This plum vase has obviously been repaired by a master. In fact, when the porcelain was broken, some of the tiny fragments had turned into slag, so it was impossible to completely preserve it. The glaze would also fall off and be damaged when it fell.
.But now there are no flaws on the surface of this plum vase, the minor defects have been completely filled, and the deglazed areas on the floor have been repainted without any trace, but it has not been completely restored to its original appearance. Among the ceramics from ancient times to the present, there is no such thing.
I have seen artifacts with this characteristic.
On the broken porcelain that Ghost Hand Zhou Xiaoxian repaired in the past, no traces of splicing could be seen on the surface, but the surface of this blue and white plum vase is covered with fishnet-like crab claw patterns. You Fang knew that it was made of fragments, but
It doesn't look like a sign of chipping, but looks very much like the glaze of Ru kiln porcelain from the Song Dynasty. Split blue and white? I've never heard of it! But there was just one on the table. The restorer deliberately didn't erase the glaze.
The broken mark makes it look like the glaze is open.
Who restored it? He must be a master of superb craftsmanship, but why did he restore it like this? Mr. Niu Ranmiao invited himself to have morning tea, but put this plum vase on the dining table. What does it mean?
You Fang was in a state of surprise when he suddenly heard an old man's voice behind him saying: "The ghost-hand Zhou Xiaoxian never repairs fakes, so he asked his disciple Luo Tike to do it while he gave instructions. Luo Tike was busy for three days and three nights.
I just restored this plum vase. My request was to repair the plum vase, but also leave the story of its occurrence, so it was restored like this, and the design is very clever."
Hearing this, You Fang quickly turned around, saluted and said hello. The person who came was of course Niu Ranmiao. The old man was very tall, over 1.8 meters tall. His appearance still vaguely reflected the handsomeness of his youth, but his hair was slightly sparse and there were slight bags under his eyes.
He was a little flabby, after all, time is not forgiving. But he was in good spirits, his eyes were not cloudy, his body was well-proportioned, and his waist was straight. It was exactly half past six when he walked into the restaurant.
Niu Ranmiao smiled and nodded. He came to the dining table and sat down. He waved his right hand and said, "Mr. Rand, don't be restrained. We are just having morning tea and chatting. Come and sit down!"
You can tell the atmosphere of certain occasions just by looking at a person's attire. The old gentleman was wearing ordinary home clothes. The light golden silk cotton material was cut very decently, but it looked very casual, which meant that there was no need to be too restrained at this time. You Fang also said
No longer polite, he sat down on the right side of the old gentleman. There were only two of them at the table, and two service staff dressed as chefs were standing at the door. Qi Ruoxue was waiting outside the restaurant door.
The old gentleman took a sip of the morning drink specially prepared by the chef and asked with a smile: "Mr. Rand, how old are you this year?" Like Zhou Xiaoxian, he also called You Fang Mr. Rand, which sounded more interesting at the moment.
It means it's a joke.
You Fang replied: "Twenty-five years old." This was not true. He was four years older than his actual age, but it was not completely nonsense, because that was the age written on the ID card named Melander.
Niu Ranmiao made a sound and said with deep meaning: "You look younger. Your reaction was really fast that day. I'm afraid I wasn't as smart as you back then. You are very young, so I am interested in meeting you."
"
You Fang replied a little shyly: "Old sir, there is no need to praise the younger generation. In fact, my purpose of coming..." In front of such an old world, he did not want to beat around the bush and planned to speak directly.
Niu Ranmiao waved his hand and interrupted him: "What you want to tell me, Zhou Xiaoxian has already told me verbatim in front of me, and I listened to the recording of your conversation again, so there is no need to say it again."
Hey, before I even opened my mouth, my mouth was blocked. It seems that I really can't bring this up anymore. If I don't mention it, I won't mention it. Now that Niu Ranmiao has heard what he said, You Fang has finished Wu's story.
Master Zhou Xiaoxian and his apprentice are really helpful. I must thank them properly when I have the opportunity.
Before Niu Ranmiao finished speaking, he sighed softly and continued: "In front of people like Mr. Rand, there is no need to beat around the bush. You must also know the importance of submitting a name in the arena, and in my capacity, I just hate
I can't find a more precious national treasure, so what I care about is not the price, even if the more expensive the better... I'm already so old, what else do I care about? I just care about the foundation I have laid and giving my children and grandchildren a safe amulet.
