National Tide 1980.

Chapter 772
"My reason is very simple. I don't want these paintings and calligraphy to be lost overseas. I don't want to watch the precious cultural assets of our nation being sold at a low price. You should know that when I purchased paintings and calligraphy through Director Liu, there was a Hong Kong businessmen want to buy all these paintings and calligraphy. I just want to keep these paintings and calligraphy as much as possible and keep these good things in our country, so I have to take this expedient measure.”

When he said these words, Ning Weimin showed a righteous look on his face.

However, in view of the characteristics of the times, Director Huo did not approve of his high-sounding reason.

For nothing else, first of all, the overall social environment does not pay much attention to the artistic value of calligraphy and painting.

Although the prices of modern calligraphy and painting have gone up, that is because there have been more and more Hong Kong and Japanese businessmen in the mainland in recent years.

In fact, in the minds of most people in China, these modern calligraphy and paintings are nothing more than arty playthings, things that hang on the wall to decorate the wall.

After all, most people don't know calligraphy and painting.

Especially ordinary people, influenced by the movie "Three Smiles", generally believe that the creative process of calligraphers and painters is very simple.

It's all done in one go, like Tang Bohu in the story.

Earning money in this way is more enjoyable than printing money. How can I write seventeen or eight pictures in a day, or draw a dozen or so?
What's more, many well-known calligraphy and painting masters are still alive and well.

Since you can write at any time, write and draw whenever you want, then what is so precious about such works?

In addition, even for a person at Director Huo's level, the job level and job content have allowed him to develop a thinking inertia that should be like this.

He often deals with foreign friends, and subconsciously, he feels that it is normal to give these paintings and calligraphy works as gifts to foreign guests.

So Ning Weimin hit a wall again, and his point of view was almost immediately denied by Director Huo.

"Don't exaggerate or exaggerate. These paintings and calligraphy are not antiques, so how can they be called lost overseas? From the perspective of international influence and cultural exchanges, it is a good thing that these paintings and calligraphy can go abroad. It is conducive to our The promotion of traditional culture overseas will enhance other countries’ understanding of us.”

"It's okay to be bought by Hong Kong businessmen. It is because they are also descendants of Chinese people, and they know how to appreciate them, so they will invest in the purchase. Besides, you should know that Hong Kong City will return in 1997, and Hong Kong businessmen will soon become ours. Compatriots, then what is the difference between buying it from you and buying it from a Hong Kong businessman?"

"What you said just now is almost untenable. There is only one word that is correct, which is 'cheap sale'. You can never deny that the fundamental purpose of your buying calligraphy and painting is to take advantage of the public. So your The motives are not noble, don't glorify yourself."

Director Huo's tone was full of mockery and disdain.

Obviously, he thought this was Ning Weimin's last move.

I am very much looking forward to seeing this kid's face covered in shame and speechless when he takes off the fig leaf.

However, the reality is not the case.

Ning Weimin's eyes were still piercing. Instead of being discouraged at all, he argued with a more active attitude.

"Director Huo, we have a lot of disagreements. First of all, I don't agree that only ancient objects are precious. Many things that are not ancient objects are worth cherishing. To use an analogy that may not be very appropriate, giant pandas are not ancient objects. What if a foreigner asks to buy one? From the perspective of international influence and cultural exchange, should we also agree? Is this a good thing?"

"As for the reason why I want to convince Director Liu to buy these calligraphy and paintings in large quantities through Huo Xin, it is because these modern calligraphy and paintings can be called giant pandas in art. Every calligraphy and painting is a masterpiece made by a famous artist. It is the perfect presentation of the creator's humanistic thoughts, aesthetic awareness and painting techniques. Together, they can be called a comprehensive summary of our modern calligraphy and painting art, and their artistic value is unlimited."

"You must not think that in our capital, these calligraphy and paintings are common, so you don't think it's nothing, and it doesn't matter if they go overseas. You must know that these calligraphy and paintings can only come from the hands of our countrymen, and foreigners will never learn them. Looking further There are only a few calligraphers and painters who can reach this level in the whole country? These masters are all in their twilight years, and no matter how many calligraphy and painting works they have created, they are still scarce for art collectors in the whole world."

