Chapter 5, there has been no rain in Haizhou for three years
With a thud... it was as if the mud and sand scattered, and the eight elderly individuals who were once flesh and blood instantly turned to dust, carried away by the wind. The green dragon suddenly darted through the ancestral hall, soaring into the sky, disappearing between the blue sky and white clouds. Throughout the entire process, the ancestral hall remained undamaged, as if it had just been a shadow moments ago.
This bizarre occurrence left Xiao Hao unable to sleep any longer. Although it was the darkest hour before dawn, there was still a hint of light in the sky. Xiao Hao groped to put on his clothes and stepped outside. As a soul from another world, Xiao Hao had not yet developed the kind of decadent lifestyle where everything was handed to him. Since he became self-sufficient at the age of 3, he had been striving to maintain his independence and practice self-reliance.
Just now, although I was sound asleep, inexplicably, such an awareness suddenly emerged in my mind This is both marvelous and strange
Old Er! An elderly man with similarly white hair approached. Although aged, he stood tall and straight. "Regarding this matter, sigh, when we do this, we must be prepared for failure."
Shortly thereafter, Kong Xiang, relying on his immense power, actually stood against the monarch, independently assuming the roles of Grand Historian and Chancellor, wielding authority that overshadowed the court and the realm, and nothing more than that
It is said that when a wall falls, everyone pushes it; within just a few days, the Lü family became the target of public scorn; and since they had to leave as a family, they naturally had to sell their property; however, in such circumstances, it goes without saying that the prices were driven down to the extreme, with items that used to be worth several hundred taels of silver now fetching only three to five taels. In reality, faced with such interests, some former "comrades" turned back to give a push.
After tidying up, everyone sat cross-legged here, calmly and peacefully waiting; at dawn...
Once the nine small bronze tripods are gathered, they will automatically merge into a two-foot tall bronze tripod, still adorned with snake-pattern carvings, albeit in a more vivid manner. This can be considered a simple upgrade from three to nine, akin to a book.
There are also fruits, grains, and vegetarian dishes placed in front of the bronze tripod of auspiciousness. For primary rituals, only vegetarian offerings and the like can be used
"Three years of fortune for a county?" The three clan elders fell silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke, their eyes glinting with a cold light: "What if we use this fortune to pray for the end of the three years of famine in Haizhou?"
In the western part of Haizhou lies the Goddess Peak—this is not merely a decoration; it is a point of significance. Another point is that Haizhou today is actually much wealthier than other places. As the nation declines and fortunes shift, Haizhou's fortune has inexplicably become abundant. However, two years without rainfall is enough to astonish everyone!
However, neither Xiao Hao nor the Xiao family or the Li family would know how much their actions would impact the Dali royal court; they are ultimately not from a prominent family, not aristocrats, and do not understand politics. Or rather, when interests are at stake, who can still care for others
Why the East? Why two years?
Elder brother, what do you think we, with our old arms and legs, can still do for the family? Our entire family will be leaving the Great Li Court in a month, and it would indeed be quite difficult to bring along us elderly folks. Rather than becoming a burden to the family, it would be better for us to stay here.
Good! In this remaining life, let others know that the Lü family is not something they can easily meddle with! The clan elder agreed, and another reason is that they sacrificed their lives to defend the honor of the Lü family, so this branch of the family will also receive care from the higher family; because this is a family of warriors! The elders of their family have contributed to the prosperity and reputation of the Lü family.
"Old Third, why this suggestion or idea?" The elder of the Chang clan suddenly inquired. Clearly, selecting a target is a very challenging task
Second brother, you! The elder of the Chang clan was filled with shock on his face.
In the end, Haizhou is weak and lacks significant power, therefore they do not have the ability to retaliate against us
Elder of the Second Clan: "Elder Brother, at present we have three Qi Luck Tripods, which correspond to the fortune of a prominent family in a small nation, or equivalent to the fortune of a county for three years"
These four characters lingered in the mind of the elder of the Chang clan, echoing like the sound of bronze bells resonating within his soul.
Elder brother, I have no expectations left in this life. I will sacrifice this remaining life to leave a profound lesson for the Great Li Royal Court. As he spoke, this second elder of the Lü family displayed a resolute expression, even tinged with ferocity and madness.
At this moment, both the Xiao family and the Li family were beaming with joy. Then everyone turned to look at Xiao Hao; he truly was a prodigy! Just a small idea from him had completely turned the situation around. Even the chancellor, who stood above all others, was forced to be killed at home, and his clan was driven out.
Stay here ... ... Stay here. ... ... ... Stay here ...
Haha, good! Good! With your ulterior motives, not only will you meet your own demise, but your entire family will also be expelled. " Xiao Hao's brother-in-law, Li Yulong, laughed triumphantly, and the scar on his face seemed to come alive in that moment.
At this moment, numerous families, both large and small, whose interests have been significantly affected, began to turn around and slander the Lü family. The Dali royal court is merely a small to medium-sized state in the current Dongsheng Shenzhou, and the Lü family here is merely a branch of a branch; therefore, once they lose power, coupled with the Confucianists taking the lead, everyone rejoices and eagerly adds to their misfortunes
In the eastern part of Haizhou, there will be no rainfall for the next two years, starting today
After three feet are sufficient, they converge to form a four-foot bronze ding
According to the aforementioned upgrading rules, upon reaching the seventh level of the bronze tripod, which measures seven feet in size, the bronze tripod relief depicted in the illustrations and texts will feature a dragon.
However, the people of Haizhou are an exception! At this moment, everyone on the ground in Haizhou experiences an inexplicable epiphany: there will be no rainfall in the eastern part of Haizhou for the next 2 years
The relief on the four-foot bronze tripod depicts a dragon.
