It is said that the son's father is the patriarch of a wealthy family

At ten o'clock in the evening, a raging fire ignited in the center of the square in front of the Zhang Family Ancestral Hall. It was the heat released when the envelope was burned. In this starry night, the orange flame was full of mystery.

There are no street lights on the island today, so under the reflection of the fire, everyone's face is plated with a layer of light red.

Envelope is a spontaneous behavior of later generations to send money to the deceased ancestors, because people believe that there must be an afterlife after death, and whether the ghosts after death can live comfortably depends on the worship of future generations, so give to ancestors In addition to food, there are usually paper money for offerings, which is a traditional custom of human beings since birth.

According to legend, every year from the [-]st of July, the king of Hades orders the gates of hell to be opened wide, so that the ghosts can have a chance to wander the world for a short time. The family accepted sacrifices and offerings, so the custom of burning bags came into being.

It is said that money can make ghosts grind, so paper money also has the function of currency circulation in the underworld, so in addition to burning some paper money for the ancestors who have passed away, a lot of envelopes need to be burned during the Ghost Festival.

At this time, it was the last part of the Zhang family's ancestor worship on the island, burning the package to send the ancestors.

The package needs to be wrapped by relatives in person. The name and taboo of the ancestors are written on the front of the paper package, who sent the money, and the seal is written on the back of the paper package, so it is called "package". Generally, it contains paper money, gold ingots or specially printed RMB. However, the Zhang family still wraps paper money according to the ancient custom, and paper money also represents ancient copper coins.

So as soon as it got dark, Li Mu took the Zhang family's daughters-in-law to build a pile of envelopes in the square. There is a special way to burn the envelopes. Stacked in a stacked manner, this is conducive to the circulation of air, and also enables the packets to burn more quickly and fully under the action of oxygen, so that the ancestors can receive the burned paper money as soon as possible.

Stacking packets and arranging sacrifices are what Zhang's daughters-in-law do, so Li Mu is also in the lead.

There are already many Zhang family members, even if each person only wraps one packet, there will be a big pile, not to mention the things given to the ancestors. Everyone wants to show their filial piety. Packets are piled up, and so many packets burn together, one can imagine how spectacular the flames are.

The more packets burned, the bigger the fire, which also means that the family members are prosperous and the family wealth is full. Moreover, the ancestors are worshiped four times a year, and the focus of each worship is different. Burn packets, so today, the more packets burned, the more prosperous the family is.

This is a grand occasion for living people to express their grief, and it is also a grand occasion for future generations to remember the kindness of their ancestors. This is a grand ancestor worship ceremony and a feast of remembering their ancestors.

The packets are piled up to form a big mountain of packets. At this time, the work of Li Mu and Zhang's wife is completed, and the rest is to light the fire, and the task of igniting the fire is handed over to the men of the Zhang family to ignite the No.1 packet. It was the patriarch of the family, that is, Zhang Yi, and once the fire of Fengbao was ignited, the children around were the happiest.

All of them are waiting to send the ancestors with incense sticks in their hands.

In July, the gates of ghosts are open, there are pick-ups and send-offs. After the ancestors are sacrificed, they should return to Yincao, so future generations will light the way for the ancestors to return.

The fire ignited, illuminating half the sky.

It also illuminated Zhang Yi and Li Mu standing in front of the pile of packets, and behind them were the clan elders, and behind the clan elders were the clansmen.

Lighting lamps and burning incense to send ancestors is carried out according to the family unit. Each household lights a small boat-shaped lantern made by itself, and then walks along the road without turning back. You have to go all the way to the beach to stop. Then the paper lanterns are placed on the sea to complete the ceremony of presenting the ancestors.

The ghosts of the ancestors will be attached to the small lanterns, so that the ancestors can float along the sea back to the underworld.

At this time, taking the family as the unit not only refers to the clan members surnamed Zhang, but also includes the daughters-in-law of the Zhang family. Therefore, the adults all carry lanterns and a handful of incense sticks in their hands, while the children are still young. Just hold the incense sticks.

