Chapter 43

"Jinshan Scenic Map is a masterpiece passed down by Tang Bohu," Yang Kang could only explain, "But it was lost during the Republic of China era, and its whereabouts are unknown."

"I watch TV, and it doesn't say—didn't he paint the beauty Qiuxiang? Tang Bohu and Qiuxiang, that's quite famous," Huang Tang still didn't understand.

"His beauties are also exceptional," Yang Kang thought for a moment, feeling that what he said wasn't quite right, and immediately said, "In the Jinling Museum, there is a painting by him, the 'Li Duanduan Picture'—it's said that the painting might be the legendary Qiuxiang Picture. If you're interested, you can go and see it."

"I wouldn't be able to tell even if I looked," Huang Tang said, becoming worried again, "Qiuxiang won't come down from the painting to be my wife."

Yang Kang didn't know what to say to him and immediately said, "I must correct you. First, although it's possible that the later story of Tang Bohu and Qiuxiang refers to that painting, I must say that the beauty in the painting is not Qiuxiang but Li Duanduan.

"Li Duanduan was a famous courtesan in Yangzhou's Shanhefang, while Qiuxiang was a maid in the Hua family.

"Second, the 'Li Duanduan Picture' was kept in the Qing Palace before the Republic of China era, with a clear lineage. Later, it was taken away by Puyi and has been missing since then. So, the one in the Jinling Museum might be a copy."

"What is a copy?" Huang Tang frowned and asked, "Young Master, can you explain something I can understand?"

Yang Kang wiped the non-existent cold sweat from his head, realizing that Huang Tang didn't understand antiques and had never ventured into this field. The professional terms of antiques were all new to him.

"Fake!" Yang Kang said honestly.

"Damn!" Huang Tang couldn't help but slap the steering wheel and curse, "The museum can have fakes too?"

"According to legend—" Yang Kang said, "Legends are unreliable, you know? So, I'm just telling you what I know. You should know but not spread it, got it?"

"Okay, okay, okay!" Huang Tang felt his head was getting bigger and immediately said, "Since that's the case, do you know where the Jinshan Scenic Map is?"

"If I knew, why would I be tutoring the little girl?" Yang Kang sighed, "Emperor Qianlong spent ten thousand taels of gold to buy the Jinshan Scenic Map from Jinshan Temple. That was because he was the emperor, and Jinshan Temple sold it cheaply. Otherwise, the monks of Jinshan Temple wouldn't have sold it.

"Do you think if I had the painting, I would need to tutor the little girl?"

As he spoke, he suddenly had a thought and remembered the 'Dongjing Fenghua Record' in his possession. This painting was no less significant than the 'Jinshan Scenic Map,' and perhaps even more so, as it was the preliminary draft of the 'Qingming Shanghe Tu.'

He had accidentally obtained the power of the Taiyin Treasure Mirror, which could authenticate treasures, but even so, he couldn't prove that the 'Dongjing Fenghua Record' in his possession was the genuine article.

"Ten thousand taels of gold? How much is that worth?" Huang Tang rubbed his head, feeling that he was not only weak in the humanities but also in math, "Isn't gold measured in grams?"

"One tael of gold equals fifty grams. If you have nothing to do, you can calculate it slowly," Yang Kang said, "Oh, right, in ancient times, one tael of gold was thirty-seven and a half grams. In Hong Kong, they still use this measurement. If you go to Hong Kong for tourism, be careful when buying gold."

"I'm not going to Hong Kong for tourism. Buddy, think of a place where we can find that painting," Huang Tang sighed.

"Wherever you go, you won't find it," Yang Kang shook his head, "How many people want to find that painting? Don't dream. Finding that painting is less reliable than finding Solomon's treasure."

"If there's Solomon's treasure, why would I look for that painting?" Huang Tang sighed, "I'm not that full!"

"Why do you suddenly want to find that painting?" Yang Kang asked curiously.

