"Since Xiao Song thinks this painting is good, and he really wants to accept it, let's wait for a while about the price, and then we can talk about the details after seeing the other painting, how about it?" Wen Jiancheng suggested.
Of course Song Wenjing was happy with this. He also wanted to see what kind of work the other one was, whether it was calligraphy or painting, but he didn't know anything about it at the moment.
If the price of the two works could be negotiated together, he would certainly wish for it.
Wen Jiancheng carefully put away the "Preface to Prince Teng's Pavilion" placed on the table, wrapped it in cloth again, and placed it aside. At the same time, he also took out another work.
A scroll was slowly opened again. From the opened part of the scroll, it could be seen that it was a painting. When the entire painting was revealed, everyone could finally see the work clearly.
The entire work features distant mountains and flat beaches with miscellaneous trees as the distant view; the middle shot depicts cliffs and giant peaks, and river sails and clear water; the close shot is densely decorated, with houses appearing among the rocks and trees, and the Banqiao stream moving in silence.
The layout of the painting is exquisite, the brushwork is rigorous, and the ink is vivid and interesting; and it is like flowing clouds and flowing water, and it is as graceful as a startling giant, giving people a feeling of being on the scene.
The entire painting is a vertical scroll, also made of paper, about 130 cm long and 35 cm wide. The title in the upper right corner is: Mingchuan Picture, March of the Jiachen Year in Jiajing.
Title: Zheng Ming
Seal: Hengshan layman (seal script), Wen Zhengming seal (cursive script)
In the Jiachen year of Jiajing, which is the 23rd year of Jiajing, 1544 AD. This means that this painting was created when Wen Zhengming was 75 years old. It has a history of 445 years ago.
Similarly, there are no other seals on the entire painting, indicating that it has been treasured by descendants of the Wen family and has not yet been seen by the world.
To be honest, Song Wenjing's ability to appreciate paintings is not as clear as calligraphy. He himself has copied many calligraphy works in his spare time, but he is not very proficient in painting. So he can roughly tell the works.
The writing is immersive, the intention is lofty, and the painting is magnificent.
On the other hand, the two old men were leaning on the table desperately, wishing they could dive into the painting to find out.
Especially Shang Shaohua, who was a master sculptor himself, must have a certain ability to appreciate paintings.
After more than ten minutes, the two old men stood up straight and stretched.
Lying down all the time is too much for the elderly.
"Wen Jing, I can say with certainty that this painting is definitely the work of Wen Zhengming." Zhang Wenyuan said confidently.
Zhang Wenyuan had a piece of "Hengtang Poetry" in his hand, and he also went to the museum to verify it. Today, he had a lot of experience observing the "Mingchuan Picture".
Shang Shaohua on the other side also said: "Although I don't know much about Wen Zhengming's works, the materials used in this painting definitely have no signs of distress. In addition, the work itself is definitely from the hands of the master. As for whether it is Wen Zhengming's work,
Zhengming, I dare not judge."
Shang Shaohua once told Song Wenjing that he had been studying distressing techniques for a period of time. It was not that he wanted to use his works to distress them, but that through such study, he could discover those forgeries.
However, Shang Shaohua has not taught Song Wenjing this knowledge yet. After all, Song Wenjing has only been learning for a month, and there is still a lot to learn later. He can only move forward step by step and slowly.
Seeing that the two elderly people expressed their positive attitude towards the work, and Song Wenjing himself also had his own judgment, then naturally came the final stage of bargaining.
"Uncle Wen, I want to buy both of these works. Please give me a price!"
"1,800 yuan. If both of your works are to be collected, I think this price is more reasonable." Wen Jiancheng said without hesitation.
It seems that he has already considered it in his mind, otherwise he would not be so neat.
"Uncle Wen, I remember that a few years ago, the "Hengtang Poetry" you sold to Professor Zhang only cost 550 yuan. Why did the price of two paintings and calligraphy increase so much when it came to my place? I think it should be based on the previous price of 550 yuan.
The price of one set is relatively reasonable. You should even get a discount. After all, I packaged two sets together, which also helps you solve future problems."
