The literary giants of the late Ming Dynasty began by copying books

In Wang Wenlong's study, Shen Yixiu knocked on the door and came in with a stack of manuscripts.

"Ms. sir, I've copied these words for you."

"Thank you, madam." Wang Wenlong took the manuscript from Shen Yixiu's hand, read it over, and then couldn't help being surprised, "Your handwriting is really good."

According to historical records, Shen Yixiu often helped Ye Shaoyuan organize his letters and copy his essays for exams. Her handwriting in regular script was particularly neat and beautiful. "Everyone who saw her praised her as having the style of Mrs. Wei." She was already a A level that can be passed down from generation to generation.

Shen Yixiu said embarrassedly: "You and your sister both write novels, but I can only do this kind of thing. Help you copy the manuscript, which can also reduce your fatigue."

Wang Wenlong looked at the beautiful handwriting and shook his head: "As long as the manuscript I copy is usable, it would be unfair to be a copyist for me with your beautiful calligraphy. I also know a printing house, so why don't you write a post about it, Let me print a calligraphy book for you!"

Shen Yixiu said in surprise: "Is this okay? Can I print calligraphy books at my level?" Although he was surprised, his tone was quite happy.

This is the difference between Wang Wenlong and Ye Shaoyuan. Ye Shaoyuan knew that Shen Yixiu's calligraphy was good, but historically he only asked Shen Yixiu to copy some words for him to show off in front of his friends. Shen Yixiu's calligraphy was famous in Jiangnan, but in later generations he was Not a single authentic calligraphy remains, and most likely there was no opportunity for calligraphy creation at home.

But Wang Wenlong knew that the little girl needed emotional value, and would deliberately find ways to please his lover, instantly making Shen Yixiu feel cared for. It can only be said that Wang Wenlong's extra ten years of experience was not in vain.

Wang Wenlong nodded, pointed to the manuscript Shen Yixiu copied for him and said, "Just print this manuscript into Dharma stickers, which is already better than most regular scripts on the market."

Wang Wenlong's words are not false. His calligraphy is above average, but he has a good eye for aesthetics.

After reading the manuscript Shen Yixiu copied for him, he knew why Shen Yixiu's calligraphy was recorded as "Mrs. Wei's style" in history.

Mrs. Wei is Wang Xizhi's aunt and one of the first teachers of calligraphy sage Wang Xizhi. Shen Yixiu's regular script is Wang Xizhi's regular script style, and he has obtained the samadhi of Wang Xizhi's method and has very deep skills.

Hearing the compliment from her husband, Shen Yixiu liked it but was shy at the same time. Then he took his manuscript and read it.

Half a day later, Shen Yixiu said to Wang Wenlong: "This manuscript is too poorly written and cannot be printed."

"Is this still bad?" Wang Wenlong wondered.

Shen Yixiu was a little regretful that his work could not be published, but he still nodded firmly: "My calligraphy is too weak and loose. If it were published, I would definitely be laughed at."

Wang Wenlong thought for a while and asked her: "What posts do you usually use? Can you get it for me to read?"

Shen Yixiu nodded and ran to the bedroom to open his dowry box. After a while, he brought out a lot of rubbings and seals.

"This is Wang Youjun's "Lanting Preface" that I often copy, the Yan family's "Jiucheng Palace", and this volume of Wang Xizhi's "Huang Ting Jing" and "Yuan Huan Tie"..."

Wang Wenlong was confused as he looked at it. The price of reprinting calligraphy posts these days is extremely high, and some of the posts Shen Yixiu took out were even rubbings. For example, in the volume of Wang Xizhi's "Huang Ting Jing", the rubbing inscriptions and postscripts from the Song Dynasty were written directly underneath. , as well as appreciation seals from literati in the Song, Yuan and Ming dynasties.

The Song Dynasty rubbings of "Huang Ting Jing" will be included in the Palace Museum in later generations.

The printing quality of the rest of the printed copybooks was extremely high. Wang Wenlong finally understood what kind of family strength his newlywed wife had. No wonder he was able to support his husband's family by selling dowries in his previous life, and she was like a wealthy little woman.

