The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

After eating the lunch that Xue Biao brought back, Chen Heng continued to write on the white paper. Because it was to be sold in a library, Chen Heng strived to write every word perfectly without making any mistakes. So he usually writes a few sentences and then pauses for a moment to let his hands and thoughts slow down.

Xue tadpole is unruly by nature, so you can live with it wherever you can see it. I only took a few glances at Chen Heng's words, then went to his seat to read Xianshu.

Suddenly, a classmate hurriedly opened the door and came in. When he saw them, he said, Why are you still sitting here? Come on, Cui Youdao and Du Yunjing are quarreling. Let's go watch some fun.

Brother Jiang, what are they arguing about? Xue Biao put down the book and looked at the person with some curiosity.

This man's name is Jiang Yuanbai. He is just eleven years old this year, and he is at the age where he likes to have fun. Hahaha, you will know when you go there. Brother Heng, why are you still sitting down? Stop writing.

When Chen Heng saw that he was coming to pull him away, he immediately put away his pen and stood up helplessly: Maybe he was commenting on the other person's article and then disagreeing.

Jiang Yuanbai was willing to give him some time to push the blame, so he took Chen Heng's hand and ran out.

I don’t know if Cui Youdao and Du Yunjing were born in conflict with each other. One is fourteen and the other is fifteen, they live in the same house, and they are both among the top three in this government examination. After so many coincidences, I don't know how these two people ended up in such a situation that they didn't like each other.

Following Jiang Yuanbai, he came to Tiren Hall, a small independent building with its back to the lecture hall. Inside, there were calligraphy, painting and calligraphy donated by salt merchants, as well as some collections of masters.

There is a stone tablet at the entrance of the Tiren Hall, with the names of the salt merchants who donated the tuition fees engraved on it. The first name at the beginning was Feng Zhu, whom Chen Heng had met once.

Chen Heng had no time to think too much. When he was dragged into the hall, there were already many senior students standing inside to watch the fun. Cui Youdao and Du Yunjing were in the center. The two men each stood in front of a painting, still debating.

I still think Qinshangong's paintings are better. The peonies he painted have unrestrained postures and bright and bold colors. Cui Youdao pointed to his favorite painting and continued to make it famous, Look at this cat again.

Everyone looked over and saw a lifelike civet cat standing on a stone, quietly poking its head out from behind the peonies. Its tail was slightly curled up and resting lightly on the peony branches. Once you see it, you can feel the lazy and comfortable demeanor of the civet cat.

Cui Youdao continued: Both Master Xu and Master Mei have said that when appreciating a painting, one should look at the spirit of the painting, the second should look at the bone image, and the third should look at the subtlety of transmission. Doesn't Qin Shanggong's Peony at Noon capture everything? A clever word?”

Everyone was stunned and nodded in approval.

Since Du Yunjing is also a prominent figure in the academy, he naturally has his own way of saying things. He is definitely not someone who makes trouble out of nothing. I saw him admitting and nodding: Qin Shanggong's paintings are indeed very outstanding. But you also talked about the three methods of evaluating paintings. It really depends on the spirit of spirit, the bone image, and the exquisite transmission. Isn't Li Daizhao's painting even more outstanding? Some?

Everyone turned to look at Du Yunjing's painting on the platform, and saw that the brushwork in the painting was equally brilliant. The carefully painted peonies took up most of the painting, and underneath stood a half-standing civet cat, stretching out its front paws to pounce on the butterfly in the air.

The exquisiteness of this painting, in addition to its exquisite painting skills, is the change of light and shadow.

After the painting Peony at Noon became famous due to Ouyang Xiu, it became a must-do exercise for many masters of later generations. Later painters mostly fixed the light on the top of the drawing paper and combined it with the changes in the cat's eyes to highlight it.

But the one that Du Yunjing likes goes in the opposite direction. First, he boldly moves the sunlight from the top to the side, and then uses the changing light and shadow on the butterfly wings to set off the sideways civet cat. Everyone can see the line-like cat's eyes and feel the transition between movement and stillness through the butterfly.

Everyone has learned painting skills for half a month, so they can naturally distinguish between good and bad. Just asking them to choose between the two will inevitably lead to disputes over their own opinions.

Jiang Yuanbai took advantage of everyone's argument and pulled Chen Heng and Xue Biao to talk about the cause of the matter. This painting that Cui Youdao likes has been placed in Tirentang for a long time. Du Yunjing liked this one. I heard that he was put in by Master Xu this morning.

Coincidentally, these two paintings both depict Peony at Noon. I think Master Xu put them together for students to comment on because of this.

The authors of these two paintings were both famous painters in the Song Dynasty. Qinshan Gong's real name was Ma Yuan, and Qinshan was his nickname. Li Daizhao is talking about Li Tang, because he once served as Daizhao in the Song Dynasty Painting Academy. Later generations often called him: Li Daizhao.

I don’t know how Cui Youdao and Du Yunjing, the two sparkling sons, bumped into each other while appreciating paintings.

After listening to Jiang Yuanbai's narration, Chen Heng couldn't help but nod his head. He guessed that Master Xu meant that he also hoped that the students could apply the knowledge in their minds by comparing the two famous paintings.

He also exchanged his views on them with the two classmates beside him. Chen Heng preferred the painting that Li Daizhao liked, while Jiang Yuanbai felt that Qin Shanggong's painting was more vivid. Xue Biao stood aside, smiling and saying nothing.

