A courtyard house in the capital.
This courtyard house has been meticulously renovated and looks like the residence of aristocrats on TV, with all kinds of quaint mahogany decorations and furniture.
In the study, a thin old man was standing in front of the desk, holding a brush in his hand. He was concentrating and writing calligraphy characters one by one on the white paper on the table with strong arms.
There were two people standing around, an old man in a kimono and a middle-aged man.
The old man in kimono stood beside the old man who was writing, watching closely, while the middle-aged man stood not far behind with a respectful look, as if he was not qualified to stand so close.
The thin old man waved his arms, and the brush moved on the paper like a dragon and snake. One after another, extremely elegant cursive characters appeared. It seemed that the paper was not filled with calligraphy characters, but with dragons and snakes dancing wildly. Most people could not recognize the characters on the paper, but they could feel the crazy and rhythmic artistic conception contained in them.
It is obvious that this old man is a master of cursive calligraphy.
His arms were shaking with full strength, and one cursive character after another appeared in a flamboyant manner. He put down the brush only after the whole sheet of paper was filled. He was full of a sense of freedom and arrogance, and a smile appeared on his face.
The old man in kimono beside him clapped his hands and praised: "Mr. Han is indeed the number one cursive calligraphy master in China. This work will surely attract a lot of attention if it is shown to the public."
The thin old man was called Han Zhao, and he was known as the number one cursive calligraphy master. In his early years, he was a professor in the Chinese Department of Shuimu University, and he was a student of a cursive calligraphy master. He was gifted and had become a cursive calligraphy master 20 years ago. He was one of the leading figures in the field of calligraphy in China, a real cursive calligraphy master, not the cursive calligraphy masters boasted on the Internet. His qualifications and seniority were a little higher than Li Xiyan, and he was on par with Lin Xizhan.
The old man in kimono was the one that Ken Bunkura had mentioned, Ming Ze Ji Bu, one of the three great literary masters of the island country. He was good at writing poetry, calligraphy, and Chinese painting. He was also proficient in music and could play several folk instruments of the island country. He was one of the most versatile people in the field of literature of the island country today.
Mingze Jibu and Han Zhao have known each other for decades. Back then, Mingze Jibu also came to study at two top universities in China, Beijing University and Shuimu University, for a period of time. He became good friends with Han Zhao and they have kept in touch for many years. So after coming to Beijing, he lived in Han Zhao's house.
Han Zhao listened to Mingze's praise and nodded with satisfaction. He smiled and said, "I'm old now. I'm not as arrogant as I was when I was young."
If you want to write cursive script with more artistic conception and flavor, it is indeed better to write it when you are young and bold, which will give it more artistic conception.
However, Han Zhao's cursive script is more mature and sophisticated, with its boldness concealed within it, just like the growth process of a person. It is highly sought after in the calligraphy world, and many calligraphy enthusiasts and collectors in the market are spending huge sums of money to buy his works. The price of one character has reached tens of thousands, making him one of the most valuable calligraphy masters still alive today.
The middle-aged man behind said: "The teacher's cursive calligraphy works have been listed as one of the library collections of Kyoto University and Mizuki University. The National Museum has also included them in its collections and is known as one of the contemporary cultural treasures."
Among the living masters of Chinese studies today, there are only a handful of people who have achieved such success!
Mingze walked quickly and laughed, "Hahaha, I will definitely treasure the two works that Mr. Han gave me as heirlooms in our family."
Han Zhao smiled and said, "Mr. Mingze, you are overpraising me. If we talk about the most valuable works now, it is Wang Qian. One of his works has been hyped up to five million in the market. The National Museum is also planning to collect his works. He has achieved such an achievement at his age. He is truly the first person in our time."
Han Zhao showed his recognition and respect for Wang Qian in his words.
He had also watched all of Wang Qian's live broadcasts, and even secretly visited Zhejiang University and Double Star, and seen Wang Qian's handwriting and works. Naturally, he knew Wang Qian's strength and talent, which was truly extraordinary.
Mingze listened to Han Zhao's words quickly and shook his head, saying, "I don't think so. Mr. Han, you are the best in cursive script, and my calligraphy is also quite good. We all know how much effort is needed to achieve something in calligraphy. How many years did it take you? I remember that when you became a master of cursive script, you were already over 50 years old! I just touched the threshold of calligraphy master three years ago, and I was already 70 years old. Do you really think that Wang Qian, who was only 30 years old, could create a calligraphy font like the Slender Gold Style? And become the only contemporary calligraphy master?"
