Happy life in the world of film and television

Chapter 1473 Cao Zhen, a Prodigy of the Ming Dynasty
"Ok?"

Jiang Chen turned his head and saw the person not far away, and said in surprise, "Lu Xiaofeng?"

The last time Jiang Chen saw Lu Xiaofeng was at Zhang Sanfeng's 100th birthday banquet, which was more than a year ago.

However, Jiang Chen had a lot of information about Lu Xiaofeng.

It was still quite unexpected for him to encounter it in Jingdezhen.

“Brother Jiang, it really is you. I thought I was seeing things,” Lu Xiaofeng said.

"It's been a long time, Lu Xiaofeng, you've become even more handsome," Jiang Chen said with a smile.

"Brother Jiang is too kind," Lu Xiaofeng said, his eyes full of smiles.

After exchanging pleasantries with Lu Xiaofeng for a while, Jiang Chen asked, "Lu Xiaofeng, what are you doing in Jingdezhen?"

"I'm just here to have fun," Lu Xiaofeng said.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Chen knew that Lu Xiaofeng didn't want to say more, which didn't surprise him. After all, he wasn't familiar with Lu Xiaofeng.

"Brother Jiang, what brings you to Jingdezhen?" Lu Xiaofeng asked.

"Me? I came to see the porcelain from Jingdezhen. I've heard that Jingdezhen porcelain is very famous, so I wanted to come and see it." Jiang Chen didn't hide his purpose.

"Looking at porcelain? Does such a small matter require Brother Jiang to personally handle it?" Lu Xiaofeng was quite surprised.

“A small matter? I don’t think it’s a small matter at all.” Jiang Chen smiled and said, “When it comes to porcelain, whether you use it yourself or give it to someone else, the most important thing is the quality. Seeing is believing, so it’s always good to come and see for yourself.”

“That’s true,” Lu Xiaofeng agreed.

After chatting with Lu Xiaofeng for a while, Jiang Chen took his leave.

Fifteen minutes later, Jiang Chen arrived at a courtyard.

"Husband, you are here."

Wang Xining came forward to greet him.

"Have you been waiting long?" Jiang Chen stepped forward and started chatting with Wang Xining.

After a moment, Wang Xining said, "Husband, let's go take a look at those porcelain pieces first."

"Okay." Jiang Chen nodded.

Since Jingdezhen was named after "Yingqing porcelain" during the Jingde period of the Song Dynasty, it has become a production site for imperial porcelain due to its exquisite porcelain-making techniques, superb porcelain-making standards, and unique porcelain-making environment, and has remained prosperous for thousands of years.

In the Third World, on the continent of the Ming Dynasty, a world blended with Ming Dynasty films and television dramas, the firing techniques of blue and white porcelain reached their peak.

Led by Wang Xining, Jiang Chen arrived at a warehouse.

“My lord, this is a blue and white porcelain water bottle with a peony scroll design. In the 16th year of the First World, a similar blue and white porcelain water bottle with a peony scroll design sold for HK$99,320,000 at Sotheby’s Spring Auction in Hong Kong. This bottle has a unique shape and exquisite decoration,” Wang Xining said, pointing to the blue and white porcelain water bottle with a peony scroll design.

"Is this a blue and white porcelain flat pot with floral and brocade patterns and ruyi-shaped handles?" Jiang Chen pointed to the blue and white porcelain flat pot with floral and brocade patterns and ruyi-shaped handles next to him and said.

"Yes, at the Sotheby's Hong Kong Spring Auction in 1916, a blue and white porcelain flat flask with floral and brocade patterns and ruyi-shaped handles sold for a high price of HK$110,520,000. The flask has an elegant shape and delicate decoration."

Wang Xining added, “This is a blue-and-white porcelain flat flask with seasonal floral patterns, a rare masterpiece from Jingdezhen. Its unique flat, round shape, exquisite craftsmanship, and distinctive blue-and-white characteristics make it a standout in the art world. The rim is decorated with scrolling grass patterns, the neck with intertwined floral branches, and the body is adorned with seasonal flowers, each detail exuding refinement and elegance. The use of cobalt blue pigment makes the blue color vibrant and eye-catching, while the occasional dark spots add a touch of ink painting charm. The free and vigorous brushstrokes, set against the backdrop of black crystalline spots, make the colors appear even clearer and brighter…”

"This is a polychrome fish and seaweed pattern covered jar. The jar has a lipped rim, a short neck and full shoulders, a rounded belly that gradually slopes down, and a concave foot at the bottom. The entire body is delicately painted with traditional fish and seaweed patterns in blue, red, yellow, and green. The shoulders are decorated with leaf patterns, and near the foot, banana leaf patterns are painted in blue, adding a touch of nature. The belly is carefully painted with eight carp in yellow and iron-red, surrounded by various aquatic plants and lotus flowers, forming a vivid underwater world..."

