The prince is more stable

Chapter 992 A Masterpiece of Painting
To be honest, Zhao Xiaoqian's calligraphy is still a disgrace to the emperors of the Song Dynasty. This was criticized openly and secretly by countless court officials as early as the beginning of his reign.

His handwriting was so messy it was hard to describe. After ascending the throne, when reviewing memorials from court officials, he tried to write as little as possible, except for his own name, which he managed to make somewhat decent.

If the characters are written like this, then the painting is even worse.

Therefore, Zhao Xiaoqian's claim that he was skilled at drawing talismans was not an exaggeration, but the complete truth.

Of course, there are also outstanding works in traditional Chinese painting, such as Zhao Xiaoqian's "Divine Bird and Phoenix," which is painted very skillfully.

Zhang Zeduan remained somewhat wary of this unfamiliar yet enthusiastic man. A complete stranger who greeted him with the same warmth and fervor as a reunion with a family member was either naturally outgoing and fond of making friends, or he was trying to trick him into buying health products.

"I haven't yet had the pleasure of asking where Brother Zian works," Zhang Zeduan said politely, bowing with his hands clasped.

Zhao Xiaoqian said in a deep voice, "Very high."

"Uh?"

“What I mean is, the place I’m working is very high. Three or four stories high.” Zhao Xiaoqian nodded to him.

Zhang Zeduan looked on with envy: "Could it be that you are a court official, brother?"

"I was indeed on official business for the imperial court; you can understand it that way," Zhao Xiaoqian said vaguely.

Li Qingzhao, standing nearby, was embracing and flirting with a courtesan. He even coaxed her to take a sip of wine and fed it to her mouth to mouth. Zhao Xiaoqian was amazed by Li Qingzhao's experience in visiting brothels and his skillful flirting techniques.

While flirting with the beautiful woman, Li Qingzhao overheard their conversation word for word. Upon hearing this, she turned her head and said, "You don't need to ask what Brother Zian does; he works in the imperial court, after all."

As she spoke, Li Qingzhao gazed intently at Zhang Zeduan, a hint of confusion in her eyes.

She knew Zhao Xiaoqian's true identity better than anyone else, so she couldn't understand why a high-ranking official would value a down-on-his-luck scholar who had no official rank and was only good at painting so much.

We've only met once, could it be that Zhao Xiaoqian recognized his extraordinary talent at first glance and decided to recruit him?

The world of emperors is truly incomprehensible to ordinary people...

"This... Brother Zhengdao?" Li Qingzhao asked tentatively, her curious eyes scanning him up and down, her gaze seemingly trying to pierce through his soul: "Brother Zian said you are skilled in painting?"

Zhang Zeduan smiled wryly and said, "I know a little bit about it, it's just a doodle and a joke, not worth mentioning."

"What famous works have you painted? May I take a look?" Li Qingzhao asked.

Zhang Zeduan's expression grew increasingly awkward, and he said in a low voice, "I am indeed working on a painting, but it is a complex and lengthy one, and it has been two years in the making and is still not finished..."

Li Qingzhao turned her gaze to Zhao Xiaoqian, silently asking him with her eyes, "You haven't even finished a single work, what is it about him that you see in him?"

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled but remained silent.

Before its creation, no one could understand the true value of "Along the River During the Qingming Festival." Once it was unveiled, it was enough to amaze the world and shine through the ages.

That is the only painting depicting the Song Dynasty in the form of traditional Chinese painting. This painting is not only of superb skill, but also provides a wealth of valuable information for later historians to study the customs and culture of the Song Dynasty.

Moreover, Zhao Xiaoqian is now the emperor of the Song Dynasty, and Zhang Zeduan's painting depicts the scenery of Bianjing under Zhao Xiaoqian's rule. This painting has been passed down to later generations, which is practically singing praises to Zhao Xiaoqian. Of course, he would care about it and be so enthusiastic towards Zhang Zeduan.

