Emperor Xiaoyao of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 179
The Chinese New Year is coming, and the streets are bustling with activity, and there is no chill at all due to the cold weather.No wonder the old saying "Traffic basically depends on walking, communication basically depends on roaring, heating basically depends on shaking, and law and order basically depends on dogs".

The Spring Festival can be said to be the oldest and most solemn festival in the land of China. It first started when Shun took over as the emperor.After Shun took over as the Son of Heaven, he was very excited. Since he is the "Son of Heaven", he should sacrifice to his own father—God!So Shun took his younger brothers to create the history of the Spring Festival.Before the Han Dynasty, the days of the Spring Festival were not fixed. Each dynasty had its own anniversary, such as the birthday of a certain elder or the day of the unification of the Central Plains, etc. This kind of uncertainty did not end until Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty.When Liu Che sat on the throne, he felt that the calendar was too messy, and it was difficult to arrange the holidays. It was a headache for people, so he asked Sima Qian to be the team leader and worked out the "solar calendar". All holidays are based on the "solar calendar" , The day of the Spring Festival has also been set.

In ancient times, Chinese New Year was not called "Spring Festival". Spring Festival simply refers to "Lichun". It is called "New Year's Day".

As the saying goes: Children, children, don’t be greedy, after Laba is the new year; Laba porridge, drink for a few days, and you will be la la la 23; 23, sticky melon; 24, clean the house; 25, frozen tofu; ; 26, butcher a rooster; 27, make noodles; 28, steam steamed buns;However, the activities before the Tang Dynasty were not the same as those mentioned above.

The 23rd is the Zao Xie Festival, which is also the last "immortal" to go to heaven in a year. At that time, "officials, three peoples, four boats and five", that is, only those with official positions and titles can worship the stove on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month. As for the lower status of the boatman, only the 24th of the twelfth lunar month.There is still a saying in Guanzhong that "cars, boats, shops, feet, and teeth should be killed if they are innocent." From this, it can be seen that the ancient hierarchy was strict, and even though they were all ordinary people who did not have enough to eat, they were also divided into three, six, and nine grades. of. (Looking deeper, from this sentence, we can also see the existence of class antagonism, hatred of the rich, etc.) When it comes to the Zaoxi Festival, the happiest thing is to make offerings. He is still a boatman, and he can only offer sacrifices to the stove on the 25th of the twelfth lunar month. With this status change, he can be on the 25th of the twelfth lunar month!
The Stove Lord may be the first immortal in Chinese records. Although his official position is not high, he is superior in his management. From the emperor to the common people, he can report everyone's affairs to the heaven. It is grand.It was the first time for Jin Yu to celebrate the Stove King Festival in the Tang Dynasty, and it was an eye-opener.

Jin Yu originally thought that it would be enough to offer some "beast candy" (candy from the Tang Dynasty, artificially shaped like a wild animal), but Yang Ying gave him a good meal and said, "The last god who went to heaven a year ago, it's been a year. It’s hard enough, so I should be more respectful.”

Jin Yu nodded humbly, and let Yang Ying do whatever she wanted, just do as the Romans do, it's not shameful, it's just a New Year's entertainment.

The sacrificial table is full of people, the most eye-catching ones are a whole sheep and two grass carp.Before serving the sacrificial table, Yang Ying personally stuffed two pieces of gold leaves into the belly of the fish. Jin Yu was dumbfounded, and pointed at the fish and asked, "What do you mean by that?"

Yang Ying looked around and saw that there was no one around, and quietly explained to Jin Yu: "The travel expenses for Lord Stove are taken from the benefits we gave, and Lord Stove will say more good things after he goes to heaven."

After Jin Yu heard that sweat, burning paper is not popular these days, it turns out that it is so beneficial to the gods!But it's okay, after seeing the Stove Lord away, the golden leaf is still his own, and he can't lose it.

"Husband, take it with your own hands. Uncle Chen is waiting for you. Don't forget to bring it back later." Yang Ying frowned, feeling the fishy smell on her hands, and she was about to wash her hands.

"Won't the lady go?" Jin Yu obediently picked up the big plate, good guy, it's not light, these two fish weigh five or six catties.

"Husband, what are you talking about!" Yang Ying gave Jin Yu a blank look, "How can a woman come forward to send the Stove Lord?"

"Why?" Jin Yu still didn't understand, everything was new to him.

"My husband is asking you strangely. The Stove Lord is a man, and men and women are different!" Yang Ying said naturally, "Don't dawdle, my husband. The Stove Lord is about to celebrate the New Year. Don't make him wait." Yang Ying It waved its fish-smelling little paws to drive people away.