Wang Xining then introduced them one by one.

“These are all good stuff,” Jiang Chen said.

“Yes, in the First World, these things would cost nine figures, but the prices are lower here. Of course, we bought them using our royal status; otherwise, the price would have been several times higher,” Wang Xining said.

“These porcelain pieces would be priceless even on other continents, let alone in the First World.” Jiang Chen waved his hand and collected the porcelain pieces from the storeroom. “Let’s go to the second storeroom.”

"Okay." Jiang Chen nodded.

Half an hour later, Jiang Chen finally put away the porcelain that Wang Xining had bought.

"This is a good haul. The Doucai grape-patterned cup alone is enough for our entire Jiang family," Jiang Chen remarked.

This doucai (enamel overglaze enamel) cup with a grape motif measures 5.6 cm in diameter at the mouth and 2.6 cm in diameter at the foot. It is small and exquisite in shape, with a fine porcelain body, vibrant colors, and meticulous craftsmanship. The grapevine motif on the cup's surface is meticulously composed, with flowing lines, vivid imagery, and appropriate use of color. The red branches, tinged with purple, are depicted as robust and powerful. Green leaves, lush and green, reveal the stems beneath. Yellow tendrils, delicate and seemingly growing, are rendered in gold. Purple grapes, like ripe purple grapes hanging from the vines, are depicted in gold. The use of these colors vividly captures the original colors of the grapes.

This doucai grape-patterned cup is a product from the Chenghua period in history. However, the Ming Dynasty is a world that integrates film and television, and it produced quite a few doucai grape-patterned cups. Given the Jiang family's situation, it would be easy for them to buy one.

“Yes, this is unimaginable in the First World.” Wang Xining said with great emotion, but considering the situation of the Jiang family, he knew that this was just normal practice.

“Things will get better and better in the future,” Jiang Chen said.

"Yes." Wang Xining believed it without a doubt.

"It's a pity the time was too short, but maybe I can buy more next time I come," Jiang Chen said.

"Well, porcelain making takes time. But what about the porcelain making techniques in the Sui and Tang Dynasties?" Wang Xining asked.

"Each has its own merits. The Ming and Qing dynasties were the golden age of porcelain development, with both official and private kilns achieving remarkable results, producing a wide variety of porcelain with exquisite craftsmanship. However, due to differences in the historical context and aesthetic trends, the two periods differ significantly in many aspects. Modern Ming dynasty porcelain is characterized by its simple and grand shapes, often displaying a sense of strength and boldness. Take the plum vase as an example: its shoulders are full, its body is long, and its lines are strong and upright, giving it a dignified and stable visual impact. Its design not only considers practicality but also emphasizes the overall artistic beauty, reflecting the bold ideas and superb skills of the artisans of that time."

Jiang Chen paused for a moment, then said, "Qing Dynasty porcelain is more exquisite and beautiful in shape, with attention to detail and proportion. For example, the famille rose porcelain vase has smooth and soft lines, a long neck, and a rounded belly. The proportions are just right, showing its exquisite elegance and reflecting the delicate pursuit of porcelain shape at that time. Ming Dynasty porcelain generally has a coarser body with obvious graininess, and the body color is mostly white with a yellowish tinge."

"Qing dynasty porcelain from the mainland was characterized by its fine, white, and dense body. Especially during the Kangxi and Qianlong reigns, porcelain-making techniques reached their peak, with more refined selection and processing of the clay, resulting in a near-perfect porcelain body and providing a solid foundation for exquisite decoration. Ming dynasty porcelain from the mainland had a thick, lustrous glaze, often exhibiting an orange-peel texture. This naturally formed texture added depth and richness to the glaze. For example, Yongle sweet-white glaze porcelain had a warm, jade-like surface, and the orange-peel texture, under the refraction of light, added a touch of hazy beauty. Qing dynasty porcelain, on the other hand, had a relatively smooth and even glaze with a soft luster."

It's one thing if it's just the Ming Dynasty mainland, but anyone who has been to the Qing Dynasty mainland in the Second World will know the difference between the two.

Jiang Chen bought a lot of porcelain when he went to the Qing Dynasty mainland before. He also bought some from the Song Dynasty in the central continent of the Second World. But since each has its own merits, buying more in the Ming Dynasty mainland now does not conflict with his previous purchases.

“A trip to the Second World only takes three months, and it’s even harder to buy things there than on the Great Ming Continent,” Wang Xining said.

"Mm." Jiang Chen nodded.

Three trips to the Second World are less efficient than one trip to the Third World. And based on the First World's conditions, three trips to the Second World would take approximately nine months in the First World itself. Conversely, one trip to the Third World would take only five months in the First World.

