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Chapter 357: Chapter 360: Beam-raising!_1
The next day, Tan Zhenghong and Qiao Duo’er got up early in the morning.
Beam-raising is a big event in any household, so the craftsmen all arrived early on.
The master carpenter had already chosen an auspicious day and prepared the big beam beforehand, which had been resting in the main hall. Tan Zhenghong would offer incense every day.
Today being the actual day, the sacrificial ceremony was much grander.
Qiao Duo’er laid out the sixteen offerings on the table at one go, while Tan Zhenghong inserted and lit the incense candles, then they burnt incense together, and both the family and the craftsmen knelt and bowed in succession.
After the prayer, the carpenter responsible for the big beam chanted the beam-raising song while pouring wine over the big beam.
This Master Jin was a carpenter of renown far and wide, and he was best at making big beams; people from ten villages and eight towns sought him out.
The wine he poured over the big beam was evenly distributed; after covering the entire length from one end to the other, the wine jug was just empty, and this alone was enough to earn people’s trust.
Tan Zhenghong timely handed over a red envelope and expressed his gratitude.
Master Jin felt the weight of the red envelope without showing much reaction, content in his heart.
The Fourth Brother Tan’s family was proper with their courtesies; thus, he too had to give his very best.
With a gesture from Master Jin to those helping, they tied the red rope around the big beam, and then several men lifted it up together, continuously chanting for great fortune and prosperity.
Master Jin, with an axe wrapped in red cloth, climbed up, and Uncle Huang set off the firecrackers.
By the time the firecrackers had burned out, the big beam had already been knocked into the mortise.
Aunt Huang handed a red blanket to Qiao Duo’er and Tan Zhenghong, which was another step in the beam-raising ceremony.
She also instructed, "Later when Master Jin tosses the steamed buns from the big beam, catch them with the blanket. The more you catch, the better."
Seeing that both of them understood her meaning, Aunt Huang then moved aside.
Catching steamed buns was no trouble for the pair; one was a hunter, and the other was a former special agent in a past life—both were dead accurate.
And so, the buns steadily and assuredly landed in the blanket.
The craftsmen had attended many beam-raising ceremonies, but this was definitely the first time they saw a family catch all the steamed buns.
Master Jin also congratulated them with clasped hands, "Congratulations, may the two of you be blessed without bounds, and your progeny be everlasting."
Tan Zhenghong muttered in his heart that he didn’t want those annoying little brats, but still, he humbly gave thanks on the surface.
If he were to speak his true thoughts, others might think of him as a demon.
Master Jin looked outside; the sun had already risen, so he called out to the onlookers, "We’re going to throw the beam now!"
Throwing the beam was the most lively part of the beam-raising.
It meant that the host would toss auspicious items like peanuts, candies, and copper coins from atop the big beam for the crowd to catch, and whoever picked them up could keep them.
The people outside all surged in, rubbing their hands together in eager anticipation.
When the beam throwing began, Qiao Duo’er and Tan Zhenghong climbed up on the beam, settled themselves, and started to throw items from the basket all around.
The crowd below jostled for them, laughter and playful noise filling the air.
In no time, both baskets were empty, and those with quick hands gathered plenty.
"All right, it’s time for the big beam to dry in the sunlight. Everyone, follow me out!"
Master Jin led everyone outside.
During this time, Sun Erhu delivered breakfast, and the craftsmen took their seats.
After bustling about all morning, everyone was famished and praised the delicious meal they were now enjoying.
After breakfast, Master Jin burned a brazier in the new house to symbolize warming the room.
Watching the fire blaze, it marked the successful conclusion of the beam-raising ceremony.
The craftsmen were all delighted that the entire process concluded without any accidents, certain that the family would give them a generous red envelope.
Indeed, they were not disappointed, as the red envelope in their hands felt like an unexpected surprise.
