In the fourth year of Yonghui (653 AD), the fifteenth day of the first month, Shangyuan, the beginning of spring.

In the feudal society, all dynasties attached importance to the beginning of spring and Shangyuan, and established it as a national legal holiday. Shangyuan is the first full moon after the New Year, and both Taoists and Buddhists value this festival; Not to mention the beginning of spring, the day of the start of spring ploughing, there is nothing that is not valued at the foundation of the agrarian society.

This year, it was a coincidence, and the two festivals were celebrated together. After dealing with the divorce case on the first day of the new year, Cui Yixuan issued important instructions on the second day of the new year, and all the officials in Wuzhou took action and insisted on working for 15 days to ensure that the double festival was successfully passed. Lao Cui is still the same old routine, which department has a problem, and the department leader is directly held accountable.

Wu Kang was busy from the second to the fifteenth year of junior high school, barely touching the ground, and occasionally did not return at night. Take yesterday as an example, on the first day of Shangyuan lanterns, Wuzhou became a city that never sleeps, with thousands of strange lanterns lighting up the night sky, with three or four floors high, and the short ones are comparable to gourds. Citizens gather in groups to enjoy the lanterns and lion dances, which is very lively.

However, Wu Kang was not blessed with such a wonderful picture, and held a meeting in the judicial yamen to discuss the security issues of the spring ploughing conference and the emergency plan for emergencies with the bad marshal, the head of the yawei team, the commander of the militia group, and the general manager of the security company.

Lao Cui approved a special fund of 40 yuan and hired a security company to assist, which shows the importance he attaches to it. No one dared to take it lightly, and the meeting lasted until the early hours of the morning, which was worthy of implementing the strategy.

Wu Kang returned home, fell asleep in a daze, and was woken up by smoke when the rooster crowed, and wanted to go to Kurong Mountain in the south of the city. Sitting at the dresser and dozing off, listening to the call like smoke, slowly opening your sleepy eyes.

Feeling that there was something on his head, he reached out to pick it up, but was pulled by like smoke: "Lang Jun, don't pick it, this is Chunsheng, every year at the beginning of spring, every household has to 'wear Chunsheng, and hang spring flags on the house'." Moreover, Lang Jun participated in the spring ploughing ceremony, and he had to wear Chunsheng. ”

And this is exquisite? Wu Kang instantly sobered up, looked at the bronze mirror, and his face darkened. The peony flower is folded on red paper, fixed on the golden hairpin, and inserted into the bun. I can't help but think of the red paper flowers used to hold weddings in the village of later generations, and the old men wear flowers out, which must be regarded as a neuropathy.

snorted and continued to pick, his arm was directly hugged, like smoke and almost begged: "Lang Jun, don't pick it, if you pick it, it is a blasphemy against the god of spring." This is the rule of the beginning of spring, wearing a bright and beautiful headdress, women wearing spring swallows and spring butterflies, men wearing spring flowers, and children wearing spring babies. ”

Wu Kang pursed his lips depressedly, looked at the girl who was crying, and said what unlucky customs, the old man wears flowers, why is it so awkward? At this time, Xiaocui entered the house and said with a grin: "Lang Jun Chunsheng is so good-looking, it's time to eat spring plate and bite spring, Jiu Niangzi is still waiting outside." ”

Turning around, looking at the objects on the plate, I was confused again, green onions, garlic, leeks, brassica (oil cabbage), coriander (coriander), and were also cut into shreds. felt even more depressed, glared at Xiaocui and scolded: "Is the family so poor? Let me eat this thing for breakfast? ”

Ruyan hurriedly popularized science: "Lang Jun This is the five new spring plates, and the five new ones are the green vegetables that grow in the beginning of spring, which is not only good for the body, but also brings blessings." Lang Jun eat quickly, this year will definitely be lucky, and he will definitely be promoted and make a fortune. ”

"What the lady said", Xiaocui interjected from the side: "The slaves have made a lot, the family has to eat, and the rest is sent to the neighbors." The slave has inquired, there is a custom of neighbors in Wuzhou giving spring plates to each other, Lang Jun is about to bite the spring, don't let Jiu Niangzi wait in a hurry. ”

Wu Kang had a bitter face, crooked customs and customs, this is very much like celebrating the New Year when I was a child, and the neighbors gave each other dumplings. After struggling for a while, my heart said to follow the local customs, close my eyes and grab a handful, stuff it into my mouth and chew. Good guy, spicy nose and garlic heart, tears almost fell. Swallow it and drink a bowl of water, and finally feel more comfortable.

