When the plane circled and landed over Beijing, Yuan Jinpeng and Liu Zhenji discovered that the huge city of Beijing was covered in snow. Apparently, there has been a heavy snowfall here recently. Walking out of the cabin, Jiexi led everyone to the parking lot and got directly into a black Mercedes sedan. After the snow, Beijing is less noisy than usual, and there are not many pedestrians on the road. After all, it is still the fourth day of the first lunar month, and most people are at home. The Mercedes-Benz car arrived at the Wangfujing Hotel, and the four people went into the room to put their luggage, rested for a while, and agreed to meet in the lobby at half past four o'clock and go out for dinner.

Yuan Jinpeng came to the hotel lobby in advance and saw two people walking in front, one of whom was very familiar. Zhao Ang? Yes, it's Zhao Ang's figure! He took two steps and shouted, "Zhao Ang!" ”

Zhao Ang turned his head and exclaimed: "Ha! Jin Peng?! ”

The other person also turned around, and it turned out to be Chen Shichuan, a college classmate.

Ten years after graduation, Yuan Jinpeng met Chen Shichuan for the first time. The two booed and lamented that time had flown by. Yuan Jinpeng remembers that after graduating from university, Chen Shichuan was assigned to teach in a rural middle school, and later went to teach at a calligraphy training institution with his calligraphy expertise.

Liu Zhenji, Jiekexi, and Feng Shida came to the hotel lobby one after another. Liu Zhenji, Zhao Ang, and Chen Shichuan are originally teachers and students, so naturally there is no need to introduce them. Yuan Jinpeng introduced Zhao Ang and Chen Shichuan to Jiekexi and Feng Shida.

Zhao Ang said: "It's rare to meet so many friends in Beijing in the first month, let me do my best as a landlord, and invite everyone to drink two glasses of wine together." ”

Yuan Jinpeng asked: "What kind of landlord friendship?" Has the company moved to Beijing? ”

"I didn't move, but I opened a branch in Beijing last year. Do you say that I am pulling Shibukawa in Beijing for the New Year, that is, I have to spend the New Year here in the first year of the new house. Zhao Ang smiled slightly.

Yuan Jinpeng said: "Congratulations! Mr. Zhao's business is getting bigger and bigger. You can talk to Mr. Jie, he also has a company in Beijing. ”

Two Mercedes-Benz sedans rushed out, Zhao Ang's Mercedes-Benz led the way, and Jiexi personally drove closely behind. Yuan Jinpeng sat in Zhao Ang's car and chatted with Chen Shichuan with or without a ride. Before he could say a few words, he saw that Zhao Ang had parked the car in front of an imposing building. When I got out of the car and looked up, there were several big golden characters hanging on the top of the building: Jing'an Club.

This is one of the top private clubs in Beijing and even in the country, with a fully closed membership system, and the threshold is so high that it is striking. Yuan Jinpeng had a feeling like a dream, he had heard of this luxurious international private club, but he had never had the luxury of walking in. It seems that Zhao Ang is a member here. Sure enough, when Zhao Ang led everyone in, the tall and handsome doorman greeted Zhao Ang warmly: Mr. Zhao is good! Then I heard another voice: Hello Mr. Jie! Obviously, Jacksy is also a regular here. The screen in the lobby of the club was brilliant and antique, Yuan Jinpeng couldn't help but stop and take a few more looks, and saw that everyone looked unfazed, and walked a few steps to keep up with everyone's pace. Think about it, Zhao Ang and Jiekexi are members, Feng Shida is Jiekexi's shadow, and Liu Zhenji often accompanies Zhu Xinfeng in and out of the capital, that is, the first time he came to the Jing'an Club.

When he arrived at a box called "Double Happiness", Zhao Ang said: "It's still early, warm up with a cup of tea." Mr. Liu, Mr. Jie, what kind of tea do you see? ”

Liu Zhenji said, "I'll drink Pu'er." "Everyone also said, just Pu'er.

