The "Old Huang" mentioned by Mr. Liu is actually a calligraphy and painting master who works with them. However, unlike Mr. Xiao who specializes in ancient calligraphy and painting, Mr. Huang specializes in modern and contemporary calligraphy and painting.
Huang Lao was from Sichuan Province, and was a fellow villager of Mr. Qu, a disciple of Mr. Daqian. This was also the key reason why Mr. Huang had studied with Mr. Huang for more than ten years when he was young.
Thanks to the personal instruction of Mr. Daqian in his early years, Mr. Huang's attainments in calligraphy and painting are no less than Mr. Xiao's. Especially in the appraisal of Mr. Daqian's works, Mr. Huang is the best in China.
"I'm wondering what the hell are you four doing? I just finished dinner and was about to rest early, but you four came here to bother me again." As soon as he entered the room, Mr. Huang started complaining to Mr. Liu and the others.
In fact, Mr. Huang attended the morning ceremony and luncheon, but he went back in the afternoon. Not long after he went back, he was "summoned" back again, so it's no wonder he complained.
"Hey, Old Huang, I'm not asking you to come back this time to make things difficult for you!" Old Xiao smiled. "Look at this painting on the table. Who painted it?"
Hearing what Mr. Xiao said, Mr. Huang looked at the painting. As soon as he saw it, he cried out "Ouch" and rushed over. Just looking at his agility, no one would have thought that he was already in his sixties or seventies.
"This, this is the original work of my master! It is an imitation of Bada's painting!" After looking at it for a while, Huang Lao laughed excitedly. Huang Lao was half a disciple of Qu Lao. Although there was no apprenticeship ceremony, it was a recognized fact in the circle, so it was not wrong for him to call Mr. Daqian his master.
In terms of seniority, Mr. Huang is one generation older than Mr. Liu and others. His master Mr. Qu is of the same generation as Master Qi Gong.
"Old Xiao, where did you get this painting? I've never heard that my master's great master has ever copied such a painting by Bada. Well, the original painting of "Birds and Dead Trees" is in the hands of Old Wang's descendants, right?"
Old Xiao nodded and said, "Yes, the original is in the hands of Old Wang's descendants. As for this painting, it was collected by Xiao Jing's grandfather in the 1980s. At that time, it was also identified that the painting was a copy, but no one knew that the copy was made by the Eighth Master. Xiao Jing always felt that this painting was a copy, and he thought that this painting was a copy made by the Eighth Master, so he brought it here for us to take a look. I just saw the origin of this painting, but since it involves the work of the Eighth Master, we all think it is safer to call you over."
Old Huang patted his thigh and said with a smile, "Yes, this painting was indeed copied by our master! I can vouch for it with my own eyes. Apart from anything else, the secret mark left by our master in this painting is enough to prove that this painting was created by our master."
"Hmm? Are there any secret marks in the paintings that Mr. Ba imitated?" Mr. Xiao asked curiously.
Old Huang nodded and said, "That's right. Although our master is good at imitating other masters' paintings, he always leaves a secret mark in the painting every time he imitates. This is what my master told me. Look at this place. The structure between these few strokes is the word 'Da Qian', isn't it?"
When everyone including Yang Jing heard this, they all came forward and looked at the place pointed by Huang Lao. Needless to say, with Huang Lao's reminder, everyone saw it.
"According to my master, whenever my master copied someone else's painting, he would leave a secret mark in the painting to show that it was a copy. Unfortunately, almost no one knows this. In addition, my master's copying skills are extremely high. Many of his paintings are even better than the originals. This is why my master's copies are so indistinguishable from the originals."
After hearing Mr. Huang's explanation, Mr. Liu exclaimed, "Mr. Eight has really achieved the state described in Tang Bohu's poem, 'I laugh at others for not seeing through me.' Incredible, incredible!"
Old Huang looked at Yang Jing, hesitated for a moment and said, "Xiao Yang, I wonder if you are willing to give me this painting? Just tell me how much it costs. You know, this is a painting by my great master, Mr. Daqian. As Mr. Daqian's disciple, I have the responsibility and obligation to collect his authentic works..."
When Yang Jing heard this, he also felt a little embarrassed.
Old Liu at the side said with a smile: "Old Huang, you are really getting more shameless as you get older! If Xiao Jing had personally bought this painting, I would have given it to you, not to mention giving it to you. But this painting is not Xiao Jing's, it was bought by Xiao Jing's grandfather. At that time, it was identified as a fake, and Xiao Jing's grandfather was depressed for a long time. Xiao Jing's grandfather exchanged this painting for a valuable ancestral jade pendant. According to Old Yang, the ancestral jade pendant alone was worth hundreds of thousands in the 1980s!"
Old Xiao also said, "Old Huang, why don't you find the jade pendant that belonged to Xiao Jing's grandfather? I guarantee that Xiao Jing's grandfather will be willing to give you this painting in exchange for the jade pendant."
As soon as these words came out, Mr. Huang knew that the situation was hopeless and could only smile bitterly and shake his head.
Yang Jing said sincerely, "Mr. Huang, please forgive me for not being able to give this painting to you."
Huang Lao waved his hands helplessly and said: "It's okay, it's okay, it's just that I'm greedy..."
The scene was a bit dull, and Mr. Xiao had not expected that such a situation would occur when he called Mr. Huang over.
But Yang Jing was not panicked. Compared to the "Birds Coming from a Dead Tree" imitation of Mr. Daqian, he had a more important thing today. As long as he took this thing out, it would definitely make these five old men drop their reading glasses!
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