My Sims of the Eastern Jin Dynasty

Time flew by, and Xiao Heng spent several months in the small courtyard.

Today is the Laba Festival.

The La Ri Festival of the Jin Dynasty was an important festival that inherited the old system of the Han and Wei Dynasties and combined the etiquette of the gentry with folk customs. The time followed the ancient La sacrifice tradition and was calculated according to the sexagenary cycle calendar, set on the third Xu day after the winter solstice.

The imperial sacrificial ceremony on that day had to follow the ancient system of "Emperor's Great Laba Festival," worshipping eight gods: the God of Agriculture, the God of Millet, the God of Agriculture, the God of Fields, the God of Cats and Tigers, the God of Embankments, the God of Water (City God), and the God of Insects. At the same time, sacrifices were offered to the clan's ancestors. The ceremony was solemn, requiring offerings such as river dolphins (a specialty of Jiankang), wine, and millet porridge. The clan head presided over the ceremony, performing the Three Offerings ritual to pray for a bountiful harvest and the prosperity of the clan in the coming year.

Folk rituals tend to be more practical, focusing on worshipping the Kitchen God and Door Gods, supplemented by ancestor worship. Commoners are poor, so offerings are mostly homemade wine and steamed millet cakes. The rituals are relatively simple, with the only wish being to "drive away disease and ensure peace" and "not suffer from hunger and cold in the coming year."

Xiao Heng got up before dawn, changed into a brand-new blue silk robe that Zhang Xuan had sent the day before, and tied his hair up with a crown.

After Chen Shi (7-9 AM), the clerks were already quietly sweeping and cleaning the courtyard. When they saw him leaving, they all respectfully gave way.

Today, he is no longer a prisoner awaiting trial, but a guest about to attend a banquet.

The oxcart moved slowly. After the Taicheng sacrificial ceremony, the grand exorcism ceremony was underway in the palace. Xiao Heng had never seen it before, so he stopped the car out of curiosity to watch.

The official in charge of expelling plagues, wearing a bearskin mask and dressed in black robes and red skirts, marched forward with a dagger and shield in hand. Behind him followed more than a hundred children dressed in red and black, holding rattle drums, shouting in unison, "Nuo! Nuo!" The sound was like a surging tide as the procession passed through the palace and headed outwards.

Xiao Heng did not get on the carriage, but followed the group out of the city.

It wasn't until the Grand Nuo ceremony in the palace was heading north of the river that the charioteer reminded him of the urgency of the situation.

The oxcart moved slowly along the road, the air filled with the unique aroma of burning pine branches and cypress leaves, and occasionally the scent of steamed millet cakes and preserved wine.

The streets and alleys were several times busier than usual. Every household had swept and cleaned their front doors, and new peach wood charms (square peach wood blocks used to invite door gods) were pasted on both sides of the doors. Reed ropes (ropes woven from reeds, used to catch ghosts) were hanging to ward off evil spirits.

The children, wearing tiger-head hats and sachets made of colorful silk threads around their necks, chased and played, with cinnabar dots on their foreheads and their laughter ringing out.

In front of a slightly dilapidated courtyard gate, several women in plain clothes were working together to carry out a small table and set out three rough earthenware bowls. One bowl contained their own cloudy homemade rice wine, another contained millet cake cut into squares, and the middle bowl contained a chicken head that had been boiled until its skin and flesh were split open. This was the greatest sincerity that ordinary people could offer.

They chanted incantations as they knelt devoutly towards the sky, praying nothing more than for the Kitchen God to speak well of them, for favorable weather in the coming year, for a bountiful harvest, and for their families to be free from illness and disaster. The ceremony was extremely simple, yet it was imbued with a profound sense of weight and a deep-seated hope for survival.

At the slightly wider street corner, folk troupes were making a lively procession, which was more wild than the solemnity of the palace.

The leader wore a simple wooden mask and a dyed linen robe that served as a black and red garment. He carried a wooden sword and a bamboo shield and hopped forward with exaggerated steps. Behind him followed a dozen or so children whose faces were smeared with soot, shouting "Nuo! Nuo!" in unison. Their voices were childish but they were very energetic.

The onlookers laughed and made way, throwing pieces of prepared millet cakes at the Nuo troupe as a reward, and also as a way of feeding and sending away the plague demon.

