In the Great Jin, the Winter Solstice was only second to the New Year festival. The Emperor would offer sacrifices to Heaven on this day, officials and the aristocracy would worship deities, and the common people would honor their ancestors.
On this day, the city gates of border towns would close and pause conflicts. Soldiers were given the day off to rest, and officials too enjoyed a holiday. Even the merchants on the streets would close up shop.
As such, people would prepare various ingredients one or two days before the Winter Solstice to avoid the trouble of not being able to buy anything on the day itself.
Every year, government schools and academies would also take a Winter Solstice break.
When they were in Qili Village, Mr. Zhuang usually gave them only three days off, but it was only after they had moved to Yizhou City that they realized that it was common for government schools to take a five-day break.