"
The old gentleman is very honest in front of understanding people. For him, buying back national treasures and donating them to the country does have this purpose, and the more valuable they are, the more money they spend, the better they can express their feelings, and the things they care about are different from other people.
You Fang couldn't say anything else, so he could only smile and reply: "Children and grandchildren will have their own blessings. The shadow of blessings that the old man left to his nephews is far beyond ordinary people."
Niu Ranmiao changed the subject and asked seriously, "You want to find me because you want to tell something to an elder. Who is that person?"
In front of Niu Ranmiao, You Fang no longer concealed: "His name is Wu Pingdong, he is a student of Liang Sicheng, a professor at the School of Literature and Museum of Peking University, and an expert on ancient Chinese architecture. In November last year, he made a special trip to Macau to visit you.
, but I heard that you were unwell when you were old, so we couldn't meet you."
Next, You Fang briefly talked about Wu Pingtong’s deeds, academic achievements, and cultural views, including what he did in the intraday betting game at Sotheby’s auction in London last year, and his resignation and departure from Beijing after suffering from a terminal illness at the beginning of this year.
His whereabouts are unknown, and he is probably no longer alive now.
Of course, he didn't tell everything, including how he traced Mr. Wu's last whereabouts and how he planned to kill Mad Fox and others, but he didn't mention it, but that was enough.
After hearing this, Niu Ranmiao couldn't hide his regret: "I wish I had never met this person! There are many people talking about me privately outside, and I know this, but he came all the way to talk to me. It's really not easy. I'm not
I didn't want to see him, so I was hospitalized for a minor operation in November last year. I have to thank you for bringing his belongings and these last words today!"
You Fang: "Old man, there is no need to thank me. Mr. Wu Pingtong has been very kind to me, and it is my duty to do it... You had an operation last year. You look very good now and are recovering well. I wish you good health!"
"He raised the drink in front of him as a gesture.
Niu Ranmiao also raised his drink: "There's nothing wrong with me, I'm just getting older... Stop talking, I'm inviting you here for morning tea, come and eat."
There were various breakfasts on the table, but Niu Ranmiao only ate the few items in front of him. The others were obviously prepared for his only guest, You Fang. You Fang was not polite and picked up his chopsticks to fill his stomach first. Wait until he was almost done eating.
Niu Ranmiao then smiled and said: "Young people eat delicious food. Seeing you eating makes me feel appetite... Mr. Rand, you have nothing to say except for being loyal to me this time."
Tell me?"
You Fang swallowed a small shrimp dumpling, stopped his chopsticks and took a sip of the drink, saying, "I heard that you bought a jade seal two years ago?"
Niu Ranmiao: "That's what happened. It was also reported in the news. It was said that I wanted to donate to the country, but I never donated. Do you want to ask this? Journalists always only choose what they want to say when writing. I was
The idea is to collect it for yourself, and then use it as a legacy in the future, but don’t leave it to your descendants but donate it to the country. I’m still alive now, so why bother?”
You Fang smiled: "Who dares to rush you? Let's say you are ninety years old this year, so what if you are a hundred years old? Last month, I had a fist fight with a 115-year-old senior, and he was beaten by him.
He was beaten all over the ground."
Niu Ranmiao couldn't help laughing, causing Qi Ruoxue who was outside the door to take a curious look. After laughing for a long time, he said: "Mr. Rand, you really have a charlatan's mouth, and you are very good at making the elderly happy.
, this move is called 'revitalizing the common people', right?"
In the past, "Xing" means to make people happy, "Cang" refers to old people with white hair, "Sheng" refers to men, and "Chai" refers to women. The so-called "Xing Cang Sheng" means to make a very old man happy.
Happy, and "Xing Cang Chai" is to make the old lady happy. Usually it is to wish the other party good health and longevity, and the elderly love to hear it.
But you need to be skillful in what you say. For example, you know that the other person is already over eighty, but you deliberately ask, "Are you over sixty?" The old man must be very happy, because in the eyes of others, he looks very young. This is called "
"Every time you grow older, your age decreases." The mentality of the elderly is sometimes like that of children and needs to be coaxed.
Of course You Fang's words were more skillful and made the old man happier. This was actually a truth, but Niu Ranmiao didn't know it and thought he was just trying to make people happy.