Amidst the hustle and bustle, there is a glimmer of optimism and resilience that ordinary people have managed to carve out during those bitter and harsh years.

As the oxcart drove along the banks of the Qinhuai River, the mist carrying the scent of cosmetics wafted over.

The painted boats and pavilions are much quieter today; the singers and musicians must have returned home to pay respects to their ancestors.

Only in front of a few wealthy households, neatly dressed servants would distribute "eye-brightening pouches" made of colorful cloth to children on the street. When giving them to children, they would also say, "Use this to wipe your eyes, and you will keep your eyes bright." In fact, the pouches probably contained some dried chrysanthemum leaves and goji berries, which were symbols of good fortune. This was the closest thing to the etiquette of gift-giving among the gentry that could be seen in the marketplace.

Xiao Heng watched silently, feeling little emotion, only a cold clarity in his heart.

The everyday life of ordinary people, the will to survive—these things are separated from him by a layer; his battlefield is not here.

The oxcart did not go directly to Wuyi Lane, but instead turned to Xiao Yuanzhi's temporary residence. It was a not spacious but clean house, and there were already several oxcarts in front of the gate, all belonging to members of the Lanling Xiao clan who were officials or making a living in the capital.

The main hall in the courtyard was wide open, and incense smoke filled the air. This year, the host had Xiao Yuanzhi preside over the sacrificial ceremony, but today all the guests were young members of the Xiao family.

When Xiao Heng arrived, the sacrificial ceremony had not yet begun, and he understood that this meant the host family had already compromised.

His arrival caused a moment of silence in the room.

Several pairs of eyes immediately focused on him. Xiao Heng also saw his clan brothers who had fought each other to the death before. Now that his reputation was too great, these men didn't even dare to say a word.

Xiao Yuanzhi strode over with a genuine smile on his face and hurriedly took his hand, leading him to the offering table, fearing that he might make a move today, since Xiao Heng had done such a thing before during ancestral worship.

The sacrificial ceremony began quickly. The offerings on the altar were clearly arranged in strict accordance with the rituals: a river pig (porpoise), wine in a lacquer pot, steaming meat porridge, and several kinds of dried fruit. It was as abundant as possible. The silk painting hanging behind the altar roughly depicted the faces of Shennong, Houji, and other ancestors and officials. A small table was set up to the side, where the ancestral tablets of the Xiao family were enshrined. The tablet at the very top was that of Xiao He, one of the three heroes of the early Han Dynasty.

Xiao Yuanzhi led his clansmen in a final round of kowtows to the ancestral tablets.

The crowd stood solemnly, their movements synchronized, as they softly chanted prayers for the prosperity of their clan and the success of their official careers.

After the ceremony, the atmosphere became a little more lively. The younger members of the clan stepped forward one by one to present Xiao Yuanzhi with preserved wine and preserved meat as gifts, while saying auspicious words. The children reciprocated with "eye-brightening pouches" or a small packet of maltose. The children had been eagerly eyeing the maltose for a long time, and once they received it, they ran off happily.

"Today, at the grand banquet held at Lord Xie's residence, your presence is an honor for the Xiao family of Lanling."

Xiao Yuanzhi whispered and placed an exceptionally exquisite brocade eye-brightening pouch into his hand.

"On this journey, observe more, listen more, and speak less. At the banquet, you will find many distinguished guests."

Xiao Heng gripped the brocade pouch tightly and nodded.

"Don't worry, cousin."

He glanced around and gave a warning look to the sons of the main family. He could sense that their hatred was still there. They were all trying to maintain the dignity of the aristocratic family, but an invisible barrier had inevitably formed between them during this awkward family ritual.

After taking a small sip of the clan's homemade wine, Xiao Heng rose to take his leave.

Xiao Yuanzhi saw him to the door, hesitated for a moment, and finally just patted his shoulder heavily.

At the entrance of Wuyi Lane, the road was already congested with carriages and horses, and officials and dignitaries gathered in droves.

The gates of Xie An's mansion were wide open, and neatly dressed, respectful servants guided the guests. Xiao Heng's oxcart, which came from Xie's mansion, entered directly without having to wait in line.

After entering the gate, one is not immediately led to the banquet, but is first taken to a specially designated ancestral hall area within the mansion to observe the ceremony.

