"I'm done!"
Sun Mo put down his brush and greeted, "Sect Leader Su, good evening!"
Upon hearing the words' finished ', everyone rushed over. But because Su Taiqing was here, they didn't dare to push too far.
"Finished?"
Su Taiqing frowned and looked at the painting again. After that, he shook his head and laughed. He used his finger to point at Sun Mo as though saying, 'You really don't know how to be a son!'
If other artists reached the Wondrous Blossom Realm, they would want nothing more than to achieve perfection and leave behind a masterpiece. Yet, you don't care about it at all.
What a waste of heavenly treasures!
The others didn't have such a high appreciation ability like Su Taiqing. Moreover, the instant they saw the Jinling Wind Moon Painting, they were mesmerized.
There was no part of this painting that wasn't exquisite. Even the stray dogs fighting for food by the roadside were vivid and lifelike. That ferocious aura of protecting food seemed to be gushing out from the painting.
Even in the small alleys, the excrement left behind by the horses seemed to be steaming hot.
Tea shops, wine shops, money houses, cloth shops, as well as tall courtyards with green bricks and green tiles, formed the style of Jinling.
From the small peddlers to the big officials, all of them appeared in the painting.
"Wonderful! Wonderful! "
Qi King exclaimed in satisfaction. He rushed to the front of the painting and bent down, almost pressing his face against it. It was like if he didn't do this, he wouldn't be able to appreciate the charm of this famous painting!
The vendors along the streets, the performers, and the wealthy merchants and guests on the exquisite buildings were all exquisite to the extreme regardless of their expressions or attire.
Qi King lived in the palace. Although he had visited a few times in disguise, for safety's sake, he couldn't always leave the palace. Hence, he yearned for the outside world and life too much.
As the saying went, those who couldn't obtain something would always be in a commotion. Hence, when he saw Sun Mo's painting, it touched his heart.
As he admired this painting, Qi King felt himself becoming one with it. He saw a middle-aged rich man dressed in luxurious clothes. But why was he alone in an alley?
Qi King's interest was suddenly piqued. He looked in the direction the rich man was walking in. After turning a T-junction, there was a residence not far away.
At this moment, the door was open and a voluptuous woman was looking around.
"This … this looks like he's going to have a rendezvous with his mistress?"
Looking at the young woman, King Qi's mind instantly conjured up a scene.
"Interesting! Interesting! "
King Qi revealed a childlike smile, as if he had discovered a great secret that no one else knew.
Could it be that Official Sun was doing this on purpose?
With this idea in mind, King Qi began to research these characters. Soon after, he discovered that there was indeed a hidden story.
For example, the woman on the second floor was talking to a young man in embroidered clothes who was covering his head with his hands.
The young man rubbed his forehead. On the ground beside him, there was a wooden stick. Clearly, it was the wooden stick that was supporting the window that had hit the young man.
But why is there something wrong with this woman's expression?
It felt like an O!
What King Qi didn't know was that this was the first meeting between Pan Jinlian and Ximen Qing!
As the others admired the paintings, they gradually discovered some interesting parts of the paintings.
"Look at this woman. She's tied with ropes. She must have been kidnapped by the robbers. But why are these ropes tied so strangely?"
Xiang Zhao was surprised.
What he didn't know was that this thing was called Turtle Bind!
"Haha, hurry up. There's a scholar climbing over the wall. Clearly, he wants to have a rendezvous with the young mistress in the manor!"
"This place is also very interesting. This man should be a thief. He's now disguised as a peddler and is scouting the area!"
"There's also a fortune-teller who stepped on dog poop. There's no need to ask, he must be a swindler!"
Everyone shared their little discoveries.
They suddenly discovered that every character in this painting seemed to have a story that could be unearthed.
This was amazing!
Usually speaking, other than the main characters, the other minor characters would just be the background. However, this painting gave them a story, making them look lively.
"Damn, quickly look over here!"
A prince pointed at the painting and screamed.
Everyone followed his finger and looked over. They discovered that it was an underground waterway. At the entrance of the waterway, there was no one, but there was a jade-green robe. On the robe, there was a pitch-black handprint of a man.
This robe was very small, only the size of a soybean. When it was placed on a long painting, it was very easy for people to ignore it. However, when people saw it, they would be so shocked that they broke out in cold sweat.
Because the material of this robe wasn't ordinary and it came from a woman, in addition to the handprint, it was very easy for everyone to deduce that it was a girl who had gone out to shop and had been slapped. A strong human trafficker was dragging her into the sewers.
This young girl was finished!
Everyone felt a suffocating feeling in their hearts.
"Official Sun, is there a young girl who has been abducted?"
The empress asked in shock. Between her brows, there was a sense of panic that she wanted to hear the answer but was afraid that she couldn't bear the terrifying truth.
"Famous paintings, you have to look at them yourself!"
