Chapter 71: Dispelling the Ancestral Rite

“Father,” Liu Yitiao said with a smile, “I just had Yuan Fang make twenty plow heads for me, that’s all. There’s nothing suspicious going on—you’re overthinking it.”

“Twenty? Why do you need so many plow heads? We only have eleven oxen in the whole family, and there’s no way we’ll use that many. Besides, don’t we still have an old plow at home?” Liu Honest was starting to get irritated. All his life, he had despised waste. Even though the Liu family had some spare money now, it didn’t mean they could squander it like this. Old Liu began to persuade his son, “Yitiao, I know you made some money recently, but you really shouldn’t—”

“Father,” Liu Yitiao interrupted, “the plow heads I ordered are different from the old one we have. With these, tilling the fields will be much faster than with any of our current plows. The land you used to spend a whole day plowing could be finished in just two hours with the new plow heads. You’ll see for yourself in a few days when I pick them up.”

“As for why I’m ordering twenty plow heads—Father, do you think that, for thirty hectares of land plus your hundred and twenty mu, eleven oxen are enough? That’s why I plan to buy a few more in the next few days. It’d be best to have twenty oxen; that way, we won’t miss the right time for farming.”

“Er—” Old Liu was left speechless by his son’s reasoning and nodded, saying, “You make a good point. It’s my fault for not thinking it through.”

It was understandable. Old Liu had spent his life working the same hundred and twenty mu of land. In the past, he always rented oxen after others were done or simply pulled the plow himself. Owning his own oxen had been his greatest dream. Now, with eleven oxen at home, he felt as if he’d ascended to heaven—how could he dare dream of more?

“But, are these plow heads really so useful? You say a day’s work can be done in two hours—are there truly such miraculous plows?” Old Liu was skeptical, just as people had doubted the existence of threshing machines when all they had known were stone rollers for grinding wheat—thoroughly suspicious.

Liu Yitiao shrugged. Talking about it a hundred times couldn’t compare to seeing it once. So he didn’t bother arguing further and said, “Father, whether they’re useful or not isn’t up to me to say. Yuan Fang has already finished seven or eight of them. I’ll bring them home soon and you can try them out yourself.”

“Hmm, that’s reasonable,” Old Liu nodded. If there really were such plows, farming would become much more efficient.

At that moment, Liu He’s wife came out from the inner room, carrying Liu Xiaohui. Seeing Liu Honest, she anxiously asked, “Old man, is the marriage settled? Did the Zhang family agree?”

“Of course!” The mention of this made Old Liu beam. “The date is set—April fifteenth, an auspicious day for weddings. On that day, we’ll have a daughter-in-law. Hahaha…”

“Good, good, as long as it’s settled.” Liu He’s wife laughed with delight. She’d waited for this for years, and at last it had come. Looking at Liu Yitiao, she nodded repeatedly, “My son is finally getting married—he’s a grown man now. I need to get busy and make him a couple of decent sets of clothes, hats, and boots. The groom can’t look shabby. And I need to prepare things for Chuchu, and for future children too.”

As soon as she sat down, Liu He’s wife gave instructions to Liu Honest, “Tomorrow, go to the county and buy some nice patterned cloth. I’ll start preparations right away, and three months is plenty of time to make several outfits. We won’t delay the wedding. Also, the bedding and furniture must all be new—auspicious and blessed for many sons and grandsons.”

“Mm, mm, you’re right, very right. I’ll get everything tomorrow!” Old Liu nodded enthusiastically.

“And another thing!” The second son of the Liu family now spoke up, “What about the house? If big brother brings home his bride, where will I sleep? Surely I can’t sleep with big brother anymore?”

“You little rascal!” Old Liu slapped Liu Ertiao on the head, scolding, “Don’t talk nonsense! You’ll sleep in the study, of course. That room has been unused all along—your mother will tidy it up for you and it’ll be just right.”

Liu Ertiao held his head and pouted, clearly dissatisfied with his father’s arrangement. But he didn’t dare voice his objection. Old Liu’s slap was nothing to trifle with.

The wedding was still months away, but they were already so anxious—was it really necessary?

Liu Yitiao sat watching the elders of the family discuss and plan, even down to whom to invite to the ceremony, how to write the invitations, what dishes to serve at the banquet, and exactly what each dish should be. Their dedication and sense of parental responsibility were truly admirable.

Finally, as dusk approached, Old Liu and his wife showed no sign of stopping. Liu Yitiao couldn’t help but remind them, “Father, Mother, soon it’ll be time for the ancestral rites. Shouldn’t we prepare the offerings first, and then talk about the wedding?”

Only then did Liu Honest and Liu He’s wife realize how late it was.

Knowing tonight was the last night for ancestral worship this year, Liu He’s wife took Liu Xiaohui into the kitchen to prepare offerings and dinner. Old Liu stood up and respectfully placed another stick of incense before the ancestral tablets. Then he said to Liu Yitiao, “Today, being able to settle your marriage so smoothly is thanks to the ancestors’ blessings. Tonight, you must bow extra reverently during the rites.”

“I understand, Father.” Though Liu Yitiao inwardly scoffed at such beliefs, he agreed outwardly. After all, this was ancient times—people took ritual and filial piety very seriously. If he failed to honor the ancestors, Old Liu would surely break his legs.

“Mm,” Old Liu nodded. “Didn’t you say you wanted to buy more oxen? Come with me to the county tomorrow. Spring plowing is just around the corner, and there’ll be plenty of cattle for sale these days. Also, let’s visit your Uncle Yang. He’s always looked out for you, and it’s proper to inform him of your engagement.”

“Father is absolutely right. I’ll go with you tomorrow,” Liu Yitiao replied softly.

In less than half an hour, Liu He’s wife had finished all preparations, setting wine, meat, fish, and grains on the altar. Following Old Liu’s lead, everyone first offered incense to the ancestors. Then the whole family knelt before the altar, bowing to the ancestral tablets, praying for blessings and expressing gratitude.

This time, Liu Yitiao listened carefully to Old Liu’s words during the rites.

“Unworthy descendant Liu Fengkai, together with my family, respectfully worships the ancestors. May the ancestors bless the Liu clan of five, granting safety, happiness, and freedom from illness or calamity in the new year… Eldest son Liu Yitiao, thanks to the ancestors’ favor, has been able to secure a marriage alliance with the Zhang family. May the ancestors bless Yitiao, my son, with children soon, so the Liu family’s line may continue… Unworthy descendant Liu Fengkai presents his respects!”

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Friendly recommendation: “Outlaw King of the Phantom World,” book number 1012891