1979 The Life of Idle Fish

Chapter 76 "Orchid Pavilion Preface"

The charming sunshine shines into the table from the outside, and reflects the golden light through the smooth surface of the table.

Luo Tao gently took out the treasure handed down from ancient times, Wen Zhengming's eighty-year-old copy of "Lanting Preface".

The length of this painting is 27 centimeters and the width is 110 centimeters. The outer frame was well-decorated decades ago.

Luo Tao took the scroll to unravel the fine silk thread, unfolded it slowly, and pressed it with a paperweight. Mr. Zhang came to appreciate this calligraphy made by everyone 400 years ago.

Mr. Zhang watched for a long time and then said: "It is not as agile and elegant as Wang Youjun, but it is more elegant. Every word is as coherent as running water. It is really a rare literati calligraphy."

"I didn't expect that after decades, I would finally have a true face. It looks similar in spirit but not in form. Its calligraphy has reached a state where both people and calligraphers are old. It's also true calligraphy."

Luo Tao also agreed very much, but unfortunately he could only write confused words.

Also see the following appendix on the lower right: the postscript of a banquet in October of the Gengxu year, eighty years after the Ming Dynasty.

"It's rare to be able to write at eighty years old! This also shows how much hard work he put in. Success does not happen overnight."

After Mr. Zhang said this, he touched the paper again without saying anything. It seemed that Mr. Zhang was dating on the paper.

"It's better to put this away and keep it carefully. Look at it more when you have nothing to do. It can also help you understand more about writing."

Luo Tao visited Mr. Zhang many times. Mr. Zhang also knew that Luo Tao was mediocre in calligraphy and was not worth mentioning.

"Hey"

Luo Tao agreed, then carefully put it away into the painting tube and put it back to its original place.

"Sir, there are a few imitations of his work. Do you want to take a look?" Luo Tao asked Mr. Zhang with a smile.

"Really? I really want to see it. I heard that Mr. Feng used imitations to replace the real ones. I want to see it today."

Luo Tao took out the imitations and unfolded them one by one for the old man to see.

"Yes, this one really has the charm of Wen Zhengming's running script."

I secretly thought that the Luo family for several generations were not ordinary people. They knew how to take precautions before they happened, so they immediately prepared a few spare tires.

After reading this, Mr. Zhang saw the snuff bottle and asked Luo Tao where he got it.

"Hey, I collected this from the alley before. Look, there are two boxes of old snuff here."

"This is rare." Mr. Zhang picked up one, opened it, smelled it, and played with the snuff bottle a few times.

Luo Tao secretly thought that this old gentleman would not like this. The higher the collection level, the more gadgets he likes.

I was about to say something, but then I thought it was inappropriate to say it.

I can't open my mouth to say something like giving something to my husband. If I say this, it won't become a joke in this industry in the future.

It's better to find a suitable time to give the old gentleman a return gift.

Luo Tao didn't say anything, just waiting for the old man to put down his things and go look elsewhere.

"Yes, I have seen these good things. I don't know what other good things you have collected. I will show them to you for free today."

Luo Tao was really happy to hear Pan say this. He was happy that Pan was no longer tied to the snuff bottle.

I'm glad that I won't recite a joke in the future. I can't help the old man today. I think this thing will pay homage to you tomorrow, so I can't be anxious.

I'm really happy that the old man can condescend to give me the gift of his own. This is something that even if you have money, you can't invite him.

Luo Tao opened another cabinet and took out the ancient coins.

"Sir, please take a look." Luo Tao handed the ancient coin to Mr. Zhang.

The gentleman took the ancient coins and looked at them one by one and said, "You can do that! How did you get these coins?"

Luo Tao told the story again and found the Luban box as physical evidence.

"This Luban box is exquisitely designed. Do you know how to open it?"

Mr. Zhang didn't believe it was Luo Tao who opened the box. He didn't even understand, not to mention that Luo Tao was a young man with a professional background.