Although he had lived two lives, he was still just an ordinary mortal. Zhao Xiaoqian was no exception to the vanity that humans should have. Of course, he also hoped that someone could paint the landscape he had ruled. Otherwise, later generations of gentlemen would have no theoretical basis to praise him, which would be a great pity.

Therefore, this painting, "Along the River During the Qingming Festival," is not only Zhang Zeduan's personal masterpiece, but also an achievement of Emperor Zhao Xiaoqian.

"Has 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival' been in the works for two years? When will Brother Zeduan finish it?" Zhao Xiaoqian asked.

Zhang Zeduan thought for a moment and said, "It might take another year or so to finish painting it."

Zhao Xiaoqian came over and said, "Brother Zeduan, are you in any trouble? Do you need any help? Whether it's money or talent and assistants, I can help you."

Zhang Zeduan was startled; he... had become enthusiastic again!
I just can't take it anymore!

Zhao Xiaoqian continued, "Food, clothing, shelter, transportation, fine food, fine wine, and beautiful women—Brother Zeduan, if you need anything, I can provide it all. Yes, that's right, I want to invest in you, I want to be your sugar daddy… um, your sugar daddy."

Inside the elegant pavilion, Zhang Zeduan and Li Qingzhao were once again shocked.

Zhang Zeduan's face twitched, and he finally couldn't help but say, "Brother Zian, we've only just met today, and to be honest, we don't know each other's backgrounds. I really can't understand why you treat me like this..."

Zhao Xiaoqian said earnestly, "I can't really explain it. I just feel an instant connection with you. It's very possible that we're long-lost brothers. My father has committed many sins in his life. I'll ask him later if your sins are included..."

Zhang Zeduan: "…………"

Li Qingzhao: "Pfft—!"

"Brother Zian, I am completely at a loss and at my wit's end. Please, stop this nonsense! What is it all about?" Zhang Zeduan was on the verge of collapse. Zhao Xiaoqian sighed and said, "Alright, then tell the truth. I have my eye on your painting, 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival.' It will surely become a treasure of our Great Song Dynasty and even the entire Chinese nation, so I want to help you complete it."

"I'm not good at painting, and you're not good at spending money. I can help you with things other than painting, such as arranging a luxurious house for you, arranging your food, clothing, and shelter, and arranging everything that can be solved with money. All you need to do is focus on painting and complete 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival' as soon as possible."

Zhang Zeduan remained silent for a long while, seemingly conjuring up some strange thoughts, before suddenly exclaiming in surprise, "You are a member of the imperial court, so the court has already noticed this painting I made? Could it be that His Majesty... has also heard about it? Is that why you are so enthusiastic towards me?"

Zhao Xiaoqian's face stiffened, while Li Qingzhao covered her mouth and chuckled, then turned around, hugged the beautiful woman, and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

After much deliberation, Zhao Xiaoqian decided to resolve his doubts with a straightforward, masculine answer.

“If that’s how you think, there’s nothing I can do,” Zhao Xiaoqian said, shrugging.

After a pause, Zhao Xiaoqian added, "By the way, let me also help you with your official position... Tomorrow you should go to the Hanlin Academy of Painting, and I'll put in a good effort to get you a position as a painter, a green-robed official. Once your masterpiece is completed, you'll still have a chance for promotion."

Zhang Zeduan gasped, "This, this... you became an official so quickly? Is it true?"

Li Qingzhao said leisurely, "Don't worry, Brother Zian is very capable. As long as he speaks up, you're guaranteed this official position. Tomorrow, go directly to the Hanlin Academy of Painting and Calligraphy, and you'll receive your official appointment document. Congratulations to Brother Zhengdao, who was inexplicably dragged into a fight but ended up becoming an official by some twist of fate."

"Your good-for-nothing friends aren't so lucky."

Zhang Zeduan's pupils dilated in shock. Today's experience was like a young man burdened with a blood feud falling off a cliff and finding a peerless secret manual. Fate was full of unbelievable twists and turns.

