Chapter 22: The Land Temple

  Zhang was in a coma and was carried back home, then woke up but remained silent, without saying a word.

  Zhang Guan's family didn't have any good ideas either. In this world, with the wisdom accumulated from living for so many years, as long as he calmed down and thought carefully, eight or nine out of ten problems had a solution. But the dispersal of the ancestral spirit was a major event that wouldn't happen in a hundred years, and although Zhang Guan was old and cunning, he was completely at a loss. He could only send someone to report the news to the county first, and then notify the clan.

  Mrs. Zhang said nothing and let Zhang the housekeeper handle household matters, Zhang the housekeeper was shocked in his heart, thinking that Mrs. Zhang had been hit repeatedly and might not be able to hold on much longer.

  But can only instruct the servants to stew the ginseng soup and prepare it for the lady. As for the rest, there's no way, still have to prioritize handling Zhang Huai Zheng's aftermath.

  Zhang Guan's family had been managing the Zhang estate for many years, and although they were somewhat flustered at this time, they still managed to get things in order, assign tasks clearly, and soon the Zhang family was all dressed in mourning attire, hung white lanterns, set up a memorial hall, and sent people to report the death.

  The Zhang family clan in Qingxi Township gathered, and naturally quickly received the news. These relatives who were usually timid in front of Zhang Huai Zheng couldn't help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief. However, at this time, they couldn't show it, so they put on a sorrowful face, changed into mourning clothes, and came to pay their respects.

  The ancestral hall was set up in the front hall, while the back hall had an empty room. Some of those who were dressed more luxuriously were invited here after worshiping and paying respects. These were all people with some power in the countryside, and they were invited together to redivide interests.

  Although they can't be invited over, they will definitely gather privately and divide the spoils. At that time, they will lose the initiative, so it's better to invite them together and make things clear.

  Mr. Zhang sat in the main seat, with Zhang Guanjia standing beside him, looking at the relatives on both sides of the seats, and sighed in his heart, knowing that they were all wolves-like goods, and Madam was silent again, just thinking of speaking up herself, but unexpectedly Madam spoke first.

  "Alas, my husband passed away prematurely. Thank you, uncles and elders, for coming to pay your respects. Sigh! There are many things to attend to at home, but as a woman, I really don't have any ideas. For the time being, I can still manage, but this position of clan leader and village head is really too much for me. Please, everyone, choose someone with high moral character to take on this heavy responsibility!"

  As he spoke, he took out two things: a genealogy book and a waist card. The genealogy was managed by the clan leader, while the waist card was the token of the village head. The village head was a low-ranking official, according to the system, without an official seal, only with the waist card as proof. With this, it's basically half done, what's left is to go to the county and spend some money, report and register, all are Zhang family members, the county will definitely approve.

  Zhang threw out these two things, and it was not without causing others to fight each other, thinking of profiting from the situation. Even Zhang Guan Jia secretly called out "good", but unfortunately, the people below, although their eyes were a bit eager, no one spoke up. Zhang Guan Jia carefully observed and finally discovered that they were watching the expressions of two people. In his heart, he sank, these goods, quick to act, had they already gathered in private?

  At this time, only one person coughed softly, and the whole hall was quiet. Zhang Guan looked at him, it was one of the two, Zhang Qing, who ranked second in the village's real power. This Zhang Qing stroked his three long mustaches, with a clear voice, saying: "The position of clan leader, only those with high virtues and prestige can take on this role, I recommend one person, that is Zhang Jingyun, Old Master Zhang. He has always been fair and strict, I have always admired him, he will definitely be able to take on the role of clan leader, and lead our Zhang family to a higher level!"

  When he said this, Zhang Jingyun shook his head and smiled: "Qing Xiaozi, in terms of generation, I can be the clan leader, but in terms of ability, who is stronger than you? Your family is thriving, making me envious! Zhang Jingyun's seniority was very high, even higher than Zhang Huai Zheng by one generation, but he often relied on his age and acted like an old man, which made him unpopular with Zhang Huai Zheng.