The atmosphere here is completely different from the earnest efforts in the Xiao family compound.

The ancestral hall is spacious, with tall beams and pillars.

The sacrificial ceremony is also divided into two parts: worshipping the eight gods and worshipping the ancestors.

The altar for worshipping the eight gods was set up in the courtyard, with the main altars for the gods Shennong and Houji carved from northern cypress wood.

The other deities are arranged according to the layout of the farm, with the deities for agriculture, post stations, workshops, and waterways placed beside the corresponding granaries, fields, dikes, and sluice gates.

An elder of the Xie clan, dressed in a black robe, was reciting a prayer in a long and gentle tone. The words were so ancient and obscure that Xiao Heng couldn't understand a word. The guests who were attending the ceremony all stood with their hands at their sides, silent. In Xiao Heng's view, this was no longer a prayer for food and clothing, but a declaration of the order of the world.

The ancestral worship ceremony takes place in a quieter, more secluded room, accessible only to the core members of the Xie family and their closest friends.

Xiao Heng stood at the edge of the crowd watching the ceremony and saw Xie An, Xie Xuan, Xie Shi and others all dressed in sacrificial robes, their expressions solemn, performing the three offerings to the ancestral tablets.

The ceremony was elaborate and meticulous, with every movement seemingly carrying the weight of the family. At that moment, Xie An was merely the head of a family, not a pillar of the court. Xiao Heng knew that it was this extreme reverence for bloodline and heritage that formed the cornerstone of aristocratic politics.

They valued lineage, education, and the struggle for power.

After the sacrificial ceremony, the atmosphere shifted to a relaxed feast.

The group was led to a well-arranged banquet hall, where festive decorations for the Laba Festival were everywhere, including vases of winter plum blossoms and elegant daffodils on the table. Each person had a food table in front of them, and servants had already quietly laid out various kinds of preserved meats. Xiao Heng glanced at them and thought that these were probably not meant to be eaten.

Xiao Heng's rank wasn't high enough to enter the main hall yet, so he was placed in a slightly drafty spot at the back of the hall. His feet quickly became numb from the cold. Seeing that none of the other young masters from aristocratic families complained, he could only continue to maintain the "integrity" that aristocratic families valued.

This place is not a corner, but a spot where you can clearly observe the host and most of the guests without being too conspicuous.

The arrangement itself is intriguing.

Once everyone was seated, music began. It was neither elegant court music nor vulgar string and wind instruments, but rather a clear and melodious harmony of zither and lute, playing an ancient tune.

Amidst the music, Xie An, dressed in a dark robe and with his hair tied up only with a jade hairpin, slowly stepped out, followed by Xie Xuan, Xie Shi, and several other core members of the Xie clan.

He walked with ease, his face bearing his usual gentle smile, his gaze sweeping across the room with a warm expression, as if he were merely there to host a family gathering.

He did not go to the main seat, but went first to the sacrificial table set up in the hall. The table was simply furnished with a small tripod symbolizing Shennong, the "first sage", a jade cong representing Houji, the "master sage", as well as millet soup, preserved wine and other items.

Without any formalities, Xie An personally picked up the wine cup and slowly poured the wine onto the ground.

"On the Laba Festival, we worship the gods to drive away plague and welcome good fortune. Although the year has been turbulent, thanks to the blessings of Heaven and Earth and the bravery of our soldiers, the Jiangnan region is temporarily at peace. This cup is offered to the eight gods who protect the harvest, and also to our ancestors for their enduring blessings. May the coming year bring far away disasters, abundant harvests, and peace throughout the land."

With only a few words, it was unclear which were true. After the ritual to the gods, he raised his cup to the guests in the hall.

"Gentlemen, it is my great fortune that you have taken time out of your busy schedules to celebrate the Laba Festival together. Laba means 'to connect,' so I hope that all the hardships of this year will depart with the old year, and that in the coming year we will work together with one heart and one mind to protect our land. Please."

Everyone present solemnly raised their cups and drank together. Xiao Heng drank the warm wine in his cup, and a warm sensation entered his throat, making him feel much warmer.

After a round of drinks, exquisite preserved meat dishes were served by simply dressed maids.

