The growth system comes at the age of 30

Chapter 311 God! ! ! (4.5K)

"Preface to the Sacred Teachings of the Great Tang Dynasty, composed by Emperor Taizong, compiled by Huai Ren, a monk of Hongfu Temple, from the calligraphy of Wang Xizhi, the Right General of Jin..."

After writing three lines, Chen Jingle suddenly felt something was wrong, so he tore off the pen, crumpled it into a ball, and threw it into the trash can.

Readjust your mindset before starting to write.

The full text of the Preface to the Sacred Teachings contains 1904 characters, but Chen Jingle certainly wouldn't have written that many; he wrote an excerpt.

Even selecting excerpts is a very time-consuming task.

If you want the full text written, that's at a different price.

The Great Tang Dynasty Tripitaka Preface Stele is now broken, and most of the extant copies are rubbings made by later generations.

This method of compiling characters has obvious drawbacks, even if it is Wang Xizhi's own calligraphy.

For example, repeated characters have little variation, and characters composed of radicals lack structural coherence.

Therefore, it is not recommended for beginners to copy the "Preface to the Sacred Teachings". You can't learn its brushwork and composition, you can only learn its structure.

If you can't even see the connection between strokes, what's the point of learning?

Chen Jingle was able to learn because his calligraphy already possessed some of the characteristics of the Wang brothers, while gradually breaking free from their constraints and forging his own path in calligraphy.

"It is said that the two polarities (yin and yang) have forms, manifesting and sustaining all life; the four seasons are formless, subtly transforming things through cold and heat. Therefore, even the foolish can discern their beginnings by observing the heavens and the earth; yet, the wise and virtuous rarely fathom their mysteries by understanding yin and yang..."

At this moment, Chen Jingle entered a state where he only had paper, pen, and ink in his eyes, and every stroke of his pen revealed a natural feeling.

Both the brushwork and the form of the characters have reached a state of exquisite perfection.

Without exaggeration, this should be the best work he has ever written since he started learning calligraphy.

If he were more famous, this artwork would probably be worth more than 15 yuan, easily selling for hundreds of thousands.

If we look back 10 or 8 years, it was even more exaggerated. Back then, we were in the final stage of rapid economic growth, and the wealthy had plenty of money in their pockets. The premiums for things related to literature and art were getting higher and higher.

Unfortunately, we are currently in an economic downturn, and wealthy people are becoming increasingly cautious about investing, resulting in a severe shrinkage of the cultural and artistic market.

Born at the wrong time!
Chen Jingle truly put in his best effort to write this.

However, it is not entirely the same as the original text of the "Preface to the Sacred Teachings".

He rewrote the original text in his own style.

Do you think it is the "Preface to the Sacred Teachings"?

The content and style are the same, but the brushstrokes and composition of each character are quite different from the original text.

If some people saw this, they would probably yell, "This isn't a proper preface to the Sacred Teachings! A true preface to the Sacred Teachings should be exactly the same as the original text!"

The problem is that Chen Jingle is not a fundamentalist.

He, who had already developed his own style based on the work of the two Wangs, didn't care about these things at all.

The Zhao Mengfu version of the "Preface to the Sacred Teachings," whose authenticity is questionable, is an improved version of the original text, preserved in ink manuscript form, which is lively, graceful, and full of charm.

Although it is uncertain whether it is an authentic work, it is undoubtedly a masterpiece and was published by Zhonghua Book Company.

The reason I say it's questionable rather than definitively a forgery is because everything in the world is constantly in motion and changing, including a person's calligraphy skills and habits; they are not static.

The handwriting of Zhao Mengfu at the age of 20 is clearly different from that at the age of 60.

Some might say, "Oh, he's Zhao Mengfu! Who do you think you are? The value of calligraphy and paintings depends on the celebrity. Even a casual piece by a high-ranking official can be valuable. No matter how well an ordinary person writes, it's useless."