There is no wind, the paper money in the envelope is being quickly swallowed by the flames, and the swallowed paper money turns into ashes and floats gently in the sea of ​​fire, neither sinking nor rising, just waiting so calmly, waiting for the end of the flames.

And the people around the fire are also quietly waiting for the arrival of the Zishi. Once the Zishi arrives, the final ancestral sending ceremony can be carried out.

The fire in front of the ancestral hall gradually diminished, the ashes began to sink slowly, and a thick pile of ashes slowly formed on the ground.

At eleven o'clock, the bell in the ancestral hall was rung, indicating that it was midnight.

As soon as Zishi arrives, the clansmen who are responsible for lighting the lamps and incense will light the lanterns and incense sticks in everyone's hands, and then everyone can walk along the road to the seaside regardless of priority or rank. This is the most lively time.

As long as there are many people participating in the activity, the children are very happy and excited.

Carrying the lantern in the hand is to illuminate the ancestors, and sticking the incense sticks into the soil on the side of the road is to point the way forward for the ancestors.

But after a while, under the bright moonlight, people held lanterns and floated in the road one by one, and the roads on both sides were also lit up with dark red spots, which was a way of farewell.

What is sent is the ancestors, the yin road is also the yang road, and it is the road that future generations and ancestors walk together.

Sending off the ancestors is a sacred activity. There are many Zhang family members, and everyone has a handful of incense sticks in their hands. Even the children hold three or five incense sticks in their hands. Therefore, the farewell team is very long, standing in the square of the ancestral hall. Looking down the mountain, you can see dots of light flickering on the long road, just like a dazzling fire dragon.

Such a mysterious scene represents the prosperity of the family.

Zhang Yi and Li Mu each carried a lantern and took Yuanbao along the direction of the flow of people from high to low to the sea. The beach where the ancestors were sent to the sea was chosen on the other side of the island, that is, facing away from the sea of ​​Qingdao. Where is the sea? Boundless as far as the eye can see, the sea will take the paper boat far and far along the ocean currents, which also symbolizes the long, long road for the ancestors to return to the underworld.

People are walking slowly, and there are almost 1.1 meters of incense sticks on the side of the road. The incense sticks cannot be inserted repeatedly, but must be inserted along the road, so that the ancestors will not get lost or stay in the world.

After all, there is a separation between life and death, and the two ends of yin and yang are the rules of heaven and earth.

The incense sticks inserted at this time are specially made and can burn for a long time, so you don’t have to worry about burning out the incense before you reach the beach. Even if possible, these incense sticks can burn for several hours. The incense sticks can be turned into props for children to play games.

The fire dragon keeps going...

In the bustling crowd, Zhang Yi whispered to Li Mu as he walked, "Mumu, today's opportunity is good. I let Yuan Bao go on the genealogy." The other party, but after thinking about it, it's still wrong. Since the two are a family, there should be no concealment. Although he still has the biggest secret, but wait, wait a few days and he will tell all the secrets. Everything is confessed.

Li Mu was startled when he heard that Yuan Bao had entered the family tree of the Zhang family. He stood where he was, not knowing whether he should continue walking for a long time.

And his mind was even more chaotic.

Yuanbao is on the family tree of the Zhang family!Is it that easy to do a family tree?Especially the Zhang family's genealogy, can you access it if you want?The bigger the family, the more it pays attention to the purity of the blood. Can the blood of an outsider be included in the family tree?This is no big joke!For a moment, Li Mu overlapped the faces of Zhang Yi and Yuan Bao, father and son?It was quite similar, but in an instant, he put this unrealistic thought behind him.

It's ridiculous, Zhang Yi and Yuan Bao can't be father and son!

However, at this moment, the cold eyes hidden deep in his memory popped up again in his mind. He carefully looked at Zhang Yi's eyes, but under the moonlight, he couldn't find the eyes in his dream. Déjà vu.

