddenly spoke to stop him.