Linxia

Chapter 221, Seeking Fame

"Zidun, how about my fried crab?" Ge Chong's expression at this moment was like a chef who has made a new dish and can't wait to get the customer's evaluation.

"It tastes so good that I forget to speak for a moment."

Fang Lin commented, and then deliberately sighed: "It's a pity that I can't let my parents, wife and children have a taste..."

"Hahahaha, Zidun, are you trying to make money from me here?"

Ge Chong naturally saw Fang Lin's intention. However, this expression of "forgetting words for a moment" and "wanting to take it back for parents, wife and children to taste" was undoubtedly the ultimate approval. He smiled heartily and said happily: "How difficult is that? I will make another one later, and Zidun can take it back."

Not only fried crab, Fang Lin also helped Ge Chong prepare another dish and a soup, both of which were delicious.

After a sumptuous lunch, the Ge family's only servant, an old cleaning woman, came over and said someone was visiting: "That Yu Jiaoyu is here, and this time he invited the prefect Xun, and he brought a lot of gifts!"

"Alas!" Ge Chong seemed to know why the other party came, and sighed and said, "Please let them in!"

Xuzhou prefect Xun Wensi and teacher Yu Zeqing came in, and Ge Chong introduced them to Fang Lin.

With Fang Lin's current reputation and the honorary position of the fourth rank commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he is considered a big shot wherever he goes. At least it will be no problem to make friends with the other party, not to mention a few pleasantries.

Prefect Xun and Yu Zeqing came over, obviously looking for Ge Chong. The latter took out his calligraphy works and invited comments.

Fang Lin was also invited to watch. With his experience from two lifetimes, he still had some appreciation ability. His evaluation of Yu Zeqing's calligraphy was just four words: mediocre.

However, as a guest, he only brought his eyes but not his mouth, so he naturally would not say anything to offend others.

Ge Chong also looked at it, with no expression on his face. After a long pause, he said, "This is the third time that Teacher Yu has come. I still say that Teacher Yu's calligraphy is average. It can't be said to be good, but it can't be said to be bad either."

This statement is somewhat ambiguous, but those who understand will certainly be able to hear the hidden meaning.

"I don't like her, but I can't say it out loud." Fang Lin thought to himself, looking at Prefect Xun and Yu Zeqing. As the prefects and teachers of a prefecture, they are naturally smart people and should be able to hear it.

"Besides, from what he said, this is not the first time that Yu Jiaoyu has come, but the third time. This time, he even invited Xun Zhifu to be his lobbyist. Why is that? Doesn't he have any idea of ​​his own ability?" He thought of something and suddenly understood something in his heart.

Xun Zhifu said, "Mr. Kunwu, considering that the teacher has come to visit you three times, you must be sincere. Why not give him a chance?"

Yu Zeqing stood up and bowed: "Please take me in, sir. I will be very grateful."

Ge Chong's attitude was polite but distant: "Teacher Yu, I am embarrassed. You are also a teacher in a prefecture and a role model for countless students. How dare I take you in?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Zeqing gritted his teeth and prostrated himself, "I love calligraphy and am willing to pursue it my whole life. I have worked tirelessly for more than ten years, but I have been working behind closed doors and have not found the right method or the right way. I came to you this time with all my heart to seek your advice. If you can recommend me and help me achieve something in this field, I will never forget your kindness."

In fact, he was only a few years younger than Ge Chong. It was humble enough for him to call himself a junior, and this sudden bow was even more servile.

"Sure enough, this person is a man seeking fame, please Mr. Ge to make a name for himself," Fang Lin thought to himself.

He had seen this kind of people in his previous life. They were optimistic about their own works and pretended to be refined, but their works were actually mediocre. They still wanted to be famous. What should they do? They could find famous artists and let them comment on their works. If they were recognized by the industry, they could bring their works to a new height and a new level.

Ge Chong naturally knew Yu Zeqing's purpose and didn't want to be involved and do anything against his will. However, the other party had visited his home three times and was so humble. If he really refused, he would be making an enemy. He couldn't help but show helplessness on his face.

Prefect Xun also said, "Since Instructor Yu is so determined and sincere, Mr. Ge should not reject him."

