Shandong, Jiaxiang County, Zongsheng Temple.

Today is the day when the Zeng clan pays tribute to their ancestor Zeng Shen.

Early in the morning, Zeng Hong, the sixty-first patriarch of the Zeng family, led hundreds of direct members of the Zeng family to the Zongsheng Temple outside Jiaxiang County to make final preparations for the upcoming sacrifice.

Zongsheng Temple, was built in the 55th year of King Zhou Kao, formerly known as "Loyal and Filial Piety Temple", changed to "Zongsheng Temple" after the reconstruction of Ming orthodoxy nine years, the rebuilt temple has the main hall, the dormitory, the halberd gate each three, the main building has three squares, the Zongsheng Gate, the Zongsheng Temple and so on.

At this moment, Zeng Hong looked at the orderly and busy Zeng clan people in the Sect Temple, and couldn't help but stroke his beard, his face full of gratifying smiles.

Since he became the patriarch of the Zeng clan, the Zeng family not only has more allies in the court, but at the same time, more and more people have come to serve the land.

In addition, when the sea ban was not lifted, the Zeng family also had an inexplicable relationship with the smuggling families in the southeast coastal area.

In short, with smuggling and getting involved in business, the Zeng family made a lot of money in the process.

At this moment, after Zeng Hong looked around, he called a clansman with a gloomy face and asked.

"By the way, what about the people from the Southern Sect branch, why didn't I see them coming?"

"Patriarch, not long ago, Zeng Xian, the patriarch of the Southern Sect branch, sent someone to inform us, saying that there was a delay on the road, and he might come later."

After listening to this clansman's report, Zeng Hong was immediately furious, and immediately reprimanded.

"Hmph, the Southern Sect branch is really getting more and more presumptuous, don't they know that today is the day to worship their ancestors?"

"It's almost time, really, hurry up and send someone to urge them for me, don't delay the hour!"

Seeing the patriarch speak, the Zeng clan member didn't dare to slack off in the slightest, and responded in a loud voice.

"Yes, patriarch, I will send the children of the family to inform the people of the Nanzong branch and ask them to come as soon as possible!"

When Zeng Hong heard this, he nodded imperceptibly, and then walked out of the Sect Temple.

Today's weather is exceptionally clear, and there is not a single cloud in the blue sky.

In the square outside the temple, there is a huge long table with red cloth on the long table, and there are three animals used to worship the ancestors, as well as ancestral tablets with the words "ancestral zengshen" written on them.

In addition, next to the long table, there is also an incense burner with an intricate pattern all over the body, because today it is a sacrifice to the ancestor Zeng Shen, everything around it has long been redecorated and repaired, even the old bronze bell has been redecorated and hung with red silk.

Seeing the arrival of Zeng Hong, the sixty-first patriarch of the Zeng clan, those Zeng clan people felt honored, and immediately worked harder to deal with the affairs at hand.

At this moment, Zeng Xian, the patriarch of the Southern Sect branch, hurriedly rushed to the Zongsheng Temple with his clansmen.

As soon as he entered the Zongsheng Temple, Zeng Xian saw the figure of Zeng Hong, the sixty-first patriarch of the main family.

Without the slightest hesitation, Zeng Xian immediately stepped forward, knelt down in front of Zeng Hong with a 'plop', and said respectfully.

"The Southern Sect branch has a lineage, and I have seen the patriarch!"

Zeng Hong looked at Zeng Xian, who was kneeling in front of him, nodded, and then helped him up from the ground and said slowly.

"Well, did something happen on the way?"

When Zeng Xian heard this, a look of shame appeared on his face at the right time, and he said to Zeng Hong.

"Patriarch, it's really not a secret, the reason why the Southern Sect branch is late this time is really helpless!"

When Zeng Xian said this, he turned his gaze to several Zeng disciples on the side, and commanded.

"Zeng Qing, Zeng Ming, you two, go and bring things over!"

"Yes, Patriarch!"

As soon as Zeng Xian's words fell, the two Zeng clansmen who had been called by him before immediately looked awe-inspiring and responded respectfully.

Soon after that, under the command of Zeng Qing and Zeng Ming, two Zeng clansmen, I saw a gilded statue of Zeng Shen, which was carried into the Zongsheng Temple with the efforts of more than a dozen sturdy men.

Zeng Hong looked at the statue of Zeng Shen, which was nearly two people tall, and was speechless in surprise for a while.

After a long time, Zeng Hong came back to his senses, pointed to the statue of Zeng Shen, who was two people tall and gilded all over his body, with trembling fingers, and asked.

