Zhuang Rui nodded in agreement. Gu Yun's workmanship was absolutely top-notch; he himself was currently living there. ...
Chapter 617 Lion-shaped Seal (Part 2)
Zhuang Rui entered Old Master Gu's room. The old man was happily brewing tea. Seeing Zhuang Rui enter, he nodded, pointed to the chair opposite him, and said, "Sit down. What does that brat want from you? If you can't help, then don't..."
Gu Tianfeng knew Zhuang Rui's background. In China, it's impossible to say there's nothing that can't be done, but there are probably not many things the Ouyang family can't do. Gu Tianfeng was afraid that his son might make some excessive demands that would put Zhuang Rui in a difficult position.
Of course, a son is always one's own flesh and blood. The old man's words were loaded with meaning: don't help with things you can't help with, but as for things you can help with, there's no need to say more.
"Uncle Gu, it's nothing serious. Brother Yun's business is slow right now, so he asked me to recommend some jobs. Luckily, Fourth Brother has some projects going on, so I'll have him take some of them. It's legitimate business..."
Seeing that the old man was quite serious, Zhuang Rui quickly explained that it was no big deal at all. It didn't matter who did Ouyang Jun's work, so it was better to let one of their own people do it.
"Yes, follow the rules, don't break them..."
Upon hearing this, Gu Tianfeng didn't say anything more. He opened the drawer of the table where he was sitting, took out a palm-sized sandalwood box, and pushed it in front of Zhuang Rui.
"Look, this was carved from that piece of big red chicken-blood stone. The old man's skills haven't been forgotten..."
The old gentleman seemed quite satisfied with the work, and there was a hint of pride in his words.
"Hehe, of course, my senior master is the renowned Nanwu Beigu..."
After giving a small compliment, Zhuang Rui picked up the box that looked like it was made of rosewood from the table.
"Huh? Senior Uncle, this thing must be quite old, right?"
When Zhuang Rui picked up the box, it felt quite heavy. Upon closer inspection with his spiritual energy, he was certain that it was indeed made of sandalwood, with clear and delicate grain. It was top-quality small-leaf sandalwood, and quite valuable.
Don't be fooled by the small size of this box; it dates back to at least the period before the Republic of China era. From an antique perspective, it's an old item, and Zhuang Rui estimates it to be worth around 70,000 to 80,000 yuan.
In ancient times, the process of sealing a work of calligraphy or painting was a very serious and important step. Therefore, the requirements and preservation of the seals were taken very seriously. This sandalwood box, with its woven buttons, was clearly specially made to hold the seals.
"Yes, I found it a long time ago, and it's been with me for decades. I don't need it anymore, so I'll give it to you..."
When the old man spoke, there was a clear hint of reluctance and melancholy in his voice. Zhuang Rui could tell that this sandalwood box was definitely the old man's most cherished possession.
Thinking of this, Zhuang Rui shook his head and said, "Uncle-Master, I can't accept this item. You should keep it for yourself..."
"Nonsense, why would I keep it? I already said I'm retiring, so this old man won't issue any more certificates of authenticity. What's the point of having this thing?"
Upon hearing Zhuang Rui's words, the old man's voice suddenly rose, but he then sighed and said, "You have a natural talent for jade, and you're lucky, but you're too old and started learning too late. Otherwise, I would have passed on all my skills in the Northern School of jade carving to you..."
To learn carving, one must have a solid foundation in calligraphy and painting, and then train the dexterity of one's hands from a young age. Zhuang Rui's bones had already grown out, so at most he could only carve seals for fun. It would be almost impossible for him to learn carving.
Although Gu Tianfeng had many disciples throughout his life, the decline of the Northern School of carving was a foregone conclusion, and none of his disciples were capable of taking on the main responsibility, which is why the old man had this lament.
"Hehe, Uncle-Master, with your physique, you'll live at least another thirty to fifty years. What's the rush? After I have my son, I'll have him learn Northern-style carving from you. Then, I'll pass this sandalwood box on your behalf to him..."
Seeing that the old man was in a low mood, Zhuang Rui quickly changed the subject. Moreover, Zhuang Rui really did have this idea. Children learning seal carving can cultivate their hands-on skills and also cultivate their character, making them more composed. If Zhuang Rui had a son, he would definitely send him to the old man for instruction.
