ebookland Chapter 230: The Soul of Longxi Returns to His Hometown
Chapter 230: The Soul of Longxi Returns to His Hometown
Turning our attention back to Ma Chao, we see him walking side by side with Dong Bai, carefully escorting Dong Zhuo's coffin as they hurried with unwavering determination towards Longxi County, Dong Zhuo's hometown. Along the way, officials from various regions, though fully aware that Dong Zhuo was dead, became increasingly feared as they approached Xiliang. Whether these officials were sincere or merely feigning obsequiousness, they all displayed the utmost respect and hospitality in front of Dong Zhuo's coffin, even shedding a few seemingly sorrowful, yet ultimately cheap, tears. Each such hypocritical scene pierced Dong Bai's deepest pain, plunging her into endless sorrow and melancholy. When Ma Chao saw Dong Bai looking so sad, his heart was filled with pity and love, so he resolutely decided not to enter the city, but only to complete the necessary supply of supplies outside the city, and then continued on his journey without hesitation.
Before reaching Longxi County, Ma Chao galloped to report back to Ma Teng in Wuwei. Upon hearing the news, Ma Teng arrived early to oversee the funeral arrangements for Dong Zhuo. When the coffin arrived, the people, carrying the elderly and children, gathered at the city gates, eagerly awaiting it. Regardless of how Dong Zhuo was viewed in the Central Plains, in Xiliang, in Longxi, the place where Dong Zhuo rose to prominence, his reputation was far more direct and profound than that of the emperor. Dong Zhuo's core followers were all from Longxi, and after their crushing defeat, nearly every household in Longxi County was in mourning.
The people of Longxi, seeing the three armies in mourning, all pale and distraught, burst into tears. Firstly, they were heartbroken over the loss of Dong Zhuo, the general who had brought them a stable life; secondly, every family had lost sons, nephews, brothers, husbands, and fathers. This heavy blow plunged every family into deep despair.
Such a tragic and sad scene made Dong Bai unable to suppress her inner grief any longer. She suddenly jumped off the carriage and threw herself into Ma Chao's arms like a wounded baby bird, crying heart-wrenchingly. Her cry seemed to vent all the pain in her heart, which was heartbreaking.
Ma Teng had been waiting at the city gate early, and after witnessing this scene, he stepped forward to greet him. Niu Fu and Li Ru hurried forward to express their gratitude. After all, as Ma Chao's father, Ma Teng had taken the trouble to come and take care of Dong Zhuo's funeral, which was enough to show his respect for Dong Zhuo and his importance to Dong Bai. After a few pleasantries, Ma Teng, concerned about Dong Bai's weeping and pitiful appearance, stepped forward to comfort her. Dong Bai felt embarrassed when he saw Ma Teng approaching, and hurried forward to salute respectfully and said, "Uncle Ma, I am here to show my courtesy. I am sorry for my loss of composure today, uncle." Ma Teng smiled slightly, slowly supported her and said, "Crying for your own father and grandfather is a true and heartfelt act, how can it be laughed at. Bai'er, please don't be too sad, Chao'er and I will take care of everything. Let's go back to the mansion to rest for a while and bring Dong Gong's coffin back to the mansion."
The crowd then marched towards the city, only to see the city and its surroundings crowded with people who had come to greet them. Each of them looked haggard, their eyes red and swollen, tears streaming freely, their mournful cries seemingly tearing the sky apart. Some people beat their chests and stamped their feet, covering their faces tightly with their hands, tears streaming down between their fingers, and shouting hoarsely: "General Dong, you're back." Some elderly people trembled, their dry hands pointing in the direction of the coffin, tears streaming down their faces, sobbing: "General Dong, you can finally rest and no longer have to fight for the war." Some women held their children in their arms, who also cried loudly. The women, their faces covered with tears, muttered to themselves: "How will I live from now on!"
Such a tragic scene moved everyone who came with them, and endless sadness surged in their hearts, as if they were suffocated by a heavy rock.
