prosperous age

In ancient China, calligraphy and painting, as an elegant art form, not only bore the important responsibility of cultural inheritance, but were also highly sought-after commodities in the market.

Antiques in prosperous times, gold in troubled times.

In the new century, with the development of the domestic economy, the value of antiques and calligraphy and paintings has soared, and works with auction prices of hundreds of millions of yuan are commonplace.

However, in the Ming Dynasty, although calligraphy and paintings were also highly valuable, they also had their own unique characteristics.

Simply put, in the Ming Dynasty's calligraphy and painting market at that time, calligraphy was more valuable than paintings, and works by famous artists were priced significantly higher than those by ordinary painters.

For collectors, paintings and calligraphy from the Wei and Jin dynasties are highly regarded, while those from the Song dynasty are priced slightly lower.

As for the "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" scroll, its fame is mainly due to the inscriptions on it, which are all written by famous calligraphers and are of great value.

As for the paintings that were later praised, well, at this time most people would consider them just an extra.

Of course, people who love painting wouldn't see it that way.

In the Ming Dynasty art market, paintings by famous artists such as Dong Qichang, Wen Zhengming, Qiu Ying, and Zhou Zhimian were generally priced at one hundred taels of silver, while ordinary paintings were no more than a few dozen taels.

A painting by Jing Hao, a landscape painter of the Five Dynasties period, could sell for 200 taels of silver, but Wang Xizhi's "Zhan Jin Tie", although small in size, was priced as high as 2000 taels of silver.

There were also paintings by Tang Bohu, who became famous in later generations; at that time, each painting was only worth twenty or thirty taels of silver.

His paintings of court ladies were highly praised by later generations. Wei Guangde had also seen some of them, but he was not interested in them. Instead, he spent several dozen taels of silver to acquire a few landscape paintings.

Well, actually, Wei Guangde felt that Tang Bohu's landscape paintings seemed to have more spirit than his paintings of ladies.

At this time, the "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" painting in Wei Guangde's hands was worth many times more than those other works, because those paintings could never be auctioned.

Perhaps, among the legendary paintings valued at billions, only "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" is worthy of such a high price.

"Brother Shuanglin, I'll give you a letter directly. You can take it to Jinling and get the silver notes there. Is that alright?"

Wei Guangde spoke to Feng Bao, taking into account Feng Bao's status as a prisoner and the fact that he might not be able to travel with several thousand taels of silver.

Upon hearing this, Feng Bao smiled slightly, but he simply cupped his hands in greeting to Wei Guangde and said, "In that case, I'll trouble you with the loan."

Feng Bao was genuinely pleased that Wei Guangde was considering his needs.

In fact, he had some concerns beforehand, namely that it was very inconvenient to carry so much silver on the road.

Now that Wei Guangde is letting him go directly to Nanjing to collect the silver, it saves him a lot of trouble.

As for whether Wei Guangde would embezzle his money, Feng Bao never considered that.

If Wei Guangde is interested in five thousand taels of silver, then he's just so-so.

In reality, Wei Guangde would not do that.

In business, he believed in the principle of fairness; those who cheat and swindle in business would not last long.

Many entrepreneurs in later generations, in order to compete in the market, desperately squeezed their employees' wages, used cheap and substandard materials, and shamelessly claimed that they were the latest technology.

Shit.

He can be protected domestically, but once he goes abroad, his true colors are revealed.

The smarter ones would create two versions: one for the domestic market and one for export.

In response, there are only three words: "shameless."

Upon seeing that Feng Bao had agreed, Wei Guangde immediately wrote a letter.

"Zhang Ji, Zhang Ji."

As he wrote, Wei Guangde shouted to the outside.

Zhang Ji, who was at the door, hurriedly came in. He first bowed slightly to Feng Bao before walking to Wei Guangde's side.

"What shops does your family own in Nanjing?"

Wei Guangde asked.

Although he found Wei Guangde's question strange, Zhang Ji immediately replied, "Dechanghao is a business my family runs in Nanjing."

"What's the shopkeeper's name?"

Wei Guangde continued to ask.

Once he understood the situation in Nanjing, Wei Guangde wrote a letter.

But that wasn't the end of it. Wei Guangde then wrote to Wang Guoguang and Xu Bangrui in Nanjing, asking them to take care of Feng Bao's life in Nanjing.

After writing the two letters, Wei Guangde chatted with Feng Bao for a while, and after the ink dried, he put them into two envelopes and handed them to Feng Bao to keep.

"Good job, I'll be leaving now. My identity is sensitive right now, so it's really inconvenient for me to stay any longer."

With the matter settled, Feng Bao breathed a sigh of relief and immediately took his leave.

Wei Guangde knew all this, so he didn't try to stop him, but instead saw him out.

However, when he reached the study door, Feng Bao couldn't help but turn back and look longingly at the scroll on the desk.

He was truly reluctant to part with him, but what could he do now? If he followed him on his journey, who knew what might happen?