Sun Mo smiled and didn't explain.
For a time, everyone was immersed in the painting because they would occasionally see some interesting places and dig out some small secrets.
However, gradually, the men no longer paid attention to these. Instead, they focused their attention on the brothels on both sides of the Qinhuai River.
Weren't the paintings of these women a little too beautiful?
After Qi King admired it for a while, he lowered his voice and secretly tugged at Sun Mo's sleeves. "Official Sun, I wonder if you can draw a few portraits for me?"
"Who should I draw?"
Sun Mo didn't mind. In any case, his painting skills were at the grandmaster-level and he could draw anything with ease.
"Draw those few!"
Qi King picked over ten women and then gave Sun Mo a smile that could only be understood but not put into words. "You know, don't wear those that are too thick!"
"..."
Sun Mo was speechless. (I didn't expect you, the monarch of a country, to actually like aunty types!)
(It seems like you lack maternal love!)
"Everyone, shouldn't we extinguish the lights to admire this famous painting? It would be more artistic."
Teacher Su finally came to a realization.
"Yes, extinguish the lights!"
Qi King instructed.
Famous paintings had their own colors and luster. Hence, they could also be admired at night.
The eunuchs immediately ran around and blew out the butter candles. Then, when the Chief of Internal Affairs and the other eunuchs carefully lifted up the scroll, there was a loud exclamation in the square, followed by silence. It was eerily quiet.
Under the moonlight, the scenery of Jinling was perfectly displayed on the painting. Those characters seemed to be alive. Everyone seemed to be able to hear the sounds of children playing, the sounds of scholars reading, and the soft voices of daughters whispering...
The entire painting emitted a magnificent and mystical color. In the night of Western Capital, it was like a peerless pearl, radiating brilliance and standing alone in the world!
"Teacher Sun!"
Just when Su Taiqing spoke, he was interrupted by Qi King.
"No, this painting is mine. I won't give it to anyone who wants it!"
Qi King stared at Su Taiqing. He decided that even if he had to offend the Saint Gate's sect leader, he had to keep this painting. It was because this thing could really become a national treasure.
The place where this painting was made, the occasion, and the person who painted it could be said to have a deep meaning. It was extremely valuable.
"..."
Su Taiqing was speechless. After that, he smiled helplessly. "I'm saying that if such a beautiful painting doesn't have a poem to match it, it's really lacking something!"
"Right!"
Qi King nodded fiercely. After that, he looked at Sun Mo. "Official Sun, why don't you write a poem?"
Sun Mo knew that he wouldn't be able to escape this. Hence, he already had a draft in his mind.
Raising the brush! Dipping it in ink! Brandishing the brush!
On the phoenix platform, the phoenix swam. When the phoenix left the platform, the river flowed freely.
The flowers and plants of the Wu Palace were buried in a secluded path.
The three mountains and half fell beyond the blue sky, the two rivers divided into the Egret Continent.
The floating clouds could cover the sun, the absence of Chang 'an made one worried.
When the slender golden figure finished writing, King Qi and the others immediately cheered loudly. To be able to see such a famous painting and good calligraphy was definitely a blessing in a lifetime!
"Official Sun's words are really beautiful!"
The empress sighed ruefully. The two rivers divided into the Egret Continent was so beautiful! (I really want him to write a famous poem on my body as well!)
If Sun Mo knew that Qi King had such thoughts, he would definitely not reject it. However, he wouldn't write a poem but the word 'justice' instead.
"It's a pity. Why is it Jinling and not Xijing?"
Jiang Yuzhen, who had been silent all this while, sighed.
"That's right!"
Qi King felt very regretful as well.
After tonight, Sun Mo's painting would definitely resound through the Nine Provinces. At that time, Jinling's reputation would rise again. It might even become the number one city in the Nine Provinces, attracting countless wealthy merchants and wealthy guests to go there for sightseeing.
How much tax would that cost?
"Your highness, you can't ask for too much. After all, Teacher Sun has never lived in Xijing before!"
Grand Tutor Su said something fair.
"Teacher is too impressive!"
Xianyu Wei was so agitated that her face turned red. She grabbed Ying Baiwu's arm and shook it hard.
"After tonight, Teacher will be the Art Saint in name, right?"
Tantai Yutang's eyes spun. "We have to make this matter real!"
"Teacher doesn't care about such glory!"
Ying Baiwu's lips twitched.
On the platform, Li Ziqi, who had been silent all this while, looked toward Zeng Gongnian and the other two.
"Artist Zeng, Artist Zou, Artist Wang, what do you think of these two famous paintings of my teacher?"
Li Ziqi asked.
"Masterpieces of the present age!"
Wang Zan praised without any hesitation. "I'm ashamed of my inferiority!"
Zou Yin and Zeng Gongnian fell silent. Honestly speaking, they didn't want to praise Sun Mo, but in such a situation, wouldn't it seem like they were jealous and narrow-minded?