"In the past we were relatively closed, and the country was generally not rich. These good things had no chance to go out, and not many people in the country could afford them, so it seemed silted up. Now the country is gradually opening up, and the domestic economy is also developing rapidly. The situation has long since changed. It’s too much. Now there is more money and less goods. If we don’t control it and let it flow out at will. Sooner or later we will regret it.”

"You may wish to imagine that decades later, when the students of our Academy of Fine Arts study modern ink paintings, they cannot even see an authentic painting by Fu Baoshi or Pan Tianshou. What a sad thing that would be. If our domestic Most of the highest-level calligraphy and painting works in modern times were acquired by foreign collectors and bought them at low prices. What a ridiculous thing that is. I am afraid that in the end we will have to redeem these things from foreigners at high prices. "

"Let me say something disrespectful again. In fact, it is more appropriate for foreigners to understand our culture. Handicrafts with national characteristics are more appropriate. A silk figurine and a shelf of grapes can easily win the favor of foreign friends, because these things can be seen at a glance. It can be understood that both refined and popular tastes are appreciated. Calligraphy and painting are not the same, the appreciation threshold is relatively high, and a certain cultural foundation and appreciation ability are required. Not to mention that most Westerners can’t understand it, even our compatriots can enjoy watching it.”

"You often deal with Western countries. You can compare the situation at home and abroad. As far as I know, once a painter in a Western country becomes famous, the price of his work is astronomically high. Their diplomatic personnel have never Treat artworks as gifts. They will only present their own country's characteristic handicrafts, not even handmade, but mass-produced industrial products. Then why should we send all our precious paintings and calligraphy abroad? It is diplomatic needs, There is no need to pay such a price.”

"As for Hong Kong businessmen, I certainly believe that many Hong Kong people have a deep attachment to the motherland, and look forward to the arrival of 1997 as soon as possible, and return to the embrace of the motherland as soon as possible. But this does not mean that all Hong Kong people think so, maybe some people are foreign slaves I'm used to it, and I don't want to be a descendant of Chinese people anymore. God knows that the one who competes with me for calligraphy and painting, is his skin red or white? Will he choose to immigrate and be willing to be a second-class citizen?"

"If this is the case, then the more he knows calligraphy and painting, the worse it is. In the chaotic years before the founding of the People's Republic of China, the traitors did more harm to our country than those foreign invaders. And those who brought foreigners and stole our country Domestic cultural relics, people who smuggle domestic cultural relics overseas. Like Yue Bin and Lu Qinzhai, which one is not a learned scum who is proficient in antiquities?"

"As an aside, I've been working at Maxim for so long. If I go to Paris on a business trip, I have the opportunity every year. Many people persuade me to go out and have a look. But I never thought of it, Not for anything else, just because Lu Qinzhai’s Red House is in Paris. As his last hiding place, there are still many cultural relics smuggled out of China on display. If I go, I can’t help but go Look, and looking at those things, it is inevitable to be angry. I don't want to find it hard..."

This time Ning Weimin spoke a lot, and Director Huo really listened carefully.

He couldn't help but appreciate Ning Weimin's insight and eloquence, and he couldn't help but admit that Ning Weimin's perspective on problems was very novel.

For example, the analysis of the value of modern calligraphy and painting, the suggestions for gifts in diplomatic work, and the consideration of Hong Kong businessmen, a special status group, are almost all issues that he ignored and didn't care much about in the past.

It really makes sense to think about it carefully, and these words really inspired him.

However, this is still not enough to endorse Ning Weimin's character, not enough to make him believe that Ning Weimin is really for the righteousness of the country.

"Your eloquence is good, which surprised me. You are also very clear in thinking, and you have a lot of insights, which gave me a new understanding of the artistic value of modern calligraphy and painting. Even your voice is eloquent, full of emotion, and demagogic and provocative. Very strong. But I still can't believe you."

"Because I look at people, watch their words, and pay more attention to their actions. In order to achieve your personal goals, you use Huo Xin's emotions. This approach is too despicable. According to normal logic, how can a person like you be as noble as you are?" Is there anything wrong with it? The moral standard is so high that it is necessary to save precious paintings and calligraphy for the nation? There will be no such thing in the world.”

