Chapter 18 Ghost Festival
The Ullambana Festival, also known as the Zhongyuan Festival in Taoism, is called the Ghost Festival among the people.

Coincidentally, it was the 15th day of the seventh month.

Chu Wujiang was quite impressed by this festival.

On this day five hundred and ninety years ago, Emperor Hao killed Emperor Wu. The ancestor of the Chu family took the opportunity to grab a finger, laying the foundation for the Chu family's prosperity and wealth.

It was also on this day that the entire Longzhou was reduced to a wasteland and countless lives were lost.

Emperor Wu died fighting.

The people of the Longmai Dynasty missed him and also commemorated their relatives and friends who died in the war of annihilation, making it a death anniversary.

Then the Ten Thousand Ghosts Sect rose up, claiming that Emperor Wu would return like lightning, commanding the ghosts of hell and seeking revenge on the Tianming Dynasty.

This day gradually evolved into Ghost Festival.

During every Ghost Festival, the Buddhists, Taoists, and government officials of the Tianming Dynasty would hold large-scale ceremonies to exorcise ghosts or liberate the souls of the dead.

The Chu family is also one of the initiators of the event.

Later, as Longzhou regained its vitality, more and more forces emerged.

The Ullambana Festival is hosted by turns.

The Marquis of Jingping's Mansion is in charge of this year's exorcism ceremony, so naturally they have to come and say hello in advance.

Agree or not?

Chu Wujiang did not hesitate. He took the invitation letter from Lu Ce and accepted it immediately:
“Of course, Chu will not miss this event.”

"It's just that the Ten Thousand Ghosts Sect is so arrogant this year. I'm afraid they will make some moves during the Yulan Festival."

"We must guard against the Marquis of Jingping's mansion."

Lu Ce smiled proudly and said:

"Don't worry, Lord Longcheng."

"It's fine if the Ten Thousand Ghosts Sect doesn't come. If they dare to come to participate in the Yulan Festival, they will be courting death."

"It's a good opportunity to avenge Lord Long Cheng."

"This time, not only the Marquis of Jingping's Mansion, but also three Earls' Mansions, four Viscounts' Mansions, and the Governor will be here to preside over the event."

"Don't even mention some demons and ghosts. Even if there are demons and evil spirits, there is nothing to worry about."

Chu Wujiang understood.

The day of Ghost Festival is when the negative energy in the world is at its strongest, and it is also the time when the Ten Thousand Ghosts Sect is most likely to make some small moves.

The Marquis of Jingping's Mansion was also preparing to set up an ambush and launch a severe attack at this time.

The imperial court offered a very generous reward to the Wangui Sect.

Even the Marquis of Jingping's Mansion wanted to gain some credit in this regard.

Lu Ce's confident speech not only failed to dispel Chu Wujiang's doubts, but instead aggravated them.

[This is very strange.]

[According to common sense, Marquis Jingping, Prefect Liu, and even Master Beiku of the Great Compassion Temple are all masters of martial arts.]

【The Ullambana Festival is the most important festival for Dabei Temple, and various forces send people to pray for the souls of the dead. 】

[The Ten Thousand Ghosts Sect chose this time to cause trouble, which is basically tantamount to seeking death. ]

[Could it be that my sense of crisis regarding the Yulan Festival has nothing to do with the Ten Thousand Ghosts Sect? ]

Chu Wujiang's emotional reports were too few to make a correct judgment.

[Avoid danger in advance] This ability can only vaguely sense danger, but it is impossible to tell him all the information.

Seeing Chu Wujiang deep in thought, Lu Ce couldn't help but ask:
"Lord Longcheng?"

Chu Wujiang quickly laughed and said:
"It's okay. Chu was just worrying too much."

"The Ten Thousand Ghosts Sect has always been cunning and will definitely not seek its own death."

Lu Ce patted his chest and promised:

"It's natural."

"Lord Longcheng doesn't need to participate, just the Chu family can send a few people."

When Lu Ce said this, he smiled embarrassedly:

"I just need Lord Longcheng's help."

