Chapter 84

"Custom-made brush pens?"

After hearing Qi Xiang's request, the shopkeeper was somewhat surprised but then nodded in understanding, saying, "I see why you came back from Jinling. You must be here on someone's behalf, right?"

"…Yes!"

Qi Xiang nodded, going along with it, "There are more painters in Jinling, and they have very high standards for their brushes. By chance, I met an old painter. When he heard that I lived in Huzhou, he asked me to come and help him custom-make a high-quality, top-notch brush pen!"

"This is easy to arrange." The shopkeeper nodded without hesitation, "As usual, just list his requirements, and I'll find someone to make it. In half a month, you pay and take the goods."

"Hmm!"

Qi Xiang hesitated for a moment, then said softly, "Mr. Wu, the old painter has some special requirements. Could you help me introduce me to a master brush maker so I can talk to him directly…?"

The shopkeeper's smile froze, and he frowned slightly, "Xiao Qi, this isn't the way things are done!"

"Mr. Wu, I understand your difficulties…" Qi Xiang quickly said, "Don't worry, I'm not asking for a master from the factory, but a retired craftsman."

Nowadays, true master brush makers are mostly found in brush factories.

It's important to know that traditional crafts, especially these traditional crafts, aren't just about knowing the process. They require repeated practice and a wealth of experience.

Where does experience come from? Of course, from the brush factories!

Shanlian has two large brush factories that use traditional techniques, almost monopolizing 90% of the Huzhou brush pen market. The factories have many workers, including numerous master brush makers.

However, these master brush makers are on the payroll of state-owned enterprises and generally only work for the government. But in a market economy, there are always exceptions. Under certain conditions, they also take on private jobs.

After all, some discerning people like to have high-end, unique brush pens, whether for personal use, as a collection, or as a gift, which is a matter of prestige.

In fact, the custom-made brush pen trend existed in ancient times. Not to mention the exquisite and luxurious brushes used in the imperial court, even the brushes used by high-ranking officials were certainly not ordinary.

Historical records show that Han Dynasty brushes were carved with gold, decorated with jade, adorned with pearls, and inlaid with emeralds, making them extremely luxurious…

Of course, such brushes were more about luxury than practicality.

With gold, ivory, pearls, and emeralds, all these precious materials piled together, they sounded vulgar and reeked of money.

The issue is that they had the money and loved such decorations, treating the brushes as luxury items, which others couldn't control.

According to Qi Xiang's knowledge, every year, many people come to Mr. Wu to help them custom-make high-end brushes. They sometimes bring their own materials, whether gold-plated, silver-coated, or adorned with gems, making them as luxurious as possible.

Qi Xiang didn't find anything contemptible about this. After all, in the declining traditional brush-making industry, turning brush pens into luxury crafts is a viable path.

Mr. Wu is the intermediary who connects people to the master brush makers in the factory.

To put it bluntly, Qi Xiang's attempt to bypass Mr. Wu and contact the master brush makers directly is no different from stealing his business and ruining his livelihood.

Fortunately, Qi Xiang isn't stupid and understands the taboos in this area, so he specifically asked for a retired master. This way, there would be no conflict of interest.

"Retired old craftsmen…"

At the same time, Mr. Wu's expression eased, and he pondered, "Xiao Qi, your idea isn't bad. However, those old craftsmen have made brushes all their lives and are tired of it. It might be hard to get them to come out of retirement…"

"I understand that." Qi Xiang smiled, "Mr. Wu, as long as you help me make the introduction, I'll handle the rest."

"Right…"

As he spoke, Qi Xiang immediately presented the prepared gift, "Mr. Wu, this is tea I brought back from Jinling. It's said to be pre-rain tea, and the taste is quite good. Try it."

"You shouldn't have brought a gift."

Mr. Wu scolded him verbally but took the gift, secretly opening the box to find, besides the tea, a thick red envelope.

"Oh, why are you doing this…"

At first glance, Mr. Wu feigned anger, pretending to be displeased, "What do you mean by this?"

"It's nothing much." Qi Xiang smiled, "I just want to thank you for your years of care, which helped me get through the toughest times."

"You, you're too sentimental!"

Mr. Wu shook his head, then locked the box in a drawer and stood up, "Come, I'll take you to visit an old man. He used to be the head of the factory, managing over a hundred people, all of whom called him Master…"

"Even though he has been retired for many years, his skills haven't declined; they've become even more refined. Some of the master brush makers in the factory still go to him for advice when they have free time…"

Mr. Wu smiled, "To put it bluntly, he's a master of the highest level. When you meet him, be respectful, say nice things, and bring two bottles of good wine. This should work out."

