Qi Baishi
In December 2017, Qi Baishi's "Twelve Screens of Landscape and Water" was auctioned in Beijing and finally sold for 931.5 million yuan, rewriting the global record for Chinese painting and calligraphy auctions.
931.5 million, an ordinary person who began to work from the Han Dynasty, could not save so much huge wealth.
It can be said that the paintings of the old man Qi Baishi are not only works of art, but also comparable to the wealth of Jinshan!
But it is in the face of such a huge fortune that an old man chooses to donate.
"Twelve Screens of Landscape and Water"
He was Qi Baishi's janitor, the late Qing eunuch Yin Chunru.
If Yin Chunru's life is drawn into a watershed, in the first half of his life he is the eunuch Yin Chunru, powerless and powerless, born like duckweed, maybe one day he will die under the roots of the imperial city and end up with no one to collect the corpse.
But in the second half of his life, because he was the janitor of Qi Baishi, he added a little more legendary color, and even realized the counterattack of life!
Zheng verified a sentence: "It doesn't matter if you are not born well, as long as you follow the right person, you can still become a person!" ”
Group portrait of eunuchs in the late Qing Dynasty
Eunuchs are known to be a "deformed" species that accompanies the imperial court.
Or there are the parents who have no choice but to eat enough to eat, or there are the parents who survive by selling their children and daughters, so they send a good boy to the palace to eat imperial food by cutting off the affairs of the generations.
According to the written records of the Chinese Yin Clan Association: Yin Chunru, a former Qing eunuch. The time of birth and death cannot be traced, and his place of origin, lineage, when and why he entered the Qi family to serve are also unknown.
With a few strokes, we can probably simulate imagining that in a dilapidated village, the young Yin Chunru came to the home of the purification master with a piece of paper.
He was illiterate, and naturally he could not recognize that the document read, "Voluntary purification, no money."
He only remembers that his family was so poor that he forgot what the food tasted like; he only remembered that his mother told him to listen to his master's words, "As long as you are stabbed, you will have a chance to eat enough."
But when the knife went down, Yin Chunru only remembered that it was "very painful."
The eunuch purified himself
He probably didn't know that in addition to blood loss, he had lost his dignity as a man and the possibility of passing on to future generations.
But there was nothing to do after the net, and he could just be lazy for a few days, and this lucky pleasure made him briefly forget the unpleasantness of "being knifed".
In the luggage that I carried, in addition to dry food, there were several large baskets of corn cobs, a few quintals of sesame straw, and a number of window paper.
Corn cobs are used to burn kang, and window paper is pasted to avoid air leakage.
Because the clean body is best chosen in the winter, so as not to itch and ulcerate, attracting fly bites.
The sesame stalk ash is the finest, in order to remove filth, sprinkled on the lower body part does not burn the skin, but also can play a role in sterilization, anti-inflammatory and hemostasis.
There is no way, the poor people also spare their lives, and the method of soil must be tried.
Unfortunately, the drifting late Qing government was no longer able to accommodate a small eunuch who purified himself, so Yin Chunru was assigned to the Prince of Su, the Prince of Shanqi.
Prince Su was kind
Like most eunuchs who were content with the status quo and duty-bound, he worked diligently and regarded his master's orders as greater than the heavens.
It is also this experience that allows him to master the "basic skills of serving people", not only can he serve tea and pour water, wash and dry the quilt, but also have the ability to observe the color, watch people cook, and say a few auspicious words on the scene.
"If you continue to do it like this, even if there is no merit, there will be hard work", Yin Chunru silently calculated in his heart on the Chase shop late at night.
At present, the first task is to save a pension money, the eunuch has no children and no daughters, and it is not okay to die and no one to send the final affairs.
Then it is honest work to ensure that no mistakes are made, the life of the slave is not worth anything, and he can keep this head.
A eunuch who serves his master
But man has never been able to catch up with the heavens.
In 1912, emperor Xuantong abdicated, and Prince Su, seeing that the situation was unfavorable, absconded from Beijing without even informing his family.
After Lushun was properly settled, Shanqi wrote a letter to let the whole family follow him again, and the entourage was only a close servant, Yin Chunru, as a low-level eunuch, was naturally not among them.
Prince Su and the children
In the rain and rain of his life, Yin Chun lost the "royal errand" and was driven out of the palace gate with a small bag.
The scarlet gate slowly closed behind him with a heavy "creak" sound, and Yin Chunru stood on the bustling road, feeling like a small ant in this endless world.
No! Worse than ants!
The ant still has room to steal life, and it seems that he only has one way to die.
With no private wealth to lean on, no patron to rely on, he could only be like most eunuchs who had nowhere to stay, or go to the temple to ask for a mixed meal to eat, or lie under the city wall and beg for food.
What's even more terrible than not having food is that he lives, not like a person...