"Someone offered me a million to find that painting," Huang Tang didn't hide it from him.

"This person is really good at fooling people!" Yang Kang sneered, "A million to buy that painting? That's a joke. Even if he added a zero, it wouldn't be enough."

Huang Tang thought seriously and then said, "Young Master, that person isn't buying it but commissioning me to find it. He said his family has a treasure map passed down from their ancestors, and the painting is on it, but they can't find it. So, they want to hire a private detective with specialized experience, and they found me, Detective Huang."

"A treasure map?" Yang Kang was stunned for a moment, thinking, is this person just fooling around with Huang Tang for fun?

No!

Thinking of this, Yang Kang suddenly shivered and asked, "Detective Huang, what's the person's surname? Chen or Wang?"

"Damn!" Huang Tang slapped the steering wheel and couldn't help but exclaim, "Young Master, you're good! I think you have the potential to be a detective. How did you guess that person's surname is Chen?"

"Show me that treasure map!" Yang Kang hurriedly said.

"That person is very nervous and refuses to show me the treasure map," Huang Tang shook his head, "He also asked me to keep it a secret and said that the treasure is worth a fortune. Once found, he would be the richest person in the world. I think he's unreliable."

"Ask you to find the treasure but not show you the treasure map?" Yang Kang shook his head, "He's crazy."

"I think so too," Huang Tang said, "So, I drove him away yesterday."

Yang Kang became extremely interested and said, "If he comes to you again, call me. I want to meet this person."

"Young Master, that person is a bit crazy. You just said finding that painting is harder than finding Solomon's treasure. Don't get your hopes up," Huang Tang shook his head.

"If—let me say, if—"

"I know, you're saying if—if it's a hypothetical, not real. Just say it," Huang Tang was used to his way of speaking and laughed.

"If he is a descendant of the Chen family and his ancestors left a treasure map, finding that painting might not be too difficult," Yang Kang frowned and said.

"Really?" Huang Tang immediately became interested and asked eagerly.

"Should be right," Yang Kang smiled, "He will probably come to you again. Don't worry."

"I'm not worried. There's no loss anyway," Huang Tang suddenly asked, "Is there really a treasure? Worth a fortune?"

"Just that painting is enough to make many people worry-free for life," Yang Kang said, "Wang Jingwei held power for many years during turbulent times. I don't believe he didn't prepare for the future."

"Wang Jingwei?" Huang Tang patted his head and said, "This name sounds familiar. I seem to have heard it somewhere. Young Master, do I know this person?"

Yang Kang wanted to laugh but held back. Seeing the car had already entered Taoyuan Villa, he immediately smiled, "You treat me to a meal in a few days, and I'll tell you."

"Fine, you're being mysterious," Huang Tang said, "No problem, next time I'll treat you to a drink—right here, Taoyuan Villa 203. Come tomorrow, don't get lost. I haven't forgotten that you're directionally challenged!"

Yang Kang's face turned pale in an instant, and his hand, which was about to push the car door open, trembled.

"Hey... Young Master, what's wrong with you?" Huang Tang hurriedly asked, "Get out of the car!"

"Whose house is this?" Yang Kang calmed himself and asked.

"I only know the person's surname is Yin, and her name is Yin Ying. She's a cute little girl. Young Master, don't look so serious. Look, this job is hard to come by. Tutoring a cute little girl and getting paid, that's not bad," Huang Tang laughed.

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Yang Kang's face turned pale in an instant, and his hand, which was about to push the car door open, trembled.

"Hey... Young Master, what's wrong with you?" Huang Tang hurriedly asked, "Get out of the car!"

"Whose house is this?" Yang Kang calmed himself and asked.

"I only know the person's surname is Yin, and her name is Yin Ying. She's a cute little girl. Young Master, don't look so serious. Look, this job is hard to come by. Tutoring a cute little girl and getting paid, that's not bad," Huang Tang laughed.