My years as a fortune teller

I took the jade and looked at it carefully, and said to Jin Nantian: "Brother Tian, ​​why do you think this piece of jade is from the Tang Dynasty? And why do you still conclude that there will be another piece of the same Buddha?"

Jin Nantian took a sip of tea and said: "This is mainly determined from two aspects. First of all, what I want to say is that from the Sui and Tang Dynasties to the Five Dynasties, it can be said to be another peak period for Chinese jade wares. This era has abandoned the Han Dynasty and even the previous ones. Some jade carving techniques, especially in the Tang Dynasty, are more delicate. On some lines, straight lines and curved lines are basically used in combination, while some decorative lines are all carved with Yin lines."

As he spoke, he took the jade and put it on the coffee table, then took out a magnifying glass and said to the jade: "Look, the ear of this Jade Buddha is a combination of a typical straight line and a curved line. And it's not very long. , as if you scratched lightly with a carving knife. But the line should be straight, and the curvature should be just right."

I looked carefully through a magnifying glass, and it really looked like this.I thought about it, and immediately asked: "Is it possible that it is from the Song Dynasty? It is possible that the craftsmen of the Song Dynasty learned the crafts of the previous dynasty."

"Impossible!" Jin Nantian said directly: "This practice was abandoned in the Song Dynasty, and there were round carvings, relief carvings, hollow carvings, and even multi-layer hollow carvings in the Song Dynasty, which will not exist in the future. Just think about it. If the jade is carved in relief and hollowed out, can you use it again if it is broken? Not to mention it is multi-layered hollowed out, so it cannot be from the Song Dynasty. Moreover, the Song Dynasty restored the technique of keeping the skin of the Han Dynasty, that is, the jade skin of the jade Keep it for use. And the most important point is that the white jade in the Song Dynasty must be seen in five colors in the sun, which is called white as fat. It is green jade, which must be selected with a kind of simplicity. The Tang Dynasty did not pay so much attention , just two colors of blue and white. The white must be Hetian jade, just like the half in your hand."

I nodded and continued to ask: "Then why do you say there is another piece of jade? Could it be that this is also seen from this half piece of jade?" This is what I can't solve the most.

Jin Nantian smiled and said to me: "The Tang Dynasty was powerful and opened up roads to the Western Regions. Therefore, Hetian jade could be sent to Chang'an City in a steady stream, so there were many jade wares in the Tang Dynasty. But there were few ritual wares, and most of them were decorations. and daily necessities. For some daily necessities, some decorations are added on them, such as rhinoceros horns, rubies, etc. There are also jade books used for offering sacrifices to heaven or mourning books for funerals. Jade books were unearthed in Mount Tai. It seems that that thing was taken to Taiwan by Chiang Kai-shek. There was a mourning book in the tomb of Prince Tang Huizhao in Lintong, Shaanxi, and there seemed to be more than 100 pieces. So if it is re-carved from Tang Dynasty jade, there must be another piece.”

I nodded and said: "So there is a similar jade Buddha outside. As long as we find this jade Buddha, we may be able to find the person I am looking for. But it is difficult to find a piece of jade in this world."

Jin Nantian pointed to my head and said: "Why did you suddenly become a pig's brain? Why didn't you start with the person who carved the jade. As I said just now, such a jade Buddha must have been carved by a master. Otherwise, , it is impossible to perfectly combine the lines of the predecessors."

I clapped my hands and said, "It makes sense, but it might be difficult to find such a person. Now they are all carved by machine, and the ones that come out are like twins. It should not be easy to find the person who carved the jade."

"You are said to be a pig's brain, but you are really a pig's brain!" Jin Nantian scolded: "If you want to use the techniques of the predecessors, can you engrave with a machine? It must be handmade, and this person is left-handed. "

I was taken aback, looked at Jin Nantian and said, "You're not mistaken, how can you tell that he is left-handed? If you can tell me a reason, I will completely convince you."

Jin Nantian took the paper and pen from my bookshelf, and said to me: "Use your left and right hands to draw a semicircle, both of which should be drawn on the right side." .

After I drew it on the paper, Jin Nantian said to me: "Then use your left and right hands to draw the other half." I didn't understand what he meant, but I still did as he said.