Therefore, if you want to buy porcelain, it's faster to go to Jingdezhen in the Ming Dynasty or Jingdezhen in the Qin Empire of the Sky Dome (the Qin Empire also has a Jingdezhen, but its porcelain is relatively less advanced).

"Let's go, let's take a look around Jingdezhen first, and then leave," Jiang Chen said.

“Okay.” Wang Xining had no objection.

At that moment, Jiang Chen and Wang Xining walked out of the courtyard.

This courtyard was bought by Wang Xining and will later become the Jiang family's stronghold in Jingdezhen.

After touring Jingdezhen, Jiang Chen and Wang Xining flew to Yingtian Prefecture.

"Husband, are you going to the palace or the Hidden Mountain Villa?" Wang Xining asked as they landed near Yingtian Prefecture.

"I'll go to the palace first," Jiang Chen said.

“Then I’ll go to Shenyin Manor,” Wang Xining said.

"Okay." Jiang Chen nodded.

After parting ways with Wang Xining, Jiang Chen walked step by step toward Yingtian Prefecture.

Just as Jiang Chen arrived at the gate of Yingtian Prefecture, he saw a carriage coming from the other side.

There is a check required to enter Yingtianfu.

No one was surprised.

Therefore, during the inspection, Jiang Chen saw the people in the carriage.

"Ok?"

With a quick glance, Jiang Chen's gaze sharpened.

Almost simultaneously, a system notification sounded.

"Sign in."

Jiang Chen silently recited in his heart.

[Congratulations, host! You have successfully checked in and received 100,000 Broken-Feathered Black Tiger Arrows.]

"One hundred thousand Black Tiger Arrows with Broken Feathers?"

"This is what I got from the seventeenth time I checked in."

"The Shattered Feather Black Tiger Arrow is a sixth-grade weapon." "The Shattered Feather Wolf Fang Arrow no longer poses much of a threat to Martial King Realm warriors, but the Shattered Feather Black Tiger Arrow can even break through the protective qi of Martial Emperor Realm warriors."

"Martial artists below the Grandmaster level can only shoot the Shattered Wolf Fang Arrow with the Golden Silk Divine Arm Bow, while only martial artists at the Martial King level can unleash the full power of the Shattered Black Tiger Arrow."

"The Shattered Wolf Fang Arrow can now be mass-produced, while the Shattered Black Tiger Arrow can only be obtained through daily login rewards."

At that moment, Jiang Chen looked at the female lead who had signed in.

Cao Zhen is a character in the TV series "The Great Ming Genius".

In the drama, she and Xie Jin were childhood sweethearts, inseparable and studying together. Xie Jin and her cousin Wu Guang were both selected as Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations). Cao Zhen was overjoyed to hear of Xie Jin's selection. However, Xie Jin was already engaged, which caused Cao Zhen immense grief. Forced into marriage by her father and cousin, Cao Zhen, in despair, drowned herself in a river.

"I never expected that 'The Great Ming Genius' would be this drama."

“Cao Zhen…”

In the drama, Cao Zhen has always admired Xie Jin's talent and has long harbored feelings for him. Knowing he is a genius of unparalleled talent, she declares, "I will not marry anyone but a genius of unparalleled talent." Xie Jin also has feelings for Cao Zhen, but his father, Cao Xuan, is a high-ranking official, making them not only mismatched in social standing, but Xie Jin's arrogance and lack of social skills also alienate Cao Xuan. Ultimately, they are destined to be apart. When Cao Zhen learns that Xie Jin has married Cui Lian, she is heartbroken and, later forced into marriage by her father, Cao Xuan, she drowns herself.

She was rescued and encountered Xie Jin, but he didn't remember her, and she had to introduce herself. Cao Zhen helped Xie Jin advise the monarch, and then left. When they met again, Cao Zhen had become a nun, while Xie Jin was falsely accused of harboring the daughter of a wanted criminal. Knowing that Xie Jin couldn't clear his name, Cao Zhen committed suicide by crashing her head against the palace wall.

"I didn't expect it to be her."

"I wonder how far Cao Zhen's story has progressed."

"However, with Cao Zhen appearing here, how far has the plot progressed?"

Jiang Chen's eyes flickered.

Cao Zhen's father was a high-ranking official, so why didn't Cao Zhen participate in the imperial concubine selection?

Is this deceiving the emperor?
He himself was Zhu Yunwen, the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty, and all the noble ladies in the land should be chosen by him first.

what?
Is this immoral?

How can it be?

With the word "Dao" in his left hand and "De" in his right, doesn't that mean he has morality?
At that moment, Jiang Chen entered Yingtian Prefecture.

……

In the Sui and Tang dynasties, the capital of Nanchen was established, in the Jiang family residence.

"Miss Mu, this is for you." Jiang Chen handed over the item in his hand.

"What is this?" Mu Zhuohua asked.

"The Four Treasures of the Study, I wish you success in the imperial examination," Jiang Chen said.

