Chapter 5

"Zhao, this painting is an authentic piece! Why are you asking for a refund?"

The response came from inside the closed door of the painting shop, and then Wu Haogu saw the door being pushed open from the inside. A boy, about sixteen or seventeen years old, with a clear and refined face but somewhat thin and short, appeared in the doorway. The boy was dressed as a scholar, with a green-leafed flower in his ear, and he was looking at Wu Dalang with anger.

This boy was Wu Haogu's half-brother, named Wu Haowen, who was only 16 years old. He was a diligent student of Confucianism and spent most of his time studying at the Kaifeng Prefecture School, rarely coming to Panlou Street to help out. Naturally, he was not familiar with the rules of Panlou Street.

The authenticity of paintings and calligraphy on Panlou Street was not determined by the buyer or seller, but by the official brokers of the Kaifeng Calligraphy and Painting Association or the appointed scholars of the Hanlin Calligraphy and Painting Academy.

Moreover, according to the rules, the authenticity of paintings and calligraphy sold by official brokers could not be evaluated by other official brokers; it had to be assessed by the appointed scholars of the Hanlin Academy.

"Mr. Zhao, which appointed scholar issued the document stating that the painting is a forgery?" Wu Haogu frowned, already understanding what had happened.

"It was Mr. Chen, the appointed scholar of the Hanlin Calligraphy and Painting Academy!"

The appointed scholar of the Hanlin Calligraphy and Painting Academy was the leader of all appointed scholars, art students, attendants, students, and craftsmen (the five positions in the Hanlin Calligraphy and Painting Academy). Although he was not an official (the Hanlin Calligraphy and Painting Academy respected appointed scholars, but they were merely clerks), he was almost ready to become an official, and could be appointed at any time.

Those who could become appointed scholars were all experts in calligraphy and painting, not only skilled in painting but also with excellent discernment. In the Kaifeng Calligraphy and Painting Association, the appointed scholar was the ultimate authority.

If the appointed scholar said that the painting sold by the Wu family was a forgery, then even if it was genuine, it would be useless!

Zhao Tieniu said, "Here is the document, you can read it yourself."

Zhao Tieniu then took out a document and threw it in front of Wu Haogu. Wu Haogu did not move, but Wu Haowen rushed out from the room, bent down to pick up the document, and quickly scanned it. His face immediately turned pale.

"If Mr. Chen issued the document, then the painting sold by the Wu family must be a forgery."

"Yes, how can the Wu family's painting shop do such unscrupulous business? It seems that the palace also asked them to take back some paintings recently..."

A wave of comments arose from the crowd, all supporting Zhao Tieniu. Wu Haowen's face turned extremely pale, and his eyes, filled with questions, stared at Zhao Tieniu.

Wu Haowen's face suddenly changed, and he shouted loudly, "Why didn't Mr. Wan from the Wan family shop come himself? I think there must be something fishy about this!"

Zhao Tieniu was not concerned and said with a grin, "Wu Erlang, if you don't believe it, go to the Wan family shop on Muxing Street and ask Mr. Wan... But after you ask, you must pay the 7,200 strings of coins, not a single coin less!"

Wu Haogu sighed lightly, knowing that it would be the same whether he asked or not!

Mr. Wan from the Wan family shop would not dare to defy the powerful figures who coveted the Wu family's treasures, and Zhao Tieniu, without a doubt, was acting on someone's orders to be the bad guy.

"Let me see the painting," Wu Haogu said.

Zhao Tieniu smiled and handed the scroll to Wu Haogu. Wu Haogu took the scroll and examined it. There was a seal on it, with the imprint of "Hanlin Academy Appointed Scholar Chen" on the seal. Half of the imprint was on the seal, and the other half was on the scroll. Additionally, on the seam between the scroll and the seal, there were the words "forgery" and "Chen Youwen" written in running script.

Wu Haogu knew that this was the rule of the calligraphy and painting industry, where the seller could only open the seal and inspect the painting under the supervision of a mediator after preparing the refund. If the painting was not the one sold, the matter would be taken to the authorities.

"Since there is Mr. Chen's imprint, let's follow the rules."

"Brother..."

Hearing this, Wu Haowen almost jumped up.

"Wu Erlang," Wu Haogu waved his hand to interrupt his brother, "This is the rule of the calligraphy and painting industry!"

"But where do we have 7,200 strings of coins?"

The Wu family had shops, real estate, and many high-quality paintings and calligraphy, but they did not have much cash on hand. Otherwise, they would not have to pawn famous works to the Pan family's gold and silk shop on Jieshen Alley.

Wu Haogu forced a smile and said, "It's just 7,200 strings of coins, we will find a way to raise it."

He then bowed to Zhao Tieniu, "Mr. Zhao, if you trust us, can you give us a grace period of two or three months?"

The rule of the calligraphy and painting industry also allowed the buyer to give the seller a grace period to raise the money, as large transactions often involved thousands or tens of thousands of strings of coins. No one would keep such a large amount of cash at home, so the seller needed time to raise the money.

"Up to one month," Zhao Tieniu looked at Wu Haogu, speaking slowly, "Just one month, no more!"