You know what, every time he updates his content on Douyin, people say these things.

Does a work that isn't by a famous person have no value?
If that's the case, then all the masterpieces by non-celebrities in the Palace Museum and around the world should be destroyed, right?

According to this theory, works by non-celebrities should have no value.

The fact is that many later imitations of the "Preface to the Sacred Teachings" have been collected by major museums.

For example, the Palace Museum has the "Zha Siji's Running Script Copy of the Preface to the Sacred Teachings".

Who is Cha Siji?
I don't know. No such person found.

For example, Yang Shichang, a Taoist priest from the Jin Dynasty, whose birth and death dates are also unknown, had his silk painting "Asking the Way at Kongtong Mountain" collected by the Palace Museum, along with Jia Yu's small regular script work "Inscription on the Painting "Asking the Way at Kongtong Mountain" from the Ming Dynasty, whose birth and death dates and life story are also unknown.

Just as you'd read a new book by a renowned online novelist with a stellar reputation, wouldn't you read a work by a genius newcomer who becomes a legend overnight?
That doesn't make sense, does it?

We cannot view problems from a purely adversarial perspective.

Only a very small number of people can stand at the forefront of the times, but that does not mean that the existence of others is without value.

Whether this work is worth 15 yuan is not up to ordinary calligraphy enthusiasts to decide, but only those calligraphy masters who truly appreciate its value can decide, and only Chen Jingle himself can decide!
If Brother Xiaoming buys it and gives it away as a gift, and the recipient complains that it's poorly written, he wouldn't mind spending 15 yuan to buy it back.

……

After finishing writing, Chen Jingle put down his pen and stood quietly admiring the writing for a while, savoring the feeling he had just experienced.

It took a long time before he gradually came to his senses.

He felt he had made progress again.

For someone at his level to still be able to make progress is an exaggerated, even terrifying, thing. It means that every step he takes is in line with the ancients, far surpassing what the current calligraphy circles can offer.

Chen Jingle's current level is hard to describe; he might infringe on someone's interests.

He silently took out his phone to take photos and videos, and sent them to Huang Xiaoming: "The documents are written. Please provide a shipping address and contact information."

Huang Xiaoming was quite surprised when he received Chen Jingle's message; he hadn't expected it to be so fast.

I thought I would have to wait a little longer.

He was stunned when he opened the photos and videos sent by Chen Jingle.

Stunning!

Absolutely stunning!

For the first time, I have so clearly and directly felt what brushwork, character form, and spirit mean in the works of modern calligraphers other than those ancient calligraphic works!
He himself had practiced calligraphy. Although he could not be called a great calligrapher, he was at least not ignorant and could tell the difference between good and bad.

Actors and celebrities in the entertainment industry need to package themselves and enhance their image; calligraphy and painting are both good choices.

Someone like him, who has no shortage of money or time, would naturally seek out calligraphy masters in private, and they would always choose famous ones who charge hefty fees.

Because I had studied calligraphy, I couldn't help but exclaim, "Mr. Chen, your calligraphy is so good! If we hadn't agreed beforehand, I would have kept this piece of calligraphy for myself and given it away as a gift."

No kidding, he felt the handwriting was really good.

It's even better than the contemporary master calligrapher he previously hired as his teacher!
When you zoom in on the photos, the details are unparalleled, and there is no sign of perfunctory work.

This is a true master!

He even felt that the price of 15 was too low.

Is this what it feels like to find a bargain?
I was instantly thrilled.

"You flatter me. Could you please provide an address and contact information?" Chen Jing chuckled.

He was used to being praised by others, so he didn't think much of it.

Although the quality of this work is indeed beyond my expectations, they paid for it, so as long as they are satisfied, that's all that matters.

Besides, it's a skill for people to find a bargain by luck.

"No! I have to order another one! No, five! You can write them whenever you're free."

Fearing that Chen Jingle might change his mind, Huang Xiaoming immediately transferred another 35 yuan.