"Ugh."

Feng Bao finally let out a long sigh before striding out of the house and heading towards the outside of the mansion.

After seeing Feng Bao off, Wei Guangde called Zhang Ji over and said to him, "Tomorrow, send someone to Nanjing to tell Dechang Company to prepare five thousand taels of silver notes and some cash. See if Feng Bao wants the notes or the cash; he can choose for himself."

"Once you've paid the money, you can take back the letter I gave you."

Wei Guangde said to Zhang Ji, "Also, please give a heads-up to the Duke of Wei's mansion."
Well, never mind, I'll talk to my wife later and have her write home to explain this.

"I'll be considerate of him, but you don't need to return the letter."

Wei Guangde knew very well that many people had fallen because of these letters.

Wei Guangde doesn't usually write confidential matters to others, but even so, he values ​​his letters very much and rarely gives them out, for fear of getting into trouble.

Who knows when this powerful figure, who is at the height of his power, will commit a crime?

Small matters are easy to handle, but big matters are much harder to guarantee.

It's better for everyone to leave fewer letters outside.

Just like those officials who wrote to Feng Bao, most of them were now living in constant fear.

Today, his residence received more than ten such invitations. In reality, they were people searching all over the capital for a powerful backer, hoping to gain protection.

After all, the letter of loyalty he once wrote to Feng Bao is now the executioner's blade on the execution ground.

If the emperor is unhappy, he might take it out on them.

In fact, whether Feng Bao actually kept many of the letters, and what they contained, is probably unknown even to them.

Wei Guangde knew a little about it. Although he was extremely servile and obsequious, making him unbearable to look at, it didn't seem to be a big deal except for being despicable.

If there were anything, the Embroidered Uniform Guard would have sent it to the palace immediately upon discovering the letter.

Just as Wei Guangde was about to send Zhang Ji away after giving him instructions, he suddenly remembered something and called Zhang Ji back, saying, "There's something else. You need to take care of it yourself."

Go see Liu Shouyou first thing tomorrow morning and tell him to take care of Feng Bao's younger brother Feng You and his nephew Feng Bangning.

If the palace is interested, then help protect Feng Bangning.

"I heard that Feng You is usually very arrogant and has done some illegal things. His nephew is at least somewhat decent." "Yes, sir."

Zhang Ji had actually overheard Feng Bao's request from the doorway. Although it wasn't exactly groveling, given his long-standing friendship with Wei Guangde, he doubted Feng Bao would lower himself to beg for help.

Aside from making a mistake and begging for forgiveness in front of Emperor Jiajing, Feng Bao was truly stubborn his whole life and didn't encounter any major hardships; his life was quite smooth.

This time, although he tried to plead with Empress Dowager Li, he ultimately failed and was expelled from the palace.

Inside the palace, he was a servant, but outside the palace, he was still Feng Shuanglin.

Only Wei Guangde remained in the study. He then returned to his desk, reopened the scroll of paintings, and examined it carefully, bit by bit. The candlelight illuminated the ancient paintings, creating a unique and delightful atmosphere.

After carefully examining the five-meter-long painting, Wei Guangde clicked his tongue and said, "It's a very meticulous painting that truly captures the essence of Bianliang (Kaifeng) during the Song Dynasty."

Wei Guangde continued to fold up the scroll on the left while releasing the papers on the right. These were inscriptions by collectors who had previously owned the painting and calligraphy, or at least people who considered themselves quite famous.

As for the seals around the ancient painting, Wei Guangde didn't even bother to look at them.

The ancients loved this, but having so many seals on a painting somewhat hindered the appreciation of the artwork.

As one famous inscription after another appeared before Wei Guangde's eyes, covering those who had collected the painting during the Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties, Wei Guangde suddenly felt that he also needed to add an inscription to the painting.

This idea became even stronger after the last postscript was written by Feng Bao.

He carefully put the painting away and placed it directly next to his desk, then began grinding ink.

He certainly wouldn't follow Emperor Qianlong's example and write those nonsensical verses in the blank spaces of paintings, then stamp them with his imperial seal, leaving behind "dog skin plasters" on ancient paintings.

After the ink was ground, he took out a sheet of Xuan paper, laid it out, and began to write.

"The Song Dynasty painting 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival' by Zhang Zeduan was once in the collection of the Wei family at Bengshan. The scroll is now in pristine condition, so beautiful that one cannot help but admire it and cannot help but sigh with regret. Therefore, I have inscribed this afterward."

Wei Guangde, Grand Master of the Palace, Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince, Minister of Personnel, and Grand Secretary of the Wuying Hall
"Notes written at Wenxiang Study in the capital on the day of Yisi in the month of Yiyou in the year of Yimao"

After finishing writing, Wei Guangde was still somewhat unsatisfied. He thought that this ancient painting would become a national treasure in the future, and that future generations would surely see his inscription after appreciating the painting. He felt very pleased.