The man who goes to the root, the man is not angry, the woman is not ashamed, and sometimes he doesn't even know whether to go to the men's or women's toilet.
Is this alive?
A purified eunuch
Yin Chunru did not have so many flowery words to describe, and life did not give him enough time to think, he just relied on instinct, and when he had a breath, he lived a breath.
It was probably Yin Chunru's fate that should not be extinguished, because the old man Qi Baishi accidentally "recruited", and a eunuch unexpectedly intersected with a master.
In 1926, at the age of 62, Qi Baishi spent all his savings to buy a small courtyard in Beijing's cross-train hutong, where he planned to settle down and end years of wandering and painting with peace of mind.
Former residence of Qi Baishi
But in a chaotic world, it is not that you can "feel at ease" if you want to "feel at ease".
Qi Baishi is famous outside, and every day he comes to buy paintings and ask for paintings in an endless stream, either to reach the level of officials and nobles, or to be brave in the chaotic world, and he cannot refuse or offend.
Elder Qi wanted to close the door fiercely, but he was afraid of slacking off and getting acquainted with the guests, and he could not eat running back and forth to open the door.
So just open the door?
But Qi Lao, who has had many children in his life, ran in and out of the house, not to mention the danger, and also harassed his neighbors.
Thinking about it, Elder Qi decided to hire a janitor to help him usher in the delivery.
After many introductions and inspections, Yin Chunru came into Qi Baishi's vision.
Years of work experience in the royal palace made him understand the importance of the word "opportunity" better than ordinary little eunuchs, and he understood that the fate of the second half of his life was here!
Qi Baishi and the children
Although he was not very clear about the specific achievements of Elder Qi, he also understood that according to Elder Qi's reputation, he must have a good family and knowledge, and if he behaved well, he might not have to live a life without a fixed place.
Thinking of this, no matter how unbearable it has been in recent years, Yin Chunru still tried his best to clean up properly, and although his clothes, shoes and socks were somewhat worn, he also had to clean up and have no odor.
Although there is no hair on the face, but also let Elder Qi know that the eunuch is not a man, but also half a man, as a janitor still has the strength, the mental state should be good, and the chest and back must be straight.
More crucially, Yin Chunru gave full play to what he had learned as a eunuch in the first half of his life, observed the color of speech, and had a good potential to usher in and pass on the news, which was exactly what Qi Lao needed.
One does not want to socialize, one is good at socializing, and the two talk together.
At night, lying in the "concierge" of less than a few square meters, Yin Chunru's turbulent heart was truly calm.
"This mutilated body finally has a place to lie flat."
Late Qing dynasty eunuch Sun Yaoting
Like the current workers, I found a patron, presumably there is also a "probationary period", Yin Chunru did her best to actively perform.
In the face of visitors, Yin Chunru first made a preliminary screening judgment based on years of experience, and after informing Qi Baishi, Elder Qi decided to see or not to see.
See, the main entrance respectfully introduces.
But in the face of people that Elder Qi Qi did not want to see, there was some trouble.
In the chaotic world, you will sing and I will appear, tomorrow he will rise, and the day after tomorrow he will get off his horse.
How to reject others and not sin at the same time is a test of the true ability of the janitor.
Yin Chun, who was born as a eunuch, had his own set of rules: "Reach out and don't hit the smiley face person."
Regardless of whether the visitor is respectful or inferior, the first three points of laughter when meeting, even if the guest is rejected, it is extremely humble, and it is politely sent to the door.
It does not lose etiquette, and it also allows the rejected person not to lose face too much and not get off the stage.
Cixi accompanied the eunuchs
Coming and going, many visitors are deeply impressed by Yin Chunru, and after getting along for a long time, they will affectionately call Yin Chunru "Old Yin".
Elder Qi was naturally 10,000 satisfied with this right-hand man, but he was really a little embarrassed about how to set his salary.
Give more, there are many family members, it is not easy to raise a family; but give less, and it seems unkind, harsh treatment of the next person.
As soon as the spirit moved, the old man Qi Baishi consulted with Yin Chunru and simply "replaced the salary with painting", which is like the modern salary system of basic salary + bonus.
In addition to eating and living, a certain basic salary is also given, which not only allows you to live a good life, but also gives a few other authentic works, or sells or collects themselves as a master, right as an extra bonus.
Qi Baishi paints shrimp
Yin Chun listened, and naturally agreed with his mouth.
He secretly thought that Elder Qi's paintings could not be bought by others who still came to the door to ask for works, and as a humble janitor, he could actually get the master's personal gifts.
There are two masters and servants, one happy to save money, one happy to have a windfall, and both rejoice.
Yin Chunru's business acumen quickly began to work, and when he encountered people who failed to find qi lao's true deeds, Yin Chunru took him to his three-foot concierge and chose as jun.
