Hearing this, Wen Rongshi stared at the piece of calligraphy and grew even more emotional. “Fifty or sixty characters, worth one million two hundred thousand taels. One character is almost twenty thousand taels. Such easy money, yet he stopped writing. Truly a pity.”
From the side, Wen Guoshi let out a quiet laugh. “Sister-in-law, if he really wrote more, it would not be worth so much. For a living person’s calligraphy to be worth this much is already extremely rare.”
Wen Yan’an also said, “Mother, that is not how the reckoning works. If we really calculate by the character, some of his characters are even more expensive. In the capital’s Xiyue Ward, there is a small restaurant called ‘Renjian Hao’ with those three characters. Someone offered fifteen million taels to buy it out, on the condition that the three characters ‘Renjian Hao’ were included in the sale, but the restaurant simply refused to transfer.”
“Those same three characters. A Shiheng also once wrote the three characters ‘Longyuan Qiu’ as a signboard for a garden in the capital, also a restaurant. After word spread, Longyuan Qiu’s business instantly boomed. Nowadays one must book several days in advance to dine there.”
“Longyuan Qiu, although its artistic mood and fame are far inferior to the three characters ‘Renjian Hao’, someone still offered as high as nine million taels to acquire that restaurant, on the condition that the signboard with A Shiheng’s ‘Longyuan Qiu’ was included in the purchase.”
“That restaurant also refused to sell, saying they would pass it down to their descendants as a family heirloom together with the signboard.”
“If we really talk about value, although Longyuan Qiu is in a rather remote location in the capital, after all it is a large garden in the capital, worth at least one hundred thousand taels. It is definitely more expensive than the small restaurant. But the small restaurant’s current market price is much higher. Mother, if we really calculate by the character, how much should one character be worth?”
Wen Rongshi nodded thoughtfully. Although she could not clearly explain the reasoning, she more or less understood. Still, she sighed, “Why are they all restaurants? What benefit must they have given that Tanhua scholar to make him pick up his brush and write?”
Wen Yan’an shook his head. “This was confirmed long ago. He just happened to be dining at those restaurants, and wrote at the shopkeeper’s earnest request. The small restaurant was a treat from a colleague. Longyuan Qiu was in exchange for a meal. He did not take a single cent in either case.”
Wen Xin suddenly softly recited a line she felt inspired to say. “Not for a thousand pieces of gold and noble wealth, but only for grain to fill one’s stomach.”
Wen Yanhai of the main branch smiled. “Actually, it is simply that rarity makes something precious.”
Wen Yan’an nodded in agreement. “Indeed. After he resigned from office and left the capital, it is said he abandoned literature for martial arts. No one has seen him leave behind any calligraphy since. And before he astonished everyone with his talent, he was also very low-key. Not many people in his locality had obtained his calligraphy.”
“In the capital of Lie Prefecture, the warehouse storing his provincial examination papers mysteriously caught fire. His provincial exam papers were burned. Later it was discovered that even his county examination papers and such had inexplicably disappeared. It could not all be coincidence. This made people connect it to the warehouse fire in the Lie Prefecture capital.”
“When the cases were put together it became obvious. Someone must have coveted A Shiheng’s calligraphy and deliberately set the fire to cover up the theft.”
“After all, something worth millions of taels at every turn, it is not surprising that someone would be moved by greed.”
“Those were proper examination papers, worth considerably more than this casual practice piece of ours.”
“For various reasons, A Shiheng’s calligraphy currently circulating in the world is pitifully scarce.”
“After the deed of him giving away his entire fortune to save the people from disaster, without leaving his name, became known, his fame grew ever greater. The more famous he became, the more people wanted his calligraphy. Yet it was precisely pitifully scarce, causing the price of his calligraphy to be driven higher and higher. The problem is that even with money one cannot buy it.”
“It is a relative matter. The higher the price, the more people want it. The scarcer it is, the more it can display status. Nowadays, if any family can hang a proper piece of calligraphy by A Shiheng, in the capital that would absolutely be a symbol of status and position.”
“But the problem is, there really is too little. Including his examination papers from when he went to the capital to sit the exams, there are currently fewer than twenty known surviving pieces. This still includes several practice sheets dug out from his home.”
“Who could imagine, such a great talent, and someone who passed all the way to the capital, yet his surviving writings number fewer than twenty pieces. And proper calligraphy pieces number only eight. Just the inscriptions for ‘Renjian Hao’ and ‘Longyuan Qiu’, plus the four subject examination papers from the metropolitan exam and one palace examination paper. Oh, and also a resignation memorial.”
“Many wealthy and powerful people wanted to find a proper scroll of his, searching through all possible places, and still could not find one.”
“Later, because there were frequent disasters in the regions and the court urgently needed money, someone took the opportunity to set their sights on A Shiheng’s metropolitan and palace examination papers. Especially that poem ‘Facing the Heavenly Palace’, which is currently A Shiheng’s only surviving poem, and also suitable for mounting and hanging on a wall for people to appreciate. So someone offered an astronomical price, wanting to buy it from the court for collection.”
Wen Xin immediately asked, “Did the court sell it? If it can be bought and sold, Fifth Brother, why did you not tell Grandfather?”
Wen Yan’an waved his hand. “At first the court was somewhat tempted. Later it seems the Emperor was angered, and the court cabinet sternly rejected the matter.”
A group of people in the hall, hearing such a fresh story, felt it was quite legendary and quite interesting. Men and women alike listened with fascination.
The second son of the main branch, Wen Yanhai, also asked strangely, “That is not right. Is there not also a wealthy merchant surnamed Zhong in the capital? That is the family of A Shiheng’s much-talked-about fiancee. Was it not said that after A Shiheng arrived in the capital he studied and wrote at the Zhong residence for over a month? Could the Zhong residence also not have his calligraphy?”