"Mumu, what's the matter with you?" Seeing that Li Mu's mind was in a trance, Zhang Yi quickly grabbed the other party's hand. Although he suddenly dropped a bomb A, he had to communicate with the other party sooner or later. It's all fried, so it's better to take advantage of the opportunity tonight to try it out first, so as to prepare for confessing Yuanbao's life experience.

Also ask what happened?

Of course, he was worried about Zhang's family tree on Yuanbao. Li Mu gave the guy who cast A thunder for him a hard look. Until today, he didn't know how many clan members there were in the Zhang family. There are at least more than 300 relatives in the first line, not to mention those aunts who married out. Looking at it this way, can the prosperous Zhang family easily let Yuanbao be included in the genealogy?

The family tree is the real Zhang family, not only the same identity, but also the same inheritance rights, this is not a matter of simple words, this is power, it is interest!

Although he knew that Zhang Yi was doing it for the good of Yuan Bao, Li Mu couldn't help but ask, "What did you pay?" Some ancient traditions, so the other party must have paid some price to convince those elders.

You know, the status of the clan elders in the clan is not low.

They may not be able to open up territories and manage the economy, but they must be the most experienced old people. It is said that people who are old enough to be able to become clan elders must have extraordinary talents, learning, character, and experience. place.

Because the development of a family needs not only the leadership of the patriarch, but also counselors to assist in the management, and the counselors are these elders who pick up the omissions. It is impossible for any family to develop in one word. Only when different opinions can be tolerated can we work together. Otherwise, it is impossible for a family to last for so many years.

Of course, this certainly does not mean that the rights of the patriarchs can check and balance or override the patriarch, but family affairs must be discussed together, so even if the patriarch wants to use his power for personal gain, he must at least bribe the eight chiefs. Only the elders of the clan can do it, otherwise how could Yuan Bao get the Zhang family's genealogy.

Hearing Li Mu's words, Zhang Yi couldn't help but chuckled out loud. His Mumu was so cute, so he led him along and said, "Don't worry, I have a solution. As I said, since you and Yuan Bao entered my Zhang Yi Yi’s family, then we will be a family forever. Not only Yuanbao can be included in the genealogy, but also you. It will be respected by future generations, and our future life will also have a basis for changing the name."

Hearing that he was going to be on the family tree soon, Li Mu instantly understood that this was the Zhang family's recognition of him. In fact, it was mainly because of Zhang Yi, the patriarch's recognition. From this point of view, this man was really a good one to find.

Under the moonlight, Li Mu carefully looked at Zhang Yi's facial features. They were still so sharp and mighty, but the only thing that changed when this mountainous man faced him was his eyes, which were full of pampering and deep. .

Facing these eyes, Li Mu immersed himself in the vast ocean indulgently.

Looking at Li Mu's starry eyes, Zhang Yi was immediately happy. Only at this time, the expressions of Yuan Bao and his father and son are the closest. It's a pity that they are still on the way to see off their ancestors and return, otherwise, he really wants to Treat each other well.

The two looked at each other affectionately, their eyes became extremely deep.

As early as when Zhang Yi was talking with Li Mu, Yuan Bao followed the children on the island and ran to the front. After struggling for a long time, the children had already figured out everything on the island clearly. Not to mention that the street lights are not turned on tonight, even with their eyes closed they can figure out the road clearly.

At this time, Yuan Bao was surrounded by several children, including Zhang Hongxun, Zhang Hongquan, Zhang Hongwu (Little Stone), and Zhang Hongliu, also known as Niuniu. Get together quickly.

During this ancestor worship, the brothers and sisters of the children also returned to the island, but they are of different age groups. The older children don’t want to play with the little ones, or they can’t understand these people who live on the island all the time. Little kid, so he deliberately alienated the children during the activity of sending off the ancestors and formed a group.