Oh, how can I help you?

Chu Wujiang looked at the other person strangely.

Lu Ce quickly replied:

"Lord Longcheng may not know that every Ghost Festival, each family will perform a martial arts competition after the event to determine the rankings."

"And there are many people who love gambling among the people..."

understood.

The Ullambana Festival is also a social festival in Longcheng.

The Dabei Temple would use magic tools to collect some of the extra lonely ghosts in Longzhou and then perform salvation. This salvation ceremony was also an opportunity for the children of each family to exercise.

Not only that, there are also martial arts competitions for easy competition.

When there is a competition, there will naturally be people betting and gambling.

Chu Wujiang thought about the whole story and said bluntly:

"Young Marquis, the biggest banker here must be the Marquis of Jingping's Mansion."

Lu Lu smiled awkwardly:
“They are all small businesses.”

"The top five for this competition have already been decided."

"The Chu family can be given a quota, what do you think?"

Chu Wujiang asked in confusion:

"Wait, the Chu family's performance in this area is very average, right?"

In the martial arts competition held in Longzhou for the children of nobles, the Chu family's performance in recent years has been relatively poor.

The main reason is that he is the only child in the Chu family, and he does not participate in the martial arts competition.

Although the servants of the Chu family are quite capable in fighting, they are basically useless when facing the sons of nobles.

Lu Ce smiled proudly:
“Lord Longcheng, it is because of being ordinary that we can gain the greatest benefit.”

“Lu will set the Chu family’s odds to the highest, and then empty the prize pool.”

“Don’t worry, Lord Longcheng. We will have special guidance to perform the routine beautifully so that no one can tell.”

You are really not a good guy.

Actually wrote a script for the competition.

Chu Wujiang coughed twice:

"Ahem, what can the Chu family get?"

Lu Ce quickly took out a gift list, which listed the detailed profit-sharing steps and profit estimates.

After this deal, the Chu family is expected to receive a profit of 200,000 taels.

People in the arena fight to the death and fight to the death, but they only earn a small amount.

Forces like the Jingping Marquis Mansion and the Zhenhai Marquis Mansion are the ones who are in control.

The Chu family’s share of the profits is not a small amount.

too dark?
No, it's fantastic.

But Chu Wujiang, who has always been cautious in doing things, couldn't help but ask:
"Young Marquis, if I remember correctly, civilian warriors are allowed to participate in the martial arts competition during this Ghost Festival."

"It's OK for the monks from the Great Compassion Temple, but the disciples from the martial arts hall and the sect will also participate."

In this world, martial arts is hard currency. Not only does the imperial court provide martial arts examinations to screen talents, but major nobles also recruit talents through martial arts competitions.

"Young Marquis, aren't you afraid that all your plans will come to nothing?"

Lu Ce quickly explained:
"Don't worry, Lord Longcheng. If he gets a place outside the top five, it won't be a problem."

"We will also arrange to win over and set up strong people to protect the bureau."

“To each his own.”

"Whoever doesn't give us face won't be able to survive in Longzhou!"

damn it.

We are the villains indeed.

Chu Wujiang suddenly understood why the prime minister, who was far away in Tianjing, had always advocated weakening the power of the nobles.

Could it be that a lucky guy appeared in this competition and beat all of us, so [Awareness and Avoidance of Danger] had a reaction?

I have to guard against it.

Chu Wujiang hesitated for a moment and said righteously:
"Young Marquis, my father once taught me that a man without integrity cannot stand."

"How can a martial arts competition on this ghost festival be fake?"

Lu Ce was also a person who could understand the meaning of music by listening to it, and he quickly asked:
"What does Lord Longcheng mean?"

Chu Wujiang said confidently:

"You have to pay more!"

He was certainly not interested in the money.

Instead, he wanted to exchange more auspicious things from the hands of the nobles.

Lu Ce asked hesitantly:
"How much?"

Chu Wujiang smiled and said:

"That depends on how many auspicious things the young marquis has."

(End of this chapter)