Chapter 8: Murder (Part 1) Seeking Collection and Recommendation

  Yan Qing is also a helpless move!

  He was an official in his previous life and deeply understood the truth of "the tall tree will be broken by the wind". How many pioneers, how many sharp ones, finally ended up with a bleak curtain call. After being in politics for more than a decade, Xian Qing would never take the initiative to jump out, most of the time, he liked to stay behind the scenes.

  The "non-action" of Laozi is not inaction.

  The key is a "momentum", and what Yan Qing is best at is borrowing momentum.

  But now, he has no power to borrow and no one to use.

  Even Zheng Shi'an wouldn't have listened to his words and recklessly sent people to monitor Zheng Chang and Wang Jingwen.

  After all, in this era, the concept of hierarchy is deeply ingrained in people's minds. How could ordinary people dare to commit an offense against their superiors?

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  Inside An Yuan Tang's residence, there is a quiet and secluded small courtyard.

  In the courtyard, there is only one small room with green bricks and red tiles, which is Zheng Dashi's reading and resting place. Behind the house, there is a flower bed, now covered with residual snow, revealing a desolate atmosphere. A red plum blossom blooms in the corner of the flower bed, emitting vibrant vitality amidst the snowy white surroundings.

  The study is named Red Reed, because of the red tiles on its roof, with reeds growing around it, complementing the red tiles, like red reeds.

  Zheng Dashan sat upright in his study, watching Zheng Shian brew tea for him.

  He smiled and said: "Shi An, your tea-making skills are slightly inferior to those of Yan Qing."

  Zheng Shi'an chuckled, "Xian Qing this child learns things quickly and is very diligent. He's just a bit too calm and collected for his age... but he's very sensible and filial. Hehe, thank you, Master, for giving me such a good child."

  "This is what you deserve!"

  Zheng Dash said up to here, his tone suddenly changed.

  "Shi An, what's Xu Ma's background? Have you investigated it clearly?"

  Zheng Shi'an separated from Tang Hua, his expression serious. "I've investigated, but so far there's still no clue."

  "I originally wanted to follow up on the lead of the Dragon Descending Technique, to see if I could investigate and find some clues, but... it's been five years now, and I still haven't found a single thread to hold onto."

  Zheng Dash laughed and said, "In that case, forget it then."

  Xu's mother has been with our Zheng family for five years, and she has behaved very properly, without any impropriety. As long as she doesn't have any ulterior motives, there's no need to investigate further. Who hasn't had a moment of desperation? After what happened in Luoyang, you still want to keep an eye on them?

  I heard that the sage intended to move the capital to Luoyang, but was dissuaded by everyone.

  However, Luoyang will certainly become an important place in the future. Ren Ji has just taken office as the governor of Luoyang, and you still need to help him a bit. There are many powerful families in Luoyang, and there are countless official families. Since Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei moved 38 surnames and 98 tribes to settle in the Yellow River, the situation has become very complicated. Ren Ji is sometimes a bit rough in his work."

  Zheng Shi'an nodded, "Don't worry, master, I will do my best."

  When alone with Zheng Da Shi, Zheng Shi An spoke very casually, completely different from his usual respectful demeanor in front of others.

  Zheng Dashan didn't mind either, as if it was nothing out of the ordinary.

  "I heard that Yan Qingxi is good at writing books. He often uses twigs as pens and yellow sand as paper to write and draw at home, which is quite difficult."

  Hong Yi also reached the age of learning, after arriving in Luoyang, he let Yan Qing study with him.

  Ren Ji invited Yan Shiguo from Chang'an to accompany him, just to make him a teacher for Hong Yi. It's just right to let Yan Qing take him as an companion."

  Zheng Shi'an was taken aback at first, but then he was overjoyed.

  "But what about Yan Shi Guo's 'using an ox knife to kill a chicken'?"

  Zheng Dasan nodded and said: "It's him!"

  Yan Shigu was a famous Confucian scholar of the Northern Qi Dynasty, and the grandson of Yan Zhitui, the author of "The Family Instructions of the Yan Clan". He was from Wan Nian, Jingzhao. In the first year of the Renshou era, Yan Shigu was recommended by Li Gang, the Left Assistant Director of the Imperial Secretariat, to serve as the County Magistrate of Anyang (present-day Xiangfan, Hubei). At that time, Yang Su, the Grand Minister of Works, looked at him and smiled, asking: "Anyang is a key county, how do you plan to govern it?"

  Does that mean you can cure it in a place as important as An Yang?

  "To kill a chicken, why use an ox knife?"

  That's saying: Let me go and govern that small place, it's like killing a chicken with a bull knife, a great talent wasted on a trivial matter...

  As a result, the phrase "using an ox knife to kill a chicken" also became a nickname for Yan Shigu. Later, Yan Shigu achieved outstanding political achievements, but due to his straightforward personality, he was dismissed from office and lived in Chang'an. Unexpectedly, Zheng Renji invited him to Luoyang. This was partly due to the pressure of life, but more so because of the calling power of the Zheng family's prestige.

  Men of letters and historians have always had a great attraction for scholars and literary figures.

  Zheng Shi'an had also heard of Yan Shigong's reputation and was naturally delighted that Zheng Yanqing could become his apprentice.

  Even so, Xian Qing was in a position of accompaniment, but being able to receive good education is always a good thing.

  This shows that the Zheng family has already begun to value Yanqing and arranged for him to be by Zheng Hongyi's side, with his use being naturally very clear.

