The Ming Dynasty’s Prodigal Son - Chapter 1249

[1249. Chapter 1191 His Majesty’s Personal Sacrifice]

Zhang Mao wiped away his old tears with his skill. Suddenly, he felt like a hero in his twilight years.

Looking at the former young man in front of him, he thought that back then, he was tall and tall, but in front of him, this little guy was just skinny and short, like a weak chicken.

But now, Zhang Mao’s back is hunched, but Fang Jifan is still handsome and his body is taller and straighter.

The era that belonged to him and that group of old guys has passed.

He held Fang Jifan’s hand: “People are bound to die. Hey, we have to express our condolences…”

Fang Jifan said: “It’s not death, it’s death.”

Zhang Mao: “…”

No matter what, he couldn’t understand why Fang Jifan felt so sad. Stronger than myself.

He finally put away his tears and said: “I have been ordered to preside over the sacrifice. This sacrifice must not be careless. People can be deceived, but ghosts and gods are difficult to deceive. Therefore, when we sacrifice living people to the heroic spirits, we must not make mistakes in every step. There must be everything. The rules include what kind of person should enter through which door, what etiquette should be performed, and what words should be said. You must be careful. If there is no arrangement in advance and you offend the gods, this… will bring harm to your descendants. “

“Come… …You sit down.”

Fang Jifan had no choice but to sit down as instructed.

Zhang Mao said: “Come here, get something.”

After a while, someone accompanying him came with a thick stack of books in his hands and placed them on Zhang Mao’s papers.

Zhang Mao casually took out a book: “This is the Book of Rites.” He took out another book: “This is the Great Edict.” Then he said: “There is also this book, this book, and this book…here, They are all regulations. In everything, you need to learn to use allusions. What are allusions? They are norms and rules. Let’s talk about sacrifices. Your father is the king of the county. How many animals should be killed, how should they be burned, and when should they be sacrificed? Do you know how many days of worship and how many sticks of incense are needed?”

Fang Jifan looked confused and shook his head.

Zhang Mao lamented that people’s hearts are not ancient, and the rules of the ancestors are really withering among the next generation of emperors and relatives. How can this happen?

He braced himself, clasped his fingers and wanted to give Fang Jifan a detailed explanation. But after thinking about it, he shook his head. He had to teach this boy now, but he didn’t know how long it would take. Although he was guaranteed to teach, he couldn’t delay the ceremony. Time does not wait. people.

So, he sighed and said: “These can be learned later, it doesn’t matter, these old men are here to take care of them, but you and Zhengqing, as filial sons and grandsons, although this is a national sacrifice, not a family sacrifice, but among the national sacrifices, Since there is a ceremony for descendants to comfort their ancestors, how to do it properly must be done according to the regulations. This is why I am here. To succeed the vassal, you must not make any mistakes. Come on, let me go first. I’ll teach you these in a simple way, and then you can just follow the instructions.”

“Oh.” Hearing that it was simple, Fang Jifan finally put some effort into it.

He has a complicated heart and always doesn’t believe that his father is dead.

Maybe it’s because he can’t accept it, or maybe deep down, he always hopes for a miracle, or maybe it’s his instinct.

But no matter what, Zhang Mao burst into tears, what else could he say, just keep it simple.

Zhang Mao then began to talk. This talk lasted for more than an hour. His mouth was dry and Fang Jifan was dizzy. He couldn’t help wailing in his heart, Dad, you must not really do this. You are dead. If you are dead and your son is left in the world, he will suffer a lot. What the hell are these rules? I would rather the white-haired person gave me as a black-haired person.

Zhang Mao took a sip of tea and paused. Fang Jifan asked: “Uncle Shi, have you finished speaking?”

“Not yet, there is still more than half of it.” Zhang Mao said: “These are just small rules. What did I just say? Yes, stand Your Majesty, this is a national sacrifice. You should wear sackcloth and wear filial piety, and stand facing south, right before Your Majesty…”

“Old Fang…Old Fang…” Zhu Houzhao’s voice was heard outside, and he was shouting at the top of his lungs.

When Fang Jifan heard this, he suddenly felt that Zhu Houzhao was his true brother.

Zhang Mao frowned.

Fang Jifan said: “Shibo, His Highness the Crown Prince must have something important to do. Shibo, what’s the matter? Please write it down.

As soon as I recite these rules, won’t they be done?” Zhang Mao said: “Such things can only be understood. It is indescribable that there are so many ceremonial officials in the temple, why does your majesty only trust me? On the one hand, it is certainly because I am favored by your majesty. On the other hand, I know more rules than others, and those who only know how to copy them from books How could a person with such a sentence know this…”

“That’s it, it’s settled.” Fang Jifan dropped the sentence and ran out.

Outside, Zhu Houzhao came in a hurry and saw Fang Jifan. Just as he was about to speak, Fang Jifan grabbed him by the collar of his clothes: “Run.”

Zhu Houzhao was furious and wanted to open Fang Jifan’s hand, but when he thought, he had to guard against it. Lao Fang couldn’t think about it, so he said with a smile: “You pull the skirt of your clothes well, and it just strangles my neck, so that I don’t feel suffocated, but I am controlled by you. Lao Fang, your hand is really powerful, I I have to learn… Oops, I can’t breathe…”

After being pulled out by Fang Jifan, Fang Jifan breathed a sigh of relief: “What’s the matter?”