Breathe into the palm of your hand and smell it with your nose, it tastes beautiful. I couldn't cry or laugh for a while, but when I met with my colleagues, how could I speak? Staring at him like smoke, Xiaocui, hanging up the horizontal knife and going out of the door, he had time to discuss with Lao Cui and carry out a special action of "breaking bad habits" in Wuzhou.

Out of the bedroom door, I can't help but stop, the courtyard is full of tree trunks and flower branches, hanging colorful strips, and there are words written on it, such as the spring breeze proud, auspicious, etc., which is more lively than the New Year. Out of the gate of the courtyard, I saw the luxury carriage of Cui's house, and on the lintel of the neighbor opposite, there was also similar colored paper. Look at your own door again, a virtue.

Jiu Niang's voice sounded behind him, Wu Kang turned his head and saw that he was petrified on the spot. Silk silk and satin clothes fluttering, otherworldly like a fairy, it is the first time to see her wearing women's clothes, with a demon-like face, beautiful and incomprehensible. Jiuniang grinned, pointed to the decoration on the top of her head and asked, "Erlang, look, is my Chunsheng good-looking?" ”

As soon as she opened her mouth, the image of the fairy collapsed, and her mouth was full of pungent onions and garlic, and she obviously ate the spring plate. and the spring victory on his head, which made him speechless. Aren't women wearing Chunyan and Spring Butterfly, why do you always wear spring chickens to come out?

The two of them walked over, took off their buns, and said with a smile: "That Xiaoqing, the chicken is in my hometown, the meaning is not very good, let's change it." ”

didn't wait for her to refuse, quickly picked the spring chicken for spring flowers, and put the spring chicken on his head. Jiuniang was a little confused, flashing her deer eyes and said: "Your spring flowers are so ugly, how can there be a spring chicken that looks good, the meaning of the chicken is very good, the hen lays eggs and the rooster crows... Don't talk about this, hurry up and get in the car, don't miss the hour. ”

The two got into the car, and the coachman whipped the horse and went straight to Kurong Mountain. On the third day of junior high school, Zhao Beijia carried a wild goose and went to Lao Cui's house to ask for a famous gift. Jiuniang's maiden name is Cui Lingqing, and "Ling" is a genealogical character. It is said that on the day she was born, it rained for several days, and suddenly the sun was shining, and the irresponsible old Cui was beautiful, and she was named "Qing".

The wedding process is halfway through, and the rest is to pay for the levy, invite the date, and welcome the family. Don't drive Lao Zhao back from the Assassin's Mansion, saying that August 16 is an auspicious day of the zodiac, and prepare a dowry in advance.

After the old guy finished speaking, a piece of paper slapped him in the face, patted his ass and left. Recruitment is to send a letter of appointment and a dowry, Wu Kang looked at the gift list, the good guy was more than fifty kinds, and directly shook the face of the dog-headed military advisor Lao Su and asked him to look at the preparation.

was swimming in the sky, feeling the weight on her legs, Jiu Niang's eyes were confused, and she pouted playfully. Wu Kang was stunned, and asked tentatively: "I said Cui Xiaoqing, the two of us are full of onions and garlic, and now we hurt each other, is it really appropriate?" ”

Cui Xiaoqing nodded firmly and slowly closed her eyes. Wu Kang rolled his eyes, he shouldn't have started in the first place, the girl was addicted to films, was there such a big temptation? I was pulled out of my ears when I was distracted, and I didn't say anything, and I started a war of words.

