Xue Ni Zhai is located in the middle section of Jiangzhou North Street. Its location is very conspicuous, and the store covering an area of nearly 300 square meters also appears to be very spacious, imposing and very impressive.
There is a couplet hanging on both sides of the store door: There are calligraphy treasures in spring, summer, autumn and winter, but there are no white paintings in the southeast and northwest.
Horizontal plaque: Feihong treads the snow.
This couplet was written by Fu Shancao, a famous calligrapher at the time, and is worth thousands of dollars. It is the proud signature of Xuedi Zhai. Usually, scholars often come over and stand at the door, looking up, for this reason.
Come and study the works of famous artists. You will be mesmerized and inspired.
On the first floor of the store, the surrounding walls are covered with calligraphy and paintings of various colors, hanging neatly one after another; while customers stand below to watch, and if they like what they like or want to buy, they ask the clerk to take it down.
——Xueni Zhai has three floors. The calligraphy and paintings hanging on the first floor are basically consigned works, and the prices are relatively low; the works sold on the second floor belong to well-known calligraphers and painters, and the prices are naturally very expensive.
Few; as for the third floor, only the works of famous artists can be put up there, and no one can go up there.
There are three floors, each managed by three shopkeepers.
Wang Fu knew the shopkeeper on the first floor, named Li Xueye, who had a very elegant name. He was also a scholar, but he failed to pass the examination for more than ten subjects. When he got older, he gave up on the imperial examination.
I came to Xuedi Zhai and became the shopkeeper on the first floor. Although the monthly salary is not much, I have a lot of extra gray income, and I live a good life.
After hearing Wang Fu's recommendation, Li Xueye raised his head and glanced at Chen Jianchen, and said lightly: "Then please take a look at Mr. Chen's pen and ink."
His attitude was neither enthusiastic nor indifferent. It was quite formal and routine. In fact, he did not have much friendship with Wang Fu, but Wang Fu often came to him to buy calligraphy and paintings, so he was just a regular customer.
Such favors are very thin to begin with, not to mention that Chen Jianchen is just a disciple from a poor family. If there wasn't a boy who won the first place in three trials, he might not even bother to use the word "please". You must know that those scholars usually
In order to have his pen and ink hung on the wall of Xuedi Zhai for consignment, the scholar had to smile and say nice things.
Chen Jianchen was a man of two generations, with a city in his chest. He saw everything in his eyes and handed over the words calmly.
Shopkeeper Li took it, spread it out and looked at it. He pondered for a moment and was about to comment. When he looked up, he saw a group of people walking into the store. He quickly threw away the ink in his hand and hurried forward to greet them. He nodded and bowed.
: "Master Wu, you are here."
He threw the calligraphy ink casually, but fortunately Chen Jianchen had quick eyes and quick hands and caught it, otherwise it would have fallen to the ground. Chen Jianchen was furious. In fact, even if shopkeeper Li said that the calligraphy and ink was not good and could not be consigned, he would not think anything.
It's just that the other party ruined the words he worked so hard to write so casually, without any respect at all, but it made Chen Jianchen's face turn cold.
Shopkeeper Li didn't pay attention to him at all, and all his energy had already been focused on the rich young man in front who was surrounded by four servants.
This wealthy young man is dressed in a precious brocade robe, with a silk belt around his waist, a piece of Hetian jade as big as a palm, and a Confucian turban on his head, with a piece of orange jade inlaid on it, making it shine brightly.
The young master looks quite handsome and is very tall. Standing there, he looks like a jade tree in the wind. However, the arrogance that naturally exudes from his face makes others dare not get even closer.
Snapped!
The young master opened the folding fan in his hand, shook it gently, and said proudly: "Shopkeeper Li, business is very good today."
Shopkeeper Li smiled apologetically and said: "Thank you for the compliment, Master! May I ask if the Master has brought any calligraphy treasures today? You don't know, Mr. Zhang in the south of the city and Mr. Yang in the west of the city are eager to buy the Master's calligraphy treasures. Please deposit a deposit.
It’s all done.”
Young Master Sunran said: "I am in a good mood, so I can write a few words... I am here to write today, and I want to do some impromptu writing."
Shopkeeper Li was overjoyed: "Please, sir, please invite me to the third floor."
I ran to the front to lead the way. Seeing his attentive look, if there were no rules, I might have to take him upstairs directly.
It took a while before Shopkeeper Li returned to Chen Jianchen. His "business-like" expression immediately returned to his face, and he said in a calm and serious manner: "Mr. Chen, your calligraphy is still quite good. Our store can accept consignment.
So, what is your price?"
Chen Jianchen held back his anger and said in a deep voice: "As always."
It has always been one thousand cents, which is equivalent to one silver ingot. This price is considered very high in the consignment market.
Shopkeeper Li glanced at him with some surprise, and then sneered in his heart: Another stupid young man who doesn't know the heights of the sky. He is just starting out, and his heart is as high as the sky. He thinks that all his writings are in calligraphy. Huh, you are neither famous nor famous.
No background, no matter how good your handwriting is, who will appreciate you? Spend so much money to buy it? When no one cares about your calligraphy and turns into waste paper, you will know that the world is difficult...
However, the author's pricing was purely free, and he didn't say much. He had seen many such examples before, and almost all ended in disgrace.
Shopkeeper Li immediately wrote an agreement, and after both parties had no objections, they signed and pledged it on the spot.
According to the agreement, Chen Jianchen’s calligraphy is priced consistently and can be consigned to Xuedi Zhai for ten days. If it can be sold, Xuedi Zhai will receive a consignment fee of 100 cents. During this period, Xuedi Zhai must protect the consigned works, such as
If there is damage or damage, half price compensation is required...
The agreement also stipulated that Chen Jianchen had to pay a mounting fee of fifty cents.
Once the money is paid, the agreement will officially come into effect.
Chen Jianchen and Wang Fu said goodbye and went out.
When he went outside, Wang Fu whispered: "Liu Xian, that young master just now is Mr. Wu."
"Master Wu?"
Wang Fu stamped his feet: "He is our classmate, Mr. Wu Wencai, the former magistrate of the state and currently the minister of the Ministry of Etiquette of the imperial court. For some reason, he has not come to the college to report yet."
Chen Jianchen groaned and asked, "Is his calligraphy good?"
Wang Fu looked around and said in a low voice: "He writes in cursive script. It is said that after he wrote it, almost no one recognized him."
Hearing this, Chen Jianchen couldn't help but laugh: Although Wang Fu said it very vaguely, the meaning was very clear. After thinking about it, he understood the key: How dare those buyers compete for high prices to buy Mr. Wu Wencai.
The word "drunkard" actually means a drunkard who cares not about drinking, but about human relationships.
A word, a money, a favor.
The twists and turns here are quite clear.
Wang Fu added: "It is said that Mr. Wu could be a Gongsheng student and go to the capital to study at the Imperial Academy, but he stayed in Jiangzhou, presumably for the sake of Miss Nie's family."
Chen Jianchen smiled brightly: "Brother Futai, you understand very clearly."