Chapter 165: Trip to West Lake! (Part 2)
These scholars may not be physically active and do not know how to distinguish between grains, but they are good at calligraphy and painting. Just by looking at the old-fashioned brushwork of this painting of West Lake, you can tell that the uncle who painted this painting is a famous artist with profound skills. But they are very curious about who this old man is.
But after the old man wrote those seven words, he threw the brush aside and looked at his work with a smile.
After a while, he turned around and glanced at the people who were watching the painting, and said with a smile: "Everyone, the seven words I just wrote are the first couplet. If anyone can come up with the second couplet, I will give him this humble work!"
When these words were spoken, everyone was shocked.
This painting can be said to be a rare masterpiece. Even if it is sold, it may be worth a thousand taels of silver. Moreover, the couplet written by the old man is all one word. There are many well-educated people present, but they can't match it up.
Shen Ruoyan frowned and thought for a long time, then sighed, "Alas, this couplet is really hard to match! I'm afraid I won't be able to get a share of this painting of mist and waves!"
Jiang Chengfeng looked at Shen Ruoyan and said with a smile, "Are you so optimistic about this painting?"
Shen Ruoyan curled her soft lips and said, "Look at this painting. The brushwork and artistic conception are both it, I'm afraid they would be willing to pay a fortune to buy it!"
"A thousand gold?" Jiang Chengfeng opened his mouth wide, his heart beating wildly. He could see that the old man's calligraphy and paintings should be worth some money, but he didn't expect them to be worth a thousand gold. He was not very interested in calligraphy and paintings, but he liked silver very much.
"I'm afraid there's more than that!" Shen Ruoyan added.
Jiang Chengfeng laughed wickedly, "Miss, how about this? I'll get the painting, and then we'll sell it. We'll split the money 30% to 70%! I'll take 70% and you'll take 30%!"
Shen Ruoyan rolled her eyes. Why is this guy always thinking about money? He’s a real profiteer!
"Fortunately, no one else could hear it, otherwise they would definitely chase you away!" Shen Ruoyan said in a low voice with annoyance.
After a pause, he suddenly widened his eyes and said, "Can you come up with the second line?"
Jiang Chengfeng smiled and said, "Speaking of which, this couplet is just a word game! I'm just trying it out for fun! But, Miss, don't think I'm trying to show off!"
Shen Ruoyan smiled, "Even if it means showing off, I hope you can show off more!"
As long as Jiang Chengfeng can figure it out, the Shen family will become famous. Shen Ruoyan would love for such a good thing to happen more often!
Jiang Chengfeng smiled, took out a half-broken pencil from his arms, and then walked over in the surprised gaze of everyone, and wrote seven words in the blank space of the calligraphy and painting in a flamboyant manner.
Everyone present had a sad face, and they were excited to see someone trying to come up with the second line of the couplet. However, when they saw clearly that the person was just a servant, they couldn't help but feel disappointed.
After Jiang Chengfeng finished writing, everyone stretched their necks to look curiously, but they saw that the seven words written by the little servant on the white paper were exactly the same as the seven words written by the old man just now.
"I say, why did you copy the first couplet again?" someone shouted in dissatisfaction, with contempt in his eyes.
Jiang Chengfeng just chuckled and said, "Copy? No way! I guess this brother still doesn't understand the meaning of this couplet?"
"If it's not copying, then what is it? Hurry up and go! Don't delay our couplets!" Others were dissatisfied with Jiang Chengfeng and started shouting.
Jiang Chengfeng was too lazy to pay attention to them. He turned around and bowed to the old man, smiling and said, "Old sir, what do you think?"
The old man stroked his beard and smiled, saying, "Did you really copy the first couplet, little brother?"
You old man, you are so ignorant. You are still playing word games with me? You pretend to be ignorant when you know the truth. It is really hateful!
Jiang Chengfeng shook his head and said seriously: "As the saying goes, most articles in the world are plagiarized. It depends on how well you plagiarize! If the old gentleman thinks so, then so be it!"
"Don't be angry, little brother!" The old man laughed, pointed at the couplet on the painting, and said, "Read it to me. If it's right, I'll give you this painting!"
"That's easy!" Jiang Chengfeng said with a smile, "The first line reads like this: Factory Director, Factory Director, Factory Director! The second line reads like this: Palm Chief, Palm Chief, Palm Chief! Old sir, is this right or not?"
The old man clapped his hands and laughed, nodding Jiang Chengfeng a few times, and said with a smile: "Great! I have traveled to many provinces, and this couplet has also stumped talented people in many provinces. I didn't expect that someone would come up with the right answer today. Great!"
After listening to Jiang Chengfeng's reading, the others suddenly realized it and secretly cursed themselves for not thinking of it! This couplet is actually a metaphor for the rising tide of Qiantang River, which complements the scenery of West Lake.
Just as Jiang Chengfeng said before, this couplet is nothing more than a word game. Unfortunately, the talented man present fell into misunderstanding and Jiang Chengfeng got the upper hand for nothing.
Shen Ruoyan also smiled bitterly and shook her head. When she looked at Jiang Chengfeng again with her beautiful eyes, there was a bit more admiration and surprise. She thought that this guy must have heard of this couplet a long time ago!
The old man was also very generous and gave the painting to Jiang Chengfeng.
Seeing Jiang Chengfeng taking away the Yanbo painting that they had been longing for, the talented scholars present became anxious and shouted hurriedly: "Unfair! Unfair!"
The old man wondered, "How is it unfair?"
One of
"A man without faith cannot stand!" The old man smiled bitterly, "I just said that if anyone can come up with the second couplet, I will give him this painting. Now this little brother has come up with it. If I do this, wouldn't it be unfair to me?"
Jiang Chengfeng smiled and nodded. This old man really values trust and integrity. I must sell this painting at a higher price later, so that I can be worthy of this old man!
Just when Jiang Chengfeng was delighted, the old man changed his tone, looked at Jiang Chengfeng, and said, "It's just that you all have this refined taste, and I am also very happy! Why don't I ask this little brother to come up with a first couplet! If someone can come up with the second couplet, I will not hesitate to draw another picture, and I guarantee that it will not be worse than this one!"
The old man's face was glowing with pride, and he was obviously very confident in his calligraphy and painting. Many talented people present believed the old man's words and agreed.
Although Jiang Chengfeng was not happy about it, he did not want to spoil the old man's good mood, so he said, "In that case, I will show you how ugly I am! But I'm going to say it in advance. If no one can answer it, the painting will still belong to me!"
Shen Ruoyan couldn't help but chuckle with her hands covering her mouth. This guy is really a scoundrel. He can even say such words!