"Is he that good?" Qi Xiang was both surprised and skeptical.

"What, do you think I'm lying to you?" Mr. Wu smiled mysteriously, "I won't explain further. I'll take you there directly. Once you're there, you'll know if what I said is true."

"…Lead the way!" Qi Xiang nodded, not lacking in patience.

At this moment, Mr. Wu rode up on a motorcycle, then took Qi Xiang out of town and drove along a rural road for over half an hour before finally reaching the destination.

It was a quiet and peaceful small village, with dozens of households scattered around the mountain slopes. A relatively clear river wound around the village, and lush forests and bamboo groves covered the mountains, creating a pleasant scene.

"This is Xiaozhu Village!"

Mr. Wu casually introduced, "Most of the villagers rely on the mountains for their livelihood, and the main source of income is the bamboo on the mountains…"

Qi Xiang nodded lightly. Looking around, he saw endless bamboo forests on the mountains. As long as the villagers weren't foolish, they would definitely make good use of the bamboo, whether by digging bamboo shoots or processing the bamboo for profit.

Bamboo has many uses, from papermaking to crafting various types of handicrafts.

Entering the village, Qi Xiang could see that the entire village was like a factory, with almost every household displaying various bamboo products in front of their homes, such as bamboo baskets, bamboo beds, and bamboo chairs.

These bamboo products were either finished or semi-finished, placed in open areas to dry. Even before getting close, the fresh and natural scent of bamboo wafted to Qi Xiang's nose.

After a brief observation, Qi Xiang noticed that there were no brush pens among these bamboo products.

He thought for a moment and understood the reason.

After all, this was the era of mass production, and the production capacity of small family workshops couldn't compare to large factories. Due to capacity limitations, small workshops couldn't form a scale. Under the pressure of large factories, they naturally couldn't make a profit…

Without profit, who would want to do it?

So, the days when every household made brush pens were long gone.

Qi Xiang's thoughts wandered as he followed Mr. Wu, passing by more than a dozen households, and arrived at a red-walled, green-tiled house on the mountain.

"Here we are."

Mr. Wu turned and smiled, then called out loudly, "Old Uncle, are you there? I've come to visit you."

"Huh?"

Qi Xiang was startled. At this moment, a man in his thirties with a simple and honest face walked out of the house. Seeing Mr. Wu, he immediately smiled and said, "Big Brother, why did you come?"

"I have something…" Mr. Wu looked around, "Where's Old Uncle? Not here?"

"He's up the mountain…" the man said, "A few guests came earlier, asking for help with something. Old Uncle agreed and took them up the mountain to select materials."

"Hmm?" Mr. Wu frowned, "What bad luck."

"Big Brother, come in and sit down, wait a bit." The man smiled, "I think Old Uncle will definitely be back for lunch."

"Alright…"

Mr. Wu hesitated, then turned to Qi Xiang, "Xiao Qi, what do you think?"

"Good things take time. Since Old Uncle isn't here, let's wait." Qi Xiang didn't mind waiting for half a day as long as the master could meet his requirements.

"Alright, let's sit for a while." Mr. Wu took the lead, guiding Qi Xiang into the house and waving to the man, "Little Brother, go about your business. I'll call you if I need anything."

Although he said that, the man quickly walked to the hall, boiled water, and made tea, then sat down to chat with Mr. Wu.

Qi Xiang sat in the living room, his gaze shifting to the decorative paintings on the walls.

These so-called decorative paintings were actually bamboo carvings.

On large bamboo boards, either in relief or intaglio, simple carvings depicted vast and open scenes. Amidst the crashing waves and towering mountains, a dragon soared through the clouds, playing with a pearl, creating a grand and majestic atmosphere.

At this moment, Qi Xiang was somewhat convinced. Perhaps Mr. Wu was indeed recommending a talented relative, and his old uncle might truly be a master of bamboo carving.

Before retirement, he was a master brush maker, and after retirement, he immediately switched to bamboo carving, which wasn't contradictory.

After all, carving is an important part of brush pen making. Carving landscapes, flowers, and figures on the outer surface of a brush handle, which is less than an inch in circumference, is not an easy task, even for a master of bamboo carving…