Colorful years

The next morning, Zhang Zhong transferred the sausages, which had already been dehydrated, to the heated kang (a traditional heated brick bed) and began the long smoking process. For the next twenty days or so, the kang was filled with thick smoke and a unique aroma.

As time went by, the sausage quietly changed: its originally pale color gradually turned reddish, radiating a mouthwatering sheen; the faint aroma of meat became increasingly mellow, and could be smelled from afar, making people want to take a bite immediately.

Finally, after a long wait of more than twenty days, this batch of sausages is ready to be eaten! At this time, the sausages are not only bright red and tempting in color and have a fragrant aroma, but they also make people's appetites increase just by looking at them.

Whether sliced ​​and plated as a refined dish or cut into small pieces as a snack to accompany drinks, it will undoubtedly become a delicious dish on the table.

In addition to making uniquely flavored cured pork and fragrant sausages, Shi Daya's family also carefully prepared all kinds of New Year's goods.

They personally made soft and sweet rice cakes, golden and crispy fried rice, and smooth and chewy glutinous rice cakes. They also popped a large basket of fluffy and delicious popcorn and fried a large basket of crispy peanuts, making careful preparations for the upcoming New Year.

As the New Year approaches, the entire village is enveloped in a festive atmosphere. Every household is busy preparing for the New Year, putting up couplets, hanging lanterns, setting off firecrackers, and engaging in a variety of other celebratory activities.

Congcong and his younger siblings, dressed in brand-new clothes, ran and played happily in the village. Their laughter echoed in the air, adding vitality to the land.

However, the Tujia people have a unique and interesting tradition – the New Year celebration. Unlike the Han Chinese who usually enjoy a reunion dinner on the eve of the Lunar New Year, the Tujia people specially choose to hold this meaningful reunion ceremony in the early hours of the morning, when the clock quietly points to the thirtieth day of the twelfth lunar month.

The origins of this unique custom can be traced back to the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, a time of great upheaval.

At that time, the brave and fearless Tujia people did not hesitate to throw themselves into the heroic battle against the Japanese pirates in the coastal areas of the East China Sea. With their tenacious fighting spirit and superb tactics, they won their first glorious victory!

This victory not only fully demonstrated the Tujia people's bravery and skill in battle, but also became a shining symbol of their national pride.

To win this crucial victory, the brave and fearless Tujia men resolutely decided to act ahead of schedule. In the early hours of Lunar New Year's Eve, while most people were still immersed in sweet dreams, these passionate men were already sitting around the dining table, hurriedly enjoying the reunion dinner that should have been eaten in the evening.

Despite the short time allotted, this meaningful reunion dinner was filled with warmth and kinship. While preparing the sumptuous meal in an orderly fashion, family members kept reminding the soldiers, who were about to depart, to be careful and fight bravely against the enemy.

The Tujia men ate heartily, their hearts filled with gratitude and reluctance to leave their families, and resolutely embarked on their journey to the designated battlefield.

Along the way, they endured countless hardships, traveling day and night without daring to slacken their efforts. Finally, with their tenacious perseverance and unwavering faith, the Tujia men arrived at the smoke-filled battlefield on time.

Faced with the enemy's fierce offensive, they showed no fear and charged forward. In the intense battle, everyone unleashed their full potential, fully demonstrating the heroic spirit and indomitable will of the Tujia warriors.

After a thrilling and desperate battle, the Tujia men ultimately triumphed over overwhelming odds, achieving a remarkable victory. Their names resounded throughout the land, and they became legendary heroes passed down through generations.

That early reunion dinner became an eternal memory in their hearts, inspiring more people to step forward and fight bravely for the interests of the country and the nation.

To commemorate this historically significant battle and to express their boundless admiration for the heroic deeds of their ancestors, the Tujia people began to develop and pass down this unique New Year's Eve tradition.

At midnight, all was quiet, and the whole world seemed to be immersed in a dream. However, in this peaceful little village, one family's main room was brightly lit and bustling with activity.

A bright kerosene lamp hung high in the main room, emitting a soft and warm light that illuminated every corner of the room.

Beneath the lantern, there was an antique-style square table, on which were neatly arranged a variety of mouthwatering delicacies.

These dishes are not only delicious and visually appealing, but also imbued with a strong festive atmosphere and family warmth.

At this moment, the whole family is sitting around this square table. The children are all well-behaved and adorable, sitting quietly in their seats, their eyes fixed on the abundant food, their hearts filled with anticipation.

However, although the children were eager to start enjoying the sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner, they still sensibly waited for their parents to sit down before they started eating.

Finally, Mother Shi Daya walked lightly into the main room and slowly sat down in the seat of honor. Seeing their mother already seated, the children's faces immediately lit up with joyful smiles.

But at that moment, instead of sitting down as everyone expected, Father Zhang Zhong turned around and took out a string of homemade firecrackers from the corner. The string of firecrackers was carefully tied with red ribbons and looked very festive.

The father carefully tied the firecrackers to a long bamboo pole, then smiled and called out to his son, who was standing to the side eager to try, "Cong'er, come and help your father set off the firecrackers."

Hearing his father's call, Congcong was so excited he almost jumped up. He quickly replied, "Okay!" Then he swiftly picked up a pair of fire tongs, took a glowing ember from the brazier, and followed his father out of the house.