Ning Zhiheng turned to look at Si Guangyuan and couldn't help but laugh, "This is the prized possession of Boguzhai, a masterpiece of Dong Qichang's small regular script, the 'Duren' sutra from the Five Classics, a true treasure, but you didn't take the whole thing."
Dong Qichang, a great calligrapher of the Ming Dynasty, achieved extremely high levels of skill in calligraphy. While many believe that his running and cursive scripts were his greatest accomplishments, he was actually most proud of his regular script, especially his small regular script.
His small regular script calligraphy is unique, vigorous and elegant, with exquisite brushwork, well-organized and balanced layout, and extremely brilliant scrolls. There are many of his surviving works, among which the most precious are the so-called Five Classics.
However, these five works have always been kept in the Shanghai Boguzhai as the store's prized possessions. Ning Zhiheng had seen them before when he was browsing the antique street and even had a special appreciation of them. However, the owner of Boguzhai insisted on not selling them, and Ning Zhiheng did not want to reveal his identity as a Japanese nobleman and force a purchase, so he had to give up in the end. But he did not expect to see one of them today.
Upon hearing Ning Zhiheng's words, Si Guangyuan felt somewhat embarrassed and didn't know how to respond for a moment.
Since receiving guidance from Su Yue, he has been searching everywhere for calligraphy and paintings by famous people, as well as antiques and rare treasures. However, time is too tight, and he doesn't know where to find them all at once.
So they returned to the concession and discussed it with Chen Ting and others. They each set out to collect valuable calligraphy and paintings from major antique shops in Shanghai. Unlike Ning Zhiheng, they were not polite. In order to get the treasures, they used all sorts of means, including coercion, bribery, and intimidation.
The antique shop owners were deeply afraid of these Green Gang bosses and dared not pass off inferior goods as superior ones, so they brought out some rare items, including this painting by Dong Qichang, "Saving People".
Ning Zhiheng then examined several other items, all of which were rare treasures. Many of them were ones he had previously appraised. He wondered what methods the leaders of the Green Gang had used to acquire them all.
After a long silence, he gently put down the calligraphy and painting in his hand and said, "Very good, you have put your heart into it. Here's what we'll do! Go to Boguzhai and bring over the remaining four volumes of scriptures. Take the rest back!"
Upon hearing Ning Zhiheng's words, Su Yue and Si Guangyuan were both taken aback. They exchanged glances, wondering what Chairman Fujiwara meant. Could it be that none of these exquisite pieces satisfied him?
Si Guangyuan was filled with unease, fearing that the other party might be dissatisfied. He quickly stepped forward and asked, "Mr. Fujiwara, are these items not to your liking? It was my oversight. Because of the tight schedule, I did not examine them carefully. Please give me another chance. I will go back immediately and collect another batch of treasures to send to you!"
“No, no!” Ning Zhiheng waved his hand and said again, “The other items are also good things, but I prefer calligraphy and paintings. Just do as I say.”
At this point, he looked at Si Guangyuan with a half-smile, tapping his fingers on the chair, and said again, "I heard that your boss, Yue Sheng, owns quite a few properties in the French Concession, and in very good locations?"
Upon hearing this, Si Guangyuan suddenly realized that Chairman Fujiwara had his eye on the properties in the French Concession. That was wonderful!
Before leaving Shanghai, Yue Sheng urgently disposed of a batch of properties to exchange with Ning Zhiheng, the deputy stationmaster of the Shanghai station at the time, for a large amount of supplies and money. However, because Ning Zhiheng thought that some of the properties were too conspicuous, he mainly chose some more hidden properties in the International Settlement and gave up the large properties in the French Concession.
Later, the situation deteriorated rapidly, and Yue Sheng fled to Hong Kong in an emergency. The large assets that had not been dealt with were handed over to some of his disciples who stayed behind. However, as the situation became more and more severe, Japan became more and more militarily powerful and its rule in Shanghai became more and more stable. There were even rumors that Japan would take back the major concessions in Shanghai in the near future. As a result, it was difficult for Yue Sheng to keep his assets.
After all, the Japanese were aware of Yue Sheng's stance. How these industries would ultimately be dealt with depended on the Japanese attitude. However, one thing was certain: as long as the Japanese ruled Shanghai, Yue Sheng could forget about returning.
Therefore, Wan Mulin has been rushing back to Shanghai many times recently to deal with these industries. He has already sold some of them. Now that he heard that Chairman Fujiwara is also interested, Si Guangyuan naturally agreed.
Yue Sheng would naturally be more than happy to exchange these industries for Wan Mulin's life.
Si Guangyuan hurriedly said, "Yes, yes, there are indeed some properties, and Mr. Yue has been wanting to sell them, but he just couldn't find a good buyer for the time being. It would be great if Mr. Fujiwara were interested. Please feel free to choose. As long as you like it, Mr. Yue will have no objections!"
Seeing Si Guangyuan agree so readily, Ning Zhiheng nodded to himself. This man was quick-witted and decisive, and could indeed be considered Yue Sheng's capable assistant.
In truth, he was not willing to take over these properties. He was just looking for an excuse to make a bigger splash. Private antique transactions are hard for outsiders to know about, but the change of ownership and sale of large properties is impossible to hide. So Ning Zhiheng deliberately showed interest in Yue Sheng's properties. Once he got the properties, he could just send someone to create a stir, so that his rescue of Wan Mulin would be justified.
"Alright, Mr. Si is a straightforward person. Then it's settled. My manager will negotiate with you and handle the formalities. As for Mr. Wan, I'll contact the Shadow Agency and he'll be released soon. But let me make this clear: Mr. Wan must behave himself after he's released and not give anyone any leverage over him. Otherwise, I won't be able to explain it to General Shadow Agency! Do you understand?"
Upon hearing this, Si Guangyuan was overjoyed. He had spent so much effort and traveled everywhere, and now he finally had a good result. He had not failed his mission.
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