Wen Yan’an sighed. “A Shiheng was clearly keeping a low profile at first. His ranking in the provincial exam was not high. How could the Zhong residence know he would score full marks in four subjects and become the top metropolitan graduate? When the household servants went to clean A Shiheng’s study every day, they treated his calligraphy and such as scribbles and tidied them away, throwing them out as rubbish. They were ruined long ago.”
“Hiss!” Someone in the hall sucked in a cold breath.
Even though everyone present was wealthy, quite a few still showed expressions of painful regret.
Wen Guoshi, who still retained her charm, also sighed. “What was thrown away were piles of banknotes. That really is a pity.”
“After he scored full marks in four subjects and began to rise to fame, his calligraphy already started to become valuable. It is said that the mistress of the Zhong family had also promised many friends that she would help ask A Shiheng for some. Later, somehow, not even the Zhong residence itself managed to obtain a single piece.”
“Some estimate that A Shiheng suddenly abandoned his fiancee without regard, causing the Zhong family to lose face completely and ruining the Zhong daughter’s entire life. How could the Zhong family still give away A Shiheng’s calligraphy as gifts? They probably never wanted to mention this matter again.”
“At that time A Shiheng’s calligraphy was not yet very valuable. The Zhong family could afford to discard it. They could not possibly keep it at home to disgust themselves. It is estimated that all of it was destroyed by the Zhong family. Personally, I think this rumour is quite likely.”
The group of women were still quite interested in this kind of love and grudge story. Each one listened with such concentration, even though they had long heard the story of A Shiheng abandoning his marriage.
Wen Rongshi sighed. “Famous throughout the world, with a bright future ahead. A perfectly good official position, how could he resign just like that? It is said the Zhong daughter is also quite an extraordinary person. How could he look down on her and abandon the marriage just like that?”
The sentiment in and between her words, plus the look she gave her son, seemed to say, it would be good if she could marry my son.
Wen Yan’an smiled. “Extraordinary people do extraordinary things. That is why he can be the legend who refuses to bow to others, while your son can only be an insignificant official who obeys every command.”
“A towering foundation rises from flat ground.”
Wen Mao, who had been listening to his children and grandchildren’s discussion, suddenly interjected.
Wen Yan’an immediately turned and cupped his hands. “Yes, Grandfather’s teaching is correct.”
“Throughout history, how many outstanding talents have faded into obscurity because they were burdened by great fame. For him, the rise and fall of officialdom may not be a good thing. Resigning from office may not necessarily be a bad thing. He is no fool. Since he has shaken off his robes and left, he must have his own reasons. We outsiders need not dwell on it.”
After making this brief judgment, Wen Mao raised his hand to indicate that the piece of calligraphy before them should be put away. Wen Xin immediately carefully rolled it up.
Everyone pondered the old master’s words slightly.
The daughter of the second branch, Wen Hui, suddenly said again, “Yan’an, what does that Tanhua scholar look like…” Her gaze glanced to the side, realising her husband was nearby, and she smoothly changed her words. “You and that Tanhua scholar were of the same examination year, so you must be familiar. See if there is any way to invite him to our Wen clan as a guest. You can do your part as host, and we can also have a glimpse of the Tanhua scholar’s bearing.”
Hearing these words, everyone immediately became interested. Especially the womenfolk, the anticipation in their eyes was obvious.
This fifth young master before them had returned for the first time after going to the capital to sit the exams. Everyone was also asking about the situation face to face for the first time.
Wen Yan’an smiled bitterly. “I have seen him. He has the appearance of a proper man. He looks more spirited than us scholars. Perhaps it is because he also practises martial arts. It is said he esteems martial arts. As for whether we are familiar, that is completely out of the question. I know him, but he may not know me. If my name were spoken, he probably would not even have an impression. I also do not know where he is. How could I invite him?”
Wen Hui was surprised. “He does not even know who you are? How is that possible? You were of the same examination year. Did you not chat?”
Wen Yan’an thought for a moment. “There was no opportunity for contact. Before the metropolitan exam I did not know who he was. After the metropolitan exam, that is, when entering and leaving the palace, I stepped forward on my own initiative to cup my hands and greet him. Almost all the successful candidates went to greet him. I was merely one insignificant member among them. How could he remember insignificant me?”
“Those who could stand with him and become familiar were not someone like me, in the middle rank of the second class. When we entered and left the palace and trembled at the sight of a eunuch, those who took the initiative to greet him were already high officials in purple robes of the court.”
“How could such a person put me in his eyes? If we really speak of familiarity, the Wan family’s son-in-law Yin Jizhen was his colleague. He must certainly be familiar with him. Even our family’s Second Great-Uncle might be more familiar with him than I am. After all, Second Great-Uncle personally offered him wine when he rode through the streets on horseback. The two of them exchanged pleasantries face to face for a while.”
The so-called Second Great-Uncle refers to the clan head Wen Mao’s second uncle. He has already passed away, but he happened to be in the capital when the new golden list came out.
Hearing that a once-in-a-century great talent had emerged, he asked the family to arrange for him to meet the Tanhua scholar during his street parade.
When successful candidates rode on horseback through the streets, they did not travel one road to the end without stopping. Along the way they would pause in sections, pretending to be thirsty, to accept wine enthusiastically offered by the people, meaning to celebrate with the people and not forget one’s roots.
Naturally, not just anyone could casually pour things into the new successful candidates’ mouths along the way. It was definitely arranged beforehand.
Since it could be arranged beforehand, there was room for manipulation. Money and power could solve it.