"Hehe, you little rascal, don't tease me, open it and take a look..."
Gu Tianfeng was amused by Zhuang Rui's words. Just then, Gu Yun also walked in with his son. As the saying goes, grandparents love their grandchildren more than their grandchildren, and the old man immediately smiled when he saw his grandson.
Zhuang Rui smiled, opened the box in his hand, and his attention was immediately drawn to the rectangular chicken-blood stone seal.
The seal is no longer in its original shape; it has become square. At its top, a lion playing with a ball is carved in the round, serving as the seal's knob. The center is hollowed out so that a ribbon can be threaded through it and tied around the waist. It is a typical example of Northern-style carving, with extremely fine knife work.
After picking up the seal from the silk mat in the box, it felt cool to the touch, yet slightly warm. The edges of the seal were smooth and comfortable to the touch, without feeling abrupt, which made Zhuang Rui feel very comfortable.
Upon closer inspection of the seal in his hand, Zhuang Rui was struck by its pure, smooth texture and the splashed chicken blood, resembling ink splattered with distinct layers. The bright red blood seemed to leap out of the seal.
“Xiao Zhuang, this piece of Da Hong Pao material is of excellent quality. Too much carving would only make it lose its true nature, so I only made a lion knob for you, so that its true nature can be shown…”
The old man, who was playing with his grandson, explained to Zhuang Rui, and then said, "This seal can also be called a 'chicken blood lion knob seal.' I also referenced the design of a seal formerly owned by Mr. He Jingguo in the 'Illustrated Catalogue of Chinese Seal Stones.' What do you think, are you satisfied with it..."
As the saying goes, a heavy sword has no edge, and great skill is without artifice. When it comes to the craftsmanship of an old master, the simpler the work, the more you can see his superb craftsmanship. This seal looks simple, but every stroke of the knife reveals a magnificent and meticulous style.
"Hehe, satisfied, satisfied..."
Zhuang Rui was telling the truth. Just as the old man said, the natural chicken blood on this seal would only ruin the overall feel of the seal if too much carving and artificial elements were added. It's just right now.
"Xiaoyun, go get a book and a sheet of white paper..."
Gu Tianfeng instructed his son to fetch something, but he wanted Zhuang Rui to see the seal engraving, as this was the most important part of a seal.
"Master Uncle, your inkpad is quite something..."
After Gu Yun brought the paper, Zhuang Rui opened the inkpad box placed next to the seal. A faint fragrance immediately wafted into his nose. Upon closer inspection, the inkpad was red but not garish, calm and elegant, delicate and thick, definitely a top-quality product.
The importance of ink paste to seals is self-evident. It can directly affect the effect expressed by seal art. Good ink paste, when applied to calligraphy and painting, produces beautiful and deep colors with a three-dimensional effect. The longer the ink paste is used, the more vibrant the colors become.
Poor quality ink paste will result in a dull or pale color after being stamped, and some oil stains may seep out, making the printed text blurry.
A skilled inkpad user chooses inkpads just as a skilled calligrapher chooses brushes and ink; the quality of the inkpad directly affects the value and artistic effect of the calligraphy and painting.
Some people think of inkpads as the kind sold in stationery stores, but that's a misconception.
The ink pads sold in stationery stores are coarse, oily, and have a superficial color, which cannot express the true appearance of the seal. Therefore, they cannot be called ink pads at all, but only ink coloring.
Anyone with even a little common sense would not use it as a model for seal making or for stamping calligraphy and paintings.
"Hehe, this is ink paste made by Lihuazhai in Zhangzhou, Fujian a few years ago. Their ink paste formula is very famous in China. It was given to me by an old friend. A good seal must be matched with good ink paste. You're lucky to have gotten this for yourself..."
Although Gu Tianfeng spoke casually, Zhuang Rui knew that such a small box of inkpad was definitely valuable, especially the kind that was specially given as a gift, which would probably cost around a thousand yuan for 50 grams.
Having accepted even the old man's sandalwood box worth seventy or eighty thousand, Zhuang Rui no longer hesitated. He immediately took two fingers from each hand to hold the seal, dipped them evenly in the ink, smoothed the white paper on the book, and pressed down firmly. Only after feeling that the pressure was even did he lift his hands.