Just when Jiang Yuanbai wanted to ask further questions, someone suddenly raised his hand and pointed in their direction.

What's the use of talking so much. Isn't the head of the government examination here? Mr. Chen, come and tell everyone.

Chen Heng secretly screamed in his heart, Oh no, why did I get involved in this kind of thing where the public is right and the mother-in-law is right? Just as he was about to leave, the crowd in front of him had already separated into a path, and at the end was Du Yunjing, who was staring at him eagerly.

Chen Heng was helpless and had no choice but to step forward. He smiled bitterly at the two of them and said, Brothers, I am not good at appreciating paintings. I speak like a child. If there is any bias, please bear with me.

It's okay, Brother Heng, please be at ease. This is just a matter of preference, so everyone can speak freely. Cui Youdao smiled with kindness. Du Yunjing, who was standing opposite him, just nodded, obviously agreeing with Cui Youdao's words, and took a step directly to make room for Chen Heng to appreciate the paintings.

Chen Heng stepped forward and observed the two paintings carefully. There were many classmates separated by them outside, and there were many details that he could not see clearly. This time he stood so close that he discovered some clues.

But Chen Heng was still a little unsure, so he found a tall senior student and asked him to take down Li Daizhao's painting. After Chen Heng put it in his hand and looked at it carefully, he shook his head at Du Yunjing and the others and said, I think we all saw it wrong. This painting should not be a painting by Li Daizhao.

Everyone shouted and said: With so many people standing, how could they get it wrong? Chen Lang, please don't be partial.

Chen Heng also said calmly: You all still remember that when Master Xu talked about Li Daizhao, he once said that in his later years, his painting style made great progress and entered the realm from complexity to simplicity. The texture of the mountains and rocks he made was strong, and the brushwork As you walk, you can feel the hardness of the rocks.”

Then the stones in this painting don't fit this point? someone retorted.

Yes. Chen Heng nodded, but also pointed at the top, But this is the style of Li Daizhao's painting in his later years. Look at the seal used here, it is still the one Li Daizhao used when he was in the court in his early years. pieces.

When Chen Heng said this, he didn't know when Qian Dayou came over. He raised his hands in the crowd excitedly, I know, I know. Master Xu said that this seal will no longer be used after Li Daizhao left the court. .”

Only then did everyone understand what Chen Heng meant. After thinking about it carefully, they found that Xu Jinhou had indeed said this.

At this point, there is no need to debate which painting is better. Chen Heng still said to Du Yunjing: If I really like the two paintings, I still like this one more imitation. The beauty of movement and stillness makes me feel like a civet cat will pounce in front of me.

Du Yunjing was stunned, his face turned green and white, but he didn't reply to Chen Heng's words. Just looking at Cui Youdao who was always smiling at the side, You have noticed it earlier, haven't you?

Because of the loud noise, I don't know if Cui Youdao heard it clearly, but Chen Heng understood it clearly. He turned to look at the former. Cui Youdao was still smiling with his eyes narrowed and his face full of kindness as before.

When Chen Heng turned around to look at Du Yunjing, Du Yunjing had already turned around and walked out.

Marquis Xu Jin appeared out of nowhere, walked up with a big smile, took the painting from Chen Heng's hand, and without waiting for anyone to speak, said bluntly: This painting was made by the mountain chief's family. As for the seal on it, it was carved. And the one who covers it is me.”

Only then did everyone realize, So Master Xu, everything was your plan?

Xu Jinhou laughed and said, If I don't take a test on you, how will you know how well you have learned? Those students who just admitted their mistakes should copy by hand all the key points I said last time and hand them over to me tomorrow.

Everyone was in a panic and couldn't choose their way, and they dispersed like birds and beasts. Only Xu Jinhou chased after them and said, It's no use covering your face. I'm watching carefully. Anyone who doesn't hand it in should be careful about my board.

Alas, it was not easy to study in ancient times. Chen Heng was lucky enough to escape, but he felt sad that the rabbit had died and the fox had died. These masters bury a pit in the East and a trap in the Tibet. It really makes people read with caution.

On the way back, Qian Dayou and Jiang Yuanbai were with them. Chen Heng suddenly remembered Xue Biao's appearance before and asked, Have you discovered it a long time ago?

I have the ability to see the seal clearly from such a distance. Xue Biao just waved his hand and said disapprovingly: It's just that the original Noon Peony by Li Daizhao is hanging in my father's study.

Qian Dayou and Jiang Yuanbai opened their mouths, and suddenly understood what a wealthy family meant.

I'm so stupid. Qian Dayou looked up at the sky helplessly, When you first entered school, I wanted to compete with you. Thinking about it now, I'm afraid I won't be able to catch up with you for a few lifetimes.

Jiang Yuanbai was only ten years old this year. He just wondered from the side: Brother Qian, how difficult is this? As long as you pass the scholar examination earlier than Brother Qian, you will be better than him.

How can I be a scholar? At least I have to be a scholar. Qian Dayou said with a grimace. His ranking in the imperial examination was not good, and his reading and writing were quite satisfactory. When it came to winning the exam, he himself started to feel worried.

Chen Heng patted the other party's shoulder empathetically, All your hard work pays off, we just have to work hard.

Thank you book friends for voting. As an ignorant new author, I still hope that everyone can support me more. I know that my writing is average, but I will work hard to write better.

Thank you, a hundred book friends actually invested in this book, hahahahaha, I am embarrassed to tell my family the title of my book. Suddenly I felt a little proud, as a hundred people invested. Hahaha, does this investment cost money?