Struggle in Ancient Times

Everyone had been waiting for it so long, finally the yamen came to announce the good news. A child who was playing at the entrance gate saw a group of yamens in uniform approached their village. He went to the closest house and shouted, “Uncle Jiu, there are people coming to our village.”

A man walked out and watched the yamens then he rushed toward the road, “You stay there, don’t wander around. I will call the village chief.”

The long awaited gong and drum sounded out, all the villagers came out and looked at the yamens as if they saw a gold. The yamens also calmly watched the villagers welcoming them inside the village.

Soon, everyone got the news and the children ran to mother Deng to say congratulations. Mother Deng happily distributed peanut candies to the children one by one.

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“Let’s do it tomorrow.”

Liao Tingyu agreed to the village chief and the elders to have ceremony in the ancestral hall, then he went home to make preparations especially the money. There were people in village who were in charge of banquet, they calculated the money clearly.

Liao Tingyu felt there was no problem with spending money, so he told them, “Uncle, there is no need to save money. We have banquet to celebrate and have fun, I have the money here. Since I was admitted as a scholar, the school rewarded me ten taels, the government also gave me some money. Let’s have a good time and eat delicious foods.”

“Okay, okay. If you said so, uncle will plan ten dishes; five meat and five vegetables.”

Everyone was talking about chicken and meat, mother Deng whispered to her husband, “Husband, should I buy some snacks?”

“Instead of thinking about food. Why do you get some nice clothes for xiao-erzi? Don’t forget he has ceremony to attend.” Liao Ming didn’t think it was necessary to add so much in banquet. After all, it wouldn’t be good to overwhelm the guests.

He looked at the clothes his youngest had and said, “It’s too late to make clothes. You should go to the town and buy some. In the ceremony, you should wear good clothes. Get some for da-erzi and his wife, don’t forget to buy for yourself. Tomorrow our family will visit the ancestral hall, let the ancestor take a good look at our family.”

Mother Deng thought about it, it made sense. “Okay, let me think about what I want. It’s good if my son succeeds on his next exam.”

“Tomorrow, let’s ask for our grandchild to be a son, then xiao-erzi’s son to be born in three years. That way both grandsons can grow up together.” Liao Ming curled his mouth when he thought about grandchildren clinging to his knees.

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On the day of ceremony in the ancestral hall, Liao Ming carefully washed his beloved ox from head to toe. Mother Deng got up early and tied red ribbon on the two horns.

“How is it? does it look good?” mother Deng was so happy like a little girl.

The old ox never received this treatment, it shook its tail and twisted its body.

“It’s not bad, looks good.” Liao Ming admired his ox with great satisfaction.

After they finished eating, Liao Tingyu changed into the new clothes and saw mother Deng sat on the clean and festive ox. He actually didn’t know, but these two people was being suspicious last night which gave him surprise with the new clothes.

What was more surprising was mother Deng who sat alone on the ox while the three father and sons walked behind and one was leading the cow. Liao Tingyu looked helplessly at his mother who was sat proudly feeling everyone’s eyes on them.

He didn’t realize his father actually a madman who spoiled his wife badly. The patriarch watched the four of them came with strange formation with indescribable expression on his face. He wanted to say something but ended up with patting on Liao Tingyu’s shoulder.

The ancestor ceremony was very grand, Liao Tingyu even got new clothes for this event. He felt the ancient truly attached great important to rituals and rules. His clothes were bought by mother Deng yesterday, there was auspicious patterns which contained blessings for him.

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The patriarch settled his emotion and stood at the gate of the ancestral hall, he explained solemnly,

“Once the ceremony began, you are not allowed to talk and the children don’t play around. The women and children go to the back hall and prepare the supplies. Now, let Liao wu-shu (fifth uncle) lead the ceremony.”

Once done, he went to stand on the front with Liao Tingyu as the protagonist on his right. Wu-taiye (fifth grandpa) was supported by two young men, with tears in his eyes he started the ceremony.

“First, wash your hands with clean water….” The children put basins on the table and the men lined up to wash their hands then dried them with towels. Wu-taiye also washed his hand and dried them off.

“Second, prepare the incense and candles.” There was a censer* on the east side. The patriarch would light it and other people would accompany him with incense in their hands. Everyone carefully held the incense.

“Third, greet the ancestors.”

The patriarch led people with burning censer held in his hand and walked in circle and said, “This is an auspicious time for an auspicious day. The descendant of Liao clan in Liao Village from Xiaohe County, has admitted as a scholar and entered the gate to the imperial examination. In honour of his deed, a special ceremony is held for the ancestors. We invited the ancestors to feast with delicacies. Come, receive our descendant.” Then the men lighted their incense on the candles and held it to the altar.

“Fourth, pay homage and play the suona.” With the unique sound of suona, everyone paid their homage three times under the led of Wu-taiye’s hoarse voice.

Once done, the women who already prepared the delicacies; a pig’s head dish, whole duck and chicken dish, fish and sheep dish; stood waiting for Wu-taiye order. When they were called, the children moved the dishes on to the altar.

Finally, under complicated procedures Wu-taiye announced the ceremony was over. Everyone walked out and closed the door of ancestral hall. Outside, there were tables and chairs with dishes had been served on the tables.

The children who were so bored from the incense smoke and candles, their eyes lifted up once they saw the meat dishes. Wu-taiye was helped by a man to sit and rest.

The patriarch took the master seat and Liao Tingyu was dragged to his side, “Everyone, today is a happy day for our Liao clan. My Liao clan has been rooted here for hundred years and three talented men have emerged. This is our Liao clan’s blessing, come, let’s have a toast and celebrate our clan future are getting brighter.”

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Three days had passed and the grand celebration was still hot in everyone’s mouths. The village had opened a school, where student who didn’t pass the exam could teach there. This way, the villagers could learn new skills and got better job later.

Everything went in a good direction and nothing bad happened to him. During this period of time, he could fully express his love of mountains and rivers, he also talked about worldly emotion.

As a result, there was a big surprise waiting for him.

Note

There was slight mistake which I did about fifth uncle and fifth grandpa. The pov was switching between Liao Tingyu and patriarch lol so I got a bit confused. Anyway, both are right, coz Liao Tingyu called him fifth grandpa, while the patriarch called him fifth uncle.

Oh yes, um the censer thing. I just knew about this too.

Anyway, this is the suona, it’s an instrument everyone.

Thanks for reading and the comments.