Life in siheyuan era

Shen Lanbo entered his home, exchanged greetings with Aunt Liu, returned to his room, sat at his desk, and unfolded the list.

Zhang Limin had clearly told him: "When the higher-ups transferred me back to Beijing, I immediately thought of you two. After research and approval from the higher-ups, you two will be directly under my command as secret investigators."

Shen Lanbo wasn't surprised by Zhang Limin's words. When he received Zhang Limin's call, he knew a mission was coming. At this point, he wouldn't be surprised by any mission given to him.

However, Zhang Limin's next sentence surprised him: "The specifics of what to do are up to you two. Mull it over and write me a plan."

These were Zhang Limin's exact words, but after seeing Zhou Zhiyuan, it became that a "plan" had to be produced within three days.

Zhang Limin was anxious, and so was he. Zhou Zhiyuan had no choice but to look at the list. Since he had looked at it, he had to think about things.

This goal was achieved. Shen Lanbo unfolded the list and began to study it carefully. Zhang Limin told them to decide for themselves where to start. Shen Lanbo's first reaction was counter-espionage. Following this line of thought, he suddenly thought of a question: "What is the counter-espionage department doing?"

At that time, counter-espionage work was mainly carried out by the Public Security Bureau, with a military department participating as well. The two were in a cooperative relationship.

And Zhang Limin should be from the military intelligence department. Putting him in charge of counter-espionage at the Public Security Bureau was to form a joint effort.

"Since everyone is working together, what loopholes might arise here?" Thinking of this, Shen Lanbo pondered carefully for a moment, then sighed softly, picked up the list, went downstairs to the kitchen, lit the list, and placed it in the stove. Only after watching a wisp of ashes dissipate did he return to his room.

Then, he sat at the desk and carefully examined the "Pine and Crane" painting, gradually feeling that he was the crane.

Shen Lanbo had become a crane, without distracting thoughts, leisurely and content, while Zhou Zhiyuan was not idle.

He and Han Xue waited outside the emergency room, watching Qiu Jianye walk over with large strides, followed by Zou Hong, Nie Yucheng, Li Huaiyi, and a group of people.

Geng Qiulian and Zhao Xia went to pay the hospital fees, while Zhang Yong busied himself with preparing the stretcher. "Zhiyuan, you take that side, I'll take this side."

He thought the two of them could lift it, but Qiu Jianye said: "I'll lift this side with Zhiyuan."

Nie Yucheng immediately said: "I'll lift this side with Zhang Yong."

Meanwhile, Li Huaiyi was looking at his woolen coat with heartache. The woolen coat was covering Old Liu.

Seeing his expression, Zhang Yong immediately said: "Deputy Director Li, I was the one who took the woolen coat. I'll find someone to clean it later."

Zhang Yong's words woke Li Huaiyi up. He glanced at Zhang Yong with dissatisfaction and said faintly: "No need."

He said it casually, but Zhang Yong seized the opportunity and said loudly: "Deputy Director Li is considerate of his subordinates. Thank you."

Then, he said to Qiu Jianye: "Director, shall we go?"

A hint of a smile appeared on the corner of Qiu Jianye's mouth, and he said loudly: "Let's go..." The four of them lifted the stretcher and walked out. Li Huaiyi turned to look at Zou Hong, seeing her and Old Liu's wife following behind the stretcher. He hurriedly took a step forward and walked out of the emergency room with Zou Hong.

After sending Old Liu to the ward in the inpatient building, Zhou Zhiyuan realized that he had a connection with this ward. Last week, he met Mo Youji in this ward, and this week, he sent Old Liu into this ward.

But this time was different from the last time. All four beds had patients. Old Liu was arranged on Old Liutou's bed.

This scene made Zhou Zhiyuan feel very strange. He asked in a low voice: "Nurse Yang, did Uncle Liu get discharged?"

Yang Dan turned to look at him, blinked, and then replied, "He was discharged this morning. Why are you here again?"

Hearing Yang Dan's words, everyone looked at Zhou Zhiyuan. He knew a beautiful female military doctor and a beautiful nurse. He was indeed very familiar with the military hospital.

To prove this point, a doctor in a white coat walked in and said: "Zhou Zhiyuan, why are you here again?"

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice, only to see a young doctor walk in, currently using his right thumb and ring finger to push up his glasses.

No one knew who this young doctor was, but Zhou Zhiyuan said happily: "I have a connection with Doctor Hao."

He couldn't say this to Yang Dan, but it was okay to say it to Hao Zhiwen. However, Hao Zhiwen immediately denied it, "We have no connection. It's best if you don't come."

He still harbored resentment towards Zhou Zhiyuan and didn't want him to come to the military hospital.

Hao Zhiwen clearly expressed his disapproval, but Zhou Zhiyuan smiled and said: "Doctor Hao, I may not be able to make sugar sweet, but I can definitely make vinegar sour."