Now I know why Xia Yu likes to commission calligraphy from Chen Jingle so much. It's really something to be excited about.

For someone like him who can spend tens of thousands of yuan on a single family meal, a painting priced at 70,000 yuan is indeed a bargain, incredibly cheap!

Chen Jingle: "..."

Wow, these big stars are really rich.

He buys things worth hundreds of thousands of dollars without hesitation.

After thinking for two seconds, he decided to accept the order: "Okay. But let's make it clear first, I have quite a few other orders on hand, so yours will be booked until mid-July or even August. The only thing I can guarantee is that once you pay, you'll receive the goods smoothly, and you can get a refund if you're not satisfied."

He'll be going on a trip with Teacher Li during the summer vacation in July, which will take at least half a month, maybe even a month, away from home. He can't possibly work while traveling, can he?

That would be such a disappointment.

Huang Xiaoming quickly replied: "No problem. If the price goes up, please let me know and I can make up the difference."

"Not at all. The price will be based on the price I set when I received the money."

Chen Jingle has always been fair and impartial in this regard, and would never casually neglect previously lower-priced orders just because prices have increased over time.

Moreover, Huang Xiaoming is a decent person; he knows the rules and how to behave appropriately, and he didn't make excessive demands like cutting in line repeatedly.

Unfortunately, he has a poor eye for people and has repeatedly lost gold coins to others.

Chen Jingle felt he should spend 29 yuan to play the newly released game called "Emotional Anti-Fraud Simulator".

At his age, and working in the entertainment industry, how can he still believe in love?

I don't understand.

……

Huang Xiaoming smiled and forwarded the photos and videos sent by Chen Jingle to his nephew.

His relative, a calligraphy student who took the college entrance exam this year, is the son of a cousin.

Aside from his female cousin who is an Olympic table tennis champion, Huang Xiaoming has seven male cousins ​​in total. The youngest of them has already graduated from university and started working, while the others who got married early have children who have already taken the college entrance examination.

He has a harmonious and friendly relationship with his relatives and is never stingy when giving gifts.

"See if you like it," Huang Xiaoming asked.

After a while, the eldest nephew first responded with a dumbfounded expression.

Incredulous, he asked, "A gift for me?!"

"What else?" Huang Xiaoming looked at his phone with a smile.

On the other end of the network, a seventeen or eighteen-year-old boy with chubby cheeks and short hair stared in disbelief, then jumped up and down with excitement, almost screaming out loud.

What the hell!

What the hell!

He almost doubted he was dreaming and pinched his own flesh hard.

Only calligraphy students know the true value of this calligraphy work, just as traditional Chinese painting students see the original "Along the River During the Qingming Festival," music students hear teacher Wu Bixia sing "Chilichuan," and physical education students see a person of Asian descent win the world championship in the 100-meter sprint.

My God, when did such a true god appear in China?!
"god!!!"

Seriously speaking, this is absolutely god-level!

In the absence of calligraphy masters of the caliber of Zhao Mengfu, Yan Zhenqing, Zhang Xu, Mi Fu, and Chu Suiliang in contemporary times, this level of running script is undoubtedly top-notch!

It could even be included in the pyramids of history!

And it's not at the very bottom.

Do you know what that means?

You'll make a name for yourself in history, brother!
"Doesn't this completely outclass those so-called professors or calligraphy masters in China?" the boy exclaimed excitedly.

The key was the charm in the other person's words, which perfectly suited his taste.

He used to think Liang Shizheng's calligraphy was beautiful, but now, compared to this person's, he suddenly felt that it was lacking in something.

"How do you compare to the teachers at Nanjing University of the Arts?" Huang Xiaoming asked curiously.

My nephew applied to Nanjing University of the Arts. He met the requirements for both the academic and art exams. I asked around with the teachers, and he's basically guaranteed admission.

It's worth noting that Nanjing University of the Arts' calligraphy program is among the top in the country.