  Zhang watched the two of them, and they just performed a play of three pushes and three refusals in front of everyone. His teeth almost bit his lips to bleed. At this time, Zhang Qing said: "... Uncle doesn't have to decline anymore, this is what everyone expects. You say, is that right?"

  The rest of the relatives, one after another, praised Zhang Jingyun, saying that he was a man of great virtue and prestige, and the hope of all. Zhang Jingyun's face, full of wrinkles, broke into a smile like a chrysanthemum, and only then did he nod in agreement. He took the genealogy from Zhang's hand, and suddenly felt a great sense of relief in his chest.

  Zhang Jingyun put away the genealogy and then spoke again: "I think Qing Xiaozong is clever, this errand is just right for him to do!"

  As soon as this was said, Mrs. Zhang wanted to refute it, but unfortunately, the people present had already agreed and were strongly supporting Zhang Qing, so that Mrs. Zhang didn't even have a chance to make any conditions before the matter was settled.

  When Zhang Qing pulled the token from Zhang's hand, Zhang's face had already lost all its color. With a cold tone, Zhang said: "The matter has been settled, my family still has things to attend to, so I won't keep you all here!" Not even calling out to his uncles and elder cousins, he had always thought the ruthlessness of clan struggles was just a joke, never expecting it would happen to him today.

  Zhang Jingyun smiled and said, "There's one more thing. That kid, Huai Zheng, has a good heart! He told me two days ago that the ancestral school in our village is already dilapidated and needs to be renovated on a large scale. He's also worried that we're not offering enough sacrifices to our ancestors. So, he's planning to donate 200 mu of land to the clan to educate young children and make offerings to our ancestors."

  Zhang Qing spoke up, saying: "This matter was discussed in front of me, and the documents have already been signed!" He then pulled out a document, which Zhang's wife took with trembling hands. The paper was blank except for the black ink, which indeed stated that 200 mu of land would be donated to the clan. Upon closer inspection, although the handwriting resembled her husband's, it seemed stiff and unnatural. Suddenly, she discovered the flaw and cried out: "This... this is something you people fabricated! How dare you bully me, a widow with children, just after my husband has left!"

  Not yet finished, the letter was snatched away by Zhang Jingyun, who sneered: "The white paper and black words are all here, it's not like they were given to outsiders, but to the Xiaozheng family. What's fake about that? Xiazheng's wife, you must be so grief-stricken that you've lost your mind!" Zhang was about to say something else, but spat out blood and fainted instead.

  Zhang Qing came out and said: "Since sister-in-law is unwell, we'll come visit another day. Farewell!"

  A group of people left the Zhang residence, and one person sneered: "Zhang Huai Zheng has always been tyrannical, finally having such an ending, my heart is greatly pleased!" Zhang Qing nodded and said: "Other big families, even if they have some shady dealings, are in secret. Which one is like Zhang Huai Zheng, with a bad appearance? In the past, he even dared to alter the accounts of the clan's land and take it for himself. He also suppressed many young people with talent in the clan, finally having this retribution."

  Another person sighed: "It's just a matter of ancestral spirits, it's really worrying!"

  "Hmph... what's there to worry about?" Zhang Jingyun chimed in, saying: "Xu Zheng's kid, you're still too young and inexperienced. The ancestral temple is dedicated to the ancestors of the Zhang Huaizheng lineage, and that Zhang Qingyun only cares about the Zhang Huaizheng lineage. As for us, he just gives us whatever he wants. Look at us, we often have troubles when we go down to the village, but nothing ever happens to his family. This kind of biased ancestor is not worth following!"

  At this time, Zhang Qing said: "But this matter is also a big worry. Fortunately, my hometown is surrounded by four villages, and those four villages are said to have the protection of the land god, ghosts cannot enter, with this defense line, there will be no major problems for the time being. However, in the long run, it is still necessary to make early plans."

