Kingdom of Heaven and Han

Chapter 255 Lack of Charm
Wang Xiao hunted to the back yard, and Li and Tang were already standing outside the door.Besides Li Di, there was a young man standing beside Li Tang.He is of medium build, wearing a green shirt, standing there respectfully.

Seeing Wang Xiaolie approaching, Li and Tang stepped forward to salute.

Wang Xiaolie saw the young man in the green shirt, with a clear face, red lips and white teeth, and his eyebrows were obviously not a man.What is rare is that he is wearing a green shirt, without any makeup on his face.When they saw her appearance, everyone knew that she was a woman, but there was no trace of a woman's demeanor.

Li Tangdao: "This one is Miss Lin. You learn painting from me, and you are very talented in seal cutting."

Wang Xiaolie looked at Miss Lin, feeling a little familiar.If you take a second look, you will know that it is the lake green skirt that you saw in Lumen Temple that day.This feeling is very strange, I can't say why, but it is this feeling.

Nodding his head, Wang Xiaolie said: "The carvers inside have already been waiting. Follow me."

The soldiers opened the door.Wang Xiaolie entered the yard first.

This is a small courtyard with two jujube trees planted near the door and a few pomegranates by the wall, making it very quiet.A stone table and bench were placed under a large fig tree, and two birdcages were hung on it.

Hearing the door knock, five people came out from inside.When they saw Wang Xiaolie, they saluted together.

Wang Xiaolie said: "These five are selected engravers, all from Luotian County. They used to work in Kaifeng and Luoyang. When the gold captives went south, they lost their food and went to Xiangyang. They carved copper plates here. The long time is more than a year, and the short time is five or six months."

After finishing speaking, he pointed to the three people behind him and said, "These two are waiting for the Imperial Academy of Painting and Calligraphy. The older one is named Li Tang, and the younger one is named Li Di. This one is good at seal cutting. By the way, what's his name?"

The young lady of the Lin family cupped her hands: "Go back and observe, little man Lin Xi."

"It turned out to be Lin Xi. From now on, the few of you will work together, so get closer."

As he spoke, he led the three of them forward and entered the middle room.

In the middle of the room is a large table with several copper plates and various carving knives on it.Against the wall, there are three more small tables.A lamp is hung on each table, and there are still various carving knives on the table.

Walking to the table, Wang Xiaolie picked up a copper plate.After a few glances, I handed it to Li Tang who was beside me.Said: "This is the copper plate they carved out recently, how about waiting for the imperial edict to see it?"

Li Tang took the copper plate, and saw a civet cat written on it, vividly.Although the strokes are few and rough, the shape of the cat is lifelike.Especially a pair of eyes, as if they can speak.

Looked and looked.Li Tangdao: "To be able to engrave this kind of plate on copper, it can be said to be a miraculous skill!"

Wang Xiaolie said: "These days, they made all kinds of carving knives, and carved many patterns on the copper plates. Although they are not handwritten by names, they have their own characteristics and can be used. It is just to prevent counterfeiting and to engrave things. Not much, the key is the lack of a charm."

There are so many skilled craftsmen in the world, as long as it is profitable, what can't be made?No matter how complicated the pattern is, no matter how delicate the layout is, someone can copy it.Especially the pattern of this kind of small animal, no matter how lifelike it is, it is difficult to prevent counterfeiting.These famous masters of the Painting and Calligraphy Academy are not the same.Their paintings have a kind of charm, no matter how similar they are in parts, they don't look alike together.And for those who are familiar with it, it can be seen at a glance.

These engravers have been making plates here for a long time.One is that they are familiar with the copper plate and at the same time make suitable tools.Another one is that the produced version of Wang Xiaolie is always dissatisfied, and always feels that something is missing.

Li Di took the copper plate and looked at it for a while.Said: "Although the civet cats are realistic, it is not difficult to draw one. It's just that I don't know how to make plates, so I can't engrave them on copper plates."

Wang Xiaolie said: "That's right. Folk painters can draw very similar images, but they always lack a sense of spirit. So I want you to draw specific paintings, and then help the engraver to turn them on to the copper plates. New ones will I want to print on both sides. Now I have decided that one side will be printed on Lumen Mountain, and the other side will be printed on Zhaoming Terrace. There will be ten, twenty, and fifty scripts. The other side will be printed on Sangu Thatched Cottage, and the other side will be printed on Hanjiang River. , for one hundred wen, two hundred wen, five hundred wen and Yiguanzu Huizi. Combining the two aspects, it will be difficult for the folks to forge."

Li Tangdao: "These are all famous scenery in Xiangyang, so it's not difficult to paint them."

Wang Xiaolie said: "This is the best. You guys are here to make several kinds of huizi with dozens of characters first. If you make it well, you can make hundreds of literati later. Making huizi is a big deal. If it is well done, it must be well engraved. The words used on it must also be ingenious, so that they are completely integrated."

Li Tang said yes.

Wang Xiaolie pointed to an older engraver and said: "This one is Ling Zi, and the rest of the engravers follow his orders. This matter will be presided over by Li Daizhao and Ling Zi. I will give you half a month Yes, when the time comes to make a copper plate, bring it to me to see."

After giving all orders, Wang Xiaolie took his leave and left.When going out, Lin Xi who was standing behind was looking at him curiously.

After leaving the yard, Wang Xiaolie stood in front of the door, lost in thought for a while.This Lin Xi is really strange, I have never met her before, but I just have a strange feeling.This feeling is very strange. It is not the feeling of a man seeing a beautiful woman, and he can't explain it.

Not thinking about these things, Wang Xiaolie left the courtyard and returned to the front hall.

Chen Yuyi had already been waiting there.Seeing Wang Xiaolie come in, he saluted and said: "Observe, Chen Yunshi has discussed with Chan Master Fadeng of Lumen Temple, and wants to hold a Dharma meeting on the sixth day of May. When the ten monks come, it must be a lively event!"

Wang Xiaolie said: "The sixth day of the fifth lunar month is also good. It happens to be after the Dragon Boat Festival, so there is no need to be too busy. This is a major event, and it is done for the fallen soldiers. The army should not take it lightly. At that time, it is best to have the military participate. "

Chen Yuyi thought about it.Said: "Then choose hundreds of soldiers, hold the flag before the start of the Dharma conference, and patrol around. It is not only grand, but also let the people know that the observation attaches great importance to this matter. At that time, the Dharma ceremony was held for three days and three nights on the edge of the Han River. "

Wang Xiaolie didn't know what the etiquette of this era was, nor did he know how to do Buddhist rituals.Chen Qiudao and Chen Yuyi were left to do these things.As long as it is grand and can show that the sacrificed soldiers are valued by the yamen and can reassure the hearts of the people, that's fine.

It stands to reason that this kind of thing should not be involved in religion, but should be done by the Yamen.It's just a folk custom at this time. The common people especially believe in the Buddhist rituals done by the monks, and the official has no special etiquette, so it has to be like this.It is the most important thing for the people to feel at ease and trust the Yamen.Restrictions on religion can only be carried out slowly in the future.

(End of this chapter)