After I draw it, I don't need Jin Nantian to tell me that I know it all.This is a matter of the strength of the pen. It takes much less force to draw the right side with the right hand than to draw the left side with the right hand.This old guy's eyes are really poisonous, it seems that he will die if he refuses to accept it.

Jin Nantian poured some hot water into his teacup and said, "I know a few experts like this. But there are only two left-handers, and judging by their technique, it should be the masterpiece of Li Waizui from Shandong."

"Who?" My eyes widened and I asked, "The Li crooked mouth you are talking about, does it mean that his mouth is tilted to the right? And he has a buck tooth, and when he speaks, he spits and stars fly around. He lives in Mamiao, Dongshu Town, Tai'an City. , like to play a cricket?"

Jin Nantian nodded and said: "Why do you know him? Then you should know that this guy has six pieces of jade books for offering sacrifices to heaven. I have to transfer them several times, but he is not willing to give them to me."

I smiled and said to Jin Nantian: "I know him too well. Speaking of which, he didn't have a crooked mouth. He was beaten crooked by me. You don't know that. This old boy actually has a jade book. It seems that I have to get it." inside."

When Jin Nantian heard this, he immediately regained his energy, and said to me: "Brother, if you can get this thing, you can choose whatever you want from my brother's house, how about we exchange it?"

I rolled my eyes and said, "Go ahead, help me with the business first. I have a small plan, and I need your help and Chi Chao's help this time. If it is done, I have a piece of ancient jade from the pre-Qin period to exchange with you."

When Jin Nantian heard that his eyes were shining brightly, he said to me: "Where, where? Show me, show me!" I knew that if I didn't show him, I would definitely not help me.Question I can't remember where I put it?I rubbed my forehead for a long time, and looked under the bookshelf for a while.Finally, under the bookshelf, I found the jade that the old patriarch of Qinling gave me.

When I handed it to Jin Nantian, the guy's jaw almost fell to the ground.While looking at Yu, he said: "Your uncle, such a good treasure, you actually threw it under the bookshelf. There is no excuse for recklessly squandering everything!"

I snatched the jade and said to Jin Nantian: "Go away, I just play with this kind of thing. It's not like you are raising a son, as long as you help me do one thing well, I will take this piece of jade." Jade for you." When I said this, I actually saw tears streaming from Jin Nantian's eyes.

I should have waited until they went out for dinner to look for it. In the eyes of people like Jin Nantian, the things in my hands are more precious than his life.But for me, it's just a quick stone.

I also ignored Jin Nantian, and said to him and Chi Chao; "It happens that both of you are from Henan, and tomorrow you will start to visit the antique market in Xi'an to see if you can find another piece of Jade Buddha."

As soon as Chi Chao heard this, he immediately asked, "Why do we have to go and say we are from Henan? Can't we say that we are from Beijing or Shanghai?" Looking at Chi Chao's face, I suddenly didn't know how to answer. .

Jin Nantian said indifferently: "Because Shifosi Town, Zhenping County, Nanyang City, Henan Province is the largest jade collection and distribution center in the country, and it is also the largest fake jade production center. Some people will come to Xi'an and other places to collect some worthless ancient jade. Go back and re-carve it."

Chi Chao groaned, then shook his head with a smile.Jin Nantian suddenly said: "Brother, you take Brother Chi Chao to Shandong to find Li Waizui. I will just take Brother Four Eyes. It is not safe for you to go out. With Brother Chi Chao, at least your safety is guaranteed." Guaranteed."

This method is also good, so I nodded in agreement.Jin Nantian continued: "Finding the producer is only the first step. The main step is to see how many similar Jade Buddhas there are. It must have been taken away by someone. As long as you find the person who collected the ancient jade. Then you have to find The person appeared, it is not a problem to sell such a jade Buddha for tens of thousands, if you encounter a stick, it may be possible for hundreds of thousands. And you are talking about giving it to a girl, this person is very generous Must be rich."

The analysis made sense, so I called Erye Cui and Gao Shengwen immediately.At the same time, he helped me book a train ticket to Tai'an, Shandong. I want to take the earliest train there after dinner...