"Also, each of the works he wrote required a lot of life experience. And there are pure feminine and graceful poems like Zui Hua Yin and Yi Jian Mei. How could a grown man like him write such profound and delicate poems?"
Han Zhao walked over to the mahogany armchair and sat down. He picked up the tea prepared beside him and took a sip. Then he raised his head and glanced at Mingze. He asked calmly, "So, Mr. Mingze, what do you want to say?"
Mingze said in a serious tone, "I think this is a trap set up by many people to build momentum for Wang Qian. Maybe the officials are behind it. What do you think?"
Han Zhao glanced at Mingze and asked, "We are not good at poetry, so let's not talk about it for now. Let's talk about calligraphy. Who do you think has the ability to create a calligraphy font like the Slender Gold Style and become a master? Who is so generous as to give the title of master to Wang Qian?"
"Back then, when I entered the realm of a master, I was as arrogant as my cursive calligraphy. I wanted to surpass my predecessors, create my own calligraphy style, and become the number one calligraphy master in hundreds of years. However, I have spent more than ten or twenty years and have not made any progress."
"I also understand why there are only a few calligraphy masters over the past thousands of years. They must be the god of literature descending to earth."
Mingze was silent for a moment, then continued: "Then, what if there is an official force behind it?"
Han Zhao asked back: "Why? Why was Wang Qian chosen?"
Mingze said quickly and loudly: "In order to create a grassroots myth that attracts the attention of the whole nation, in order to suppress the Chinese cultural heritage of our island country..."
Han Zhao smiled and shook his head, saying, "Mingze Jibu, you think too much. We Chinese have always suppressed your Chinese culture! You have been learning from us and will always be just a student."
Mingze Jibu remained silent, but there was a look of unwillingness to admit defeat in his eyes.
The middle-aged man also said softly: "Mr. Mingze, this time Wang Qian will give lectures at our Shuimu School in addition to the Central Conservatory of Music and the University of Beijing. You have ample opportunities to find out the truth. Moreover, as far as I know, Mr. Wen Cangjian, one of the three great literary masters from your island country, will visit Wang Qian today."
"Also going with him is Mr. Lin Xizhan from Hong Kong Island."
The middle-aged man only mentioned Wen Cangjian and Lin Xizhan, because in his and Han Zhao's opinion, only these two people were qualified to be mentioned.
Others, even Li Xiyan, are not qualified.
After all, Li Xiyan is not a pure literati, but a musician and calligrapher. He has also recently become a new master of calligraphy, and he studied under Wang Qian and became a new master of Slender Gold calligraphy.
At the same time, Li Xiyan is one of the vice presidents of the Beijing Calligraphy Association, but Han Zhao is the president of the Calligraphy Association, and the only president, but there are several vice presidents.
Therefore, no matter in terms of status, qualifications, or strength, Han Zhao never took Li Xiyan seriously.
Only Wen Cangjian, one of the three great literary masters of the island country, and Lin Xizhan, the best running script calligrapher in the south, are qualified to be compared with Han Zhao.
Han Zhao said softly: "Wen Cangjian's calligraphy and Chinese painting are both excellent, and Lin Xizhan's running script has touched the limit of a master. They are both people who concentrate on studying. However, they are too anxious to meet Wang Qian..."
A hint of contempt flashed across Han Zhao's eyes.
No matter how popular Wang Qian has been recently or how excellent his works are, in Han Zhao's opinion, he is just a junior with no background. How can he be qualified to be visited by seniors like them
Wen Cangjian and Lin Xizhan are lowering their status.
It should be Wang Qian who handed over the visiting card and visited them.
Mingze hurriedly shook his head and said, "Wen Cangjian will not expose Wang Qian. Lin Xizhan's claim to be the best running script in the south is a lie... As far as I know, there are people in Nanyang and Baodao who are not inferior to Lin Xizhan. Although the two old men from the Kong and Li families are low-key, they are very powerful..."
When talking about the Chinese traditional culture families in Taiwan and Southeast Asia, Han Zhao smiled without saying anything, but there was still a hint of pride in his eyes.
Because he is Han Zhao, who learned from a famous teacher and has a profound family background. He is a big shot in the cultural circle of the capital. Facing the masters of Chinese studies from other regions, he has a natural sense of superiority.
Even the person from the Kong family was not taken seriously by him.
Several people were chatting.
At this moment, hurried footsteps were heard, and then the door was pushed open.
A middle-aged man walked in with a young woman. After looking at Han Zhao and Mingze walking quickly, the middle-aged man said respectfully, "Mr. Han, Mr. Mingze. I just heard a piece of news."
