This time, he felt the pressure of survival firsthand.
And it's unprecedented.
Now it seems that if you want to live in Fucheng, you must work hard to make more money.
And I have only one way to make money, which is to sell paintings!
How about trying to draw a few pictures?
It seems like that's all.
After thinking about it, Qi Yu divided his future plan into two parts.
First of all, let’s go and take a look at that house. Since you have already spent the information fee, why not go and have a look? If you don’t go, wouldn’t it be a waste of money? Even if you can’t afford it now, you can still find out the market price.
.
The second thing is to investigate whether there is any way to sell paintings. Even if you rent a house to live in in the future, you still need to find a source of income.
Of course, he could also seek help from Meng Lanshan. However, Qi Yu quickly gave up this idea. He had accepted kindness from others several times and had never been able to repay it. How could he have the nerve to open his mouth again?
Besides, we haven’t reached the point where we are at the end of our rope yet.
Let’s just settle on that for now.
Early the next morning, Qi Yu went out wearing a plain robe. Before leaving, he specifically told his wife that she might come back later and if she missed the meal, she wouldn't have to wait for him.
…
Go take a look at the house first, and then inquire about the price.
According to the address provided by the shopkeeper of Yahang, Qi Yu asked around along the way and found it not long after.
Ha! It’s so atmospheric!
Qi Yu finally understood why the shopkeeper of Yahang called this house one house instead of several houses.
This is a typical wealthy family's house, with a large green door eight feet wide, and two majestic lions lying on both sides. It has green bricks and glazed tiles, making it very imposing.
The plaque above the door has now been removed. The owner of the house is showing his intention to change ownership and is sincerely selling.
Qi Yu looked at it and then circled the house.
According to visual inspection, the courtyard is about fifteen feet wide and twenty feet long. It is very square when facing south.
It makes my heart itch to see it~~~
Qi Yu swallowed hard, hesitated for a while, and finally knocked the door knocker.
The door was opened.
A man who looked like a butler stuck his head out, looked at him, and said, "Excuse me, sir?"
"I heard from someone at the dental shop that Wu Yuanwai wanted to sell this house, so I came here to take a look." Qi Yu first bowed and directly explained his intention.
The owner of the house is named Wu Deli, and everyone in the neighborhood calls him Yuanwai.
"Are you here to see the house?" The housekeeper looked around and found that although his clothes were elegant, they were all made of very ordinary fabrics, so he lazily replied: "This house is not cheap."
What's the meaning?
Are you seeing anyone through the crack in the door?
Qi Yu suppressed his guilty conscience and said helplessly: "I also considered this yard because I was short of money recently."
??
What's the meaning?
A low-key rich man? Did he make a mistake?
The housekeeper hurriedly put on a smile and said: "Haha, it turns out that the young master came here with sincerity, disrespect, disrespect!"
Qi Yu smiled and said, "That's easy to say. Do you think we can watch it first and then talk about it?"
"Of course, sir, please!"
…
The two of them entered through the gate, one after the other.
The butler introduced it coquettishly, while Qi Yu listened and observed.
This is indeed a very magnificent house!
After entering the gate, the first thing you see is the screen wall and screen door, and then you enter the front yard. There are inverted houses in the row facing the south. The houses seem to stand side by side. There is a hanging flower door in the middle of the front yard, and then you enter the inner yard.
Already.
The inner courtyard is divided into the east wing and the west wing. There are wing rooms on both sides of the main room, and behind it are the backyard and the back room. In addition, there are additional storage rooms and kitchens.
The furniture in the room is also fully equipped, and there is no shortage of anything. According to the jargon of later generations of second-hand housing practitioners, this is a typical "move-in"!
It can be said that this house seriously exceeded Qi Yu's expectations, and he was so satisfied that he had nothing to say.
"What do you think, Master?" the steward asked.
"Hmm...not bad!"
Not bad?
Good! I have confidence and sounds like a real person!
The butler smiled kindly: "To be fair to you, sir, I am Liang Kuan, the eldest brother-in-law of Wu Yuanwai. You can also negotiate with me about the price."
"Oh, it turns out to be Liang Weng, so disrespectful!" Qi Yu hurriedly raised his hand.
Finding relatives to be housekeepers is very common in wealthy families. The imperial court even said that relatives should not be avoided when promoting talents, let alone the common people below.
Since we can negotiate, let's cast stones and ask for directions first.
"Liang Weng, how much does this house cost?"
"One hundred and eighty taels of silver!"
Tsk tsk, the asking price is really high!
"It's expensive!" Qi Yu smiled lightly.
"How much do you want the young master to offer?"
Counteroffer?
Haha, I won’t pay you back on the spot!
"money is not a problem!"
Yes, the problem is that there is no money! I really didn’t lie!
Qi Yu felt that he must be a good actor at this time.
Liang Kuan was confused: "Young master, you mean... you don't like him?"
Look! I’ve knocked you out!
Qi Yu quietly wiped the cold sweat from his heart on his clothes, and then walked with his hands behind his hands: "Liang Weng, I ran all the way here, and now I am standing on the corridor talking, this..."
"That's really rude. Master, please invite us to have tea in the main room." Liang Kuan said with a smile.
Since I can't afford it anyway, I might as well take the opportunity to ask for a cup of tea, and then leave after quenching my thirst.
So, Qi Yu calmly sat at the top position, looking calm and relaxed.
The tea is good and very fragrant!
After moistening his throat, he was about to urinate, but when he raised his head, he was stunned.
But I saw a colorful painting hanging on the side wall of the main room, and that work was made by me!
