Chapter 278 How can we continue filming now?

Xu Gu, whose secular surname was Zhu and whose monastic name was Xu Bai, was a renowned painter of the Qing Dynasty, one of the Four Masters of Shanghai, and was as famous as Wu Changshuo, Ren Bonian, and Pu Hua.

He was skilled in painting landscapes, flowers, animals, and birds, and was especially adept at painting squirrels and goldfish. He was once known as "the foremost painter of flowers, birds, and animals in the late Qing Dynasty".

To be fair, the first place is a bit of an exaggeration, but Xu Gu's artistic achievements are extremely high, and his market recognition is also extremely high. The prices of his works are basically on par with those of Wu Changshuo and Ren Bonian.

If it's a squirrel, it's basically half again as tall, or even twice as tall.

It makes no sense that a fan painting of the same size, Wu Changshuo's "Winter Solstice" is valued at 360,000 yuan and is more popular in the market, while Xu Gu's "Squirrel" which previously fetched higher prices is unwanted.

Seeing his puzzled expression, Ye Anning explained in a low voice, "This painting was also auctioned last year at the Xiling Autumn Auction. The starting price was only 90,000, but it failed to sell!"

Lin Sicheng was completely baffled: "Why?"

"First, the calligraphy: Xu Gu combined the styles of Yan Zhenqing and Liu Gongquan, incorporating elements of clerical script, resulting in a strong and austere style. Yet, the inscription on it is elegant and slender. Second, the paper: the fan surface is not late Qing dynasty leather paper, but rather wood pulp paper bleached using chemical methods. Third, the ink: it floats on the surface and does not penetrate the paper..."

"When we were collecting bids, the client even argued with the appraiser, insisting on putting the item up for auction. Then, the auction house wrote down the identification characteristics in the catalog, and the final estimate was 90,000, but it still failed to sell. This year, the client came to bid again, with an even lower estimate: 35,000!"

Lin Sicheng was stunned.

Besides being a painter, Xu Gu was also an epigrapher, calligrapher, and seal engraver. The Palace Museum's overview describes him as: "He incorporated epigraphy into his paintings, integrated the five styles of calligraphy, and possessed inner refinement."

To put it bluntly: being used to carving with a knife, the characters he wrote tended to be cold and hard, which was also Xu Gu's daily writing habit.

But he is, after all, a calligrapher who has mastered the strengths of various schools, which doesn't mean he can only write cold and hard characters. Sometimes, his calligraphy is not only elegant but also smooth and slender.

For example, this one:

For example, this one:

Can you lose weight whenever you want and show it off whenever you want?

The only problem is that he left behind very few calligraphic works. Ordinary appraisals can only compare the inscriptions and signatures on his paintings, which naturally leads to the perception that the differences are too great.

Secondly, let's talk about paper: China in the late Qing Dynasty was indeed unable to produce industrialized wood pulp paper, but foreign countries could.

For example, the kind used for fan surfaces came from Japan and was then called "Oji Yoshiki" (Prince Paper). Around 1880, it was sold in large quantities in the Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Shanghai areas. It was inexpensive and durable.

Finally, let's talk about the ink: This is an imported foreign soot ink, the main component of which is petroleum-based carbon black. It is neither seeping nor transparent, and has extremely high stability: it is wear-resistant, light-resistant, and UV-resistant.

At first glance, it looks just like it was written.

Lin Sicheng thought for a moment: "But there are two seals on it: one is the steel seal of 'Jingtang Xinshang' and the other is the side seal of 'Guardian'."

"The appraiser said: The 'Jingtang Xinshang' seal is in the wrong position; it shouldn't be stamped on the squirrel's back, but should be stamped in the blank space. Therefore, it must be a forgery that was added later. The guard is a border seal, only half of it, so there's no way to verify its authenticity..."

Lin Sicheng remained silent.

Qian Jingtang was a prominent collector and connoisseur in Shanghai during the late Qing and Republican periods. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, he donated thousands of pieces of calligraphy, paintings, and seals by renowned artists to the nation.