Yuan Jinpeng now knows nothing about Chen Shichuan's situation. Zhao Ang said: "You are still a classmate, and now Chen Shichuan is studying for a doctorate at the Central Academy of Fine Arts." ”

Chen Shichuan smiled: "After graduation, everyone went their separate ways, not to mention that Jin Peng didn't know where I went." Actually, I don't know what other students have been busy with all these years. ”

Women change their fate! If it weren't for the unforgettable love that ended in failure, if it weren't for the sophisticated cold eyes of the woman's parents, maybe Chen Shichuan would still be nesting on the three-foot podium, how could he have gone through all the hardships to achieve the legendary leap from a rural teacher to a doctor at the Central Academy of Fine Arts.

Jiexi heard that Chen Shichuan was a doctor of calligraphy and painting, so he asked Feng Shida to go downstairs to the car and get a calligraphy scroll in, and asked Chen Shichuan to argue the authenticity. This is a delicately framed, antique calligraphy banner, the text reads: Relying on the sky and the sea to see countless flowers, flowing water and high mountains know themselves. Chen Shichuan took out the magnifying glass he had brought with him, looked up and down the banner, and examined it carefully.

After about five or six minutes, Chen Shichuan habitually shook Liuhai on his forehead: "This should be a high-imitation celebrity inkblot." ”

Yuan Jinpeng was taken aback: "Shichuan, is this calligraphy and painting a fake?" ”

Chen Shichuan nodded: "I think I can make this judgment." I have seen the photos of the original handwriting of Zeng Guofan, and there is a slight difference between it and this one. After Zeng Guofan led the Hunan army to break through the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Tianjing, he shocked the government and the opposition, and his achievements were high. Wang Minyun and the generals of the Hunan army hinted that Zeng Guofan took the opportunity to win the Central Plains and seize the world. After Zeng Guofan thought about it again, he wrote a handwritten couplet to express his intention to completely give up the plan of adding a yellow robe. The upper link is taken from Su Dongpo's poem "He Cai Jingfan Haizhou Stone Room", and the lower link is taken from Wang Anshi's poem "Boya". This calligraphy and painting is very similar to the original, but there are still some problems. First, Zeng Guofan's calligraphy hides a murderous atmosphere in the upright and delicate atmosphere, and the copyist can at most achieve a state of resemblance but not god. Second, there are problems with the payment and seal. I estimate that this is a work imitated by calligraphers in the early years of the Republic of China, but the skill is extraordinary. ”

"A doctor is a doctor!" ”

Then he asked, "How much does Dr. Chen think the authenticity of this calligraphy and painting is worth?" ”

Chen Shichuan said: "If it is genuine, the current market price is more than 80,000 yuan, which is still a relatively conservative price. It's hard to say that fakes are very elastic. Although this calligraphy and painting is not Zeng Guofan's handwriting, the author's book is very deep, and the time is long, it can be almost chaotic. ”

Yuan Jinpeng whispered to Jiekexi: "Jiezong, fake, what should I do?" ”

Jacksey confidently said, "It doesn't matter, you'll know tomorrow." ”

Since Zhao Ang set up a branch in Beijing, he spent most of his time in Beijing, selling his own company's panel furniture and solid wood furniture, as well as fried mahogany, rosewood, rosewood furniture and ornaments. Beijing is like this, broad and vigorous, hidden dragon and crouching tiger. No matter how sharp you are, when you get here, you will gradually clamp your tail, unless you are a high-ranking official eunuch.

When the food was served, Zhao Ang invited everyone to the table: "I am honored to invite Mr. Liu, Mr. Jie, and Mr. Feng to dinner in Beijing. On the occasion of the New Year, I wish Mr. Liu and Jin Pengfei Huang Tengda and great achievements! I wish Mr. Jie and Mr. Feng prosperity! I wish Dr. Chen Shichuan success in his studies and fame all over the world! With that, he drank a small glass of Wuliangye liquor in his hand.

Liu Zhenji said with a smile: "Mr. Zhao has such good wishes, of course we can't take a sip at will, it's dry!" ”

Everyone said, "It's done, it's done, and they've all drunk the first glass of wine."