Jin Yu nodded humbly, it seems that the term "dirty Tang" is only limited to the royal family, the common people are still very simple, very good, at least they don't worry about being cuckolded anymore.

Jin Yu served the fish, and the sacrifice was complete.Chen Rui asked Jin Yu to burn three sticks of incense, and Jin Yu thought it was over, but Chen Rui said, "Master, I have to serve dessert to the Stove Lord."

Jin Yu looked at the table, there is animal candy? "Isn't there?"

Chen Rui felt helpless when he saw himself as the master, and whispered in Jin Yu's ear, "We need to put honey on the mouth of the Stove Lord, so that the old man can say more sweet things for our family in front of God."

Jin Yu nodded, it seems that he is very particular, he should do as the Romans do, and do as he pleases!Speaking of cold weather, what kind of sugar is still liquid?What Chen Rui prepared was nectar, and Jin Yu dipped some in his hands, and wiped it on the Stove Lord's mouth, it was like lipstick, shining under the firelight.Nectar is a good thing. My own orchard doesn't produce much in a year, so it can't be wasted. Jin Yu put his finger in his mouth and sucked it. Chen Rui, who had prepared a hot towel for Jin Yu to wipe his hands, was sweating profusely.

The hush money was also paid, and the sweets were eaten, and the Stove Lord left satisfied.Chen Rui also prepared a straw horse, which was well crafted and tied perfectly. "What are these grasses for?" Jin Yu asked, pointing to the hay next to the straw horse.

"Return to the young master, the rations for the Stove Lord's mount." Chen Rui still kept his voice very low, for fear of being heard by others.

"Oh." Jin Yu nodded, the emperor is still hungry, it seems that Chen Rui is very thoughtful. "what's next?"

"It's time to send the Stove Lord to heaven." Chen Ruishen said to Jin Yu mysteriously: "Master, you still have to say something."

"Ci? What word?" In later generations, the Stove King Festival was organized by Grandpa Tang alone, and Jin Yuguang followed along to join in the fun. He only saw Grandpa Tang burning some paper money, so what else should he say if he didn't pay attention?Do you still have to write poetry?The reason why Tang poetry is popular is where it started?Jin Yu finds out that he has the wisdom root to dig out the history.

Chen Rui was helpless. Although his master was very good at tinkering, he was really a novice in this regard, "This year is 23 again, and I respectfully send Zao Jun to the west. There are strong horses and fodder, and the journey is safe and sound. The sugar for the offering The melon is sweet and sweet, please speak well to the Jade Emperor."

Jin Yu followed up and repeated it twice, until Chen Rui confirmed that he was right, and then invited the Stove Lord to the horse and started to light the fire.Jin Yu was muttering words, but he was thinking in his heart: It seems that it was not easy for the ancients to worship gods. Not only did they need sacrifices, but they also needed lines to cooperate!It seems that it is not easy to be a qualified ancient man!
"Is it time to kowtow?" Looking at the pile of ashes in front of him, Jin Yu finally guessed a process correctly.

Chen Rui nodded, and Jin Yu gave the Stove Lord three kowtows on the blanket prepared by his servants, and it was finally over.

When she came to the house with the fish, Yang Ying had already washed her hands and was waiting for Jin Yu to come back after work. "It's time for the husband to take out the gold leaves." Yang Ying slyly blinked her eyelashes a few times, and she refused to do it again. It was the first time she did it just now. She didn't expect the fishy smell to be so difficult to remove. Yang Ying refused to do it again. Do it yourself.

Jin Yu scratched Yang Ying's nose, following his little daughter-in-law's wishes.Grass carp is a good thing, the best fish for hot pot fish. "Why don't you use a carp? How beautiful a carp is! It's also a face to put on the sacrificial table." Jin Yu looked at the grass carp in his hand, and always felt that it was not as good-looking as a carp. Those stickers and paper-cuts in later generations are basically two fat dolls hugging each other. Carp, haven't you seen the New Year picture of holding a grass carp?
"The surname of Tian's family is Li, so it should be taboo." Yang Ying watched her husband deftly pull out the gold leaf from the fish maw, and taught her "idiot" husband a lesson.

"Oh." Jin Yu nodded, it seems that the Stove Lord has been touched by Li Er, grass carp is much more delicious than carp! "One is enough, two are wasted and cannot be eaten."

Yang Ying gave Jin Yu a white look, "There is more than every year, good things come in pairs, and two are auspicious."

Jin Yu greeted Yang Ying with fishy hands, "How dare you look down on my husband? Look at the trick! I can't pinch you mermaid to death!"

