Do you know: I am Qi Heng

Upon arriving at the teahouse, Qi Heng and the others were led up to the second floor by the waiter.

Qi Heng asked for two private rooms. Sanlan went to one of them to rest for a while, while the other men went to the other one.

Since it was Qi Heng who made the arrangements, he naturally took the lead.

Qi Heng ordered some tea and snacks. As soon as the waiter left, Su Shi said impatiently, "Yuanruo, quickly bring out that calligraphy so we can admire it. The shopkeeper wouldn't let us handle it before, so we couldn't look at it closely."

"Brother!"

Su Zhe helplessly tugged at Su Shi, then bowed apologetically to Qi Heng, saying, "My elder brother is impatient; please forgive his rudeness."

"Brother Ziyou is being too distant."

Qi Heng smiled and said, "Meeting is fate. Brother Zizhan is just a bit informal; how can you say he's being impolite?"

"Yuan Ruo is right."

Su Shi clapped his hands and agreed, saying, "My younger brother is good in every way, except that he's a bit old-fashioned."

"..."

Su Zhe was speechless for a moment.

"Let's appreciate the calligraphy first!"

Qi Heng opened the wooden box, carefully took out the contents, and unfolded them on the table.

Su Shi and others gathered around and examined him closely.

Sheng Changfeng examined the calligraphy for a while, then scoffed, "This calligraphy is indeed quite good, but it's not worth that much money, is it?"

Calligraphy and painting share many similarities; both emphasize form and meaning.

The concept of intention is mysterious and profound, and since he is still young, he naturally cannot perceive it.

As for the form, he thought it was just so-so. Sheng Hong's calligraphy was quite good, and the reason he was able to be promoted to a high-ranking official in the capital was not because of the Wang family's connections or his achievements in local government.

Grand Tutor Wang has been gone for many years. If the connections he left behind were so powerful, how could Madam Wang's brother still be alive in the area?

Sheng Hong was able to rise to a high-ranking official position in the capital entirely because of his excellent handwriting.

The emperor saw his memorial and praised him, which is why the Ministry of Personnel gave him a position as a government official in the capital when he was being promoted.

Although background and connections are important for promotion, the Ministry of Personnel cannot go too far.

The appointment of officials for promotion required reporting to the emperor for approval.

The emperor may not look at it carefully, but if he sees that there is not a single familiar face on the list, will he have any doubts?

Therefore, the Ministry of Personnel would include some well-known or familiar people in the appointment of officials in the capital.

When officials see people they have some recollection of, they feel that the Ministry of Personnel is very fair in its appointments.

This is also why many officials love fame; even at the local level, they will try their best to do something big.

Only in this way can one's name leave an impression on the officials.

If one could earn a word of praise from an official, one's future would be bright.

Sheng Changfeng had been studying Sheng Hong's calligraphy since he was a child, so he was somewhat immune to it.

This copy of the calligraphy, while appearing somewhat better than Sheng Hong's, is still only slightly inferior.

He just couldn't understand how it could be worth so much money.

Sheng Changfeng was even thinking that if something like this could be worth a thousand taels, then it wouldn't be unreasonable for his father's to be worth several hundred taels.

Lin Xiaoniang has quite a few; if she were to sell them…

"Second younger brother!"

Sheng Changbai scolded, "Don't speak recklessly!"

Whether it's worth it or not, judging calligraphy by money is considered vulgar by scholars.

"hehe."

Su Shi laughed and said, "Although this calligraphy is a very good copy, it's really not worth that much. But if you knew who wrote it, then it would be extremely valuable!"

"Brother Zizhan, do you perhaps recognize who copied this?" Qi Heng asked in surprise.

"The Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion has been copied by many great calligraphers, but it is generally acknowledged that the best copies were made by Feng and Yu."

Su Shi examined the words on the table and said, "But I believe there is another person who can compare with the two, and even surpass them."

"Oh?"

Qi Heng asked, "Who is it?"

As the finest example of running script calligraphy in the world, it has been imitated by many people throughout history.

But given the current timeframe, these are probably the best copies made by Feng and Yu.

