After thinking for a moment, she asked the old carpenter, "According to you, people with talent have the power to conquer others? Talent is really a wonderful thing; you can become powerful without any effort."
The old carpenter laughed: "Child, a talented person is like someone born with the key to unlock a treasure. But what use is the key if you don't work hard to find the treasure first?"
"Oh, I see. Talent plus hard work is needed to create a piece that can conquer the entire audience, right?"
Hearing her say this, the old carpenter knew that her competitive nature had come out. He taught her, "Ruler, remember what your master said. When you are not skilled enough, work hard to improve your skills. When you understand it and can do it with ease, remember not to show off your skills and keep your true self in mind."
He taught her to make practical things, and that everything else, including aesthetics and materials, should only serve its core purpose.
Being obsessed with aesthetics or exquisite craftsmanship is not as valuable as creating something practical.
Zheng Quchi remembered this sentence.
Don't show off your skills; practicality comes before aesthetics. With talent and hard work, you can achieve both practicality and beauty.
She wrote it down, but never had the chance to understand its true meaning. But now, this wooden pillar that was showing off its craftsmanship has made her understand.
The owner of Jinxing Inn, having somehow acquired the skill of relief carving, considered himself superior and began to ostentatiously seek attention here.
They forgot that a craftsman's skill is meant to make a better work, not to be a means of showing off.
He erected the half-carved doorpost at the entrance of Jinxing Inn, challenging other woodcarvers. The purpose of doing so was not to enhance his own skills, but simply to show off his craft.
And it is precisely in these areas of vanity that which are not grounded in reality that one is most easily exploited by others.
As the saying goes, you have to compare goods to throw them away. The two sections are made with the same relief carving technique, but the difference in the level of craftsmanship can be discerned at a glance.
The carving is exquisite, the image is lifelike, and the lines are smooth. Even someone who knows nothing about art can easily distinguish the difference between the two if they understand the difference between beauty and ugliness.
Zheng Quchi spent a full hour carving four lotus flowers of different shapes on the water ripples as the base and the lotus seedpod.
They are not exactly the same, but rather represent the most beautiful process of a lotus flower blooming from a bud.
This requires not only profound and skillful carving techniques, but also meticulous observation of its growth process in daily life, presenting it to the public through craftsmanship.
First bloom, budding, lotus emerging from the water, clusters of flowers.
They are positioned right at the waistline, encircling the cylinder, as if mimicking its vivid and dynamic changes.
The owner of Jinxing Inn had previously carved a scene of lotus pond under the moonlight on the doorposts. He then carved pine trees, corridors, pavilions, and buildings on the pond. The empty space below is now being filled by her.
It can be said that the upper part is made up of most of the scenery, and the small area of the door pillars makes it look a bit crowded, which also reflects the shop owner's eagerness to show off their skills.
The lower part of her design is expansive, using large elements to encompass small ones and close-up elements to create a sense of distance, resulting in a flawless overall effect.
A balance of tension and relaxation is essential for a pleasing appearance.
But precisely because it's so perfect, the overall artistic conception above seems less beautiful.
As Zheng Quchi finished his work, he turned to the side, patted the wooden stakes off his body, and revealed the entire doorpost behind him.
From the very beginning, no one around Jinxing Inn was willing to leave and give up watching such a lively show. Now, they are deeply grateful that they stayed until the end.
Otherwise, they might regret it to death.
This young carpenter completely surprised them.
They were amazed, wondering if all craftsmen these days were this capable.
"My goodness, look at these lotus flowers! They look so real! They're practically breaking free from the wooden pillar and stretching out as if they were alive."
These lotus flowers were carved by Zheng Quchi with bold strokes, using a large area of wood and employing a 3D hollowing technique. Therefore, these lotus flowers are both embedded in the wooden pillars and independent wood carvings.
They marveled at the sight, discussing the carving technique used, saying it was far superior to the master's relief.
"He won! This young man won!"
"Yes, we all underestimated the craftsmen of Ye. Look at what he showed, it's not simple, not simple at all."
"That's right. The owner of Jinxing Inn should accept the loss. Your owner's carving is indeed good, but now that you've met someone even better, the difference in skill is immediately apparent."
The audience below the steps immediately became agitated, and they all began to speak up for them, standing up for these out-of-towners and acting as witnesses, so that the old swindler wouldn't find an excuse to renege on his promise.
Zheng Quchi discovered that the people in Yongchun were not all profit-driven. She explained to them, "The lotus flowers I carve can be admired or used as lamp holders. They are placed around the doorposts. If the lamp is lit at night, they can illuminate objects and also be displayed at night."
Upon hearing this, they imagined the scene that evening and praised her for her ingenuity. Such wood carvings were not only useful but also added unique features, instantly transforming the ordinary facade of their Jinxing Inn into something extraordinary.
"It seems really good."
"Yes, look at her. Not only is her technique superior, but she also puts her carvings to good use. They are both beautiful and functional."
"Are these really craftsmen from Ye? It seems the outside accounts aren't entirely accurate. Aren't they quite skilled?"
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