The seal "Guardian" is not entirely unverifiable, but few people know about it: it is the collector's seal of Wu Hufan, known as "Shanghai's No. 1 collector," appraiser, famous painter, and educator during the Republic of China era.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, he was hired by the Shanghai Cultural Relics Management Committee, serving as a member of the Shanghai Cultural Relics Preservation Committee and the Shanghai Cultural Relics Appraisal and Acquisition Committee. The full text of this seal reads "Guardian of Cultural Relics," and it was used exclusively for official allocation of cultural relics.

Therefore, this painting should have been formerly in the collection of Qian Jingtang, and was donated to the Shanghai cultural relics department after the founding of the People's Republic of China. Later, Wu Qingfan authenticated it and put it into storage.

As for why Qian Jingtang stamped the seal on the squirrel's back, and how this painting came to be, Lin Sicheng didn't know. But he was certain that the two seals were genuine, and the painting itself was also authentic.

In particular, these two seals are far more effective than any inscriptions or seals left by famous artists, which is why Lin Sicheng dared to say that this fan painting would fetch at least a million.

In the blink of an eye, the bidding had reached 70,000, with only two bidders remaining.

Lin Sicheng nodded: "Senior Sister Ye, take the picture!"

Ye Anning's eyes lit up slightly: "Okay!"

After a short wait, one bidder withdrew, and the auctioneer began calling out bids. After only one call, Ye Anning raised her paddle.

After two more rounds of bidding, the hammer fell, and the price was 78,000.

The brother and sister exchanged a glance: Weng Tonghe and Jia Xugu's fan paintings cost 200,000 yuan each. How much money did they borrow?

The auction continued, featuring Zhao Zhiqian, Bian Shoumin, Ji Xiaolan, Liu Yong, Wen Zhengming, Jiang Tingxi, Yun Shouping... each more famous than the last.

Very few items failed to sell. Many of them seemed problematic to Lin Sicheng, but they still managed to attract bids for several rounds, with many even exceeding the highest estimated price.

Just like the couplets written by Emperor Qianlong and Emperor Kangxi, one sold for 420,000 and the other for 600,000.

After taking a few more photos, we entered the first mini-climax: "Returning to the Village" by Xu Yang, a court painter from the Qing Dynasty.

This man is very famous. His famous scroll painting "Prosperous Suzhou" (also known as "The Prosperous Suzhou", which is 10 meters long and is housed in the Liaoning Provincial Museum) and the world-renowned scroll painting "Emperor Qianlong's Southern Inspection Tour" (which is 160 meters long and is housed in the National Museum of China) were both created by him.

According to past auction records, Xu Yang's works have an average price of around 150,000 yuan per square foot. Last year at the China Guardian Spring Auction, "Imitation of Tiger and Divine Spear" sold for 430,000 yuan.

Two years ago at the Kuangshi Autumn Auction, "The Fairy Tale of Leisurely Conversation" sold for 1.2 million.

But this painting had a starting price of eight million, and it broke ten million within a minute of the auction starting.

The reason is simple: it was personally inscribed by Emperor Qianlong and bears his seal.

Then, look at the collector's seals: Treasure of Qianlong's Imperial Inspection (red), Shiqu Baoji (red), Baoji Sanbian (red), Sanxitang Jingjianxi (red), Yizisun (white), Treasure of Jiaqing's Imperial Inspection (red), Jiaqing Jianshang (white), Treasure of Xuantong's Imperial Inspection (red).

The seals of Emperor Qianlong and Emperor Jiaqing were affixed twice, and Emperor Xuantong's seal was also affixed once. In addition, it was included twice in the Shiqu Baoji and twice in the Sanxitang.

There wasn't much further entanglement; the bid reached 10.8 million, and then no one else raised their paddle. Including fees, the total was 12.43 million.

Compared to this, the calligraphy by Emperor Qianlong and Emperor Kangxi, which was just photographed and also bears the imperial seal, looks like a joke...

A few more pieces were sold sporadically, leading to the second climax of today's auction: the Four Masters of the Qing Dynasty.

Wang Yuanqi's "Landscape in the Style of Huang Heshanqiao" sold for 2.53 million, plus commission, totaling 2.91 million.

