Chapter 41 On Painting

After eating the lunch that Xue Biao brought back, Chen Heng continued to write on the white paper. Because it is to be sold in a library, Chen Heng strives 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 writing, 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 about to come over and 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, 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" take advantage of 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 this 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 tell the difference 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 Master Xu had brought it in 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 Zhu 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, how could I be 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.

Seeing this, Chen Heng had no choice but to step forward. He smiled bitterly at the two of them and said, "My two brothers, I am not good at appreciating paintings. I am just talking nonsense. If there is any bias, please bear with me."

"It's okay, brother Heng, please be more relaxed. This is a matter of preference. You can speak freely." Cui Youdao smiled kindly. Du Yunjing, who was standing opposite him, just nodded, obviously agreeing with Cui Youdao's words, and took a step forward to make room for Chen Heng to appreciate the paintings.

Chen Heng stepped forward to observe the two paintings carefully. Previously, he was outside with many classmates between him, so he didn't see many details clearly. This time, standing close to them, he found some clues.

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

Everyone shouted and said: So many people are standing, how can they see it wrong? Chen Lang, don't be partial.

Chen Heng also said frankly: "Do you remember that when Master Xu talked about Li Daizhao, he said that in his later years, his painting style was greatly improved, and he entered the realm of simplicity from complexity. The texture of the mountains and rocks he painted was strong, and people could feel the hardness of the mountains and rocks when he moved his brushstrokes."

"Then the stone in this painting is exactly in line with this point?" Someone retorted.

"Yes." Chen Heng nodded, but also pointed to the top, "But this is the style of Li Daizhao's later years. Look at the seal used here. It is the one that Li Daizhao used in his early years in the court."

When Chen Heng said this, Qian Dayou, who came over at some point, excitedly raised his hand in the crowd, "I know, I know. Master Xu said that this seal was no longer used after Li Daizhao left the court."

The crowd then understood what Chen Heng meant. After thinking about it carefully, Xu Jinhou did say this.

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

Du Yunjing suffered a loss in the middle, his face was turning pale and blue, and he did not reply to Chen Heng's words. He just looked at Cui Youdao who was smiling all the time, "You found out a long time ago, didn't you?"

Because of the noise at this time, it was unknown whether Cui Youdao heard it clearly, but Chen Heng heard it clearly. He turned his head to look at the person in front of him. Cui Youdao was still smiling with narrowed eyes like before, with a kind face.

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

Xu Jinhou, who appeared from nowhere, walked up with a big laugh, took the painting from Chen Heng's hand, and said bluntly without waiting for everyone to speak: "This painting was made by the family of the headmaster. As for the seal on it, I was the one who carved it and stamped it."

Everyone then reacted, "So everything was planned by you, Master Xu?"

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

Everyone was panicked and scattered. Only Xu Jinhou chased after them and said, "It's useless to cover your face. I've been watching carefully. If anyone doesn't hand it in, be careful of my board."

Alas, it was not easy to study in ancient times. Chen Heng escaped by luck, but he felt a kind of grief for the dead. These teachers are burying pits in the east and traps in the west. It really makes people read books carefully.

On the way back, Qian Dayou and Jiang Yuanbai went with them. Chen Heng suddenly remembered Xue Ke's previous appearance and asked, "Did you find it a long time ago?"

"I don't have the ability to see the seal clearly from such a distance." Xue Ke just waved his hand and said disapprovingly, "It's just that the original copy of Li Daizhao's "Peony at Noon" is hanging in my father's study."

Qian Dayou and Jiang Yuanbai opened their mouths wide and suddenly understood what a rich family is.

"I'm so stupid." Qian Dayou looked up at the sky helplessly, "When you first entered school, I wanted to compete with you. Now think about it, I'm afraid I can't catch up with you in several lifetimes."

Jiang Yuanbai is only ten years old this year, and he just wondered, "Brother Qian, how difficult is this? As long as you pass the exam to become a scholar earlier than my brother, you will be better than him."

"How can a scholar be enough? At least you have to be a juren." Qian Dayou had a bitter face. He didn't rank well in the provincial exam, and his reading and writing were also mediocre. When it comes to passing the imperial examination, he himself began to worry.

Chen Heng patted the other's shoulder with empathy, "God will not let down those who work hard, we just have to work hard."

Thank you for voting, book friends. As a new author who is ignorant, I still hope that everyone can support me more. I know that what I write is average, but I will try to write better.

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