The four seal characters “庄睿清赏” (Zhuang Rui Qing Shang) are vividly colored, bright, calm and elegant, leaping off the paper. The ancient and vigorous lines of the characters give Zhuang Rui a subtle feeling of being cast in gold and carved in jade. The saying “within a square inch, there is a myriad of phenomena” is nothing more than this.
Zhuang Rui could tell that the old man had put a lot of effort into carving the inscription. He used two different carving techniques: the straight cut and the slicing cut. The straight cut was swift and powerful, and the carving was completed in one go, showing a vigorous and unrestrained momentum.
In the details, the old master combined the cutting technique with short, continuous cuts, step by step, to express the vigorous, concise, solid, and steady style. The combination of these two cutting techniques demonstrates the highest level of seal carving craftsmanship.
Based on this alone, Zhuang Rui could conclude that Master Ge, whom he had hired for "Xuanrui Zhai," was probably not as skilled as the old master in seal carving.
The yin and yang characters on seals are also very particular. Different characters represent different functions. For example, there are name and style seals, letter seals, and signature seals, also known as "flower seals". These are seals with carved flowers and written on them, making them difficult to imitate. In ancient times, they served as a mark of trust.
In addition, there are studio seals. In ancient times, people often named their residences and studies and used them to make seals. The "Xuanrui Studio Seal" that Master Ge first engraved belonged to the category of studio seals.
The four characters "庄睿清赏" clearly indicate that this seal is a collector's and connoisseur's seal.
This type of seal is mostly used to stamp calligraphy, paintings and cultural relics. For example, the painting by Lang Shining that Zhuang Rui appraised for the master also used this type of seal. The seal on it reads: "XX appraises", which is very similar in meaning to "Zhuang Rui appreciates".
Chapter 618 Good News
"Senior Uncle, you truly are like a sword sheathed but a man whose age has not diminished..."
Looking at the seal, Zhuang Rui sincerely flattered the old man. This was no flattery; there were very few people in the whole country who could match the old man's skill.
"When did you learn this trick? Look, let's see again..."
Grandpa Gu glared at Zhuang Rui with annoyance, then handed him a magnifying glass, urging Zhuang Rui to take a closer look at the four characters "Zhuang Rui Qing Shang".
"Hmm? Grandpa, what's this?"
After Zhuang Rui took the magnifying glass, he looked at the four characters printed on the paper. Upon closer inspection, he could indeed see some differences.
It turned out that there was a faint red mist between these four characters, which was hard to notice if you weren't paying attention. Zhuang Rui originally thought that it was the color of the seal left on the surface because he had used too much force. But now it seems that the old man did it on purpose.
Under the magnifying glass, the faint red color revealed three patterns: swimming fish. Three lifelike goldfish appeared vividly in Zhuang Rui's eyes.
"Hehe, that's for anti-counterfeiting purposes. I carved it on using micro-engraving techniques. It's something that ordinary people or machines shouldn't be able to replicate..."
The old man didn't actually expend much effort carving Zhuang Rui's seal, but the micro-carving of the pattern exhausted him quite a bit; otherwise, Zhuang Rui wouldn't have had to wait three days for the seal.
"Senior Uncle, thank you so much..."
Zhuang Rui was at a loss for words to express his gratitude to the old man. He could only secretly vow in his heart that he would make this seal a coveted authentication stamp for many calligraphy and painting collectors.
"Keep up the good work, you have a long road ahead. Whether it's antiques or jade, your foundation is too weak. You still need to study systematically..."
Gu Tianfeng saw through Zhuang Rui's thoughts and gave him a gentle but firm rebuke. Basic knowledge was indeed Zhuang Rui's weakest point, which was one of the reasons why Zhuang Rui was admitted to Professor Meng's graduate program.
"Alright, let's have dinner here tonight before going back..."
The old man waved his hand, silencing Zhuang Rui's words of thanks, and took his grandson for a stroll in the yard. In this bright spring weather, what could be more delightful than relaxing in a deck chair and playing with his grandson?
It was fine for Zhuang Rui to stay for dinner; it wasn't the first time. However, he needed to take care of Gu Yun's matter first. Zhuang Rui took out his phone and called Ouyang Jun, explaining the situation to him.