"Thank you so much... Brother Zian." Zhang Zeduan stood up and bowed deeply: "I have met a benefactor today. If I can really work at the Hanlin Academy of Painting, it will all be thanks to Brother Zian. I will repay your great kindness in this lifetime."

Although I still find it hard to believe, the young man in front of me has an extraordinary demeanor and an air of nobility. I don't think he's lying. I'll just have to go to the Hanlin Painting Academy tomorrow and ask. Maybe I'll really hit the jackpot.

Zhao Xiaoqian didn't care how grateful Zhang Zeduan was to him at this moment; he had heard such words of gratitude countless times every day and was numb to them.

What he was interested in was "Along the River During the Qingming Festival".

"Someone will come to find you later and arrange a house for you in Bianjing City. In order to inspire your painting and make it easier for you to observe and find materials, the house will be arranged near Zhouqiao. The most prosperous area of ​​Bianjing is right outside your door."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "The painting is in the brush, and the person is in the painting. Brother Zeduan, your thoughts and inspiration must be flowing like a spring."

Having received so many favors from Zhao Xiaoqian today, Zhang Zeduan was actually somewhat numb. Upon hearing this, he simply bowed deeply once more.

Perhaps feeling uneasy about accepting such favors without reason, Zhang Zeduan cautiously asked, "Brother, you have done me a great favor. Is there anything I can do to help you? I will certainly do my best to assist you."

Zhao Xiaoqian blinked, then suddenly sat up straight, looking at him with a serene expression.

"What do you think of my appearance, Brother Zeduan?" Zhao Xiaoqian asked expectantly.

Zhang Zeduan paused for a moment, then his emotional intelligence suddenly soared, and he immediately said, "Brother Zian has a magnificent appearance, the bearing of a dragon among men."

Zhao Xiaoqian chuckled: "I think so too... So, if someone like me were to be painted into 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival,' it shouldn't bury your masterpiece, right?"

Zhang Zeduan and Li Qingzhao were both stunned.

And this kind of operation?

After hesitating for a while, Zhang Zeduan gritted his teeth and said, "Brother Zian's appearance is certainly worthy of being depicted in a painting, and it is an honor for my humble work."

Zhao Xiaoqian perked up and said, "That's great. Just paint me in... well, in the window of a brothel in Zhouqiao. My arm is around a stunningly beautiful girl, and my other hand is pointing at the scenery outside the window, as if I'm surveying the world. Make my expression and posture look a bit majestic. That shouldn't be too difficult, right?"

Zhang Zeduan: "…………"

Li Qingzhao jumped quickly to Zhao Xiaoqian's side and exclaimed, "No, no, you should paint Brother Zian embracing me, and Brother Zian and I standing side by side inside the window, pointing out the landscape..."

Zhao Xiaoqian shoved her away, saying, "Stop making a scene. If your father sees this, he'll fight me to the death. Brother Zeduan, ignore her and just paint the courtesan."

After being rejected, Li Qingzhao immediately became angry and glared at him with a sullen expression.

Zhao Xiaoqian ignored it. This was the "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" scroll. Every figure in it would be studied and analyzed by historians in later generations. If the Song emperor and Li Qingzhao appeared in the painting, embracing each other inappropriately in front of a brothel window, wouldn't they have no shame?

But if he's only depicted embracing a courtesan, then it's fine. After all, in the Song Dynasty, visiting prostitutes was considered a romantic affair and not shameful.

Seeing that Li Qingzhao was angry, Zhao Xiaoqian thought for a moment and, still feeling sorry for her, said to Zhang Zeduan, "Why don't you paint her in as well? ... Paint her as someone who is destitute and helpless, squatting in the slums of Zhouqiao picking up garbage and vegetable leaves to eat."

Li Qingzhao finally couldn't hold back anymore. With a "pfft," she kicked him hard in anger, then ran to the opposite side, sat down, and, as if in revenge, hugged the girl and kissed her fiercely.

Zhang Zeduan's face turned slightly pale; he felt his masterpiece was doomed...

(End of this chapter)