Wang Wenlong smiled and said: "My wife cannot compare Wang Xizhi's works with her own. If this is the case, who else in the world can print Dharma stickers?"

"But if you print something like this, you will be laughed at..." Shen Yixiu insisted.

Wang Wenlong thought for a while and then gave another idea: "If you insist on not printing it yourself, then collect calligraphy."    Collecting calligraphy is to collect the handwriting of a certain calligrapher of the previous generation and integrate it into calligraphy works. The most famous thing is that Huaisu in the early Tang Dynasty collected Wang Xizhi's handwriting, rearranged it, engraved it and compiled it into the "Preface to the Holy Religion".

There is also a lot of skill in collecting calligraphy. You don’t just have to find a certain character written by the corresponding calligrapher and fill it in after printing it. For example, if you use Wang Xizhi’s "Preface to the Lanting Anthology" to collect characters, you need to have the word "Zhi" somewhere in the document, and Wang Xizhi wrote twenty-one "Zhi" characters in the "Preface to the Collection of Lanting Collection". None of them are similar, and each has a different body shape and aesthetic feeling. Which "Zhi" character he chooses to use in the collection of characters depends entirely on his own choice. Decided by aesthetics.

After Huaisu, many Wang Xizhi's calligraphy works were produced, but only eighteen works of Wang Xizhi's calligraphy can be truly recognized by later calligraphy circles. To do this well, it is not as simple as writing a calligraphy work yourself.

Moreover, Wang Wenlong can help Shen Yixiu if he wants to collect calligraphy, because he has in his mind a copy of "Wang Xizhi's calligraphy collection and creation" that he used when learning calligraphy. It was compiled by the Palace Museum and records many of Wang Xizhi's calligraphy collections since the Qing Dynasty - Qing Dynasty People study this stuff more deeply than the calligraphers of the Ming Dynasty.

"Collecting words?" Shen Yixiu's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he had countless inspirations and ideas in an instant.

Seeing her like this, Wang Wenlong knew that Shen Yixiu would be busy next.

It's better to be busy. If you have something to do, you won't have to worry about family conflicts.

Wang Wenlong took advantage of Shen Yixiu's happiness and said, "I want to go to your Guoxian sister's room tonight."

He and Shen Yixiu have been married for a few months, and they lie on the same bed with the little girl every day. They can't do anything. The key is that they are afraid of Li Guoxian's objections, which will give Wang Wenlong a headache.

Shen Yixiu understood immediately and was secretly unhappy, but still nodded and said, "Of course my husband can go."

Seeing the little girl unconsciously flattening her mouth, Wang Wenlong said, "Well, it's better to wait for a few days."

Shen Yixiu shook his head and said, "You agreed, why don't you go? Sister Guoxian has also been guarding you for so many days. Due to emotions and reasons, I can't pester you."

"My lady is really reasonable."

At this time, Wang Pingbao came outside and said, "Master You Sizhongyou is here."

Wang Wenlong said: "Invite him in."

"Then I'm leaving." Shen Yixiu packed up his manuscripts and said, "Go to Sister Guoxian's room tonight."

Wang Wenlong nodded hurriedly.

Soon I saw You Sizhong walking in, holding a post in his hand.

He glanced at Wang Wenlong and asked doubtfully: "Why did Jianyang's sister-in-law leave in such a hurry when she saw me coming in? Did I bump into her somewhere?"

Wang Wenlong felt a headache, waved his hand and said: "This little family matter has nothing to do with Jingzhai."

You Sizhong nodded, knowing that it would be inconvenient to mix in, so he put down the post and said: "Jianyang, people from Xia Jiaozhong invite you to go to Xiamen. They say they want to thank you for helping them with their reclamation and provide convenience, and they also want you to go to the dock to do some demonstrations and give lectures." .There is also a gift list from the church.”

Wang Wenlong read the post and opened the gift list. Seeing that the gift above was not too expensive and was a favor that could be accepted, he nodded and said, "Thank you for your kindness. I am also planning to visit Xiamen City and will go there then."

(End of this chapter)