"Ah! Husband, please spare me!" Yang Ying was forced to the corner by Jin Yu, covering her face with her hands, not daring to look at Jin Yu, just like an ostrich, she turned her head and ignored``````But Jin Yu didn't use her face, The fishy smell was indeed too strong, so I rubbed my wrist to settle the matter, "If you don't fight for three days, you will go to the house to expose the tiles! Wait, you are not allowed to sleep until you finish eating tonight!"

The seasonings are all ready-made, and the seeds of the chili peppers have been taken out, so you can use them with confidence. It will be enough to open a restaurant with chili peppers next year.Jin Yu was not polite, he cleaned up the two fish, cut them into slices, and threw them into the pot.When it was out of the pot, the container was difficult for Jin Yu. It is not elegant to use a frying pan to eat hot pot.Jin Yu looked around the kitchen, and the yellow-orange vegetable sink caught Jin Yu's attention.Made of pure copper, the size is just right, it's perfect for squatting on the intersection!

"Husband uses this to hold fish?" Yang Ying's eyes widened in disbelief, as if seeing the expression of a UFO.

"What a fuss! Take off the stove lid." Copper has excellent thermal conductivity. Although Jin Yu put a layer of white cloth under his hands, the distance from the kitchen to the bedroom, the white cloth has no effect on heat insulation.

"The concubine does not eat, is it dirty?" Yang Ying frowned, looking at the white and red pieces in the pot, she had no appetite at all.

"Don't regret it if you don't eat." Jin Yu stirred the spoon twice, and the aroma came out. For those who haven't eaten, the temptation is particularly great.

Seeing Yang Ying sucking her nose and swallowing her saliva, Jin Yu smiled, feeling very satisfied.It would be great if there was another bottle of Wuliangye for beautiful women and fine wine, but fortunately, Cheng Huaimo sent some wine a few days ago, and Yang Ying locked it in the cellar. "Bring the key! You can only see it but not eat it, and wait for your husband to come back." Jin Yu robbed Yang Ying's key. Yang Ying, the housekeeper, is now in charge of the power alone. let go.

Yang Ying looked at Jinyu disdainfully, as if she didn't care about the hot pot fish, but her drooling expression betrayed her.When Jin Yu came back with the wine, Yang Ying couldn't help but start eating, "Is it delicious?" Jin Yu asked with a smile.

"It's so-so!" Yang Ying imitated Jin Yu's tone and said, "Don't use this basin again next time, it's so dirty! If you want to eat, let's order another basin."

"Success!" Jin Yu was also hungry, grabbed a piece of fish and threw it into his mouth, sucking it until it was so hot, but the fish mixed with egg white was delicious and tender. "Come on, my lady has a drink too!" Jin Yu poured two glasses of wine, the porcelain cups can only be said to be passable, it would be great if there were a pair of tall glasses.

Yang Ying did not refuse her husband's proposal, but she took the wine jar, how could she let a big man pour wine for her?She is very womanly.Yang Ying likes to drink this wine very much. It's sweet, and the taste of the wine is a bit light. After drinking it, she won't feel dizzy. It's like lying on cotton, which is very comfortable.

"Don't just eat meat, but also eat some bean sprouts. The combination of meat and vegetables tastes more delicious." Jin Yu gave Yang Ying two chopsticks of bean sprouts. It would be better if there were celery, but unfortunately there are no greenhouse vegetables at this time.The tea house also only grows a limited number of vegetables, but there is no shortage of bean sprouts. Jinyu sent some at home, which is a beautiful scenery on the winter table.

Yang Ying just swallowed her tongue, Jinyu's exclusive formula, with pure natural ingredients, is very fragrant!If it wasn't for Jin Yu's failure to pick out the fishbone, Yang Ying's eating speed would be a little faster.

The couple ate hot pot around a stove in winter and drank good wine from time to time. It was very warm.In a short time, the two of them had already eaten their stomachs big and round, and there was nothing left of the two fish except for the tail and head.Jin Yu loosened his belt and pulled the fish head with chopsticks. "As the saying goes, 'fish are all treasures, and the fish head is the most nutritious'. This thing fills the brain, one for each person."

Yang Ying is not like Jin Yu's loose belt, but she still glanced at Jin Yu, raised her head and took a deep breath, but did not refuse Jin Yu's suggestion to eat fish heads.

"Let's clean it up tomorrow! My concubine even ate tomorrow's meal, I really can't move." Yang Ying touched her stomach after eating, as if there was a baby inside, very uneducated, Does eating food reach the intestinal tract so quickly?It must still be lingering in the stomach.

"Success." Jin Yu's remonstrance was endless, he also ate a lot, raised his hand and picked up a pot lid to cover it, regardless of whether it was matched or not. "Drink some hawthorn water to reduce digestion, and be careful of stomach ache in the middle of the night." Hawthorn can not only make candied haws, but also boil some hawthorn water. Add more sugar, sour and sweet, especially delicious.

