Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Mom gave the order, and Sheng Qingxi immediately agreed. Just after Mom finished giving orders, Dad came in with his own commands, followed by Big Brother and Big Sister! Sheng Qingxi counted on his fingers: nine screens and thirty-six decorations. Wow! Such a large order—when would the boss be able to supply the goods? Moreover, those old Grandpa and old ladies would definitely send their children and grandchildren to place orders. With such a huge quantity, could the boss's staff manage it? Would there be enough materials? Sheng Qingxi decided to contact the boss to place the order right after the banquet; first come, first served. The other old Grandpa and old ladies could just wait!
Since the main characters were elderly, considering their health, the banquet did not last too late. However, at nine o'clock in the evening, the banquet ended, and guests began to leave one after another. Just as Sheng Qingxi was about to return to his room to contact Bai Tang—since he was favored, he had his own room in the Zhang Family, unlike his parents and siblings who could only stay in guest rooms—he was stopped by his Uncle.
“Xi, is your allowance enough? Let Uncle give you some!”
“Uncle, please speak directly!”
“That kind of screen you gave your grandmother…”
“I'll help you order as many as you want!”
“Good child! Uncle doesn’t spoil you for nothing!”
Zhang Feng came over: “Xi, are you only thinking about your Uncle and forgetting about your uncle?”
Sheng Qingxi helplessly wondered how he had become a middleman without commission or bonuses.
“What are you two exploiting Xi for again?” Elder Zhang sternly rescued his Grandson from his two sons' clutches and pulled him aside while nagging, “You, child, showing off good things privately to your grandmother is fine, but why do it in front of that bunch of old folks? Now all the good stuff has been snatched away! You didn’t even leave one or two for your grandfather!”
“Dad, I had Xi order ten sets of screens and twenty decorations; I’ll save one set for you when they arrive.” Zhang Yu quickly flattered.
“Dad, I ordered some too; when the goods arrive, feel free to choose!” Zhang Feng chimed in.
“I’m talking to my Grandson, what are you two making a fuss about? Go away!” Elder Zhang pushed his two sons aside and continued lecturing his grandson.
Sheng Qingxi acted obediently; he knew well how temperamental the old man’s children were. He coaxed Old Man: “Grandfather, actually, the items for Grandpa Jiang and them are just ordinary; I’ve saved the really good stuff for you!”
“Oh?” Elder Zhang’s eyes lit up. “What good stuff? Hurry up and show me!”
“Just wait a moment!” Sheng Qingxi quickly ran out of the house and retrieved a scroll from the garage.
Elder Zhang's eyes sparkled; calligraphy and painting were indeed his favorites!
"Xi, why didn't you come to me when buying calligraphy and paintings? Don't get fooled into buying fakes!" Zhang Feng was skeptical of his nephew's taste; what did the child know about calligraphy and painting? He hoped he wouldn't be deceived.
Sheng Qingxi chuckled lightly, not minding his uncle's doubts. He admitted that his understanding of calligraphy and painting couldn't compare to Zhang Feng's; he was merely an amateur enthusiast, not a professional like his uncle.
"Uncle, what I bought isn't an authentic piece, but the copyist was someone from three or four hundred years ago, so this calligraphy has become an antique. Moreover, it captures about seventy to eighty percent of the essence of the original."
"Oh? Whose calligraphy did you copy?" Zhang Feng became interested. The scroll in his nephew's hand seemed to have some age, but upon closer inspection, it showed no signs of aging.
"Take a look for yourself, Uncle!" Sheng Qingxi opened one of the scrolls, revealing smooth regular script that caught the attention of Zhang Feng and Elder Zhang.
"Zhu Yunming's 'Memorial on the Expedition'?" Both Zhang Feng and Elder Zhang gasped in unison. Elder Zhang snatched another scroll from Sheng Qingxi, opened it, and indeed found 'After the Departure of Troops'.
"Who is Zhu Yunming?" Zhang Yu asked curiously.
Elder Zhang looked down on his eldest son's ignorance and tossed him two cotton balls: "You know nothing! You don't even know who Zhu Yunming is!"
Zhang Yu was left helpless by his father's scolding and turned to his brother and nephew for help.
"Big Brother, Zhu Yunming is Zhu Zhishan."
"Oh, he's the one who is mentioned alongside Tang Bohu as one of the Four Great Talents?" Thanks to Stephen Chow's film 'Tang Bohu Spots Autumn Fragrance', the Four Great Talents of the Ming Dynasty were well-known to the public. However, while everyone recognized Zhu Zhishan, they didn't realize that Zhu Yunming was his real name.
"Zhu Yunming is the courtesy name of Zhu Zhishan?" Zhang Yu asked.
"No! Zhishan is the pseudonym of Zhu Yunming. His courtesy name is Xi Zhe, and he took on the pseudonym Zhishan because he had six fingers on his right hand, calling himself 'Branch Finger Born'. He also signed as Old Woodcutter of Zhishan and other names. His family had a deep literary background; he could compose poetry and prose and excelled in calligraphy. His cursive script is particularly praised by the world, leading to the saying 'Paintings by Tang Bohu, Calligraphy by Zhu Zhishan'," Zhang Feng recounted with expertise in his field.
"The 'Six-Body Calligraphy Poetry Scroll', 'Cursive Du Fu Poetry Scroll', 'Ancient Poems of Nineteen', 'Cursive Tang Poems Scroll', and 'Grass Script Poetry Scroll' written by Zhu Zhishan are all exquisite works passed down through generations. He is renowned alongside Tang Yin, Wen Zhengming, and Xu Zhenqing, being referred to as one of the 'Four Talents of Wu Zhong' during the Ming Dynasty." Sheng Qingxi interjected to show off his knowledge. Most of what he knew now came from his grandfather and uncle.