He was not intentionally making things difficult for the Wu family but was acting on someone's orders to cause trouble. The one-month grace period was not his decision but was instructed by that person.

"Alright, one month it is!" Wu Haogu bowed, "Thank you, Mr. Zhao."

"Wait a moment," Zhao Tieniu extended his hand, "Wu Dalang, it's not that I don't trust you, but the Wu family's situation is clear. Can you really come up with 7,200 strings of coins in one month? What if you and your brother run away? Where will I find you then?"

"What do you want?"

"Hehe, how about this. Here is a promissory note. You and your father in prison just sign it. If you can't pay the debt in one month, your painting shop will be used as collateral. If it's not enough, I'll just have to accept my loss."

Wu Dalang sneered, "Zhao Tieniu, you have the nerve to say that. A shop on Panlou Street can't be bought for 30,000 strings of coins, and you want to use it as collateral for 7,200 strings? My father and I won't sign this promissory note. If the painting shop is to be sold, it won't be to you..."

"You..."

Zhao Tieniu was somewhat angry.

But thinking of the Wu family's powerful friends, he did not want to push too hard.

"You don't have to sign it, then find a guarantor," Zhao Tieniu said. "If there is no guarantor, don't blame me for being unkind..."

A guarantor?

Wu Haogu thought, this is 7,200 strings of coins! When the Wu family was prosperous, it would not have been a problem, but now, who would dare to be a guarantor?

Just as he was getting anxious, someone in the crowd shouted, "That scoundrel, don't push too hard."

The crowd parted, making way for Gao Qiu, who was holding a painting, and Liu Wujie, who was carrying a painting stand, to walk over.

"Can I be the guarantor?" Gao Qiu handed the painting to Liu Wujie and patted his chest.

Zhao Tieniu, an old hand, knew that Gao Qiu was not someone to be trifled with and immediately bowed, "Is this the great Mr. Gao?"

Gao Qiu said, "I am a minor official at the residence of the imperial son-in-law, Wang Cishi. Can I be the guarantor?"

Hearing Gao Qiu's words, both Zhao Tieniu and Wu Dalang's faces changed.

Gao Qiu and Wu Dalang were not close, and it could be said that they were strangers. Why would Gao Qiu vouch for Wu Haogu? And for 7,200 strings of coins?

This guarantor was too suspicious!

Wu Haogu looked at Gao Qiu in surprise. Gao Qiu seemed to have anticipated Wu Haogu's reaction and smiled at him.

"Since Mr. Gao is the guarantor, I have no objections."

Zhao Tieniu's heart raced when he heard Gao Qiu mention the imperial son-in-law, Wang Cishi.

What treasure did the Wu family get that attracted so many powerful figures?

"Since it's possible, disperse now. As for the guarantor contract, I will meet Wu Dalang at the Kaifeng County office tomorrow to sign it."

"Agreed, I will wait for you both at the Kaifeng County office tomorrow at the hour of Si."

Zhao Tieniu bowed to Gao Qiu, then glanced at Wu Dalang with a complex look and left with his henchmen.

Wu Dalang did not have much experience in the world, but his memories told him that the Wu family's troubles on Panlou Street were getting bigger and bigger!

"Mr. Gao" was certainly not coming with good intentions, and behind Zhao Tieniu and the appointed scholar Chen Youwen of the Hanlin Calligraphy and Painting Academy, there might be powerful figures, including a high-ranking eunuch in the palace. It was almost enough to form a mahjong table.

"Thank you, Mr. Gao, for your help. I, Wu Haowen, am deeply grateful."

Wu Dalang was still thinking, but his brother Wu Haowen spoke first.

"Thank you, Mr. Gao." Wu Haogu also hurriedly bowed.

"Hehe, I just couldn't stand that scoundrel's arrogance." Gao Qiu waved his hand, smiling. "I saw that you did a fine job with the detailed brushwork. I really like it. Could you paint one for me?"

Wu Haogu quickly replied, "Thank you, Mr. Gao, for your praise. I will deliver the painting to your residence in three days."

Gao Qiu smiled, "No need, I will come to pick it up."

"Yellow Family's Prosperity" was the style of painting pioneered by the great painter Huang Quan of the Later Shu dynasty. Because of its luxurious style, fine lines, and rich colors, it was very suitable for the court's opulent atmosphere and decorative taste, and was loved by the Northern Song royal family. In the early Northern Song period, it was the standard for evaluating the quality of paintings, and for the Wu brothers, who aimed to enter the painting academy, "Yellow Family's Prosperity" was a style they could easily master.

However, the charcoal drawing that Gao Qiu saw was not "Yellow Family's Prosperity" but a hyper-realistic sketch from the future. It was incomplete, so Gao Qiu mistakenly thought it was a detailed brushwork draft (a draft, not necessarily made with white chalk or earth powder). Wu Haogu could not sell his charcoal sketch because it could not be preserved for a long time without a fixative, which required alcohol, and at least high-purity distilled liquor, which would take some effort...

So he could only apply the hyper-realistic style to detailed brushwork. Fortunately, he had practiced detailed brushwork in both his past and present lives, and his painting skills were quite good. With his current skills, he could be considered a master.

---

The advertisement on the previous page has started.

The advertisement on the previous page has ended.