The reason why Meng Zitao asked Lu Hongzhen to paint another imitation of Xu Beihong's work was not simply to fake Xu Beihong's works for sale, he didn't need to use this method if he wanted to make money, mainly to calculate such as Xi Zhengzhen. Pen "Fun" Pavilion www.biquge.info

Speaking of which, since the fall of the Bu family, Xi Zhengzhen has never been against Meng Zitao on the surface, but Meng Zitao has heard a little, and in private Xi Zhengzhen will say that he is not at the first opportunity.

Therefore, Meng Zitao believes that as long as Xi Zhengzhen finds an opportunity, he will definitely make some kind of moths. In addition, some of Xi Zhengzhen's hands are not innocent, for this kind of person, of course, Meng Zitao hopes that he will be beaten to death with a stick, and there will be no psychological burden, but he suffers from no chance.

Now that he met Lu Hongzhen, a few thoughts arose in Meng Zitao's mind, and this is why he asked.

Lu Hongzhen looked at Meng Zitao, pondered for a moment, and said, "It's not impossible, but I have a request, if you may agree, then I have no problem here." ”

Meng Zitao said: "As long as it is reasonable, there is nothing that cannot be discussed." ”

Lu Hongzhen said: "You must also know that painting needs to be in a good mood and a comfortable life in order to concentrate on it. A painting like this was actually completed a few years ago when I was still a little wealthy, and in my current situation, it is certainly impossible to complete such a work. ”

Meng Zitao expressed his understanding and said directly: "If you can imitate Xu Beihong's works on horse themes, I am willing to fund and support you, 30,000 yuan a month, for you for two years, two years later, you only need to give me two works of this painting's level, plus this work, then we will decide the purchase price of the work based on the size and artistry of the work." ”

Based on last year's statistics, the average salary of on-the-job workers in Xijing is less than 2,500 a month, and Meng Zitao directly gave Lu Hongzhen 30,000 a month, which is already very high in comparison.

Lu Hongzhen was satisfied with this and said, "In addition, I have another request. ”

"Big brother, it's already okay. ”

Lu Hongsi saw that his eldest brother still had to make a request, so he felt a little insatiable, if it was someone else, how could he give you a total of 720,000 living expenses for two years before buying your paintings? What's more, Meng Zitao is still treating his father's illness.

"It's okay, Mr. Lu, you continue. Meng Zitao smiled and waved his hand, this world is like this, no matter how many requirements a person has the ability, as long as it is reasonable, there is no problem, Lu Hongzhen has this ability, of course, he also has this treatment.

Lu Hongzhen said: "Doctor Meng, whether my request is high or not, and whether it is low or not, it depends on whether you have the ability to do so." ”

Meng Zitao nodded, and then listened to Lu Hongzhen say: "My request is very simple, as long as you can improve my fame, even if it is only a third- or fourth-rate painter." ”

Meng Zitao laughed: "This matter is very simple for me, I have an auction company under my name, and it is also well-known in the country, I can arrange for your painting to be auctioned at that time, I believe that after publicity, you can completely achieve your goal with your strength." ”

In fact, with Meng Zitao's current ability, he is completely sure that Lu Hongzhen will become a first-class painter in China, and Lu Hongzhen also has such strength, but the resources spent on doing so are large, with their current friendship, Meng Zitao is not worth doing this, in a word, it will be time to see Lu Hongzhen's performance.

Meng Zitao agreed to his two conditions, so there was no problem for Lu Hongzhen, so the two set up a note, for a period of two years, Lu Hongzhen at least imitated two paintings of Xu Beihong, during which Meng Zitao gave Lu Hongzhen 30,000 living expenses on time at the beginning of each month. After completion, Meng Zitao was responsible for building Lu Hongzhen's reputation.

After setting up the note, Meng Zitao asked Lu Hongzhen for the bank card number, and directly transferred 30,000 yuan, Lu Hongzhen was extremely happy, and immediately said that he would start creating seriously today.

After reminding the Lu brothers not to reveal the matter to others except for their families, Meng Zitao took his leave, and the brothers politely sent Meng Zitao out of the door.

Originally, Lu Hongsi was going to send Meng Zitao back, but was pushed away by Meng Zitao.