I don't know how long later, the carriage stopped, and the coachman stopped the horse, jumped off the carriage and tied the reins to the tree, and shouted softly to the carriage: "Wu Langjun, Jiu Niangzi, Kurong Mountain has arrived... Pimp? Wu joins the army... It's time to Kurong Mountain, Cui Gong and they have all arrived. ”

shouted three times in a row, and finally heard the sound of the carriage, first vaguely whining, and then flattering: Cui Xiaoqing, don't bite, my mouth is broken, hurry up and get off... Oh, hurry up, do you want me to be scolded?

After another half a minute of tossing, the curtain finally opened, Wu Kang jumped out of the car, and Cui Xiaoqing came down to go to the spring ploughing site together. Stepping on the spacious official road, looking at the crowds, seeing Jiang Daniu and Xiucai from a distance, he gestured with the "report" gesture.

Signaled them to wait a while, and sent Cui Xiaoqing to the women's dependents, Yingying Yanyan Baiten, there are the wives and concubines of the bigwigs, as well as the ladies of the nearby villages, all wearing Chunsheng on their heads, all kinds of styles. Wu Kang saluted his family, exchanged a few words with his mother-in-law, said hello to his eldest aunt, and turned around and walked to the security area.

Da Niu and Xiucai hurried to catch up, and Da Niu reported first: "According to the arrangement of Wu Gong, the bad guards and yawei are responsible for the east and north districts, and the brothers are all in place, and they have been carefully investigated, and no abnormalities have been found, and no unfamiliar faces have been found. ”

Xiucai lowered his voice and said: "Back to Wu Shuai, there are two hundred and one brothers on duty, and the brigade of ninety is mixed in front of the crowd to protect Cui Gong and other officials; Squadron of seventy, mixed in the crowd to watch; Fifty squads to protect female dependents. ”

Wu Kang nodded, looked around, and finally locked onto Kurong Mountain. Visually 50 meters high, the lower part of the green pine tree, the upper part of the dry mountain, is named after the Kurong Mountain. Some time ago, Cui Xiaoqing was playing with gliding and chose this mountain. It's a pity that the "double festival" was too busy and didn't fly in the end.

Seeing him wandering, the two glanced at each other, and Da Niu whispered: "That mountain has been inspected six times, and the bad guards, government guards, and security companies have all checked it, and there are no clues." ”

Xiucai added from the side: "The foot of the mountain is three hundred and twenty steps away from the venue, even if there are assassins, such a long range requires at least three stone strong bows, and the accuracy is guaranteed." The subordinates thought that there were absolutely no assassins who had the ability to assassinate in Wuzhou, and looking at the entire Tang Dynasty, it was also rare. ”

After listening to the report, Wu Kang was silent for half a minute, withdrew his gaze from the top of the mountain, and said lightly: "The Spring Ploughing Ceremony is a big matter, and no mistakes are allowed, no matter what kind of emergency, it cannot cause a riot." Command the brethren to brace themselves in good spirits. ”

The two left as promised, Wu Kang bypassed the crowd, came to the front of the crowd, saluted Cui Yixuan, greeted his colleagues, and stood beside Lu Huaiyuan. Lao Lu glanced at him, took out a small paper flower and handed it over, and said with a smile: "Erlang, the spring chicken is worn by a woman, so put it on." ”

All the colleagues squeezed their eyebrows, Wu Kang was very embarrassed, thanked Lao Lu, tied the spring chicken to his wrist, and replaced it with a small flower on his head. At this time, the drums sounded, and the scene was soon quiet, and Wang Linrui, who joined the army, shook his head and shouted: "The auspicious time has come, the spring ploughing ceremony will start now, and the spring sacrifice will be——"

Beating gongs and drums, the voices of people were boiling, Cui Yixuan came out of the ranks, and a white-haired old farmer, walked side by side in front of the statue of the god, and tore the red silk together. The bells and whistles statue, three feet six inches high, symbolizes three hundred and sixty days a year, stepping on two snakes, wearing plain clothes, the body of a flying bird, and the face of a square person.

This is the Spring God Qingdi, the Eastern Emperor Taihao, or the Aoki Emperor, who manages the growth of plants and trees, spring green and autumn yellow. The purpose of sacrificing to this lord is to hope that he will bless the crops to thrive and grow, and at the same time express that the government attaches great importance to spring ploughing and achieve the purpose of persuading farmers to grow.