Yang Ying obediently poured a cup for Jin Yu first, "Don't go to sleep, my husband will accompany my concubine to talk."

Jin Yu nodded, and waved Yang Ying aside, the copper pot was very hot, how could he let his little daughter-in-law suffer this?It's better to have a thicker skin, even if you get burned, you can find a way to get some comfort from Yang Ying, hehe.

"Why did the lady think of stuffing gold leaves into the belly of the fish?" Jin Yu was very curious, if this would not be a big deal in later generations, after all, in the age of giving gifts with hollowed out hearts, there were all kinds of tricks, but it was different in ancient times, could it be Now there is such an "elegant" way of offering bribes?

"What's so strange about this? Both Chen Sheng and Wu Guang know how to stuff letters into fish stomachs, but concubines can't stuff gold leaves?" Yang Ying still felt that there was nothing to question about this, it was as natural as drinking water and eating.

"Oh." Jin Yu nodded, as long as he didn't learn to pay bribes, although there are few legal provisions now, they are very strict. If you embezzle thirty pieces of cloth, you will peel off a layer of skin. It's terrifying. No wonder Li Er period rarely There are corruption offenders, who is not afraid of such a heavy punishment?If the embezzlement of tens of millions of dollars is only sentenced to a labor reform, it is estimated that Li Er will follow in the footsteps of his cousin. "Chen Sheng, Wu Guangchao, and Wu Guangchao stuffed letters in their stomachs, isn't that nonsense? What kind of paper is not afraid of getting wet?" Jin Yu likes to pick up these ancient bugs with his daughter-in-law after dinner, very interesting intellectual games.

"People use cloth, so of course they are not afraid of getting wet. How could there be paper at the end of the Qin Dynasty?" Yang Ying gave Jinyu a weak look. Her husband's occasional ignorance is really troublesome, but fortunately there are no outsiders.

"Cloth can't make it, right? Isn't ink afraid of water? It's nonsense to pass letters from the belly of a fish!" Jin Yu obviously didn't believe Yang Ying's statement. Although Chen Sheng and Wu Guang used superstition to achieve their purpose of raising troops, this statement was obviously unjustifiable.

"Who said that 'Fish Belly Biography' uses fish? Husband, have you never seen someone else's family letter?" Yang Ying is used to Jin Yu criticizing what he calls "ancient people", but this "Fish Belly Biography" Jin Yu Obviously not as clear as I know.

Jin Yu shook his head. He didn't expect that there is a developed postal system now, and he wondered if things like stamps should be posted.

"Paper is a precious thing, and scholars are not willing to use paper to seal letters. Besides, my husband has seen bamboo paper. It is very brittle and cannot be folded, so someone sandwiched the letter between two bamboo boards to protect the letter. Over time, the bamboo board became in the shape of a fish, and that's why there was a saying of "passing the book in the belly of a fish"." Yang Ying patiently explained to her husband.

"Oh, so that's the case." Jin Yu nodded. He didn't expect the ancients to be so wise. It may be because there is no real object unearthed, so most people in later generations mistakenly think that fish is really used to pass family letters. If it is really used Fish, probably a little farther away, the fish will stink by the time you receive the letter, right? "Teaching for my husband!" Jin Yu joked with Yang Ying.

Yang Ying shook her head, didn't answer Jin Yu's words, and sighed: "Oh! I regret it, I should let my husband eat the fish head just now."

"Why? Are you full?" Jin Yu asked worriedly.

"Didn't my husband say what you eat to make up for you? You should make up your mind more, you're so stupid!" After Yang Ying finished speaking, she leaned on the table and laughed, her shoulders twitched, which seemed to be a game back very happy.

5000
"Bold! How dare you laugh at your husband! Look at the trick, the dragon catches the hand!" Jin Yu cooperated with the move, and now the couple are fighting and fighting, and the relationship is tight. "Let's raise the eyebrows"?Whatever you do, you must first be polite, and when you live a married life, you must first say, "Lady, I want to pass on the family line for my husband, please cooperate with me." Then the lady lay motionless on the bed, and did not dare to make a sound , I am afraid that my husband will say that I have no womanly virtue.What's the fun in such a day?Anyway, it's not as happy as the Jinyu couple.

"The concubine's belly is so full, my husband will spare the concubine." Yang Ying begged for mercy with a blushing face after being pulled out by Jin Yu.

"It's okay, it's okay from behind, hehe."

"Husband``````lamp``````"

"Husband```Slow down```The night```is still long``````"

(End of this chapter)