"Xu Zhenqing? Isn't that Zhou Wenbin?" As soon as he spoke, Zhang Yu realized he had made a mistake. Oh father, please don't look at me with that disdainful gaze reserved for "fools"; I am your son!
"Uncle, Zhou Wenbin is a fictional character created in film and television stories; there is no such person in history," Sheng Qingxi said.
"Listen, you still don't understand much. It's a shame you're from Wu, being so enamored with foreign things that you've forgotten all about our ancestors' traditional culture," Elder Zhang said disdainfully.
Zhang Yu forced a smile. Wasn't it just a lack of understanding about historical figures? How did it turn into being enamored with foreign things? Not daring to refute the Old Man, Zhang Yu could only endure and listen as the Old Man imparted knowledge about ancient culture.
"Xu Zhenqing was a literary figure from the Ming Dynasty and one of the Wu Zhong Si Cai Zi. He was praised for his couplet 'In Jiangnan, every family has jade; in Yangzhou, the trees are adorned with flowers.' He was known as the 'Poet of Wu Zhong.' He authored the 'Dingong Collection,' 'Digong Wai Ji,' and the literary critique 'Record of Artistic Discussions.' Xu Zhenqing's calligraphy was taught by Li Yingzhen, who was the father-in-law of Zhu Yunming and had guided Zhu Yunming in calligraphy..."
"Zhu Yunming became a renowned calligrapher influenced by two people. Besides Li Yingzhen, there was also his grandfather Xu Youzheng. Xu Youzheng passed the Jinshi examination in the eighth year of the Ming Xuande era. Later, due to his contributions to restoring Emperor Yingzong's reign, he was appointed as Minister of War and Grand Scholar of Huagai Hall, and was granted the title Marquis Wugong. Xu Youzheng was exceptionally talented, well-versed in literature, geography, Daoism, Buddhism, and various skills. He excelled in running script and was deeply influenced by Huaisu and Mi Fu's brushwork, gaining significant recognition at that time. Xu Youzheng specialized in running script. His style primarily followed Huaisu from the Tang Dynasty and Mi Fu from the Song Dynasty. His brushwork was direct yet elegant, with a graceful structure that embodied an ancient charm. When Zhu Yunming was two years old, Xu Youzheng returned to Suzhou to live in seclusion under imperial decree, and Zhu Yunming stayed with him until Xu Youzheng passed away when Zhu Yunming was thirteen. Therefore, Zhu Yunming's early learning of calligraphy began under his grandfather's guidance, and Xu Youzheng's calligraphy style had a profound influence on him..."
Elder Zhang continued to speak at length as if giving a lecture: "Zhu Yunming himself talked about learning calligraphy in his childhood; he wasn't allowed to study modern characters but only saw calligraphy works from the Jin and Tang dynasties..."
"Alright, alright! Haven't you tired yourself out after talking all night?" Lady Zhang interjected. "If you're not tired, think about them! They need to go back to sleep."
Upon hearing his wife's words, Elder Zhang had to relent even though he still wanted to continue.
"Alright, you all go back to your rooms and rest!" The Old Man clutched the scroll tightly. Thankfully he had the 'Chronology of Births' given by his grandson to enjoy; although it wasn't an original piece, as his grandson said, this copy still captured about seventy or eighty percent of the original's spirit—it's a fine piece.
"Dad, there are two volumes in total; can I borrow one?" Zhang Feng asked while holding onto his scroll tightly.
"Not a chance! I haven't seen enough yet!" Elder Zhang snatched the scroll from Zhang Feng's hands. "If you want to look at books and paintings, go find your own; don't covet my treasure. This is a gift from my grandson!"
Fearing that Zhang Feng might snatch it back, he hurriedly ran back to his room with both scrolls in hand. His speed certainly didn't resemble that of an eighty-year-old man!
The two brothers of the Zhang family exchanged wry smiles; their father was truly becoming more childlike!
Taking advantage of everyone's attention being drawn to the Old Man, Sheng Qingxi quickly slipped back to her room.
Once she closed her door, Sheng Qingxi immediately opened her laptop and began typing to someone.
Field of Hope: Are you there?
Candy Store: Here! Are you going to take care of the store business again?
Field of Hope: You got it! I need four sets of four-panel screens, twenty-three single-panel screens, and forty decorative items.
Candy Store: (◎□◎) Are you planning to open a store?
Field of Hope: No, these are all for my relatives. Some will use them themselves, and some will be given as gifts. The items in your store are so exquisite and valuable; they make great gifts that carry both prestige and meaning. By the way, just to let you know, when I gave my grandmother the screen, my grandfather's friends saw it. The old couple really liked your products and asked for your store's website so they could have their children and grandchildren help them place orders when they got home! Do you have enough materials? Can you handle such a large order?
Candy Store: …I need to think about it!
Bai Tang was excited; Field of Hope must be her lucky charm. Just the current order alone was nearly forty million. If more elderly people wanted to buy like him, she might soon become a billionaire.
Candy Store: I'm just worried that there won't be enough materials.
Bai Tang thought about how Rosewood and Agarwood were very precious woods. If she suddenly took out so much at once, it might raise suspicions—suspicions that had already been aroused by some interested parties.
Candy Store: The quantities of Huanghuali, Rosewood, and Agarwood are limited. Can we use other types of wood instead?
Comment 0 Comment Count