There is nothing to do back to Feng Zhengsheng now, and he has not been in Xijing for long, so he will go back the day after tomorrow at most, so Meng Zitao took a taxi to Xijing Antique City.

There is no market today, and most of the shops are basically close to noon, so the time when Meng Zitao came is just right.

However, Meng Zitao didn't have long to wander around before he found a problem, someone had been following him since he walked into the antique city just now.

Meng Zitao walked out of a shop quietly, hid in a blind spot, and when the man approached, he suddenly stopped him.

"Ouch, let go, it hurts me. The man cried out in pain.

Meng Zitao relaxed the strength in his hand a little, and said coldly: "Who are you, why have you been following me?"

The man smiled bitterly and said, "Teacher Meng, I don't have any malicious intentions, can you let go of me first." ”

Meng Zitao saw that this person didn't seem to have any malicious intent, so he let go and said lightly: "Say, who are you and what's the matter?"

The man moved his arm for a moment, felt a little more comfortable, and then said: "My surname is Xue, everyone calls me Xiao Xue, the reason why I follow Teacher Meng and you has no other meaning, I just want to ask you if you need anything?"

Meng Zitao sneered, obviously not believing this person's words: "If that's the case, then why did you sneakily follow me just now and didn't tell me directly?"

Xiao Xue said embarrassedly: "If I can confirm that you are indeed Teacher Meng, I will definitely come up directly, but I didn't watch that show, but I heard a friend say it during dinner yesterday, and I can't confirm it." ”

"And you're going to follow me all the time?"

"Of course not, I've already contacted a friend, and he'll come over right away, oh, say Cao Cao Cao Cao will arrive, that's my friend. ”

Xiao Xue pointed to the young man who was hurrying over not far in front of him, it was none other than the one who sold him the pot yesterday.

The young man came over and introduced himself first, his name is Xu Xinqing, he is the owner of a nearby antique shop, but he is a novice in the industry, in his words, while doing business and learning, fortunately, there is a family to help, so he did not lose money.

The two sides said a few polite words, and Meng Zitao asked Xiao Xue what good things he had in his hands.

Xiao Xue said mysteriously: "Teacher Meng, I have a painting of Li Gonglin's "West Garden Elegant Collection", I don't know if you are interested?"

When Meng Zitao heard this, he wanted to laugh a little. Li Gonglin was a famous painter in the Northern Song Dynasty, specializing in painting horses and figures. The characters he painted are said to be able to distinguish the characteristics of people from all walks of life such as "corridors, temples, pavilions, mountains, forests and grasslands, Lu Yan Zang Shu, and Taiyu Soap Li" from their appearances, and can distinguish the specific characteristics of regions and races, as well as various specific states of facial expressions, and is the first person in Song Dynasty painting.

Li Gonglin's paintings have been passed down to the present, which one is not a national treasure? Not to mention the "Elegant Collection of the West Garden".

The gathering of ancient literati was called "Yaji", and there are two most famous Yaji in history, one is the "Lanting Collection" that took place in Shaoxing in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, and the other is the "Xiyuan Yaji" that took place in Bianjing in the Northern Song Dynasty. Lanting set is famous because of Wang Xizhi's words, and Xiyuan Yaji is famous because of Li Gonglin's painting and Mi Fu's inscription.

The West Garden is the garden of the residence of Wang Xu, the commander of the Northern Song Dynasty. At the beginning of the Song Dynasty, Wang Shu had invited Su Shi, Su Zhe, Huang Tingjian, Mi Fu, Qin Guan, Li Gonglin, and the Japanese Yuantong master and other contemporary sixteen literati and celebrities gathered in this garden, after the meeting, Li Gonglin made "West Garden Elegance Collection", Mi Fu wrote "West Garden Elegance Collection Atlas".

Because Su Shi, Su Zhe, Huang Luzhi, Li Gonglin, Mi Fu and so on are rare geniuses for a thousand years, later generations admired, have copied and painted the "West Garden Elegant Collection Map". The famous painters of the past dynasties, such as Ma Yuan, Liu Songnian, Zhao Mengfu, Qian Shunju, Tang Yin, You Qiu, Li Shida, Yuan Ji, Ding Guanpeng, etc., have all painted "The Elegant Collection of the West Garden". As a result, "The Elegant Collection of the West Garden" has become a common theme for figure painters.