These words were a blatant threat. Hao Zhiwen was really afraid of him making vinegar, so he hurriedly said: "I surrender to you. Look for me if you need anything."

After saying this, he ignored him and walked to Old Liu's side to examine him carefully. At this time, Qiu Jianye waved his hand, took everyone out of the ward, and stood in the corridor to talk.

Qiu Jianye called Zhou Zhiyuan to his side and said in a low voice: "During Old Liu's hospitalization, come and see him often and help coordinate things."

He arranged this in front of Li Huaiyi and Han Xue, which was to give him a leave of absence. Then, he left Zhou Zhiyuan and Zhang Yong behind, and the main force returned to the street.

After saying this, Zhou Zhiyuan strode downstairs, walked out of the military hospital, followed the alley road into the small courtyard. After hearing Aunt Tao speak, he knew that Mo Youji was at home. He walked into the main room and saw him sitting at the table drinking tea.

Zhou Zhiyuan respectfully greeted him, then sat down on the chair next to him and asked softly: "Master, the primary thing in appraising antique calligraphy and paintings is to look for historical traces. How do you appraise those without historical traces?"

This question made Mo Youji look at him in surprise and asked in a deep voice: "What kind of historical traces are there?"

"Historical records, such as what famous emperors and generals liked, to determine the decorative and painting styles of the time based on their preferences."

"Determining which dynasty based on the material, craftsmanship, shape, color, and painted patterns of the object, and whether it belonged to the royal family."

"For calligraphy and paintings, you also need to use the author's style to determine who created it."

"As for products of specific periods, such as Tang Sancai, Yuan blue and white porcelain, and Ming and Qing ceramics, you can clarify them as long as you determine their material and craftsmanship. The problem is that there are many antique calligraphy and paintings for which historical traces cannot be found. How do you appraise them?"

Listening to Zhou Zhiyuan's eloquent speech, a smile appeared on Mo Youji's face. When he finished speaking, he said happily: "You're learning too fast. Your understanding is very accurate. You really have a talent."

Zhou Zhiyuan was humble, "Don't praise me, maybe I'm Zhao Kuo."

Mo Youji shook his head and smiled: "Zhao Kuo is said to be talking about military tactics on paper. Others can say that, but you would be very wrong to think that way. Zhao Kuo used bamboo slips at that time, not paper."

Zhou Zhiyuan chuckled and nodded. This was the accumulation of historical knowledge. Paper first appeared as hemp fiber paper during the Western Han Dynasty, and papermaking technology was not invented until the Eastern Han Dynasty.

Knowing the development history of paper, you know when Xuan paper appeared. If someone takes a calligraphy written on Xuan paper and claims it was written by Wang Xizhi, you'll be fooled if you believe it.

Xuan paper appeared during the Tianbao period of the Tang Dynasty, and reached its peak in the late Song and early Yuan dynasties. The quality of Xuan paper can be used to exclude imitations from before this time.

However, some imitations are also priceless treasures, like "Along the River During the Qingming Festival", which has three versions: Song, Ming, and Qing. The Song version is definitely the original, but you can't get the Qing version imitation either, it's also a national treasure.

Therefore, there is a lot to learn in the antique calligraphy and painting business. Zhou Zhiyuan's entry into a state of confusion pleased Mo Youji.

His confusion meant that he had grasped what could be traced, but the traces were elusive.

"A genius!" Mo Youji praised silently in his heart, but said seriously on his lips: "Familiarize yourself with the styles of antique calligraphy and paintings from various periods, combine them with historical trajectories, and finally use keen intuition. For those without historical traces, add historical probability to infer. If these four points still cannot be determined, then leave immediately."

"Remember, Zhuge Wuhou also lost Jieting. Some antique calligraphy and paintings have hidden secrets. No one can be completely omniscient. In our line of work, not knowing is not knowing. It's nothing to be ashamed of to say you don't know."

After Mo Youji finished speaking, Zhou Zhiyuan resolved his doubts and then got up to say goodbye. Mo Youji didn't keep him either. He watched him walk out the door and poured himself a cup of tea to drink.

Afterwards, Aunt Tao walked in and asked: "Uncle Mo, why did Zhiyuan leave in such a hurry?"

Mo Youji smiled and said: "He had something to do. He came to see me when he had time." Then he took another sip of tea, humming Peking opera with a contented expression.

Mo Youji was happy, but Zhou Zhiyuan was not.

Zhang Yong only cared about himself, "I'm going to have Yanhong buy my mom a pair of leather shoes. You think about your own business."

Zhang Yong was angry that Zhou Zhiyuan was hiding something from him.

Zhou Zhiyuan was too lazy to argue with him. He would know as soon as he walked into the Yongan Shopping Mall.

But Zhang Yong grabbed his arm and said seriously: "To buy gifts, go to the Yongning Store."