"Chu Suiliang!"

Su Shi said, "When Feng and Yu copied Wang Xizhi's work, they were too deliberate in their imitation. Chu Suiliang, on the other hand, was simply learning; he not only captured Wang Xizhi's spirit but also created his own unique style."

"Brother Zizhan, are you saying this is a copy by Chu Suiliang?"

Qi Heng looked at the words on the table in disbelief, unable to see any connection between them and Chu Suiliang.

He wasn't particularly good at appreciating calligraphy, but he thought it was alright. He hadn't seen any of Chu Suiliang's copies, but he knew that Chu Suiliang was a great calligrapher.

"impossible!"

Sheng Changfeng retorted, "If it was written by Chu Suiliang, why is there no signature or seal?"

Although scholars don't leave a signature on every piece of calligraphy, those that are preserved will certainly be.

When I practice calligraphy, I don't usually keep it. I only frame pieces that I'm relatively satisfied with.

Chu Suiliang lived in the early Tang Dynasty. The fact that this calligraphy has survived to this day and is still so well preserved clearly indicates that it was deliberately mounted at the time.

Given the habits of scholars, it would be impossible for them not to leave their names or seals.

"This calligraphy must have been written in his early years, which is why it was not signed. I really like his calligraphy and have studied it carefully. Although this piece is very different from his later works, it does have some similarities. There is absolutely no mistake!" Su Shi said.

"Even if what you say is true, it's just your personal opinion. If others don't agree, it won't sell for a high price," Sheng Changfeng said, shaking his head.

If it can be confirmed that it was written by Chu Suiliang, even in his early years, given his reputation, buying it for over a thousand taels would definitely be a good deal.

However, most of the calligraphy works by ancient people from hundreds of years ago that have survived are masterpieces.

However, Su Shi personally believed that without supporting evidence, it would not be recognized and therefore would be worthless.

Su Shi frowned slightly. Although he felt uncomfortable hearing Sheng Changfeng use money to measure things, he was easygoing and didn't care.

But now he explained the reasons and also expressed his love for Chu Suiliang's calligraphy.

Sheng Changfeng's statement was extremely offensive.

"Zizhan, my younger brother's words were rude; I am truly sorry!"

Sheng Changbai noticed Su Shi's displeasure and quickly apologized on behalf of Sheng Changfeng.

"It's alright."

Seeing this, Su Shi didn't know what to say.

Sheng Changfeng pursed his lips, but stopped himself from speaking after being glared at by Sheng Changbai.

A gentleman does not take what others cherish.

Qi Heng smiled, rolled up the calligraphy, placed it in the wooden box, and pushed the box towards Su Shi, saying, "I only thought of buying this calligraphy because I liked it. Since Brother Zizhan likes it, then I'll let Brother Zizhan have it, and the previous agreement is null and void!"

"No!"

Su Shi shook his head and said, "If you were to help someone achieve their goal, you would be a gentleman! But I haven't paid yet, so how can I ask for the calligraphy?"

"Wait until I go back and raise enough money, then I'll go to Yuanruo to get the letter!"

"Brother Zizhan and I hit it off immediately. Brother Zizhan, just give me the money later," Qi Heng said.

"This is inappropriate!"

Su Shi said somewhat awkwardly, "I may not be able to come up with that much money."

He was initially overjoyed at the prospect and determined to win the bid, but now that he has calmed down, he realizes that the chances of getting his father to come up with so much money are slim.

"In that case, I'll keep it for now."

Qi Heng didn't insist. He didn't care about the money, but since they had only known each other for a short time, offering it to Su Shi would surely arouse his suspicion.

The waiter brought tea and snacks, and the group started chatting.

They started by talking about poetry and literature, but how could scholars not discuss politics when they got together?

I don't know who started it, but the conversation turned to politics.

"The Emperor's selection of two members of the imperial clan to serve in the government is a recipe for disaster!"

Su Shi worriedly said, "Since ancient times, the struggle for succession has been a common occurrence. Other dynasties tried to avoid it, but the Emperor has actively created this situation, but..."