“The Four Treasures of the Study? I have them,” Mu Zhuohua said.

“Look, mine should be better than yours,” Jiang Chen said.

Upon hearing this, Mu Zhuohua opened it and took a look, discovering that the writing implements were indeed better than hers: "This is too precious."

"Take it, it's just a set of writing implements," Jiang Chen said with a smile. "As long as you pass the imperial examination, this set of writing implements is worth it."

Jiang Chen wanted to win Mu Zhuohua's heart, but she had also run away from an arranged marriage, so ordinary methods wouldn't work. The only option was to use a gradual, insidious approach.

"This..." Mu Zhuohua was still somewhat hesitant.

"Take it, I'm not asking you to do anything bad," Jiang Chen said with a smile.

"This..." Mu Zhuohua hesitated for a moment before accepting it.

"Oh right, and this too." Jiang Chen took out a fasting pill.

"What is this?" Mu Zhuohua asked.

“Our Jiang family’s Bigu Pill can make you feel no hunger for half a month after taking it. You can try it.” Jiang Chen thought that the Bigu Pill would be very useful for Mu Zhuohua to take the imperial examination.

"A fasting pill?" Mu Zhuohua looked at Jiang Chen with suspicion.

“Yes.” Jiang Chen nodded and said, “Our Jiang family has all taken it. Unlike those metal-refined ones, it’s made from the essence of herbs and trees.”

"The essence of plants?" Mu Zhuohua was very puzzled.

She recognized every single word Jiang Chen said, but why couldn't she understand them when they were put together?
"Correct."

Jiang Chen gave a brief introduction.

He knew Mu Zhuohua's worries and concerns. If he hadn't had such a great opportunity, he wouldn't have believed it if someone had suddenly told him about the existence of the Bigu Pill.

Finally, Jiang Chen said, "Miss Mu, it's up to you whether or not to take this fasting pill. However, I'd like to take you to meet someone today."

"Who?" Mu Zhuohua didn't believe in any fasting pills; in her opinion, fasting pills were a complete fabrication.

“Princess Roujia,” Jiang Chen said.

"Princess Roujia?" Mu Zhuohua had come to Dingjing and naturally knew Princess Roujia. However, Jiang Chen knew Princess Roujia.

"Yes, it is Princess Roujia, Liu Roujia."

Jiang Chen nodded and said, "Nanchen previously had an empress, and as a woman, if you want to participate in the imperial examinations and enter the court, Princess Roujia can become your backer."

In Jiang Chen's view, once you enter the imperial court, even if you don't want to form cliques or engage in corruption, you still have to choose sides.

Throughout history, there have been very few loyal ministers.

“This…” Mu Zhuohua hesitated.

“Look at me, you want to take the imperial examination now, but now is not the time.” Jiang Chen smiled and said, “You don’t need to take this to heart, you should just focus on the imperial examination.”

"Thank you, Young Master Jiang." Mu Zhuohua bowed.

"Let's go study," Jiang Chen said.

"Mm," Mu Zhuohua responded, then turned and left.

Jiang Chen watched Mu Zhuohua's departing figure, his eyes flickering.

"Husband."

Just then, Du Bingyan walked over.

“Bingyan.” Jiang Chen turned to look at Du Bingyan.

"Husband."

Du Bingyan bowed.

Jiang Chen helped Du Bingyan up.

"Husband, have you taken a fancy to Mu Zhuohua?" Du Bingyan asked.

"Yes." Jiang Chen did not hide anything.

What's wrong with liking Mu Zhuohua?

In Jiang Chen's opinion, it was Mu Zhuohua's good fortune to have taken a liking to her.

Yes, that's good fortune.

Becoming his woman means becoming a member of the Jiang family, and the most direct benefit is an increased lifespan.

"Do you need our help?" Du Bingyan asked.

“No need. Mu Zhuohua wants to take the imperial examination now, and I don’t want this to affect her,” Jiang Chen said.

“Okay,” Du Bingyan replied, then said, “Nanchen is different from the Song Dynasty in the Second World. If we were in the Song Dynasty…”

“If Nan Chen were like the Song Kingdom in the Second World, Mu Zhuohua wouldn’t have fled to Dingjing.” Jiang Chen had already shown Du Bingyan and the others the intelligence about Mu Zhuohua that the Embroidered Uniform Guard had investigated.

“That’s true.” Du Bingyan thought of Mu Zhuohua’s elopement.

If it were someone from the Second World's Song Kingdom, no one would have the courage to ask Mu Zhuohua such a question. Therefore, Du Bingyan greatly admired Mu Zhuohua. However, despite her admiration, she fully supported Jiang Chen's desire to win Mu Zhuohua's heart.

Married women obey their husbands; this is something ingrained in her very being.

“Let’s go for a walk,” Jiang Chen said to Du Bingyan.