The preserved pork slices are cut as thin as paper, translucent, and served on a celadon plate. Steam rises from the meat porridge, the aroma of meat blending with the fragrance of grains. The sticky rice cakes are golden and translucent, served in silver cups, their sweet aroma enticing. There are also seasonal vegetables such as winter bamboo shoots and frosted cabbage as a side dish, arranged with an elegant and picturesque presentation.

The music changed as the banquet progressed, sometimes with the qin and xiao playing together, and sometimes with a singing girl with her hair in double buns singing a folk song about picking lotus in Jiangnan. The music was a blend of elegance and popular culture, which was quite tasteful.

The conversation unfolded naturally, like flowing water.

The instigator was an elderly scholar from Wu County. He stroked his beard and talked about the Laba Festival in his hometown. Children played with carving Shen Tu and Yu Lei out of peach wood, which led to a discussion on the ancient customs of the end of the year in the "Customs and Traditions". There were many learned people in the room. Some quoted the "Book of Rites" and others cited the "Book of Poetry", and the atmosphere gradually became more and more enthusiastic.

Xie An listened with a smile, occasionally offering a word of advice at a crucial point, or posing a deeper question about a historical allusion. Before long, the topic shifted from ancient customs for warding off plagues to how to ward off evil in the modern era.

A magistrate known for his pragmatism took over the conversation, mentioning that in order to prevent the spread of disease in Jingkou, Guangling and other places this winter, the government organized the cleaning of streets and alleys and the distribution of medicinal herbs, which naturally led to the topic of defense.

Xi Hui spoke at the opportune moment.

"In the garrisons north of the Yangtze River, the transportation of military supplies during the winter is particularly important, especially the canal transport. Since the water level drops in the twelfth lunar month, it is necessary to dredge the waterways in advance to ensure the safety of the grain supply."

Xiao Heng understood; he had mentioned this topic to Xi Hui before, and the gist of it was that war was all about logistics and supplies.

Xie Xuan coughed lightly, directly changing the subject.

"The winter training in the Northern Army also emphasizes keeping warm and in good physical condition. Only when soldiers are well-fed and warm can they fight effectively. This year, each camp must receive sufficient and timely supplies of charcoal, firewood, and winter clothing."

After listening, Xi Hui remained silent. During the meal, he occasionally mentioned the situation in Jiangbei and the distribution of grain and fodder, but these were all cleverly steered toward matters of people's livelihood and defense.

There were no heated arguments, but undercurrents were swirling, and all that remained was practical consideration based on the premise of shared prayer.

Xiao Heng watched coldly as Wang Guobao hesitated several times, ultimately failing to find a way to interject with a sharp topic, and could only turn to discussing the cooking time of the sticky candy with others.

As the banquet progressed, the gift-giving began. This was not a chaotic exchange of gifts, but rather a well-ordered affair. Servants carried lacquered trays, presenting the winter gifts prepared by the Xie family to each guest: an embroidered sachet filled with dried herbs, and a jar of exquisitely sealed Xie family-brewed winter wine. The gifts were not extravagant, but elegant and appropriate for the occasion.

Afterwards, Xie An did something that seemed ordinary but warmed the hearts of the generals present.

He summoned his steward and instructed everyone: "According to past practice, the families of soldiers from the Northern and Western armies residing in Danyang and Jinling counties must have their prepared winter wine, millet cakes, and eye-brightening pouches delivered before the festival. The families of fallen soldiers will also receive a bolt of winter silk."

The steward bowed in agreement and left to carry out the order.

Generals Xie Xuan, Xi Hui, and others all left their seats and bowed solemnly to Xie An.

This move, though silent, could rally the troops, but in Xiao Heng's view, these small favors were truly unfair to the soldiers who died in Huaibei.

The banquet drew to a close in a tacitly harmonious atmosphere.

The guests began to rise one after another to say goodbye and express their gratitude to Xie An.

Xie An returned the greetings one by one, maintaining the same gentle attitude towards everyone.

Xiao Heng also got up with the crowd, preparing to leave quietly.

Just then, the servant in blue who had led the way for him quietly arrived and whispered to him.

"Supervisor Xiao, Lord Xie requests your presence."

What was bound to happen has finally happened.

Xiao Heng took a deep breath of the cool air, which carried the sweet aroma of preserved wine. He nodded slightly to the servant and walked against the flow of departing people into the depths of the mansion.