Wang Hui's "Water Village" sold for 3.11 million, bringing the total to 3.58 million with commission.

But when it came to Wang Hui's "Snow-Covered Wu Mountain", it was another meteoric rise.

Zhao Boheng held the bidding paddle, completely bewildered: his master had told him to bid anything under six hundred. But in the short time it took him to grab a paddle from under the chair, the bidding had already surpassed eight million.

What's the point of filming this?

Looking at those familiar faces, Lin Sicheng didn't know what to say: When he saw these people enter, he guessed that there would probably be a bloodbath today, but he didn't expect it to be this tragic.

With a sigh, the price soared to 8.5 million, fewer and fewer people raised their paddles, and finally the hammer fell at 8.68 million. Including commission, it came to nearly 11 million.

Lin Sicheng glanced at him: He didn't recognize the person, and he didn't know if it was arranged in advance by some organization.

Subsequently, Lin Zexu's "Important Letters to Zhu Weibing Concerning the Grand Canal Transport in Jiangnan" and Yun Shouping's antique-style landscape album were auctioned.

Wang Qizhi and Zhao Xiuneng merely glanced at the cards; they were even less impressive than Zhao Da. Although Zhao Da didn't have time to raise his hand, at least he managed to retrieve it. Before the two of them could even take their cards, the price had already soared beyond their expected value.

Lin Zexu's letters sold for 2.64 million, and Yun Shouping's painting album sold for 1.12 million.

After taking a few more photos by land, it was finally Zheng Banqiao's turn to take photos of his "Seven-Character Quatrain in Running Script".

When the image appeared on the screen, the venue was quiet for a moment, then became noisy again.

"This painting paper is wrong..."

"The ink isn't right either..."

"During the preview the day before yesterday, many people said it was a fake..."

Hearing the murmurs, Ye Anning winked, indicating that it was almost certain she could get the item at the bottom price.

Lin Sicheng sighed.

He had thought so before, but looking at the people who were just admiring the "Snow-Covered Wu Mountain" painting, each one was more professional than the last.

Even if it weren't for the bottom price, Lin Sicheng would be more than satisfied with getting it for three times the bottom price.

Looking at the screen, Lin Sicheng made a four.

Ye Anning's eyes widened: Four what, four hundred thousand?

But the starting bid is only 120,000?

But she only hesitated for a moment, then took out her phone and quickly sent a text message.

Just as they finished dealing, someone raised their sign. Then came the second, the third, the fourth…

The room fell silent, and even the auctioneer on stage was taken aback.

Experts have identified it as a fake, so why are people still bidding on it?

But the time was extremely short, only a few seconds, before he suddenly came to his senses and began to quote prices.

After scanning the area, Lin Sicheng sighed again.

The one holding up the sign worked in the cultural division of the Beijing Antique Shop; the second one worked at the Beijing Research Institute of Culture and History; and the third one worked at the Chinese Painting Gallery. Lin Sicheng recognized the others, including those who hadn't yet raised their signs but seemed eager to do so.

According to seniority, he has to call two of them "senior brothers." Aside from their professional backgrounds, they also have a great deal of discretionary power.

If you want to succeed today, you have to use the ultimate trick.

After thinking for a moment, he beckoned and lowered his voice: "Sister Anning, which of your two friends is the braver?"

"It must be A-Zhi (Qin Ruozhi)."

"You do this, you make them do this, like this..."

Ye Anning nodded repeatedly.

The two were facing each other, speaking in hushed tones. The brother and sister assumed they were discussing what to film and paid no attention.

After muttering to himself for a while, Ye Anning sent another text message.

In just two or three minutes, the bidding had reached over 180,000, more than half the starting price.

"182,000...184,000...186,000..."

The auctioneer was making an offer when suddenly Qin Ruozhi stood up and said in a very clear voice, "Four hundred thousand."

The room fell silent.

Everyone was a bit confused, including the auctioneer and the guests.

After a moment of stunned silence, the auctioneer came to his senses: "Miss, if you like this item, you can raise your paddle, and the bid will be the same each time. If you are determined to win, you can speak with the assistant in the room..."