Speaking of which, the authentic work of the "West Garden Elegant Collection" used to be the old collection of the Qing Palace, and in 1912, the Qing court Puyi abdicated, but still lived in the Forbidden City. During this period, Pu Yi stole a large number of precious paintings and calligraphy from the Forbidden City through various channels in exchange for money, including this famous painting of Li Gonglin in the Song Dynasty "The Elegant Collection of the West Garden".

"West Garden Elegant Collection" was bought by the "Lun Chi Zhai" of the Beijing Liuli Factory at that time, and sold to Hong Kong through Lun Chi Zhai, and has since drifted abroad.

In 05, the cultural relics collectors of a domestic auction company requisitioned them back from a museum in Dongying. It was identified as "authentic" by the so-called authoritative experts in China, with an estimated value of 12 million to 16 million yuan, and was sold for 27.5 million yuan. As for who bought the auction, the auction company has not been announced.

As for the authenticity of this painting, Meng Zitao thinks that it is doubtful, and the transaction price of 27.5 million is far lower than the value of this painting, but how specifically, he has not seen that work, so it is difficult to say anything.

In addition, Meng Zitao also heard a rumor, saying that the authentic work is still hidden in Dongying, it is said that Dongying is very respectful of Sumen scholars, so the valuation of the "West Garden Yaji Tu" far exceeds that of China, so it will not return the authentic works to China, and it is impossible to agree with the valuation of 12 million to 16 million yuan, and the so-called "authentic works" that have been requisitioned are more likely to be imitations of the past dynasties or fakes at all.

Getting back to business, Meng Zitao said with a smile: "Xiao Xue, I don't think you are sincere." ”

Xiao Xue also knew what Meng Zitao meant, and smiled: "Mr. Meng, I definitely don't have the authentic work, but the copy work in my hand must be old, and it will definitely not disappoint you, if you don't believe it, you can ask Brother Xu." ”

Xu Xinqing said: "To tell the truth, I have a lot of skills in identifying ancient inkstones, seals and porcelain, but I only know the skin of calligraphy and painting, and I don't have a bottom in my heart about that painting, but when Xiao Xue was looking for me, there happened to be a friend who knew calligraphy and painting present, and he said that he did copy it in place, and it could be done to the point of being fake." ”

Xu Xinqing was honest, and Meng Zitao also came with some interest.

Xiao Xue hit the railway while it was hot: "If you agree, I will immediately ask my mother-in-law to bring it over." ”

"Far away?"

"It's not far, ten minutes at most, let's go to the teahouse over there and sit for a while, and we'll be there soon." ”

Considering that some people around heard their conversations, there would definitely be more people who knew themselves, and it would be interesting to visit the antique market in this case, so Meng Zitao agreed, and muttered in his heart that he had to dress up next time he visited the antique market, so as not to disappoint the fun.

The three of them came to the teahouse and found a quiet place, and then Xu Xinqing couldn't wait to ask about the problem of holding the pot yesterday, Meng Zitao had nothing to hide, and directly told him the truth, which made him sigh and regret it.

After five or six minutes, Xiao Xue's wife hurried over with the scroll, and Xiao Xue put it in front of Meng Zitao and asked him to appreciate it.

Meng Zitao opened the scroll and looked at it carefully.

The original work of this painting is by Wang Xu, who is good at painting characters, Li Gonglin, who is good at painting characters, and his friends Su Shi, Su Zhe, Huang Luzhi, Qin Guan, Li Gonglin, Mi Fu, Cai Zhao, Li Zhiyi, Zheng Jinglao, Zhang Lei, Wang Qinchen, Liu Jing, Huang Buzhi and monk Yuantong, Taoist Chen Bixu painted together, named "West Garden Yajitu".

Li Gonglin created it in a realistic way with his pioneering white drawing technique, of which there are 16 main friends, plus 22 concubines and scholars. Pine cypress and bamboo, small bridge and flowing water, the victory of the pole garden. The guest and the host are elegant, or write poems, or paint, or inscribe stones, or dial Ruan, or read books, or speak scriptures, and enjoy the pleasure of feasting and traveling.