This happened because of the regulations on the island. Children living on the island can learn enlightenment on the island when they are under eight years old, but they must go to the city to go to school when they are over eight years old. They can only go back to school during the holidays. Reuniting with family members on the island is also a kind of protection for children on the island.

But for children, this situation is easiest to divide into small groups.

So the small groups played with the children in the group. Originally, Zhang Hongxun and the others followed their own adults, but why they got together again was mainly because the children of the Zhang family who lived in the urban villas also belonged to the group. The direct branch of the Zhang family did not live on the island because their parents did not contribute enough, so they formed a group by themselves.

Their group was also divided into older children and younger children, but the older children on both sides almost knew each other, even if they went to the island, they didn't distinguish between each other, and soon mixed together to play, and there was only a group of little hairy children left.

Little children, little hairy children, are the most likely to have conflicts.

The reason is that when inserting incense sticks, the children of the two parties just fell in love with a place. The bumping and shoving became incompatible. As for the enemy, of course, they had to face the enemy together. Small, but his previous melee in the ethnology not only captured the hearts of the people, but also gained a lot of prestige.

The three-year-old Yuan Bao is very good at fighting, and also very good at fighting. The most important point is that he is not afraid of fighting, which is the common cognition of all children.

Therefore, when faced with a real threat, the children automatically gathered together again.

I don't know how they passed the news, but after a while, all the children gathered at the beach. The adults didn't care about this phenomenon, and the island was very safe. The street lights were not turned on, but the light from the moonlight and the lanterns was already enough for lighting. What's more, there were security personnel patrolling everywhere on the beach, on the road, and at various intersections, which was absolutely guaranteed in terms of safety.

Today's moon is very big and the sea is calm. Several yachts are patrolling the offshore area. This is a private force protecting the island.

The children of the two parties were facing each other on the wide beach. Judging from the situation, there was a possibility of an outbreak, but Yuan Bao, who was surrounded by Zhang Hongxun and the others, was still a little confused. What do you mean, is this going to fight?

But my father refused. Before leaving the house today, Li Mu had repeatedly told him that he was not allowed to cause trouble, and that he could not cause trouble. He really didn't cause trouble!It's just that I figured it out on my own head. After I figured it out, Yuan Bao stood at the forefront of the children with peace of mind.

Head to head.

After seeing the leader of the Sea Island faction clearly, the children on the other side burst out laughing, haha, isn’t it so funny? It’s actually a milk doll as the leader. Could it be that the leader is only because of the other party’s high status?

Today is the first time Yuan Bao has officially appeared in the family, so everyone knows that he is the son of the patriarch. However, before seeing Yuan Bao's abilities, it is not an easy task to be recognized by all the children.

If Yuan Bao really relied on connections to become the leader, then they really looked down on the Sea Island faction.

Hearing the laughter of the children on the other side, both Zhang Hongxun and Zhang Hongquan clenched their fists angrily, intending to rush forward to fight if there was a disagreement. Anyway, they were all male dolls who had been fighting since they were young. No one really knows about fighting. Afraid.

It's a big deal, I'll be spanked by my parents when I go home.

Faced with the provocations of the children from the land faction, the island faction was filled with righteous indignation, and the situation immediately became tense. A war could break out at any time. Faced with this situation, Yuan Bao also became nervous. Tell yourself the picture.

Can't fight!

To be spanked!

What should I do?

But if you dare to laugh at me, you really want to beat them to death!

Yuan Bao was also very angry about the provocation of the Lu faction, but his father said that he would send the ancestors back at night, no troubles, no fights, but no fights, what should we do?He stared at the little furry boy, who was obviously older than his own children, and weighed it up. Well, if you fight, you probably won't win, but if you don't fight, what should you do?

If you can't fight with martial arts, let's fight with literature!This is what my father taught me.

After he figured it out, Yuan Bao grabbed Zhang Hongxun, who was already rolling up his sleeves, and said seriously to the children of the land faction: "We must not disturb the ancestors, or we will be spanked, or else, let's compete, so that there will be no Get spanked by an adult!"