What is going on! Xiao Hao suddenly jumped up from the bed
In an instant, some core children from the family stepped forward, igniting incense sticks the thickness of chopsticks, each measuring one foot in length; meanwhile, some yellow silk cloths were taken out from beneath the offering table, covered with inscriptions in seal script; if one could understand them, they would find that they contained sacrificial texts praying to heaven and earth, to deities, and to ancestors.
"We earnestly request your gracious approval," shouted the seven elderly individuals in unison
I humbly request your gracious approval
However, within the court of the Great Li Kingdom and among the clan elders of the Kong family branch and other families, they all sensed the fluctuations of fortune! Although it barely reached the level of three years of fortune for a county, this fortune is also the culmination of decades of accumulation by the Lü family and should not be overlooked
Suddenly, a strong wind swept in, and in an instant, the incense, the tripod, and the prayer silk books ignited fiercely. The offerings were shattered immediately, and under the swirling wind, they transformed into a small tornado. The tornado, a dragon of the wind, appeared at that moment as the bronze cauldron of fortune was completely destroyed, and the crude snake relief on it turned into a shadow that darted into the tornado. For a moment, the tornado seemed to transform into a blue dragon, yet it was very hazy, suspended in mid-air.
Once the three serpent patterns are filled, the gathered fortune will give rise to a new bronze ding
After gathering 9 two-foot bronze tripods, they become one three-foot tripod. The three-foot tripod still features the snake relief, but it will be even more vivid, or one might say lifelike
Once everything was prepared, the children stood solemnly nearby, ready to assist at any moment
Amidst the swirling smoke of fireworks, the elder of the Chang clan slowly spoke: "Today, the Lü family of the Great Li royal court has been humiliated, and my heart is troubled. Therefore, I pray to our ancestors, and with the 'He-Tu' and 'Luo-Shu', I offer our lives and honor as a sacrifice, igniting the fortune of the Three Tripods.
Pray to the heavens and the rain deity, with the auspicious energy of the three tripods, to beseech the severance of the rainwater from the sea state at the estuary of the Young Long River, extending 1,000 li into the east, for three years
Elder brother, I understand. However, seeing my kin suffer makes me feel distressed! I am distressed!
Who knows what is going on! Xiao Hao's expression was grim. This bizarre world is truly overwhelming for a normal person from Earth
What happened! Of course, bystanders would not know.
No, these little people, just letting them go like this makes me uncomfortable
Good! In a moment, many people agreed
Moreover, our efforts will undoubtedly enable the departing members of the clan to receive the support and attention of the family above
Then the elder of the clan knelt down and lit the prayer silk scroll, while the seven individuals lined up behind the elder in a single file
Now, what is placed in the ancestral hall of the Lü family branch in the Great Li royal court are two one-foot tall three-snake tripods and one one-foot tall two-snake tripod. The quantity of such fortune is roughly comparable to the fortune of Haizhou over three years—after all, Haizhou is poor, at least in the eyes of the world. However, this fortune represented by the three tripods is the accumulation of the Lü family here over several decades
It is said that during the era of Xia Qi, there were three dragons and nine tripods, establishing the Eastern Victory of the Divine Land. However, after that, the world was divided and fragmented. Today, the largest royal court in the Central Plains only has three dragons and nine tripods! Still, it is "said that".
Upon leaving the house, I discovered that the maid Xiang'er, along with several guards and others, were all engaged in conversation; everyone was astonished to find that they all shared the same sentiment
Firstly, they are direct associates; secondly, the power of Haizhou is weak, and due to the absence of nobility and other forms of suppression, the fortunes are scattered! Thirdly, Haizhou is precisely a county in size!
Then, the azure dragon opened its mouth and roared, a sound that struck fear into the soul enveloping the eight elders, and immediately after, the azure dragon lunged fiercely at the eight individuals
Big brother, first of all, our luck is limited, and we need to create enough impact, so the Kong family cannot be allowed to influence; moreover, our two families have not completely fallen out. What remains are some minor officials and families, which are not worth our effort. Therefore, I believe Haizhou is the most suitable, as it has sufficient influence
The smallest and most basic Qi Yun bronze ding stands at a height of 1 foot, featuring 1 to 3 snake-patterned reliefs on its surface according to the Qi Yun highland
Elder Chang: "Today, the family may be gone, but the fortune belongs to this land, and we cannot take it with us. Rather than let it go to waste, it is better to exhaust it. I have decided to utilize this fortune to add to the honor of the Lü family!"
Eight elders then entered the ancestral hall together, where they began their preparations in the solemn atmosphere. On the ground, there were three bronze tripods, each with a diameter of one foot; two of the tripods were adorned with carvings of three coiled snakes, while one featured only two snake patterns. This is the Qi Yun Ding, one of the foundations of a family. The stronger the Qi Yun, the more stable the family; conversely, the more stable the family, the more Qi Yun it can gather.
Burn incense and prepare the prayer silk scrolls
No one says anything to themselves, nor do they dream of anything; it is merely a feeling, a strange and inexplicable sensation! It inexplicably enters one's mind, and then one inexplicably knows that there will be no rain in the eastern part of Haizhou for the next two years
Afterwards, the winds calmed and the waves settled, it seems as if nothing had happened here
As long as there is sufficient fortune gathered, under simple guidance, the fortune will spontaneously converge into the shape of a bronze cauldron. This does not require human intervention
"This is too much!" An elderly patriarch of the Lü family, with white hair, roared to the sky
It is said that the old child is an old child; sometimes once a decision is made, it becomes very firm or stubborn. The clan elder directly informs the family of the decision, and then the eight clan elders gather together to discuss the process.