Zhao Ang has heard of Jiekexi and Feng Shida for a long time, and they were finally able to meet today. That year, in the battle for the mining and operation rights of Songshan fluorite mine, Zhao Ang lost to Jiekexi and Feng Shida. However, Zhao Ang did not hold a grudge against Jiexi, but had a feeling of sympathy. Life is like this, you will always meet opponents who are stronger than you. There is no strong for no reason in the world, only weak for no reason.

Zhao Ang picked up his wine glass and clinked glasses with Jiexi: "It's the first time I've met with Mr. Jie, please give me more guidance in the future." With that, he drank the wine in his glass.

Jiexi happily drank the wine in the cup to the bottom: "Mr. Zhao is a young man, take care of Kexi." ”

Zhao Ang smiled: "Mr. Jie is too modest. Secretary Qiushui is okay now? ”

Jiekexi said: "Secretary Zhou is in his prime, and he is busy as the secretary general of the municipal government. ”

Liu Zhenji lowered his voice and said: "This time, Secretary General Zhou is very hopeful, at least the level can be raised. ”

"Oh, I heard about the recommendation of the municipal party committee, and he was in third place. Will you stay in Harukawa as deputy mayor? Jacky asked.

Liu Zhenji said with a smile: "Mr. Jie, you are really good, you can even figure out the ranking so clearly." I'm also hearsay, chatting on a small scale, and I don't know how it ended up. ”

Chen Shichuan stepped down from his seat and stood beside Liu Zhenji with a cup: "I toast Teacher Liu with a glass of wine, maybe Teacher Liu has no impression of me." ”

Liu Zhenji stood up and knocked the cup with Chen Shichuan: "What are you talking about, the first prize of the school calligraphy competition is basically covered by you." Who doesn't know you as a calligrapher? One day I wrote a picture of the word, to be honest, there was really no word for the members of the Chinese Calligraphers Association, and I hung it on the wall, and I also had a light on my face. ”

Chen Shichuan said: "If there is something I can get my hands on one day, I will frame it and send it to Mr. Liu." ”

Generally speaking, there is no atmosphere when there are fewer drinkers. But today, the relationship between teachers and students, classmates, or close friends on the field is either a teacher-student, classmates, or a close friend, so I let go and drink to my heart's content, fortunately, everyone drank a good amount of alcohol, drank three bottles of Wuliangye, and tossed for more than two hours, and no one seemed to be particularly drunk. After drinking, Zhao Ang invited everyone to go to KTV or sauna again, Liu Zhenji had something in his heart, and he didn't want to go anyway, so Zhao Ang had to give up.

Back at the hotel, Liu Zhenji invited Jiekexi, Feng Shida, and Yuan Jinpeng to his room. He didn't know what would happen tomorrow.

Liu Zhenji asked: "Mr. Jie, how to arrange it tomorrow?" ”

Jie Kexi smiled: "This matter is actually simple, and Starstar and I can handle it well." You and Yuan Ke and Mr. Zhao can find a scenic spot to play for a morning. ”

Liu Zhenji asked puzzledly: "How do you get it?" Don't mess around. ”

Jiexi hesitated a little, lowered his voice and said, "Actually, it's better for Director Liu not to know the details. I will go to Liuliwa Street tomorrow morning to meet Kong Yan, and entrust Zeng Guofan's calligraphy and painting to Yun Yanxuan. A little later, Starr went over and bought it back. Therefore, it doesn't matter if the calligraphy and painting are fakes or not. To put it bluntly, it is to give Kong Yan a scene to do some business and let her make some money, after all, we are old friends. Of course, in the end, I will definitely ask her to come to Secretary Kong to help you say something. With her coming forward, Secretary Kong will think that you are not only Zhu Xinfeng's person, but also his person, which is very important. ”

Liu Zhenji suddenly realized, and his brain spun rapidly. Jiexi is really talented! It does everything well, and it makes people feel human. Clever, too clever! But after thinking about it, he felt that something was wrong, so he asked, "Does Secretary Kong know his daughter's Yun Yanxuan?" ”

Jiexi shook his head and said: "I guess I know about the opening of the store, but I don't know the samadhi in it, and I just think it's normal for my daughter to have some social relationships." It often happens that a leading cadre is deceived by his family, children, relatives, and even the staff members around him. Yuan Shikai is a generation of heroes, so shrewd, he was still confused by his son Yuan Keding's fake "Shuntian Times". It's hard! We don't care about these, as long as the result. ”

When Jiekexi and Feng Shida said goodbye, Liu Zhenji motioned for Yuan Jinpeng to stay.