I saw these literati in the painting swiping ink, chanting poems and lyrics, stroking the piano and singing harmony, meditating and asking Zen, dressed appropriately, moving naturally, scholars and maids, behaving gently, and being generous. All the characters are lifelike and depicted in an exceptionally vivid and breathtaking way.

In the next half hour, Mencius studied carefully, looking at paintings, words, imprints, and paper, looking at flat, sideways, and hanging, pondering while watching, only looking at and not speaking.

Xiao Xue sat on the side and was a little nervous, and when Meng Zitao raised his head, he immediately asked, "Teacher Meng, what do you think of my painting?"

Meng Zitao breathed a sigh of relief, but did not answer immediately, and asked a question first: "Xiao Xue, I wonder if you can tell me the origin of this painting?"

Xiao Xue said: "This is nothing bad to say, this is at the beginning of this year, I went to Bingcheng to visit friends to collect, according to the original owner, his grandfather was adopted by a eunuch, this painting is a heirloom treasure lost from Pu Yi at the beginning, I definitely don't believe it, but when I saw the original appearance of this painting, I thought it was a real thing, and then I bought it, and when I came back, I figured out that something was not right." ”

Meng Zitao sighed and said: "This painting is really wrong, not to mention anything else, there are problems with the brushwork in some places, and it cannot reach the level of authenticity, but the thing is indeed old, and the copy is not bad." ”

Xiao Xue's eyes lit up when he heard Meng Zitao say this, and he hurriedly asked, "Teacher Meng, do you want this painting?"

"It's okay if the price is right. Meng Zitao smiled and nodded.

When you do antique trading, you can see something, and then ask for a price. The buyer asks for the price, and the seller offers. This is an important procedure in the purchase and sale of commodities, and quotations have a great deal of knowledge, and this question is reported one by one, not only a commercial war in commercial activities, but also an invisible psychological warfare.

Generally speaking, the quotation in the purchase and sale of antiques is often quoted high and low. It is often said in the antique shop, "wear a three-foot hat and cut a knife at the waist", and the final transaction price also depends on the buyer and seller's grasp of the value of the commodity.

Of course, the quotation also has a real price, that is, it is often said that there is no bargaining, that is, how much to sell, how much to quote. Don't ask for much, and of course you can't bargain.

Xiao Xue considered Meng Zitao's identity and background, and didn't dare to ask for more, but he wouldn't lose himself, so he pondered for a while and said: "This painting is sold to others for less than 150,000 yuan, and if you want it, Mr. Meng, just give 120,000." This is the real price, so don't bargain anymore. ”

When Meng Zitao heard this, such a price was nothing, because this price was even lower than his ideal price.

Actually, Mencius didn't say something just now, although this painting is not the original, but it is also related to the original, it is actually the second layer of the original work, after the original work was removed, it was depicted according to the imprints on the second layer of silk paper.

Because of the author's level, it can't reach the level of the original work, but because it relies on the original work, it can basically reach the point of being fake.

This kind of work is undoubtedly still valuable, not to mention, there is a secret about the authenticity of this painting, so even if the price is several times higher, Mencius will spend money to buy it.

As for Xiao Xue, he didn't offer a high price, not only because he considered that the painting was an imitation and the price he bought was not high, but also because he wanted to leave some shares for Meng Zitao, so that Meng Zitao could be profitable.

As a seller, repeat customers are more important than anything else, especially in the antiques industry, and it is unlikely that there are no repeat customers who want to do a good job. What's more, Meng Zitao is also a particularly high-quality customer, and it is very important for him to be able to keep in touch.

Of course, the most important thing is that Xiao Xue does not have the same eyesight as Meng Zitao, he has not seen through the painting is a "second layer", and he does not have a perspective eye to see the secrets in the painting, otherwise it would be impossible to open such a low price, at least hundreds of thousands.

Meng Zitao hurriedly transferred the account to Xiao Xue, and then gave Xiao Xue a business card of his own, and said that if there was anything good, he could contact him, even if he didn't have time to come, he would send someone over. For him, people like Xiao Xue are actually quite important.

Xiao Xue took Meng Zitao's business card, put it away closely, happy and proud, today's 120,000 yuan was almost earned for nothing, but he didn't lie about what happened just now, the painting was indeed obtained in Bingcheng, but the original owner was stunned by him and sold it to him at the "cabbage price".

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