Lao Cui and Lao Farmer lit three incense sticks, inserted them in the incense burner in front of the statue of the god of spring, and the spring sacrifice ceremony was completed. The common people shouted loudly, sang and danced happily, and the noisy Wukang had a headache. As a last resort, learn from the big guy and join the Demon Flurry Dance team.

After the incense was burned, the scene gradually calmed down, and King Sigong joined the army to continue to preside over the second item of spring ploughing: whipping spring. Eight officials carried the earth oxen and slowly came to the statue. The earth cow is the size of a real cow and is painted red with cinnabar.

Listening to Cui Xiaoqing, the color of the cow is also particular, and it must be in accordance with the court etiquette. Take Chang'an City as a reference to determine the color of the earth cattle. Wuzhou is south of Chang'an, painted red; Oriental Tu Qing Niu; Western painted white cattle; The northern painted black cattle. Wu Kang couldn't help but complain, do the idle eggs of the people in the Ministry of Rites hurt?

On the huge horns of the Red Bull, as Cui Xiaoqing said, a red cloth bag is hung, which contains rice, millet, soybeans, sorghum, wheat and other grains, implying a bumper harvest of grains. The cow's mouth is covered with a halter, the neck is tied to the reins, bullwhips, cowbells, etc., and there are all kinds of supporting utensils.

Cui Yixuan is the number one, so he was naturally the first to get on, took the whip and came to the earth cow, and whipped the earth cow. The first whip symbolizes the beginning of spring ploughing; The second whip is a good omen for a good year; The third whip is to spur and encourage farming. After three lashes, replace the next one.

The second-in-command recorded the first place to join the army, and Hua Rong, a doctor of medicine, was the last, lining up to smoke earth cattle. Of course, the younger brothers can only whip twice. When the officials finished pumping, it was the turn of the old peasants sent by the counties, more than a dozen old men, to line up to whip them.

This reminded Wu Kang of the later generations, in order to prevent the tiger from escaping, the zoo engaged in teasing exercises. In front of the real tiger cage, wearing tiger brand clothes, he jumped out of the cage, and then was killed and carried away, and the tiger brother was stunned throughout the whole process. The whipping cow is the same, pumping the earth cow to show the real cow, and the big buffalo next to it is also full of confusion.

After the local ox was whipped, it was carried away by the eight officials and put on display at the entrance of the government for seven days, reminding the peasant uncles in the past: Don't wander around, hurry home and farm. When the exhibition ended, Brother Tuniu was strong again, was chopped into pieces by a random knife, and was thrown in the Yamen school field.

The crowd of onlookers snatched, and after grabbing it, they grinded the clods of soil and sprinkled them in their fields, which is said to increase the harvest, which is called "grabbing spring". However, in Wu Kang's view, it is completely feudal and superstitious, and it is still very barbaric. Cui Xiaoqing said that over the years, injuries have occurred, and even fatalities have occurred.

The work of the judicial yamen is too tiring, and every activity of the Ministry of Rites is my Good Friday, and I can't take care of food. Everything is going well, if something goes wrong, I will be the first person to carry the blame, and the mouth cannon Cui will definitely spray me to death. You said that those grandsons of the Ministry of Rites, why don't you stop?

The earth oxen were carried away by the officials, and the next step was the finale, spring ploughing. The bewildered buffalo brother was already in place, wearing a copper nose ring on his nose and a Yonghui plough hanging from the rope sleeve. The two servants and the two farmers guided and helped, Cui Yixuan held the plow, and the small leather whip whipped the cow's buttocks, ploughing the first plow in Wuzhou.

When the ploughing reached the ground, the servants and farmers all started and turned the ploughing cattle back. The people who eat melons cheered, one was ploughing the ground by Lao Cui himself, and the other was excited about the speed of ploughing, all of which were praised. Wu Kang feels very comfortable, I am the chief designer, hurry up and worship. In addition, don't make a fuss, what is the history of Wuzhou Thorn, President Li Jiu also has to plow the land today.

After Lao Cui finished plowing back and forth, he recorded that Sun joined the army, and the officials lined up again, and each ploughed once. When it was his turn, Wu Kang let the servants and farmers dodge, and I ploughed all my life in later generations, using oxen to plow at the age of fourteen and driving a tractor at the age of twenty, where can you take care of it?