"This is the reason why your Southern Sect branch is late?"

Zeng Xian, who was on the side, heard Zeng Hong's words, nodded quite firmly, and responded.

"Well, that's right, Patriarch, it's because of the transportation of this statue of the old ancestor that we have been delayed on the road for some time, you see......"

When Zeng Hong heard this, he quickly withdrew his gaze from the statue of Zeng Shen, stroked his beard, his face was full of relief, and then said to himself.

"It's okay, your Southern Sect branch is in the same lineage, you really have a heart!"

After that, everyone exchanged a few more words, and at this moment, someone from the Zeng clan came to Zeng Hong and spoke cautiously.

"Patriarch, it's almost time, you see?"

When Zeng Hong heard this, he waved his hand quite casually, and immediately commanded.

"Well, without further ado, let's start now!"

Seeing that the sacrifice was about to begin, Zeng Xian, the patriarch of the Nanzong branch, led the clansmen to the established location to wait.

At this moment, only the sound of gongs and drums sounded, and the atmosphere at the scene suddenly became extremely warm, and all the Zeng clan people present looked at the Zeng clan with their backs to them, the sixty-first patriarch, Zeng Hong.

"Patriarch, please, clean your hands!"

After Zeng Hong put his hand in the copper basin for a moment, he quickly raised his hand, and the Zeng clansmen, who had been waiting for a long time, immediately stepped forward and respectfully handed over the silk scarf.

After Zeng Hong wiped all the remaining water stains on his hands, he took three burning incense sticks from the clansmen on the side, and walked towards the direction where the long table was located with a solemn expression.

'Knock knock! ’

When Zeng Hong marched to the long table covered with red cloth, he only heard three dull bells ringing.

Seeing this situation, Zeng Hong was quite solemn, and bowed three times to Zeng Shen's tablet, and after doing this, he saw Zeng Hong get up from the ground and began to recite the sacrifice in his heart.

"The ancestors are above, the descendants are not Xiao, the Zeng family, the sixty-first patriarch Zeng Hong ...... you"

Time passed like this, minute by minute, and just as Zeng Hong was about to insert the three sticks of incense in his hand into the incense burner, a sudden change occurred.

I only heard the sound of horses' hooves outside the Zongsheng Temple, and the sound of swords unsheathed kept ringing.

"Surround this place with this official, don't let anyone go!"

"Yes, sir!"

A moment later, I saw countless heavily armed and armored guards rushing in from the Zongsheng Gate, controlling all the hundreds of Zeng clan people who had come to participate in this sacrificial ceremony.

When Zeng Hong saw this, he seemed to be greatly frightened, and even the three sticks of incense in his hand fell to the ground with a 'snap'.

Immediately, when he reacted, his face was full of gloom, he turned his gaze to the guards and reprimanded.

"You are so bold, who instructed you to disturb the ancestor worship ceremony of my Zeng family?"

"Speak quickly!"

Because he was too angry, at this moment, Zeng Hong's chest rose and fell violently, his breathing became short, and a pair of eyes stared at everyone deadly, as if they were about to erupt fire.

After a while, I saw Hai Rui walking into Zeng Shengmiao quite leisurely with his hands behind his back, and behind him, he was followed by Zhang Yuan, the commander of the capital, and a cadre of Jinyiwei.

Seeing that the official uniform Hai Rui was wearing was not low, Zeng Hong had no choice but to suppress his anger, patiently turned his gaze to Hai Rui, and asked.

"Below is the Zeng clan, the sixty-first patriarch Zeng Hong, when my Zeng clan was sacrificing to the ancestors, I led troops to surround my Zeng clan, not to mention, I still dare to use swords in the Zongsheng Temple?"

"If your lord can't come up with a reasonable and legal explanation today, then don't blame the old man for playing the court truthfully!"

After listening to Zeng Hong's threatening words, the expression on Hai Rui's face did not change much, but turned his gaze to Zeng Hong and said to himself.

"This official is the left deputy capital Yu Shi Hairui sent by the imperial court to investigate the case, and this time I came here because the official has investigated that your Zeng family has colluded with the White Lotus Sect, and this official is here to take people!"

After Hai Rui finished speaking, he withdrew his gaze from Zeng Hong's body and immediately asked rhetorically.

"What, isn't this reason enough for this official?"

At this moment, after listening to Hai Rui's words, Zeng Hong's face was already pale and trembling.

Because before this, he had already received news that the imperial court had sent an extremely difficult official to Shandong to investigate the case.