Now, with the respect of Xun Zhifu to consider, Ge Chong couldn't refuse. Helplessly, he sighed, "In my opinion, there are two types of works that can make you famous. One is widely circulated in the world and recognized by the vast majority of people. Generally speaking, this kind of work can be passed down from generation to generation and recorded in history. The other kind is circulated in a smaller range, recognized by the industry, and famous for a while."

After hearing this, Prefect Xun and Yu Zeqing subconsciously looked at Fang Lin. Aren’t Fang Lin’s Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Journey to the West, Investiture of the Gods, and Legend of the White Snake the first type?

However, Yu Zeqing had some idea in his mind, and what he wanted here was only the second option.

Ge Chong commented: "Yu Jiaoyu's calligraphy is not particularly outstanding. It is almost impossible for it to be recognized by the world and spread to the world."

"However, it would be inappropriate to let Yu come three times in vain. So, I have an elder, Xiangguang, who can recommend Yu to him. If he studies hard, thinks diligently and practices hard, and turns the inkstone pool into an ink pool, then calligraphy can be accomplished..."

"May I ask Mr. Kunwu, how long will this method take?"

“If you have talent, you may be able to achieve something in twenty years.” “This…” Yu Zeqing looked embarrassed.

There are only a few twenty years in a person's life, and besides, one may "achieve something" in twenty years. But he also said before, "I have been working in isolation, without any method or way. I came to you with a sincere desire to seek your advice." It would be bad to go back on his word and slap himself in the face, right?

Seeing Yu Zeqing's expression, Ge Chong sighed slightly, "I have a good friend, Mr. Ishida, who I can recommend to the teacher. He will get up at the sound of the cock-crow and write with his hands. When the ink can penetrate the back of the paper and into the wood, then calligraphy can be accomplished..."

"May I ask how long this method will take?"

“If you have talent, you may achieve something in ten years.”

Yu Zeqing hesitated again.

"Mr. Kunwu, is there any faster way?" Prefect Xun encouraged.

"That's it, that's all!"

Ge Chong sighed again and said, "Well, I can give you an idea. Even if it works, it will only be famous for a while and spread in the industry. But it is faster and more labor-saving. Are you willing to do this?"

"Yes! Yes!" Yu Zeqing was waiting for these words, so he nodded naturally.

"Well, I'll give you this idea, but don't mention my name when you go out."

Ge Chong said that there will be a gathering in Yingtian next month, and famous people from various prefectures will participate. If we can get the approval of these famous people and ask them to build momentum, then we will be able to succeed.

He did not say how to gain the recognition of these famous masters, but Yu Zeqing and Prefect Xun both knew that it was nothing more than catering to their tastes and spending some money.

After listening to this, Yu Zeqing was quite satisfied with this method. Although Ge Chong did not comment or endorse it personally, he also gave a seemingly better method and said goodbye to Prefect Xun.

Fang Lin watched the whole thing and found it absurd and funny. Suddenly he thought of a joke derived from Journey to the West.

Patriarch Bodhi said: "There are 360 ​​side doors in my Dao sect, all of which have positive results. I wonder which one you want to learn?"

Monkey King: "As the Master wishes, I will obey you wholeheartedly."

Patriarch Bodhi: "Good. I will teach you the ways of the art of calligraphy. You can ask the immortals to help you with your fortune telling and seek good and bad luck, so as to avoid disasters and seek fortunes..."

Monkey King: "Can I achieve immortality?"

Patriarch Bodhi: “No.”

Monkey King: "No, no."

Patriarch Bodhi: "I will teach you the way of the 'flow' school, which combines the teachings of Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, Mohism, and Yin-Yang. You can worship the truth and become a saint..."

Monkey King: "Can I achieve immortality?"

Patriarch Bodhi: “No.”

Monkey King: "No, no."

……

Patriarch Bodhi: "If you don't want to learn this or that, then I will teach you the Great Heavenly Immortal Art, the Seventy-two Transformations of the Earthly Evils, and the Somersault Cloud. After you have mastered them, you will be invincible in battle, and few in heaven or on earth can defeat you. You can also achieve immortality..."

Monkey King: "Master, just learn this, just learn this."

Patriarch Bodhi said: "Hey, you naughty monkey, if you cause trouble in the future, don't say that I am your master."

……

(End of this chapter)