Zhu Houzhao rubbed his neck desperately, turning green, and said resentfully: “Hold you down. It means that we captured a group of Portuguese envoys, but… let Wang Xizuo and another Portuguese go alone.”

Fang Jifan said: “Very good, how did they go to sea?”

“They took a private ship? “Of course, on the surface, it has nothing to do with us.”

Fang Jifan said, “That’s great.”

Zhu Houzhao said, “I’m just afraid that Wang Xizuo will turn his back on us once he goes out to sea.

” I will recognize him.” Fang Jifan said calmly: “He secretly bought two houses in Xincheng. I don’t believe he dares to fly away and turn his back on others.”

Zhu Houzhao still feels uneasy. They are all from Franji. This Wang Xizuo… …

This time four Spanish ships were defeated.

Naturally, the Ming court should be angry with all the Francois, no matter whether they are Spanish or Portuguese, they are all enemies anyway.

After capturing the people, Wang Xizuo and another envoy were released, just to let them find a way to escape back to Luzon.

Although these two people were Portuguese, the Kingdom of Spain suddenly lost four ships and thousands of people were missing. They must try their best to find out the news.

These two people who escaped naturally became crucial figures.

As for Wang Xizuo, it is natural for him to get close to the Spaniard. As for what to do next, it depends on how he adapts to the situation.

Zhu Houzhao looked at Fang Jifan: “The day after tomorrow, there will be a sacrifice. I think you don’t look good. Old Fang, you have to show your condolences.”

It seemed that everyone was looking at him with sympathetic eyes.

Fang Jifan was already used to it.

………

A fast ship from Japan appeared in Tianjin Wei again.

When the Tianjin Wei Express Shop saw the news that it was coming from Huanghuangzhou again, it was immediately frightened.

In Golden Continent, the manpower and material resources spent on such a small volume of information are staggering.

A thin piece of paper would probably cost tens of thousands of taels of silver.

For any news from Huanghuangzhou, the express delivery shop did not dare to take it lightly, and immediately ordered someone to arrange a fast horse to send it to the capital.

…………

The third day of November is an auspicious day.

Emperor Hongzhi got up early, and before Mao hour arrived, the Qianning Palace was already brightly lit. He put on his imperial robes and wore a heavenly crown. This sacrifice would be held in the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

The Xiang Hall of the Imperial Ancestral Temple is dedicated to the emperors of the Ming Dynasty. To the left and right of the main building of the Xiang Hall, there are the East Side Hall and the West Side Hall.

The east side hall is dedicated to the princes and princes who have made great contributions, while the west side hall is dedicated to the civil servants who have made great achievements.

For this ceremony, you need to go to the Xiang Palace first. Emperor Hongzhi personally burned the sacrificial inscriptions. In the sacrificial inscriptions, it is written about the wolfish ambitions of the Spanish Spanish against the Ming Dynasty, and how the Ming Dynasty fought back. Please protect your ancestors, and the world will return to its heart. Peace.

Immediately afterwards, Emperor Hongzhi will move to the East Side Hall to worship the late Prince Fang Jinglong of Xinjin County.

Many of this ceremony was approved by Emperor Hongzhi, and many of the etiquettes went beyond the status of the prince. This was called an edict, and it was used to express Fang Jinglong’s achievements.

Xiao Jing personally straightened the crown of heaven for Emperor Hongzhi. While smoothing Emperor Hongzhi’s crown, he said, “Your Majesty, the chariot is ready.”

“What time is it now?” Emperor Hongzhi said.

“It’s almost midnight.”

It was still early, so Emperor Hongzhi said, “Please pour a cup of tea.”

Xiao Jing hurriedly poured a cup of tea.

Emperor Hongzhi said: “There is nothing wrong with Mr. Ying.”

“Everything is ready. The only flaw is that… Mr. Ying is worried…”

“What are you worried about?” Emperor Hongzhi said.

“I’m worried that Duke Qi is too sad and has forgotten the etiquette of sacrifice.”

“Hey…” Emperor Hongzhi said: “I can understand that he is too sad. How many people can endure the pain of losing their father? Don’t look at Fang Jifan’s usual life. He is always smiling, he is a filial son, I understand him.”

Emperor Hongzhi took a sip of tea, and after sighing with emotion, he couldn’t help but said: “Let a ritual officer follow him to remind him at any time, so as not to violate the etiquette in the imperial temple. “This is a big deal and cannot be made wrong.”

Xiao Jing said, “Yes, I think so too.”

After drinking a cup of tea, the sky was already dimming, and Emperor Hongzhi stood up. He had complicated thoughts about this sacrifice. , he wanted to report the good news to his ancestors, but on the other hand, he had to make a sacrifice for his lost right and left hand.

Emperor Hongzhi got on the chariot, and the Jinwu Guards and Han generals on the left and right crowded around the chariot and horses.

At this time, under the morning light, the Daming Gate was already open.

When the holy driver left the Daming Gate, the civil and military officials who had been waiting here for a long time worshiped at the royal road and shouted long live. Then, people stood up and followed the holy driver and walked towards the Ancestral Temple.

At this time, everyone was wearing auspicious clothes, and all of them showed sad faces.

Zhu Houzhao followed Fang Jifan closely, while Fang Jifan looked at the huge formation with a blank expression. Suddenly he found that he seemed to have to accept a terrible fact.

His father… nine times out of ten, he is really dead.

(End of chapter)