"Is that so? I understand!" Qin Ruozhi smiled sheepishly and sat down again. "Could you please remind me when it reaches 400,000?"

The auctioneer was stunned again, and all the guests were stunned: Wasn't this just causing trouble?

Especially those guys who were holding up signs earlier, they looked like they'd swallowed a fly: how are they supposed to keep bidding now?

Their target price is around 300,000, but this guy has already bid 400,000. Should they raise the paddle or not?

The auctioneer was even more distressed; he had already anticipated what would happen next.

He sighed, extended his hand, and gestured for him to enter.

But strangely, no one was holding up a sign?

Qin Ruozhi looked around and, seeing that no one was moving, she gently raised her cue.

The auctioneer sighed again: "Eighteen thousand eighteen thousand!"

Apart from her, no one else held up a sign.

Did you know this would happen?

The auctioneer sighed again and began calling out bids: "180,000 for the first time, 180,000 for the second time, 188,000 for the third time..."

Even as the gavel fell, no one raised a paddle.

Lu Meng was confused: "Brother, what's going on?"

"What else could it be? The people who raised their paddles earlier all felt that this calligraphy wasn't worth 400,000, so naturally they stopped bidding!"

"I see? So what's next? Four hundred thousand sold?"

"How could that be? If the final bid reached 188,000, then it could only be sold for 188,000. To put it bluntly: the buyer can indeed offer a higher price, but it must be communicated with the organizers and the auctioneer will make the offer; her bid doesn't count..."

Zhenzhen looked at Qin Ruozhi and said, "Of course, if you think you can get a good deal, or if you don't believe she can really get 400,000, you can increase it from 188,000. But if you go beyond your psychological price and she doesn't follow through, then it's like you've been stuck with a bad deal."

Lu Meng was stunned: You can do that?

"Isn't this just causing trouble?"

Lu Zhen remained silent: It was indeed disruptive, and there was even suspicion of malicious price gouging. If it was found that they were connected to the seller, they would definitely be kicked out.

But Qin Ruozhi is definitely not, and the organizers also know that she is not.

The fact that this item was put up for auction is purely a publicity stunt by the seller to annoy people. He didn't even hire any shills, let alone show up himself.

So Lu Zhen was also puzzled: it was clearly a fake, so why were so many people bidding on it?

In a flash, a staff member maintaining order in the venue walked over, presumably to remind Qin Ruozhi. Qin Ruozhi nodded repeatedly, probably saying that it was her first time there and she didn't know anything, and probably making another assurance.

It was just a minor hiccup; the auction continued.

Lin Sicheng and Ye Anning were face to face again, whispering to each other.

"Xu Beihong's 'Magpies Singing in the Willows'... Didn't you say yesterday that the painting didn't look quite right?"

"Don't worry, someone's backing you up, but be careful, just do it once."

"oh oh……"

Ye Anning nodded and then took out her phone to send a text message.

After a short while, the image on the screen changed:

The note below reads: "Magpies Singing in the Willows" by Xu Beihong (1895-1953).

Attached is the authentication certificate issued by Ms. Liao Jingwen (wife of Xu Beihong).

The starting bid was 250,000, but there were only three or four bidders.

After the price reached 280,000, no one raised their paddle anymore. Just as the auctioneer called out the price, Qin Ruozhi raised her paddle.

The room fell silent.

The auctioneer paused for a moment, then made the usual offer: "Two hundred and eighty-two thousand!"

Just after I finished announcing it, someone else raised a sign, adding two thousand.

However, it wasn't the previous buyer, but a new one.

But strangely, Qin Ruozhi stopped following.

The auctioneer made another bid, calling out three times in a row, before the gavel struck once.

The man who had just raised his paddle stared at Qin Ruozhi, his face turning green: "You dared to bid 400,000 for a fake Zheng Banqiao calligraphy, why didn't you bid for this one which is so real?"

But twenty-eight or twenty-four... I'm a shill, okay?

Damn it, how am I supposed to keep filming like this?