However, looking at my own handwriting, it was fairly standard, but it lacked the unrestrained and free spirit, and compared with the previous inscriptions, it felt much inferior.

Thinking about whether he should put it up for now, Wei Guangde decided to practice these characters some more, and then rewrite them, choosing the best one to have it framed behind the painting.

Just then, Zhang Ji came in through the door and whispered, "Master, the full moon has come out. Madam invites you to the backyard to admire the moon."

"it is good."

Wei Guangde got up, first picked up the painting and put it on the bookshelf, then put the inscription he had just written on it separately.

After doing all this, he left the study with his hands behind his back and headed towards the back garden.

Although it was late at night, the silvery glow of the bright moon still illuminated the ground.

It is difficult for people of later generations to see such a scene. Even without streetlights, the ground is still clearly visible.

I couldn't help but look up and see the full moon hanging high in the sky, just emerging from the clouds. Although it wasn't as brilliant as the sun, it was still worthy of my direct gaze.

"When did the moon first appear in the blue sky? Chang'e dwells alone, with whom as her neighbor? People today do not see the moon of ancient times; the moon of today once shone on people of old."

"Oh, sir, do you perhaps wish to go to heaven and keep the lonely fairy Chang'e company? If you wish, then go."

By this time, they had reached the back garden. Wei Guangde couldn't help but recite Li Bai's poem, but his wife overheard him and made a teasing remark.

"Hehe, just expressing my feelings casually."

The next day, nothing happened in the court, and no one was punished by the emperor because of Feng Bao's matter, so the day passed quickly.

Emperor Wanli did not summon him today, so Wei Guangde left the office early and returned home.

"Master, everything I instructed yesterday has been done, and the letter has been sent to Nanjing."

Upon entering the mansion, Zhang Ji came up and whispered.

"Ah."

Wei Guangde knew what he was talking about, and after taking a few steps, he suddenly asked again, "Are the generals recalled by the Ministry of War still in the capital?"

Wei Guangde thought of Qi Jiguang and Deng Zilong, who had been busy dealing with those damned factional struggles these past few days and had forgotten to invite them to his residence.

"It seems they left Beijing a couple of days ago."

Zhang Ji said in a low voice.

"let it go."

When Wei Guangde heard that everyone had left, he laughed.

He also felt that it was actually quite good to be away from the capital at this time; leaving early had its advantages, as it would prevent him from getting involved in other matters.

"Master, Eunuch Feng is heading south tomorrow. According to the custom of the manor, we should send him a gift. What do you think?"

Zhang Ji whispered a reminder.

“Send him a ginseng root and add two hundred taels of silver; he'll need it.”

Wei Guangde understood what Zhang Jin meant. Feng Bao was a convicted official who had been exiled, and it seemed inappropriate for him to go at this time.

However, Wei Guangde didn't care. Feng Bao had come to his residence yesterday, and almost everyone in the capital with a little status knew about it.

Even if the emperor dislikes it, there's nothing that can be done, since they both came from that place.

It's not a heinous crime like treason, the kind that's absolutely unforgivable.

"You go and deliver it to Feng Bao personally."

Wei Guangde stopped and turned to Zhang Ji, saying, "Also, take care of the constables in Shuntian Prefecture. Make sure they behave themselves and don't cause any trouble."

Actually, there are rumors circulating that Feng Bao might not make it to Nanjing alive, because the one in the palace probably wouldn't allow it.

However, Wei Guangde recalled that Feng Bao seemed to have died in Nanjing, which happened after Zhang Juzheng's family was raided, so the palace actually did not intend to kill Feng Bao.

Let's say hello and further elaborate on Wei Guangde's reputation for being sentimental.

"My lord, won't the palace be displeased if we do this?"

Zhang Ji certainly knew where everything came from; in the end, it all came down to the emperor's whim.

Everyone knows that Feng Bao has actually offended the emperor and empress dowager. Treating Feng Bao this way at this time might displease the emperor and affect their master's future.

"Do as you please. My position has reached its limit; it's become the norm in the manor."

Aside from serious crimes like treason and rebellion, everything else is handled according to custom; there's no need to worry about anything.

Wei Guangde is not afraid of being impeached by the censors. In fact, it would be good to be impeached recently and see how the palace treats him.

Speaking of which, he is the only regent in the court now, and Wei Guangde is still quite curious about what the emperor is thinking.

If he truly dislikes it, then he'll wait until the Eastern Expedition is over, the court is stabilized, and especially the matter with Zhang Juzheng is resolved, before considering...
He will continue to serve as Grand Secretary.

He really doesn't dare to consider retiring now, because he hasn't found a suitable successor on his side.

This official position cannot be lost.

Just as Wei Guangde was about to continue walking towards the backyard, Zhang Ji carefully took out a slip of paper from his sleeve and said to Wei Guangde, "Master, Commander Liu has sent a note."

Wei Guangde calmly took the item and tucked it into his sleeve before turning to leave. (End of Chapter)