Gu Yun also renovated Ouyang Jun's small courtyard house. He lives there very comfortably now and has a good impression of Gu Yun. After hearing Zhuang Rui's words, he asked Gu Yun to come to the company tomorrow to discuss it. From what Ouyang Jun said, he seems to want to hand over the environmental protection and greening work to Gu Yun.
After hanging up the phone, Zhuang Rui told Gu Yun about it and said apologetically, "Brother Gu, how about I go with you to Fourth Brother's company tomorrow? I'll try to get you a good job..."
When Gu Yun heard Zhuang Rui mention the landscaping area, he was all smiles. However, upon hearing Zhuang Rui's next words, he was startled and quickly waved his hands, saying, "No, please don't, brother, Boss Ouyang is really looking out for me..."
Is there any point in greening efforts?
Zhuang Rui really didn't understand. In his opinion, greening was just about building a few pavilions and planting some trees in the community. Although people nowadays pay more attention to the environment, Zhuang Rui didn't have that kind of concept in his mind.
After hearing Zhuang Rui's words, Gu Yun rolled his eyes and said, "Of course there's profit to be made. Let me tell you, you can buy saplings from Daxing for 20 yuan each and sell them for 200. Don't you think there's profit to be made? You can build a circulating water system for an artificial mountain. It's just a matter of pouring cement. It costs at most ten thousand or twenty thousand yuan, but you can make hundreds of thousands. Don't you think there's profit to be made?"
Gu Yun and Zhuang Rui were quite close, so he didn't hide anything from Zhuang Rui about the profits in this industry. He explained everything to Zhuang Rui, including the cost price and selling price of houses, as well as the profits of real estate developers.
Mr. Zhuang was speechless upon hearing Gu Yun's words. No wonder everyone, from the truly inhuman to the most ruthless, wanted to get into real estate; this was what they called exorbitant profits.
Currently, the price of apartments in elevator-equipped residential complexes within the Third Ring Road of Beijing, in the Dongcheng District, is around 14,000 to 15,000 yuan per square meter.
Zhuang Rui knew that Ouyang Jun hadn't paid a high price for the land. After cost accounting, as long as the buildings could be sold, the net profit per square meter would be astonishing. Moreover, the housing market was still rising, and it might break the 20,000 mark next year. The exorbitant profits involved were self-evident.
As for the tricks Gu Yun mentioned, they may seem to offer high profits, but compared to real estate developers, they are nothing at all.
Zhuang Rui was unaware that by the time Ouyang Jun's properties opened for sale next year, the price of apartments on the East Third Ring Road would have already exceeded 20,000 yuan per square meter, with some reaching over 30,000 yuan. Zhuang Rui's pockets would suddenly be much fuller. Of course, that's a story for another time.
"By the way, Brother Gu, are those prices you just mentioned the industry standard?"
Zhuang Rui suddenly realized that he was also a major shareholder in this project. Given his relationship with Gu Yun, it was fine for him to make money, but if it was too shady, it would be taking money out of his own pocket. In that case, it would be better for him to give the money directly, so that Gu Yun wouldn't have to curse the developer as an idiot after making money.
"Don't worry, brother, these projects will definitely be put out to tender. My price will be lower than the industry average. I'm not greedy, and I guarantee I'll do a great job..."
Gu Yun smiled and patted Zhuang Rui on the shoulder. He understood that Ouyang Jun's project was so large that even if it was just landscaping, his company alone couldn't handle it. He was content to get a share of it.
Moreover, although Gu Yun's company has the qualifications for horticultural engineering, it will still need to go back to the school to ask some experts and teachers to provide drawings. When the profits are distributed, they will not be as much as he said.
However, Gu Yun had a long-term vision. Since Ouyang Jun had entered the real estate industry, he certainly wouldn't just do this one project. As long as he could build a good relationship with Ouyang Jun, his company would probably never have time to relax in the future.
"Hey bro, wait here, I'm going out to buy some braised dishes. We'll have a good drink tonight, you two brothers..."
Having received Zhuang Rui's confirmation, Gu Yun was in high spirits. After greeting Zhuang Rui, she hurriedly left. Zhuang Rui couldn't stop her and smiled wryly behind her. Well, if she's had too much to drink, she might as well stay. It'll be good to help the old man get some rest.