Seeing that the old man was very interested, and even talked about the Jianghu incision that he was familiar with when he was young, You Fang took the opportunity to say: "You just misunderstood me. What I actually want to say is that a great expert like you will not see through it."
Sotheby's auction of serial jade seals is a 'rolling ball game', right? Why are you still joining in the fun!"
The old man blinked his eyes, his expression was a bit naughty like a child: "I know, but I just like to collect a jade seal, can't I do it?"
There's really no way to say no. After hearing this and looking at the old man's expression, You Fang completely understands his mentality. People like Niu Ranmiao have too much money to spend it all. Ordinary people go shopping in shopping malls and eat big meals.
I am afraid that the enjoyment does not belong to him. He collects an ancient royal jade seal, holds it in his hands and plays with it in his spare time, and savors the mysterious atmosphere that commanded the world hundreds of years ago. This feeling is something that others cannot experience.
The old man has the capriciousness of an old man, and sometimes he really acts like an old child. He talks like a cheater. And with his wealth, buying a jade seal is about the same as buying a new mobile phone from You Fang. Who can say anything more?
It was just a personal hobby that he could afford to squander. As for the impact it caused and the objective role it played in fueling the overseas malicious speculation of the serial bureau, that was exactly what Wu Pingdong wanted to warn against.
How should you persuade You Fang? After thinking about it, he slowly read out a passage: "Selfish people are trapped in their own pursuits, and selfless people forget about the pursuits of the world. But if the two end up in the same destination, that will be
Life is a great blessing. The ancients said: It is not because you are selfless that you can become selfish."
Niu Ranmiao stopped laughing, and his expression became serious. He stared at You Fang with a questioning look. After a moment, he said: "At your age, you shouldn't say such things. Your tone is wrong."
You Fang sighed: "These are not what I said, but Mr. Wu Pingtong's last words in March this year, and there has been no news since."
Niu Ranmiao also sighed: "I see, I understand what you mean, and I will pay attention to it in the future." He pointed to the vase on the table and said: "Although this Yuan blue and white flower was imitated by contemporary people, it has left so many stories.
, it can be regarded as a commemorative cultural relic. I want to collect it and put it together with the jade seal in my private study. When I have time, I can tell its story to my children and grandchildren. Is it okay?"
You Fang immediately nodded: "Of course, you can keep it forever." He secretly thought that the Yuan blue and white plum vase that his father had imitated had gone through many twists and turns, but was finally collected by Niu Ranmiao along with Mr. Wu's last words. It can be regarded as a treasure.
Get what you want.
Niu Ranmiao raised his head and asked: "Mr. Rand, please give me a price. This thing has its value. Just to let Guishou's students repair it, I paid a lot of money, and I don't want to take it empty-handed now.
I don’t plan on counter-offering either.”
You Fang shook his head and said: "I don't dare to let a rich man like you take it empty-handed, but it is a relic of Mr. Wu Pingtong. As long as you follow Mr. Wu Pingtong's last words, you should give it to you. Otherwise, I will give it to you."
It's better to break it again, then no one can repair it."
Niu Ranmiao thought for a while and nodded: "Okay, I will accept your favor. But it will not be in vain. If Mr. Rand has any difficulties in the future, you can ask me for a favor. But remember, don't take those favors.
I can't help you if you commit adultery and commit crimes. Someone will give you a contact number later. No matter what your name is and where you are from, call that number and give Mr. Rand's name.
Just give it a number."
You Fang could only say thank you, and secretly wondered if he was picking up Aladdin's magic lamp today? An old man popped out and said that he could do him a favor in the future. But he also understood that people like Niu Ranmiao should not be casual.
If you want to trouble someone, saying something like this without asking him where he came from is enough to give you face.
The breakfast was not long, and it was finished quickly. The chef had already stepped forward to ask Niu Ranmiao if he had cleared the table. Seeing that it was time to leave, Niu Ranmiao was about to get up, but Niu Ranmiao sent the chef away, again like
He leaned over like a naughty child and asked in a low voice: "Mr. Rand, can I ask you one more thing?"
You Fang was surprised: "If you have anything to say, just say it."
Niu Ranmiao pointed at the plum vase somewhat mysteriously and asked: "I heard that there is a unique secret message left by the author on it, which even an expert like Zhou Xiaoxian, the ghost hand, has not seen. Can you tell me? I promise not to tell anyone else!"