At first, Zeng Hong thought that this Hai Rui was just sent by the imperial court to investigate the corruption of officials, so he did not take it to heart, but now this Hai Rui stood in front of him and bluntly said that the Zeng family had a relationship with the White Lotus Sect.

Zeng Hong knew very well in his heart that even though the Zeng family was already extremely prominent, if it was really proved that he had colluded with the White Lotus Sect, then everything would come to naught, after all, colluding with the White Lotus Sect was a naked capital crime!

At that time, no matter who comes forward, they will not be able to save the Zeng family, and they can only end up with a family raided and exterminated!

Thinking of this, Zeng Hong's original aggressive attitude also softened instantly, and after sorting out the language in his mind, he faced Hai Rui and said softly.

"Did my lord misunderstand, my Zeng family hated the White Lotus Sect, not to mention, my Zeng family was deeply favored by the emperor, how could they do such a thing of digging their own grave?"

"There must be a villain who framed my Zeng family behind his back, and I hope that the adults can find out the truth and give my Zeng family justice!"

When Zeng Hong said this, he was already in tears, and everyone who heard that expression was sad and wept.

Seeing that Zeng Hong was going to die and not admit it, Hai Rui immediately looked at Xiao Er, the personal guard on the side, and commanded.

"Show him the confession!"

When Xiao Er heard this, a trace of worry couldn't help but appear on his face, and he said slowly.

"My lord, will there be something wrong with this, what if that Zeng Hong destroys the evidence?"

When Xiao Er's words fell, Guan Rui, who was in the brocade clothes and hundreds of households on the side, also followed up with words of admonition.

"yes, my lord, wouldn't that be too risky?"

But Hai Rui looked like he was in his chest, and commanded in a deep voice.

"It's okay, give him a mouth!"

Seeing that Hai Rui had given an order, Xiao Er had no choice but to step forward and bring the confessions of those members of the White Lotus Sect to Zeng Hong.

Due to the distance between the two sides, Zeng Hong did not hear the previous discussion between Hai Rui and everyone clearly, only to see him look suspicious and take the confession from Xiao Er's hand.

After Zeng Hong finished reading the content of the confession, he suddenly became angry, because on the confession, there were the signatures and drawings of those White Lotus Sect disciples, and its authenticity was naturally beyond doubt.

Immediately, I saw Zeng Hong glancing at the Zeng clan members of the Southern Sect branch not far away, headed by Zeng Xian.

As soon as those people came into contact with Zeng Hong's gaze, they all lowered their heads in shame.

Seeing this situation, Zeng Hong also completely understood that this matter was not groundless, but the evidence was conclusive!

After that, Zeng Hong's brain was running rapidly, and he began to think about the next response.

"It's just that this group of fools has colluded with the White Lotus Sect, and they even let the family seize the handle!"

"Maybe it will implicate the master's family now, it's really a bunch of wastes who have not achieved enough things and have more than enough failures, why don't you take advantage of the situation to get rid of it now?"

At this moment, Zeng Hong's eyes inadvertently caught a glimpse of the confession in his hand, and in a hurry, an extremely bold idea appeared in his mind.

"Otherwise, I'll take this opportunity to destroy this evidence and give him a death testimony!"

Just as Zeng Hong made up his mind and planned to take action, he glanced at Hai Rui not far away.

He found that Hai Rui's eyes were full of banter when he looked at him, and not only that, but also mixed with a vague expectation, as if he was looking forward to his next move.

Seeing this, Zeng Hong suddenly calmed down, and at the same time, he also realized how ridiculous his previous idea was.

If you destroy the evidence here, won't you just fall into Hai Jui's hands, and at that time, you won't be able to say anything!

Not only that, but he Hai Rui can also take this opportunity to be implicated, and at that time, even the main family will not be able to escape responsibility!

After thinking about all this, Zeng Hong couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat, and his gaze at Hai Rui was full of vigilance.

"This Hai Rui is really very difficult, fortunately there was no impulse before, otherwise, the entire Zeng family would have fallen into a situation from which there will be no return!"

Hai Rui, who was not far away, saw that Zeng Hong's movements had stopped, the expression on his face did not change, and he said secretly.

"Hmph, this Zeng Hong is quite calm and didn't do anything impulsive."

"It's a pity, otherwise, it would be the entire Zeng family who will suffer with it today!"

Seeing that Zeng Hong didn't make any further moves, Hai Rui shook his head imperceptibly, and immediately gave instructions to Xiao Er on the side.

"Get your confession back!"

"Yes, sir!" (End of chapter)