Moreover, even a fool would know that this famous painting was a masterpiece that had been passed down from generation to generation.
"Legendary works!"
Zeng Gongnian praised.
"Mn!"
Zou Yin nodded.
"What about my teacher's words?"
Li Ziqi asked again.
"His brush strokes are carefree and confident, yet sharp and filled with a heroic aura. It's like he can cut through gold and jade, giving off a unique charm. I heard that this is called the Thin Gold Physique?"
Wang Zan stroked his beard, his eyes filled with admiration. "It's not too much to call him a calligraphy grandmaster!"
Zeng Gongnian and Zou Yin nodded.
"What about my teacher's literary works?"
Li Ziqi continued to ask, "Oh, it's Journey to the West and Dream of the Red Chamber!"
"Good!"
"When will the second half be published?"
"He actually learned from that eunuch, not writing at all. He really doesn't deserve to be a son!"
Everyone cursed.
Many nobles might only be interested in the arts and might not be able to appreciate the charm of calligraphy and famous paintings. However, they could understand good books. As for the high officials and ministers, their praises were much more forceful.
After all, these people were all grand scholars and had very high attainments in literature.
"In that case, can my teacher obtain the title of Saint Calligrapher and Saint Painter?"
Li Ziqi smiled and asked. (Teacher doesn't fight for these, but I want to fight for him.)
Everyone fell silent.
After all, this title was too great, and no one dared to speak recklessly.
Usually speaking, the title of Saint Calligrapher and Saint Painter would only be conferred after their death. Or, they would possess works that could suppress those of the same generation.
Even Qi King didn't dare to boast recklessly. Although his status was very high, he had no status or influence in the circles of calligraphy and painting.
This also meant that as an outsider, his words didn't count.
"In terms of calligraphy, Teacher Sun's semi-cursive script and thin gold style are both at the grandmaster-level. As for the thin gold style, because it's an original creation, it's not a problem to call him Saint Calligrapher!"
Su Taiqing spoke.
Everyone immediately lowered their heads and listened humbly.
This was the Saint Gate's Sect Leader, the current generation's secondary saint. In terms of status, fame, literary attainments, and profound knowledge, it wasn't an exaggeration to say that he was the number one great teacher in the Nine Provinces.
His words were definitely authoritative!
"As for his paintings, everyone has already seen them. Putting aside his previous eight famous paintings, just the 'Starving People Painting' from this morning can be considered as one of the top three paintings in the history of the nine provinces. What's even more valuable is that Sun shi has imparted his teachings into his paintings, teaching all of you a lesson!"
"Please remember, the country refers to the people, not land or money. If you don't love your people, you will be overthrown by them!"
Bzz!
Priceless Advice erupted, radiating across the entire square.
With King Qi as their leader, the upper echelons quickly lowered their heads to express their understanding.
"Next, it's this Jinling Wind and Moon Painting. Teacher Sun's conception is ingenious and truly broadens one's horizons. For every character, people would be able to imagine a story in their minds."
Su Taiqing laughed. "Your Majesty, you're lucky. If it weren't for the fact that a gentleman doesn't snatch what others love, I would have definitely snatched it from you!"
"Yeah, you won't be able to see it in the future!"
Xiang Zhao sighed. "Teacher Sun, can you tell me what this man's story is? Why are you standing on a tall building? "
"His name is Ximen Chui Xue. He's standing there because he's waiting for an old enemy named Ye Gu Cheng!"
Sun Mo shrugged.
Xiang Zhao's eyes lit up. As soon as he heard these two names, he knew that they were experts. Thus, he asked impatiently, "Can you tell me more about them?"
Sun Mo smiled and shook his head.
"Hence, Great Teacher Sun is someone who excels in both painting and calligraphy!"
Su Taiqing looked at Sun Mo. "The book is the book of the Book Saint, the painting is the painting of the Art Saint!"
Why didn't he mention literature?
This was because in Su Taiqing's eyes, Journey to the West and Dream of the Red Chamber were just works of entertainment. Although they were classics, they were not good enough to be passed down through the ages.
Wow!
Everyone's gazes were filled with envy when they looked at Sun Mo.
This was a high praise from the Saint Gate's Sect Leader!
Zeng Gongnian and Zou Yin were so jealous that they wanted to cough up blood. They had immersed themselves in painting for several tens of years, but they weren't even Art Saints.
However, when they thought of the fact that Sun Mo had already produced ten famous paintings, they felt at ease again.
They couldn't compare!
Li Ziqi's wish was fulfilled and she was all smiles.
"Everyone, things like appreciating paintings can be done at any time. Can we go back and rest now?"
Sun Mo felt a little tired.
"Yes, rest!"
King Qi hurriedly nodded. "Men, send Official Sun back to the palace."
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