Liu Zhenji said: "Jin Peng, I'm a little worried about this matter. Jackie's favor is a bit big. ”

Yuan Jinpeng said: "Teacher, Jiekexi is generous, generous, energetic, thoughtful, tight-mouthed, and very righteous, worthy of communication. Favors are not big, one day you will be a prince, just take care of it a little within the scope of the principle. ”

Liu Zhenji sighed: "Alas! It is said that forty is not confused, but I am more and more confused. There is a joke that village cadres rely on beating, killing, killing, and killing, township cadres rely on eating and drinking, county leaders rely on recruiting and giving more, city leaders rely on daring to buy and sell, and provincial leaders rely on natural good lives. In fact, it's not as simple as that, I have understood a little bit in the Organization Department over the years, and when it comes to leading cadres at the department and department level, the most important thing is who you are. Of course, it's not realistic to play around without spending a penny. Sometimes, it's not enough to spend less, and it's not good to spend without technical content. In short, this bowl of rice is not delicious! ”

In Yuan Jinpeng's impression, Liu Zhenji has always been a wise and strong man, and any problem in his hands can always be solved. His sigh made Yuan Jinpeng feel melancholy.

After a long while, Yuan Jinpeng said slowly: "Teacher, I often have a dream that I am a horse, and I get lost when I run. ”

"Huma? What Huma? Liu Zhenji didn't understand what Yuan Jinpeng meant.

Yuan Jinpeng said: "The Tang Dynasty poet Wei Yingwu wrote a poem "Laughing Order: Huma, Huma, far away at the foot of Yanzhi Mountain. Running in the sand and running in the snow alone, looking east and west at the road. Lost, lost, the grass is endless. ”

Liu Zhenji said: "Oh, a little impressive. It seems that someone left this huma on your graduation message book. Lost Huma! ”

"Teacher, many times I feel like I'm a lost horse, not knowing how to go, whether I'm going right or not. To be honest, walking in officialdom, everyone wants to go farther and stand taller. But every step seems so difficult. His way of thinking and way of doing things are constantly questioned by the reality of existence, and he has to make compromises, concessions, and changes, and challenge his own bottom line of values and even morality again and again. In the dead of night, I thought, maybe I'm better suited to be a teacher. Yuan Jinpeng was full of feelings.

Liu Zhenji nodded: "I am less confused and tormented than you like this." It's just that you've thought about it, do you really have a way back? Theoretically, we don't have to live for others to see and go our own way. In fact, in this social atmosphere, how can it be possible to ignore the eyes and evaluations of others. I remember that Su Dongpo has two sentences: I don't have to hate this body for a long time, when will I forget the camp. If a person lives in this society, he will inevitably accept the judgment of this society, and it is difficult to stay out of it. I read Lin Yutang's "The Biography of Su Dongpo" and felt that Su Dongpo's spaciousness was not comparable to ordinary people, but the problem was that he did not deny that he sometimes had to rush for fame and fortune. We have no problem going back to teaching, but most people must think that this is a loser's retreat, not a winner's retreat. What's more, what do your relatives, friends, and classmates think? All in all, there is no turning back. No matter how difficult it is, you have to keep going, even if the road is full of thorns and traps. Many times, I wonder if we are too bookish and angry because we are so confused and tormented in our thoughts, whether we have not kept pace with the times, and whether we are not emancipated enough. Sooner or later, a person has to adapt to your living environment, otherwise, they will be swallowed up by this environment. ”

Yuan Jinpeng was recently reading "The Trap of Modernization", and Liu Zhenji's words reminded him of the "bad money drives out good money" in economics. He thought that he wanted to keep pace with the times, and he also wanted to be a good currency that would not be driven out by bad money!