This painting is none other than one of the paintings given to Lord Yu during the locust plague. I heard from Meng Lanshan before that Yu Hai had planned an auction to raise food for a fee, and directly exchanged the painting for emergency food, and he also paid for it.
As a result, he became somewhat famous.
Looking at it this way, Wu Deli, an outsider, was probably one of the bidders at that time.
It’s really Sun Dasheng’s shit – ape dung!
"What a wonderful painting!" Qi Yu praised from the bottom of his heart and said devoutly: "Haha, it seems that Wu Yuanwai and I are indeed the same people!"
Fans are naturally fellow fans.
Unexpectedly, these words were slapped in the face.
"Actually, my husband doesn't know anything about calligraphy and painting!"
"Well……"
What does it mean? There is a Bodhisattva in the house but you say you don’t believe in the Buddha?
It was Qi Yu's turn to be confused again.
"Oh? How do you say this?"
Liang Kuan said rather showily: "Since the young master is interested in listening, I will tell you by the way. Anyway, this is not something shameful."
"I hope the confusion can be clarified."
"This matter starts with a huge map..."
map?
When Qi Yu heard this, his heart suddenly trembled...
According to Liang Kuan, a few months ago, a big shot in the capital received a very special gift. It was said to be a huge map of China, but no one had seen what it looked like specifically.
Pass.
But one thing is certain, that painting was painted using color painting techniques.
The great man also liked the painting very much and once said personally that the colorful painting was truly the best among paintings.
As the saying goes, if the superiors like something, the inferiors will follow it, and the little people will naturally follow the hobbies of the superiors.
As a result, there was a small wave of people seeking paintings in the capital. Many dignitaries rushed to antique calligraphy and painting houses, trying to buy colored paintings. However, that kind of painting existed like a legend.
I've only heard of its name, but can't find it on the market at all.
Just when everyone was doubting the authenticity of the news, a rumor suddenly came that there was a paid auction of colorful paintings in the remote Lanshan County, and the person who spread the news was none other than Yu
Lord Haiyu.
It's true that you can't find anything without wearing iron shoes, and it doesn't take any effort to get it.
The nobles waved their hands: Take a photo!
As a result, all the interested parties in Beijing sent secret messages, requiring the relevant people to spend money to acquire the painting. It doesn't matter if they pay more.
Member Wu Deli is one of them. He only participated in the photo shoot after receiving a letter from his son. As far as he is concerned, he really has no interest in calligraphy and painting.
Since his son wanted to pay tribute to him, the old father would not hesitate to pay any price.
If there is someone competing for it, overpower him!
Mr. Yu doesn’t want money but wants food. That’s no problem. Satisfy him!
Wu Yuanwai spent a lot of money and finally won two of them.
I thought my son would be very satisfied, but the feedback turned out to be: Why not take the other paintings as well? Two paintings are far from enough!
So Yuanwai found other connections and got one, which is the one hanging on the wall, and thought of taking it with him on his way to the capital.
Qi Yu felt like he was listening to a book from heaven, feeling a little confused.
After calming down, my mind started to spin.
If the guess is correct, the map in the big man's hand should be the one he drew for Meng Lanshan. But how could it appear in the capital?
Hmm...I seem to understand.
As for Yu Hai letting himself paint, he probably got the news in advance, so he came up with such a trick to collect donations. To put it bluntly, he used ready-made honey to attract bees.
It is said that Jiang Taigong took the bait when he fished, but this time it was better, the fish even rushed to bite the hook.
No wonder Meng Lanshan said that Mr. Yu is an official who can use his brains and is expected to be promoted in the future. He really knows how to use tricks!
Although Meng Lanshan did not tell himself explicitly about this matter, he also gave some hints. He said that he was already somewhat famous, and it turned out to be true now. As for his advice to himself to keep a low profile as much as possible, he probably talked to someone in Beijing.
Maybe it's related to something.
Don’t think so far away yet, let’s look at what’s in front of you first!
I am short of money now, so why not try throwing out a fishing bait?
Um……
It is not difficult to tell from Liang Kuan's words that Wu Yuanwai still has a need for colorful paintings, so why can't he be beautiful as a man?
"What I just said is not wrong. Yuan Wai and I are indeed of the same mind!" Qi Yu laughed.
Why, still this sentence?
It was Liang Kuan's turn to be confused again...
"Liang Weng, listen to me. In fact, just like Yuan Wai, I am one of the people who got the news in advance. Moreover, like Yuan Wai, I got the painting as I wished." After a pause, Qi Yu deliberately changed the subject again.
He turned around and said: "Now that I don't have enough money, I'd better wait until I sell the painting and then come here to buy this house. Farewell!"
Liang Kuan finally came to his senses and said, "Sir, wait a minute. Can you leave your address and wait for the officer to come back? I believe he will definitely come and visit you."
What a great idea!
Qi Yu smiled with satisfaction and said, "I'm temporarily staying at the Yue Lai Inn. My surname is Qi!"
After saying this, he said goodbye and left.
Only then did Liang Kuan think: He had only been talking about calligraphy and painting, and he hadn't counter-offered yet!
…
Besides, Qi Yu had no intention of investigating the painting studio. After returning to the inn, he ate something in a hurry and prepared to paint all night, and asked his wife not to disturb him.
Liu Quan was very surprised and couldn't help but ask: "Have you found a buyer for the painting?"
"Haha~~" Qi Yu smiled and said mysteriously: "I, Grandpa Qi, are fishing, and whoever wants to take the bait will take the bait!"