"What's more, you yourself work in a foreign company. I understand Western capitalism, don't tell me, you don't put the interests of your foreign boss first? You are scaremongering in front of me, speculating about Hong Kong businessmen without authorization, saying what will happen to them, Don't you think it's ridiculous? You still mentioned silk figurines and feeder grapes to me? Do you still want to do my business? Don't you think I don't know that the production and supply of these two things are firmly in control In your hands."

"I would like to advise you one last thing. You should stop acting in front of me. You can't get away with it. It's better to admit it honestly. Admit that you are a philistine, and admit that you bought these paintings for personal profit. If you can come up with With a little courage to admit mistakes, maybe I will be more or less merciful to your subordinates."

Director Huo's words already belonged to another showdown.

It can be seen that his patience is exhausted. This is the last solemn warning.

On the other hand, Ning Weimin couldn't help being startled when he suddenly mentioned the matter of the silk figurine and the grapes.

He was secretly startled by Director Huo's secretiveness, and couldn't figure out how he could be investigated so clearly.

Ordinary people may not be able to bear this kind of unknown fear and soaring pressure. Surrender may be the only choice.

But Ning Weimin is not an ordinary person after all, he is a time traveler with golden fingers.

This is doomed that he will always act beyond the standards of ordinary people, and the capital will make people feel unreasonable and extremely incredible.

At this time, he also had the best evidence to "whitewash" himself.

"Your distrust, I can understand. Who told me to use Huo Xin and hurt her heart. If I change the angle, if this happened to my daughter, I will definitely investigate it to the end. If you dare to touch me My daughter is more ruthless than touching me. This is the basic emotion of any father. But even though I am sorry for what I did, I don’t regret doing it. Because I didn’t lie to you, I Buying this batch of calligraphy and painting, compared with Hong Kong businessmen, the result is different."

"The crucial difference is that when a Hong Kong businessman buys these paintings and calligraphy, he will be eager to sell them overseas. But when I buy them, these things can remain in China intact. As long as these paintings and calligraphy can be preserved for the country , let me pay any price."

"It doesn't matter if you don't believe me. Next, I can prove myself with facts. I don't deny that I wanted to buy these calligraphy and paintings at first, as you said, because the price is cheap and I saw that it was profitable. But later I didn't It’s the same, once I know that a Hong Kong businessman wants to use 20 yuan to cover Yuan’er, and will take this batch of calligraphy and painting overseas, I will no longer have the intention to make money through this batch of calligraphy and painting.”

"You have investigated me very carefully, and you know my details very well. But I don't know, do you know how difficult it was for me to get together the funds for this batch of calligraphy and paintings? Ah. Relatives and friends, all over the company, I borrowed all the money I could. I even signed a five-year labor contract with the company and paid three years' wages in advance. Only then did I barely get enough money to buy [-]% of the paintings and calligraphy funds."

"When I bought these paintings, is the matter over? No, proper preservation is even more of a problem. Calligraphy and painting are the most delicate works of art. They need a suitable space to be placed, and they need to be repaired in time if they are damaged or damp. Over the past few years, I have spent tens of thousands of money to preserve these paintings and calligraphy. I once tightened my belt and worried about paying off the debt. However, I have not sold any of these paintings and calligraphy until today. If I want to make a profit, why should I How about doing this? At least a few shots will make it easier for me.”

"To be honest, I admire your investigation ability, but don't just investigate me alone. You can also investigate the Hong Kong businessman who bought the rest of the paintings and calligraphy to see how much he sold? Give it to someone. I dare say that he will never treat these paintings and calligraphy like this to me. "

"Of course, you can still suspect that I am taking a long time to catch big fish and want to eat a fat man. After all, the prices of these paintings and calligraphy have been rising in China. However, in order to prove myself, I can make a promise. The future of these paintings and calligraphy I will not sell one for 20 years. And I will try my best to make these paintings and calligraphy reappear to the public. I will do my best so that students in art colleges can see these works and have the opportunity to copy them. Works. This is my purpose and the meaning of these calligraphy and paintings.”

(End of this chapter)