Luo Tao scratched his head and said with a silly smile: "I have this ability. I know a master in the carpentry shop. He helped me open it."

"Hey, you kid, this opportunity is really wonderful. All good things can happen to you."

He handed the money to Luo Tao, "Keep it well, this is rare, especially Xianfeng's money is rare"

Luo Tao took the ancient coins respectfully and put them back in the cabinet. "You still play with stamps?"

"Uh"

Luo Tao didn't expect that his husband would ask such a question. The old man's eyesight was good enough, and he could see the baffle at the bottom.

"I'm just playing around with this, I bought some when it looked good"

"Um"

Luo Tao put away his things and took his husband to the study, hoping that he could comment more on Luo Tao's collection.

"You have collected everything. There are few people in this capital who can compare with you, except for the "Preface to Orchid Pavilion".

These pieces of Ming and Qing porcelain and those few copper coins, you can be considered a player. I think you have a lot of furniture, and they are all made of good materials. "

"Hey, sir, you don't know, I used to work at a junkyard. There was nothing else in that place but a lot of old and broken furniture.

Anything with some faults was stored and couldn't be sold. They just took advantage of me if I didn't want it. I happened to know a master and he helped me repair it."

"How many did you receive?"

"Not many, nearly [-] pieces, all placed in the west wing and north room."

"Come on, take me to see it." After hearing so much, Mr. Zhang also wanted to see it, but he didn't pay much attention to the furniture.

Luo Tao then led him to the west wing room, opened the room and invited him in.

"It's amazing. Wang Shixiang doesn't have so many Ming and Qing furniture at home. If he finds out, he has to come to you. You are a big collector in this industry."

After seeing the furniture, Mr. Zhang turned around and spoke to Luo Tao. He also patted Luo Tao's shoulder heavily several times, which was quite profound and could not be explained directly.

"I am content to be a player, but I dare not call myself a big collector. You are the boss, and I hope you can give me more advice."

"Hehe, you have been playing for a long time, why are you still talking in layman's terms.

The master leads the door, and the practice is personal.

You will naturally gain knowledge if you see more. If you have nothing to do, go to my place more often. "

"Hey, I'm afraid you'll bother me by going too often in the future."

"Haha, I was afraid you wouldn't come."

Luo Tao didn't answer, just smiled silly, and the two men supported each other and walked back to the courtyard. They continued to have tea and chat. The most talked about at this meeting was about Zhu Lin's delivery.

When it was almost noon, Su Guilan went to cook, and there were only two old and two young people chatting under the grape trellis.

My wife, Su Guilan, was busy cooking several home-cooked dishes, all of which were light and refreshing.

Mainly taking care of two gentlemen. They are slightly older and are not easy to eat heavy-fat vegetables.

After lunch and tea with the two gentlemen, they are about to leave.

Luo Tao originally wanted to ride a bike to see his parents off, but he was declined, saying that it was not far away and it would be a detour.

Luo Tao also prepared a return gift, a pound of Soviet-style snacks, half a pound of jasmine tea, half a pound of Mingqian Longjing tea, two snuff bottles and a box of snuff.

The whole family escorted the two of them out of the alley before turning back.

“This old gentleman is really knowledgeable”

"Do you think half of that collection of paintings and calligraphy is for nothing?"

"Go home. If you have anything to do, go home and talk."

Su Guilan watched the person walk away before she came back to her senses. When she heard Luo Tao and Zhu Lin talking, she urged him to go home.

Su Guilan walked in front, and Luo Tao supported Zhu Lin to follow. Zhu Lin also had a big belly and insisted on coming out to see off the guests in person.

After Luo Tao sent Zhu Lin back, he took a few packs of cigarettes to the next door and gave them to several masters to smoke.

I asked them again, is it okay to eat outside at noon today?

After chatting with them for a long time, Luo Tao returned to the small courtyard.

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(End of this chapter)