  "The old slave is grateful for your celebration, thank you, sir, for your support."

  "Shi An, you've been following me since childhood, and in the blink of an eye, fifty years have passed. Although we are master and servant in name, we are like brothers in reality. Your words of celebration may not be your own, but they are cleverer than most people's, and I also appreciate them very much. Let's not speak such polite words from now on."

  Zheng Shi'an was deeply moved, with tears streaming down his face.

  "What has Yan Qing been busy with recently?"

  "He's still the same as ever, either practicing martial arts to build his strength or drawing and painting."

  Zheng Shi'an said this, and then obviously paused for a moment, as if he had something to say.

  Zheng Dashan smiled and said: "Shi'an, if you have something to say, just say it... Don't be hesitant, that's not your style."

  "Yan Qing said some strange words a little while ago."

  "Oh?"

  "Master, please don't get angry when you hear this. I also know he shouldn't have said that, but thinking carefully, it makes some sense... Yan Qing said that Master sometimes spoils Wang Jingwen and Pei An too much, those two are also too unaware of their place."

  Zheng Da Shi was taken aback, his eyes involuntarily narrowing into a slit.

  "Did Yan Qing really say that?"

  Zheng Shi'an was startled and hastily explained: "The child is talking nonsense, speaking without restraint, sir, please don't blame him."

  Zheng Das said: "I'm not blaming him, and I also know that you're probably thinking the same thing in your heart."

  "I dare not."

  Zheng Shi'an hastily kowtowed and admitted his guilt.

  Zheng Dashan smiled, "I said I won't blame you, Shi'an. You don't have to worry. It's just that there are some things you still don't understand. Go back and teach Yanqing a lesson, tell him not to speak recklessly, lest he invites trouble... Alright, you can withdraw now."

  Zheng Shi'an nodded and left, but his heart was still uneasy.

  After he left, Zheng Dashi suddenly opened his eyes wide and a strange smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

  Who would have thought that this little guy actually has such discerning eyes!

  If so, then it's really worth teaching a good lesson...

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  The days pass quickly, and before you know it, it's already December.

  The weather is getting colder, but the New Year is approaching and people are becoming busier. The Laba Festival, Little New Year's Eve, and New Year's Eve are coming one after another. On the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month, it is the arrival of the Little New Year, also known as "passing the Little New Year", which is the day for offering sacrifices to the stove god.

  This sacrifice to the stove was originally one of the five sacrifices of pre-Qin times.

  A family like the Zhengs attaches even greater importance to ancestral worship.

  So early in the morning, the entire An Yuantang began to bustle. The stove worship ceremony is usually held in the evening and requires the participation of the whole clan. With more than a hundred people from top to bottom of An Yuantang, under Zheng Dashi's leadership, the sacrificial ritual began.

  Zheng Yanqing also participated in the ceremony and played an important role in it.

  When Zheng Da Shi performed the ritual, a young child had to follow behind him. The age of this child was also specified, and after eight years old, he could no longer assume this role. Zheng Yan Qing's actual age was five years old, but his nominal age was exactly seven years old.

  That is to say, this was his first and last time serving as a deacon.

  For ordinary people, serving as a secondary mourner for the Zheng family is an absolute honor. This shows that the Zheng family already regards them as their own people.

  At this time, Zheng Yanqing was wearing a magnificent shirt, but in his arms he held a rooster.

  There is a saying called "kitchen god".

  After the worship is completed, the Kitchen God will ride on the "Kitchen Horse" and return to the Heavenly Court to report.

  So, on the body of this horse, there were also saddles and stirrups. Yan Qing held a rooster in his arms and knelt down behind Zheng Da Shi's back, with a solemn expression.

  Zheng Dasishi first recited the memorial article and then knocked on the heaven and earth, praying for a good harvest and peace next year.

  The language of the memorial is very beautiful and ornate.

  And with its unique sound and rhythm, reciting it out loud is especially pleasant to hear.

  Yan Qing felt that this way of chanting was a hundred times better than those so-called popular songs of later generations. So he listened quietly...

  After Zheng Da Shi finished his prayer, Xian Qing carried a rooster and walked forward.

  Only then did Zheng Da Shi's expression turn solemn, his face stern. With one hand grasping the rooster's neck, he pushed it towards the grass pile on the altar three times. Then with his other hand, he scooped up a handful of cold water and splashed it onto the rooster's head. Xian Qing clearly felt the rooster's shock.

  "The Stove God has accepted! The Stove God has accepted!"

  The rooster's startled crowing indicates that the Stove God has accepted this sacrifice; otherwise, it must be repeated.

  Yan Qing had already received Zheng Shi'an's instructions before attending the ceremony and hurriedly shouted loudly.

  Immediately afterwards, Zheng Dashe picked up a dagger from the altar and made a quick cut on the neck of the rooster.

  Chicken blood splattered on Yan Qing's body, and Yan Qing didn't dare make any move.

  Zheng Dashan lit up the offerings and said that Qing would throw the body of the rooster into the big fire, only to see thick smoke rolling in, flames soaring into the sky.

  "The Kitchen God has ascended to heaven!"

  This is Zheng Yanqing's line.

  As his tender voice rose, the entire An Yuan Tang family simultaneously knelt down on the ground and loudly chanted to bless the stove god with a smooth journey. The chanting scriptures had been arranged long ago. The chanting would continue until the big fire went out.

  For a moment, An Yuan Tang was filled with a solemn and majestic atmosphere.