Seeing the visitor so anxious, Han Zhao picked up the teacup again and took a sip before asking, "What's the matter? Why are you so anxious? When studying, you should never be impatient at any time."
The middle-aged man said quickly, "I heard from a good friend of Peking University that Mr. Lin Xizhan, Xue Zhenguo, Zhao Shuren, Wen Cangjian, and Li Xiyan left Wang Qian's place. They were accompanied by Jia Fuqing and Zhang Yue from the northwest. The news came from Zhang Yue and Jia Fuqing."
Han Zhao's expression turned serious.
Mingze asked quickly and expectantly, "Did Wang Qian lose when they met and competed with him?"
The middle-aged man shook his head and said seriously: "According to Zhang Yue, their gathering this morning only had one competition."
Only one game
Han Zhao and Ming Ze hurriedly looked curious.
In their opinion, Wen Cangjian and Lin Xizhan were both leading figures in their respective regions. Their visit to Wang Qian must have bad intentions and they wanted to exchange ideas and create some trouble for Wang Qian.
Therefore, there will be at least two competitions.
What, only one game
Mingze asked happily, "Wang Qian lost in one match, so there won't be a second match, right?"
The young woman behind the middle-aged man quickly said, "Of course not. It is said that Mr. Wen Cangjian and Professor Wang Qian were discussing calligraphy and Chinese painting, and Mr. Wen Cangjian used the inspiration he had accumulated over the years to create his best work."
Han Zhao said a little impatiently: "Yueling, just tell me what happened."
The young woman is Han Zhao's granddaughter, Han Yueling, who is currently studying for a doctorate in the Chinese Department of Shuimu. Hearing her grandfather's impatience and seeing Mingze's eagerness, she immediately said, "Then, Professor Wang Qian also created a Chinese painting on the spot and wrote a poem in Slender Gold calligraphy on it, titled "Looking at the Waterfall at Mount Lu". The poem goes, 'The sun shines on the incense burner and produces purple smoke. I can see the waterfall hanging in front of the river from afar. The waterfall falls three thousand feet straight down, as if the Milky Way falls from the sky!'"
After hearing this poem, the eyes of everyone present lit up.
They are all masters and experts in the field of Chinese studies. Even if they cannot write good ancient poetry, their appreciation ability is absolutely top-notch. Naturally, they can tell at a glance that this poem is not an ordinary one, but an excellent landscape description poem, which is not inferior to the several landscape poems that have been passed down through the ages in textbooks.
The middle-aged man whispered: "As expected of Wang Qian, this poem is truly a masterpiece."
Han Zhao did not comment and asked again: "And then? Yueling, continue."
Mingze Jibu also looked serious and said softly: "Bunkang Jian's Chinese painting and calligraphy can be said to be among the best in the island country. He is the best in both calligraphy and painting in the island country."
Han Yueling smiled after hearing Mingze Jibu's words, and then said, "Even though Mr. Wen Cangjian is an expert in both calligraphy and painting, he still has to bow down to Professor Wang. Professor Wang's painting of the waterfall at Mount Lu, plus this poem, and the signature at the end, made Mr. Wen Cangjian admit defeat on the spot, and made Mr. Lin Xizhan leave without writing a single word."
Mingze stood up quickly with a look of disbelief on his face and asked, "Why? A painting, a poem, a signature, how can you do all this?"
Han Zhao's face was also full of curiosity and anticipation: "Keep going!"
Han Yueling nodded and said, "I wasn't there, and I haven't seen Professor Wang's painting. But according to Zhang Yue, that painting is the highest-quality Chinese painting he has ever seen. It's no exaggeration to say that it is the epitome of Chinese painting, and it's several levels higher than Mr. Wen Cangjian's paintings. Mr. Lin Xizhan gave it the highest evaluation on the spot, saying that it was an extraordinary painting and a national treasure."
"This poem is also an excellent landscape poem, and coupled with the calligraphy of the master of Slender Gold calligraphy, it is of extraordinary value."
"And the reason why Mr. Lin Xizhan left without writing a single word was Professor Wang's final signature."
"Zhang Yue described that Professor Wang mentioned Mr. Lin Xizhan, Mr. Wen Cangjian, and Professor Li Xiyan in his signature. However, the calligraphy used was authentic running script, and its level and artistic conception were even higher than Mr. Lin Xizhan's, so Mr. Lin Xizhan couldn't even start writing."
At this moment, Han Zhaodu was so shocked that he stood up directly, spilling most of the tea in the cup in his hand, and stared at his granddaughter Han Yueling with wide eyes.
Mingze quickly shouted out loudly: "This is impossible, this is impossible! This bragging is too fake..."