At the beginning, Yang Ji still had no clue, but after scanning his eyes a few times, he gradually found some clues.
"These people who come to buy couplets basically go to the famous teachers from large clans and a few other old gentlemen. Apart from that, there are not many people who go to other places to buy couplets."
This discovery surprised Yang Ji.
Obviously he was the only one who had the same experience. Although he looked the youngest and the worst, the others were not much better. Many people had their hands folded in their sleeves, and the stalls were crowded. It took a long time to sell one or two.
pieces.
Yang Ji particularly noticed that several old gentlemen with obviously better penmanship and better calligraphy sold far fewer couplets than another gentleman with mediocre calligraphy.
Yang Ji vaguely recognized it. The old man with mediocre calligraphy was named Zhou, and he had been selling calligraphy here for seven or eight years.
"Yes! I know!"
This discovery gave Yang Ji an enlightenment and he suddenly understood.
"People who come here to buy couplets can't tell the difference between calligraphy at all. In their eyes, maybe all the couplets are similar, so they still go to Mr. Zhou to buy them as usual."
Yang Ji finally understood why a pair of couplets had not been sold for so long.
"So... if I want to sell the couplets, I have to look different. At least let them know that I am obviously different from other people. Only in this way can I sell them."
A smile appeared on Yang Ji's lips.
Once you understand why the couplets cannot be sold, the rest will become easier to explain.
Yang Ji's eyes slowly swept across the market. When his eyes fell on a painting studio on the street, his heart moved:
"Yes."
Swish, swish, swish!
Yang Ji spread out a piece of writing again and wrote a new couplet in a matter of seconds. He wrote heavily and with great strength, especially when he dipped in more ink. The words he wrote were particularly vigorous and majestic, like a waterfall.
Like Liuxiong Peak.
Left couplet: Unparalleled blessings arrive.
Right couplet: Misfortune never comes alone.
After writing this couplet, it was hung directly on the banner behind me, replacing the original couplet.
Wow!
The people who originally turned a blind eye to Yang Ji exploded after this couplet was posted.
"You brat, what are you doing?!"
"Are you cursing someone? I'm looking for a beating!"
"How dare you write such couplets at this time of year!"
"Get out of here quickly, quickly!"
…
The end of the year is originally the most festive time. Everyone is in a hurry to either raise money to celebrate the new year or buy new year goods to seek good luck. No one thought that such an unlucky couplet would be posted in the center of the market. This is not the case.
Curse people?
In particular, a few merchants who were doing business from north to south looked at this couplet as if they had seen blood in the first month, and they glared at each other, which was extremely unfriendly.
Seeing this kind of couplet at this time is extremely hateful.
There were curses from all directions, and everyone was filled with righteous indignation. Some strong men even rolled up their sleeves and were ready to hit someone. However, they recognized that Yang Ji seemed to be a member of the Yang family and did not take action for a moment.
Facing the excited crowd, Yang Ji was calm and calm, but he didn't do anything too much. When he saw that the crowd was almost gathered, he stopped immediately.
Picking up the pen, Yang Ji immediately added three words to the left and right of the couplet on the banner:
On the left: Unparalleled blessings arrive—today.
Right side: Misfortune never comes alone—it happened yesterday.
As soon as these lines of words come out, the artistic conception changes immediately. Disasters have passed away long ago, and blessings are coming. This means "after all the hardships, happiness comes".
The people who were still angry around were all dumbfounded and couldn't help but scream in admiration!
They had never seen such a wonderful writing. It originally seemed to be a curse, but after adding or subtracting a few words in Yang Ji's hand, it immediately changed to the opposite meaning.
This ability is amazing.
"Hahaha, good boy, I have you."
A strong, bearded businessman laughed loudly and squeezed out of the crowd:
"Just because you can come up with this idea, I bought this couplet for a copper plate, right? I'll give it to you!"
The businessman is so shrewd. He can tell at a glance that Yang Ji is using this to attract customers, and he feels a sense of sympathy in his heart. Businessmen often have great admiration for those smart people.
"Finally it worked."
Yang Ji's originally tight heart relaxed. He had been looking forward to the first business deal for several hours, and he felt indescribable excitement in his heart. However, Yang Ji was not in a hurry to complete this business.
"Wait a minute!"
Yang Ji took off the couplet from the banner, held the pen in his hand, looked attentively, and in the blink of an eye, he added a few strokes to the blank space of the couplet.
In the surprised eyes of the strong bearded man, the originally monotonous couplets were symmetrical on the left and right, and suddenly there were a few vivid ink magpies and winter plums on each side.
"The branches of magpies are full of spring. You are a merchant, and buying this is also a blessing. I will give this to you."
Yang Jidao.
"Awesome, awesome! Little brother, you have such a mind, it's a shame to study."
The strong and bearded businessman admired him endlessly.
The businessman traveled all over the country and never saw anything. He originally only had some appreciation for this young man, but when he thought about it carefully, he couldn't help but feel that it was a bit sensational. But when Yang Ji added this painting to the couplet, he was thorough.
Impressed.
This was the first time he had seen such a sensitive young man at this age.
"At this age, to have such skill and such a sensitive mind... is really impressive. - It's a pity that he is a scholar."
Luo Yihuo secretly regretted it, but this thought was just a thought and was soon gone.
"Hahaha, just for your magpies and plum blossoms, and in line with your good wishes, this pair is worth two copper coins from me."
The bearded man laughed, took out another copper coin, and slapped it heavily on the table.
"Thank you."
Yang Ji's voice revealed uncontrollable joy.
After all, he is only fifteen years old this year and cannot compare to those old gentlemen who have lived for decades and have a calm mind. He sold his first couplet and made his first money. The joy and excitement in his heart
I was speechless, even my fingertips almost trembled with excitement.
With this good start, Yang Ji's business has indeed improved a lot.
People in Pingchuan County usually buy couplets. I have never seen pictures painted on the couplets. Everyone feels that they are very fresh and novel. Especially, except for the first order, the prices of subsequent orders by Yang Jiding are very low, all for one copper per pair.
.
The ink paintings on the couplets were given away for free.
"Give me a pair, give me a pair!..."
"And me, and me! I came first..."
…
For a moment, Yang Ji had just returned to the empty stall, and suddenly there was a huge crowd of people around, all coming to buy Yang Ji's calligraphy and paintings. Even the teachers couldn't help but look at him secretly.
"Successful."
Yang Ji clenched his fists, his heart surging.
A pair of couplets appeared on the paper. The rice paper Yang Ji bought was quickly sold out, so he had to go to the study shop again and buy a few more stacks of rice paper.
Yang Ji actually didn't dabble much in painting. He only dabbled in it accidentally when he first learned calligraphy. He was only good at a few flowers and birds, landscapes, and was not very sophisticated. However, it was more than enough for a few couplets at this time.
"worn out!"
Yang Ji wiped the sweat on his forehead, rubbed his wrist, and put down the brush:
To be continued...