There was a bullwhip sound, the big buffalo started, and Wu Kang drove the plough with one hand and whipped the whip with the other, which was quite professional and skillful. The farmer behind him was stunned, and the posture of joining the army was very standard, comparable to an old cow who had been in the industry for decades. Colleagues were dumbfounded, and the crowd who ate melons erupted in cheers.

When the plough is at the end, he again stops the farmer from helping, lifts the plough with a curved wheel in his hand, leads the oxen to turn around, puts down the plough and whips it. The cheers reached a climax, and one person plowed the land? What an eye-opener! The female team also cheered, cheering for his strength, and Cui Xiaoqing's eyes were full of stars. Everyone is good, the country lady is even happier, and the standard marriage lover is good.

Wu Kang felt again, Tang Meizi is too strong, if it is after the Southern Song Dynasty, let alone cheering, when she sees a stranger, she immediately runs away in shame. Ploughed four times in a row, remembered the posterity, and handed over the plough to Si Cangsun to join the army. Lao Sun took the whip and patted him on the shoulder with a smile.

Cui Yixuan was complacent, and Lu Huaiyuan, who joined the army, leaned forward and smiled: "Uncle still underestimates you, not only do you have wonderful ideas, but you are also good at planting crops." Erlang, consider my Liuniang, the little girl admires it very much... Forehead! ”

Lao Lu snorted, and leaned forward with his footsteps. Wu Kang hurriedly helped, did the old boy touch porcelain? When I saw the long arrow in my back, my head buzzed, and I almost screamed. The colleagues exclaimed briefly and closed their mouths instantly. The bodyguards reacted quickly and formed a circle in an instant.

Wu Kang quickly looked around, and seeing that it did not cause a riot, he took out a dagger and cut off the shaft of the arrow, leaving ten centimeters outside. Look at the unconscious Lao Lu, staring at Jiang Da Niu angrily. The big cow's face was as earth-colored, and he hung his head and trembled.

However, at this moment, it was not the time to go crazy, Wu Kang calmed down, asked the bodyguard to take off his cloak, cover half of the arrow, and glared and roared: "Jiang Daniu, Xiucai, quietly tell Cui Gong." The assassin is on the mountain, don't cause panic when nothing happens. If anyone gets hurt again, if it causes a riot, both of you, get me home and raise pigs. ”

"No", trembling in unison, the two of them acted immediately. Wu Kang gave the order: "Dr. Hua, and a few of you, take Lu Gong to the carriage and return to Wuzhou for treatment immediately." If Lao Lu has an accident, you guys will all go home and raise pigs, understand? ”

The bad guys and bodyguards didn't dare to come out, and nodded like insects. The three bodyguards opened the way, Wu Kang carried Lu Huaiyuan on his back, walked through the crowd to the carriage, put him in the carriage, sniffed, frowned and got off. The bodyguard helped Huarong get into the car, the coachman turned the horse's head, pumped the horse's buttocks hard, and the car sped away in an instant.

Wu Kang looked at Kurong Mountain, and suddenly gasped for air. His position just now, coupled with the scarlet robe on his body, is very conspicuous. If it weren't for Old Lou, the arrow would have been in my heart. Don't... The assassin's target is me?

With such a long range, there are only three stone bows and eight ox crossbows, and eight ox crossbows are impossible, and the imperial court is extremely tightly controlled, and there is rebellion such as private possession. Three stones strong bow, accurate hits, looking at the entire Tang Dynasty, I can't pick out two. The more I thought about it, the more frightened I became, who had I offended to send such a marksman to assassinate?

In a flash, his eyes flashed, and he strode towards Kurong Mountain, surrounded by militia patrols, and the assassin was still on the mountain. Lao Yu once said that it takes at least 400 catties of strength to pull the three-stone bow. In the short term, the assassin could not shoot a second arrow, and his arm could not stand it at all.

In a hurry, I suddenly heard Cui Xiaoqing's voice: Erlang, where are you going?

Wu Kang instantly had a bitter face, why are you still ghostly?