Upon arriving at the Dong residence, the family had already draped white cloths, spirit streamers, and other items throughout the room. Dong Zhuo's coffin was solemnly placed in front of the hall. Given Dong Zhuo's status and position, he should have been allowed to rest longer, awaiting the arrival of the various princes and important officials to pay their respects. However, Dong Zhuo's reputation was already infamous throughout the court and the country. Furthermore, the journey from Chang'an to Longxi was long and time-consuming, and it was summer, so he couldn't afford to leave the body untouched for long. Fortunately, a secret method had been used to preserve Dong Zhuo's body, preventing its decay. Ma Teng consulted with the Dong clan and decided to rest the body for seven days before burying it. With the exception of radicals like Dong Huang, who were still fighting in Fufeng County, the remaining Dong clan members were mostly elderly and weak, and naturally had no other ideas, so they followed Ma Teng's advice.
During the seven days that Dong Zhuo's body lay in state, the entire Dong Mansion was immersed in a heavy and solemn atmosphere.
Every day, Dong Zhuo's closest relatives and loyal confidants would take turns standing guard before the coffin. Dressed in plain clothes, their faces mournful, their gazes never leaving the cold coffin, as if by watching over it like this, they could retain a trace of Dong Zhuo's life.
The regularly scheduled memorial ceremonies were solemn and dignified. The table before the coffin was laden with abundant offerings: mellow wine, exquisite food, and vibrant flowers, each one bearing the living's deepest remembrance of the deceased. With hearts filled with immense reverence and grief, relatives and subordinates lined up neatly before the coffin, respectfully offering their offerings and then kneeling in reverent adoration. Their foreheads touched the ground heavily, each kowtow accompanied by a deep sob, a wail that seemed to emanate from the depths of their souls.
Over the past few days, colleagues and juniors from across Xiliang who had previously interacted with Dong Zhuo have come to pay their respects. Leaders from surrounding ethnic groups have also flocked to pay their respects. Dong Zhuo's prestige in the Central Plains was low, but for the ethnic minorities in Xiliang, he was a terrifying presence. Although Dong Zhuo is now deceased, the Ma family's personal handling of his funeral demonstrates his profound importance. Ma Chao now commands a powerful deterrent against the ethnic minorities. Even the Western Qiang King, Cheliji, personally visited to offer his condolences, and Ma Chao and his companions received each one.
To ensure Dong Zhuo's soul rests in peace and blessings in the afterlife, highly respected monks and Taoists were specially invited to chant sutras for his soul's salvation. Dressed in solemn robes, they held instruments and chanted sutras. The sound of the sutras echoed through the mourning hall, like celestial Buddhist chants, guiding Dong Zhuo's soul on its path to the afterlife.
The sound of wailing was incessant. The crowds, distraught before the coffin, beat their chests and stamped their feet, or fell to the ground wailing, tears streaming freely. The heart-wrenching cries seemed to vent all the pain and reluctance they felt. Some sobbed as they recalled every moment they had spent with Dong Zhuo, while others shouted his name at the top of their lungs, as if praying for his return.
At certain moments, someone would stand up and solemnly recount Dong Zhuo's glorious achievements and triumphs. Their voices were deep and powerful, each word brimming with admiration and praise for Dong Zhuo. Those who listened were invariably filled with grief, deeply saddened by his passing.
Dong Zhuo's residence also welcomed mourners from all walks of life. Some were representatives of other families, some were former colleagues, and some were Dong Zhuo's friends. Dressed in black and with solemn expressions, they entered the mourning hall, bowed deeply before Dong Zhuo's coffin, and then shook hands with the family to express their heartfelt condolences.
The flames of burning paper money flickered outside the mourning hall. Vast swathes of paper money were thrown into the flames, turning into ashes that drifted into the sky. The blazing flames seemed like a beacon lit by the living for Dong Zhuo in the afterlife, hoping to bring him endless wealth and peace.
During the entire period of the funeral, the entire Dong family was shrouded in sadness and solemnity, and every ceremony and activity was filled with deep remembrance and respect for Dong Zhuo.