The point is that you must not be spanked. Although he has never been spanked, but the last time I saw Zhang Hongxun walking with a limp, I heard that he was spanked, especially his butt was red and swollen, and he couldn't even sit. Thinking of this, Yuan Bao frowned beautifully.

You must not be spanked by your father!

Therefore, we can only use competition to solve problems. Zhang Yi's father said that you must know how to use strategies. Although you don't know what strategies are, they seem to be very useful, so you can solve problems without fighting.

Hearing the game, all the children's eyes lit up, yes, if you don't fight, you don't need to be spanked.

Good game, this is really a good idea!The two children squatted on the ground and began to discuss the competition.

It is said that the moon on the fifteenth day is big and round. At this time, the moon like a silver plate is watching the group of children below gently. It exudes a quiet light in the sky, adding a touch of bright color to the vast earth.

Worshiping ancestors is a big event, so many people went to the island today, and all the descendants of the Zhang family who lived outside the island also brought their families to the island. The island is the new Zhang family base camp, and many children are here for the first time. The children living on the island are envious, but they are not convinced at the same time.

Why can these little kids live on the island but they can't?

That's right!

In fact, according to the facts, this is really fighting for fathers. The Zhang family is a place that pays attention to ability, and the capable live there. Whoever tells other people's fathers or grandpas are capable and can be valued by the patriarch and live on the island, so this is called , with a good father, the child can also win at the starting line.

Therefore, it is understandable that the land faction disliked the island faction. They were just unconvinced in their hearts. They didn't expect to insert a stick of incense and put it on. Now that it is on, it will always be a winner or loser.

This is a matter of status. Although the children are not too old, they already know a lot about what they should know.

This is the children living in the big family.

In the face of the excitement of the children, the adults did not care. The more children there are, the more they fight and fight to prove that the family is prosperous. Not only are they happy to see it, but the ancestors are also happy to see so many clever descendants. open arms.

Therefore, the more serious the better, the more lively the children are, the more lively they are. They also came here when they were young, and they have long been familiar with this scene.

When the Zhang family was sending their ancestors off, other people gradually appeared on the road. They were people with foreign surnames who lived on the island with the patriarch. Because they were not the same ancestor, the ancestor worship was separate. Worshiping ancestors is not so grand, and most of them can simply worship at home.

However, the final sending off to the ancestors is still the same, and the road is the same. In the ceremony of sending off the ancestors, everyone can walk this road.

As soon as Dong Hanwu appeared on the road, he was forcibly dragged to the beach by the sharp-eyed Niuniu.

If he didn't know that Niu Niu was Yuan Bao's follower, he would have wanted to avoid it, and he would be full soon. Except for being Yuan Bao's companion, he usually didn't participate in children's games. Regarding today's scene, he was a little bit Inexplicably, but once on the beach I could see the difference in the situation.

At this time, the children are clearly divided, one is on the island and the other is off the island.

The children outside the island seem to be obviously older, most of them are eight or nine years old. Needless to say, on the island, they are all a group of carrot heads under the age of seven. Judging from the situation, there is a conflict. Are you going to fight?

Not to mention, he was really a little afraid of Yuanbao fighting.

The last time Yuan Bao rushed up to fight without saying a word, his posture shocked him a lot, he had never been so strong when he was a child, what if Yuan Bao got injured in a fight again?In a dilemma, Dong Hanwu glanced sadly at the moon in the sky.

Sure enough, different seeds have different degrees of trouble.

Fortunately, his old man, Secretary of the Board, is not here, otherwise, his ass would probably be beaten up.

The children of the land faction were startled when they saw Dong Hanwu who looked like an adult, and the leader of the opponent immediately said: "No, there must be two referees, he is yours, who knows if he will help you. "After finishing speaking, he hurriedly asked the child behind him to find someone, and it seemed that he was a master who didn't suffer.

It doesn't matter to Yuan Bao to find more referees, so he nodded.