Some guests reluctantly entered with a rather dismissive attitude, and perhaps thought with a little disdain in their hearts: "Hmm, what good can you have in a small concierge?" ”
But when I really entered that little concierge, everyone opened their eyes!
The whole house is full of authentic works hanging on four walls, and it is also the creation of Qi Lao's casual swing, which is quite atmospheric.
Including Qi Lao's daughter, Xin Fengxia, an outstanding critic and performance artist in China, has come to Yin Chunru many times to buy Qi Lao's authentic works.
New Fengxia
In order to express his love and recognition for his daughter Xin Fengxia, Qi Baishi, who was kind and kind, gave her a picture of "Autumn Cicadas in Red Leaves" on the spot and commemorated the inscription.
However, with the increase in the number of visits by Xin Fengxia, Elder Qi seemed to be a little powerless whenever he gave paintings, and even if Xin Fengxia herself loved Qi Lao's paintings very much, it was not good to receive them every time.
By chance, Xin Fengxia came to Yin Chunru's concierge and was greeted with qi lao's authentic paintings, which were in place on the spot.
And Yin Chunru did not hide it, bluntly saying that these paintings were given to him by Qi Lao "for painting in lieu of remuneration". If Xin Fengxia is not abandoned, she can choose a few paintings at will, give him a little reward, and also have the right to help his life.
With such an opportunity not to bother Qi Lao, but also to get his true deeds, where will Xin Fengxia miss it?
She selected a few works on the spot and left satisfied.
Including the poet Ai Qing, who also bought calligraphy and paintings from Yin Chunru's hand, it was a small banner that read: "Jiashan Apricot Dock, idle day and night." Forget to return home, according to the ox's hooves. ”
Poet Ai Qing
At this point, Lao Yin's small concierge has become increasingly famous, not only becoming an art exhibition of Qi Lao's paintings, but also a large trading platform.
And Yin Chunru is also in addition to the identity of the janitor, adding a folk title of "Qi Lao Painting Agent".
In his small "guard room", it is still unknown how many major events in the art world have happened, and the Qi Baishi paintings that he traded by hand are even more unknown!
For this kind of achievement, Yin Chunru is not arrogant, only deeply grateful, and he secretly swears that he must serve Elder Qi more diligently.
Outside the gatekeeper, you can always see him sweeping around with a small broom or wiping around with a small rag.
Yin Chunru's outlook on life is like a farmer's wheat field, if you are really good to him, he will always have to repay you more before he is willing to give up.
Still one night, Yin Chunru was still lying in bed calculating, with the unexpected income from selling paintings with this pen, even if he was not as good as those former eunuchs such as "Xiao Dezhang" and "Cui Yugui" who were quite rich, it was definitely much better than those ordinary eunuchs who starved to death and froze to death.
Eunuch Cui Yugui
After years of uneasiness, he finally slept soundly.
Contentment can always be happy, knowing blessings can always be peaceful, and the days after that are smooth like Qi Lao's Danqing.
In his spare time, he spread out a few feet of canvas for Elder Qi, watching him wield pen and ink, happy life, fame and fortune;
When working, he guarded a few feet of concierge for Elder Qi, ushered in the delivery for him, and was sociable, saddle before and after the horse;
Thinking back to the youth, no worries, alone, even if he is a eunuch in the Wangye Mansion, he is just a slave in the chaotic world;
Looking at the eyes again, the lower can accommodate the body, the upper can make friends, although it is only a three-foot ear room, it is a circle red person.
22 years, more than 8,000 days, in Yin Chunru's heart, this is not only the time to guard the door for Qi Lao, but also the time of his own life transformation.
From a lonely eunuch in the late Qing Dynasty to a famous calligrapher and painter who shook Kyoto, he deeply knew that his life was achieved through Qi Lao.
He wanted to follow Elder Qi for a lifetime, but unfortunately, people would grow old.
Yin Chunru, who is accustomed to seeing the cold and warm in the world, understands human feelings better than others, although he is grateful for the time taken in by Qi Lao's parents, but his self-esteem tells him that if he continues to stay, it will be a drag on Qi Lao.
From deaf and blind to deaf and blind, I can't help Qi Lao for a long time, and now I have broken my arm, so why should I let the master take care of myself?
Yin Chunru contacted a friend in Tianjin and then went to Tianjin to settle down for the elderly.
Originally thought that the story should end here, but on New Year's Day 1958, the Ministry of Culture and the China Artists Association planned to establish the "Qi Baishi Memorial Hall", and when the preparatory department mobilized Yin Chunru to donate part of the collection for posterity to see, Yin Chunru agreed without hesitation.
Qi Baishi Memorial Hall
Compared with the great righteousness of the framed painter Guan Ulsan's "Masterpiece for The Legend of The Ages", Yin Chunru's idea may be more simple, "It is not mine, I can let more people see the achievements of Qi Lao, that is very good."
Yes, I Yin Chunru, was originally Qi Baishi's janitor!