  Zhang Jingyun's eyes lit up, saying: "Rebuilding the altar is too slow to take effect. Asking another ancestor spirit is not easy to handle, whether it's near or far. In my opinion, we might as well directly worship the Land God. I've heard that this god is honest and trustworthy, and his protection is sufficient. A hunter from Qingyu Village spent a night in the mountains and nothing happened!"

  Zhang Qingjin said with a smile, "This is also a good idea!" He looked around at the crowd and laughed, saying: "Alright, let's take back the 200 mu of land from Zhang Huai Zheng. Neither I nor Uncle Jing want it. You all discuss and divide it among yourselves!"

  At that moment, everyone cheered and Zhang Qing secretly sighed. If it were another family, most people would have a sense of shame on their faces. However, here, only cheers and jumps could be seen. This was indeed because Zhang Huai was not well-liked by others. Thinking to himself, he should be vigilant and go back to teach his own children well.

  When the people below had divided up the land, although it was said to be hung on the ancestral land, but also divided into which family to cultivate, how to divide, there were many relationships in between. Fortunately, Zhang Jingyun and Zhang Qing mediated, and the rules were finally set. It can be said that everyone has a share, and no one is left empty-handed. It's really true that when the Zhang family falls down, the whole clan eats their fill.

  On the second day, Zhang Jingyun announced in the name of the clan head that the Zhang family ancestral hall would be returned to the clan and asked the Zhang family to take back their ancestors' plaques. If they didn't do so in time, the hall would be converted into a land temple. He also ordered the creation of a statue of the land god as tall as a person, which would first be consecrated before being invited into the temple at an auspicious time.

  Without the protection of their ancestors, the villagers were all a bit worried. When they heard that they would be inviting the Land God to come and protect them, they were all delighted, as they had often heard about its efficacy. They all worked diligently and efficiently.

  Only the Zhang family opposed, after all, it was their family that had previously banned the land god, and now they were replacing him with another god to worship, but they didn't know how to deal with their own family yet. Unfortunately, Zhang's illness had worsened since he spat up blood and had been bedridden, and when Zhang's steward came out to speak and handle affairs, it was a bit illegitimate and incoherent, occasionally making a sound that was quickly drowned out by the waves.

  May 20th is an auspicious day, welcoming the land god into the temple, it was decided on this day.

  Only the original Zhang family ancestral hall can be seen, and it has undergone a great change in appearance.

  It can only be seen from the general shape that there is a bit of its former shadow.

  On the lintel, a new plaque had been replaced. The original "Zhang Family Ancestral Hall" had long been removed. Zhang Qing personally took charge and asked the craftsmen to create a plaque with the three characters "Tǔ Dì Cí" (Earth Temple), which was hung here. Zhang Qing still had some literary talent, and the characters were written in iron strokes and silver hooks, with quite a bit of flavor.

  At this time, people from the countryside, except for the Zhang family, had all arrived, packing the small square in front of the ancestral hall to capacity, chatting and laughing, creating a lively atmosphere.

  When the auspicious time arrived, the crowd rushed into the temple, and to everyone's surprise, they saw that the central main hall had been transformed into a grand hall. In the center of the hall stood a statue of a god wrapped in a red cloth, with an offering table in front of it, filled with incense, candles, and offerings.

  The right side was originally a storage room, without much change. The left side was not Zhang San's residence, but had been replaced by someone else, sturdy and robust, dressed as a temple guard, who was Li Dazhuang from Qingyu Village, transferred by Fang Ming.

  Qingxi Village has more than 200 households, which is the sum of the other four villages. It is located in the center of the four villages and is the most important one. Fang Ming attaches great importance to it and transfers Li Dazhuang to serve as the temple keeper, also with the intention of suppressing the local villains. This matter was still entrusted by Fang Ming to Zhang Qing and Zhang Jingyun, who facilitated its completion, and also allowed the two to witness the divine power of the land god, deepening their faith.