The eldest nephew across from me remained silent for a while, perhaps deep in thought.

After a long while, he replied: "From an outsider's perspective, I think this expert is more skilled."

An objective evaluation, without bias or exaggeration.

As a calligraphy student, one must have a basic aesthetic sense. Even setting aside personal preferences, this work is undoubtedly of top-tier quality in contemporary times.

Although Nanjing University of the Arts is a top-tier institution in China for calligraphy, with highly qualified teachers and professors.

But it's just very strong.

The author of this "Preface to the Sacred Teachings" is different.

They've truly developed their own style, building upon the foundations laid by the two Wangs. In ancient times, they would be on par with Li Bei Hai.

What level is Li Beihai at?
He was a renowned calligrapher during the High Tang period, a key figure in the early reforms of calligraphy during that era, and had a profound influence on later calligraphers such as Su Dongpo and Zhao Mengfu.

In a novel, he would be an unparalleled master who could open the gates of heaven with a single sword strike!

In the contemporary calligraphy world, who can achieve this?
In the boy's opinion, whether it was the bigwigs of the National Calligraphers Association or the provincial calligraphers association, or the famous calligraphers who had won the Lanting Award, they were all lacking.

Perhaps they all touched upon a trace of the true meaning of calligraphy, but failed to maintain it, let alone build upon the foundations laid by their predecessors and develop their own unique style.

The big shot in front of me is different.

Without a doubt, during the holidays, they will definitely go down in history!
Even if the other person isn't famous now, they'll definitely become famous in the future. In this age of highly developed information technology, news travels very fast.

"Nothing wrong!"

Huang Xiaoming was surprised by the answer, but also quite satisfied, which at least showed that his aesthetic sense was not problematic.

The thought of receiving five calligraphy works of this caliber in a while filled me with excitement.

"Thank you, Uncle!" the nephew said happily.

Huang Xiaoming chuckled: "You do have a conscience. And here's some good news: I asked Master Chen, and he promised that if there's an opportunity in the future, he'd be willing to provide you with calligraphy guidance on a paid consultation basis."

"Thank you, Uncle!!!" the boy exclaimed with delight once again.

This news is even more significant than what just came out.

Although their family was relatively well-off and their previous teachers came from prestigious schools, truly renowned teachers are not so easy to find.

The world has no shortage of talented people!

Countless talented young people in China's calligraphy associations are willing to study under their tutelage, but very few are ultimately accepted as students.

It's mostly about connections.

A calligrapher's son is also a calligrapher, and a painter's son is also a painter.

The path of calligraphy and painting is not easy. Ordinary people don't even have the qualifications to get started, let alone make a living from it.

If you really want to learn calligraphy, you'll most likely end up working in the barbecue industry.

The center forward and the reverse forward should both be brushed with sauce; the taste must be amazing!
"When can I receive this calligraphy? Will it be mailed to me or not?" the boy asked anxiously.

Huang Xiaoming replied with a smile, "It should be shipped out today. I filled in your home address, but I left your dad's phone number. Just keep an eye on the logistics information."

"Thank you, uncle!"

He couldn't even imagine how happy he would be after receiving the painting.

I'll definitely post it on WeChat Moments and show it off, making all my classmates and teachers envious.

Chen Jingle, far away in Jiangbei, was unaware that he had replaced Liang Shizheng as the new idol of a calligraphy college entrance examination candidate.

What he's struggling with now is that, in addition to rushing to meet customer orders, he also has to prepare for his summer vacation trip over the next week.

Planning the itinerary, organizing items, etc., because Teacher Li is also very busy and can't handle it all.

At the same time, she also had to keep an eye on Chen Qiyun's final exams to keep her grades stable. But as for studying, she basically had to rely on herself.

"Time is tight, and it looks like it will be difficult to even take a break."

We can only grit our teeth, endure these few days, and get through it.

(End of this chapter)