"
You almost made the old man amused, and told him that it didn't matter, so he replied: "Want to know? Get a pencil, a blank paper, and a magnifying glass."
The things were delivered quickly. In order to show his trust in confidentiality, Niu Ranmiao sent everyone out and ordered people to close the door of the restaurant. Then he asked with interest: "What are you doing with these things?"
You Fang didn't say anything. He enlarged and traced a small pattern on the plum vase on the white paper, which was a section of the plum blossom tree trunk that seemed to be very delicate and complex hooking strokes. He also wrote the word "You" next to it. Then he
Mei Ping took it over, pointed to a place above, and handed the magnifying glass to Niu Ranmiao's hand.
Niu Ranmiao took a magnifying glass and looked at the pattern on the bottle, then looked at the white paper in front of You, and suddenly realized: "You really wouldn't have thought it until you pointed it out. The author's surname is You, right?"
You Fang asked back: "What do you think?"
Niu Ranmiao was still curious and asked: "What is his relationship with you?"
You Fang smiled bitterly and replied, "It's my dad."
"Oh, I see, no wonder!" Niu Ranmiao patted You Fang on the shoulder: "Thank you for telling me the truth, little Youzi, I promise not to tell anyone else." I'm so confused, this old man actually called him Little Youzi,
It seems that the name "Little Wanderer" is something I can't get rid of.
After saying that, Niu Ranmiao took out a lighter from nowhere, put the piece of white paper on the plate in front of him and burned it, making it mysterious like a secret agent. Then he asked someone to come in and clean up the mess on the table. After this meal
Breakfast is finally finished.
When he said goodbye and left, it was still Qi Ruoxue who escorted You Fang away. When he came out of the restaurant, Niu Ranmiao asked someone to give him a card. There was nothing else on it except a phone number. You Fang carefully put it away. Qi
When Ruoxue saw You Fang coming out of the restaurant, she hesitated to speak several times. It seemed that she was also curious about what You Fang was doing inside after closing the door. She even smelled the smell of fireworks when she opened the door, but she didn't speak after all.
His expression was still a little cold.
After eating, Niu Ranmiao happened to go for a walk on the grassy slope in front of the small building, and sent You Fang out of the door. He pointed around and asked casually: "Mr. Rand, you live in Guangzhou too, look here.
How is the environment?"
You Fang pondered: "The environment is naturally excellent, but there are some small problems with the elderly living here."
Niu Ranmiao asked casually, but unexpectedly heard such an answer and asked in surprise: "What's the problem?"
You Fang pointed to the north: "Baiyun Mountain is not too high, and the undulations are relatively gentle. Because of the terrain, the gentle slope here is suitable for building houses, but it is a little close to the top of the mountain, and the mountain is slightly low." Another point to the side: "
The view from the front of Luhu Lake is very good. There is a certain distance and height, and it is not affected by the moisture on the lake surface, but the court case is slightly wider and deeper." Then he pointed to both sides: "The surrounding land is quiet, but the Luchi Lake is directly visible in the field of vision.
The other side of the lake is crowded with people, and people's reactions are conflicting."
Niu Ranmiao frowned slightly and said with a half-smile, "Do you still know Feng Shui? You don't need to talk so much jargon about the world, just tell me what's the problem with the old man's residence."
You Fang: "To put it bluntly, living here is suitable for resting one's body and mind, and the environment is naturally very good. But for elderly people, the current season is a bit inappropriate, and the mood is easily affected by the autumn air, and they are always unconscious.
Sometimes I like to reminisce about the past. It is often known that reminiscing is certainly not a bad thing, but my thoughts are always like this unintentionally due to the influence of the environment, and occasionally it is just a sigh."
Living here at this time, the environment easily creates a hint, which makes people involuntarily like to recall things long ago, and sigh inexplicably, but they don’t know why. The real subtlety of Feng Shui lies in this. You Fang combines the seasons with the people who live there.
Judging from the environment here, the level is quite sophisticated, beyond the vision of most ordinary Feng Shui masters.
To Mr. Niu's casual question, You Fang answered very seriously and carefully, and he did his best to conduct a meticulous survey of the Feng Shui bureau. However, Qi Ruoxue on the side looked at You Fang, with a hint of impatience in his eyes, and even