Bargaining is Song Wenjing's specialty. There is buying and selling, and everyone tests each other, and finally negotiates a result.
"Xiao Song, since you have seen the "Hengtang Poetry Picture", you should know the difference between it and the "Mingchuan Picture". Not to mention other things, just in terms of size, it is much larger.
What's more, "Preface to Prince Teng's Pavilion" is even more outstanding. Do you think it would be more appropriate to use the previous price?"
Wen Jiancheng seemed to be really prepared. Since he was brought here by Zhang Wenyuan, he would definitely compare it with his previous works. Therefore, he had already thought about his words.
Of course Song Wenjing knew the value of "Preface to Prince Teng's Pavilion". As far as he knew, most of the other versions of "Preface to Prince Teng's Pavilion" were later collected in museum collections. There seems to be no relevant reports in private hands.
Perhaps, this will be the only cursive "Preface to Prince Teng's Pavilion" by Wen Zhengming in a private collection.
As for the other work "Mingchuan Picture", it is also rare and he was determined to win it.
But 1,700 yuan is his entire family property. If he sells it according to the other party's price, he may not be able to take away these two works today.
What's more, the business behind it must continue. You can't rely on two paintings and calligraphy for food. You must keep some capital with you.
"Uncle Wen, let's do this. I think the price of 1,400 yuan is a more reasonable price. If possible, I hope you can accept such an offer.
You have to know that maybe many years later these two calligraphy and paintings will be more valuable, but it is different now. There are not many collectors nowadays, and there are even fewer people who have so much funds for collection."
1,400 yuan. According to national statistics, the average monthly income of urban workers in 1989 was 85 yuan, which is almost more than a year's salary.
The problem is that the actual income of employees in 1989 definitely did not reach such a high level. At that time, the monthly salary of ordinary teachers was only about 60 yuan. If the working experience was longer, it would only reach 80 yuan at most.
In general factories, the monthly income of ordinary workers is about 50 yuan. If you have a certain professional title or technical type of work and have a long working experience, it will be slightly higher. But it is still between 60-100 yuan.
Even for coal miners, in this era, due to the intensity and danger of work, their income is considered good, but it is still around 100 yuan. Very few people can earn more than 150 yuan.
To use another analogy, the average disposable income of the national population in 2022 according to national statistics is 36,800 yuan. However, the word "average" covers up many low-income people.
The real situation is that many people, especially in poor areas, have a monthly income of less than 2,000 yuan.
And this proportion is actually quite large.
At this time, Wen Jiancheng was also thinking about whether the price was worth it. But in the end he shook his head.
"Xiao Song, your price is still unreasonable. Compared with this year's prices, prices in the past two years have increased a lot. Haven't you considered this?"
Wen Jiancheng was quite smart and immediately raised an objection.
Of course Song Wenjing knew this, but as a buyer, how could he take the initiative to mention these aspects.
"Let's see, Uncle Wen, since you said so, I'm going to add a little more. 1,500 yuan. This price should be very sincere."
In fact, such a bid has met Wen Jiancheng's inner requirements. The minimum standard he set for himself at the beginning was 1,500 yuan, and he would never sell it below this price.
But no one would find it too much money, especially for a family like his, whose life is so difficult, they would always hope to get more. Otherwise, they would not sell the calligraphy and paintings of their ancestors.
"Xiao Song, let's do this. Let's each give in to 1,600 yuan. If you think it's feasible, then we'll make a deal. If you still think it's too expensive, then there's no other way and I can only give up."
Just when Song Wenjing was about to say something, Zhang Wenyuan beside him couldn't help himself and directly expressed his opinion.
"Wen Jing, that's about right. I think the price is more reasonable for the completion of the project. It will give the old man some face, and that's it."
Since Zhang Wenyuan had said so, how could Song Wenjing dare to say anything more? Although he knew that if the conversation continued, there would definitely be room for a drop of several dozen dollars.
Finally, under the witness of Zhang Wenyuan and Shang Shaohua, the two parties signed the transfer agreement, and the two old men also signed it as witnesses.
After all, it involves a sum of 1,600 yuan, so it is better for everyone to be cautious to avoid any disputes in the future.