In the early years of the Republic of China, Guling County appointed a new county magistrate. This person's surname is Ding, and he is a former handsome talent. He has a big hobby in life, he likes to collect calligraphy and painting. Everywhere he went, he visited well-known local artists and concentrated on collecting folk collections. Not long after arriving, I heard that there was a folk painter named Chen in the west of the county, and the treasures handed down by his ancestors were rare and never easily displayed. Governor Ding kept this incident in mind and planned to visit his home another day.
Let's talk about Chen Chen, a 40-year-old painter in Chengxi. He was influenced by his family from an early age. After farm work, he entertained himself by reading and painting. It is a pity that the ancestors did not buy land for their descendants, leaving only a photo of Shang Lu as a family heirloom. This painting was painted by Chen Chen's twelfth generation ancestor, Chen Hua, and has a history of more than 400 years. Chen Hua was a painter of the Ming Dynasty who devoted his life to painting tigers, on a par with Tang Bohu. Just because Tang Bohu was a genius in Jiangnan, he ran around the gate of official power, was patronized by dignitaries and dignitaries, and became famous all over the world. Chen Hua, on the other hand, stuck in the countryside with a piece of cloth all his life, never got ahead. When Chen Hua was alive, paintings were never given away easily, and no matter who was rich or powerful, he refused to give it away. After his death, very few of his paintings survived. Chen Chen treasured the things handed down from his ancestors, who were orphans and regarded as treasures for generations.
One day, while sitting idly at home, Inspector Ding came to visit. The two exchanged etiquette and names, and Chen Chen realized that it was the county magistrate who came and offered tea and seats, which was very gracious. The two chatted for a while, first about the harvest, then about the weather. Only Inspector Ding bowed and said, "Ding just arrived in Guixian, and I heard that my brother has an ancestral inheritance. I came to visit today and hope it will blow your mind. ”
My parents want the inheritance of their ancestors, how dare they lose his face? Chen Chen walked into the back room, took out a brocade bag, unfolded it layer by layer, and finally hung an ancient painting on the wall—it was a majestic Shang Lu Gen! Under the setting sun, among the strange rocks in the forest, a gorgeous tiger with a snow-white forehead whistling around its neck, it is really the momentum of a group of wild beasts and tigers roaring in the forest.
Seeing this, Inspector Ding gave him a high five: "Miaoya! Wonderful! Wonderful! It's really a tiger descending the mountain and swallowing mountains and rivers. ”
When he saw Governor Ding's praise, he said: "The tiger painted by our ancestors is not underneath. It is a pity that the ancestors lived in the country all their lives and did not interact with officials, so they died in the world. The old man has a strange habit of drawing tigers all his life: he will only be the king of beasts when he goes down the mountain, and he will not be a tiger when he goes up the mountain. ”
"There must be a reason, right?" Governor Ding couldn't help but be curious and asked.
Chen Chen nodded and continued: "My ancestors never entered the world, indifferent to fame and fortune, and indulged in poor backcountry all their lives. In his opinion, the tigers on the mountain were mostly high in the temple, and all the animals were driven away. The weak animals in the forest dare not hide, why dare to show in front of the tiger? The tiger descending the mountain is hungry and lives in the mountains, going out of the ghost forest in search of food. ”
Speaking of this, he suddenly stopped, glanced at Governor Ding, and refused to continue.
Inspector Ding saw it and already liked it in his heart. Listening to Chen Chen's words, his heart became more and more itchy. He thought to himself: asking him to paint as a parent would be a bit abrupt; But if he asks, I'm sure he won't refuse in person. So he tried it around the corner: "I have loved collecting calligraphy and paintings all my life, but unfortunately this painting was handed down by your ancestors!" "
Chen Chen is not a dull person. He understood what Inspector Ding meant, and thought: You are an official, I am a citizen. How to please others with ancestral heirlooms? Besides, I won't give it to you, aren't you going to rob it!
After a pause, he said with a smile: "When Inspector Ding first came, how elegant he was!"
Seeing that he neither agreed nor refused, Inspector Ding was secretly happy in his heart and said with a smile: "I don't know anything about painting, it's just a vassal elegance!"
Chen Chen said: "One of the ancestors noticed this when they were a painter Lu – when tigers go down the mountain, they starve. Hungry tigers can disturb people, destroy crops, or harm children. Therefore, it is not appropriate to hang up and receive those who are officials. ”
Inspector Ding listened, his face was a little anxious, but he still said: "Thank you!" Get it! In fact, he also had an idea in his heart: as a newcomer, taking other people's belongings will inevitably have a bad reputation. In the future, I will slowly associate with him and touch him with sincerity. If I don't believe in him, he won't give it to me.
Thinking of this, Inspector Ding got up to leave. Chen Chen sent him outside the village, and the two of them took their leave.
Na Dingfang worked in Guling for two years and never asked Chen Chen to paint again. Before leaving office, he made a special trip to Chen's house to say goodbye, which was actually a painting. Fang Ding made an empty salute before saying, "Brother, I came to worship on the orders of my brother!"
The tone that had already been heard pretended to be surprised: "Inspector Ding is outstanding in official politics. Why did he leave suddenly? Is it a promotion, or him? ”
Fang Ding shook his head and said, "I don't dare to expect a promotion, but I am seeking another career with the intention of serving the peak!" "
Chen Chen made a pot of strong tea, and they chatted while drinking. Chen Chen said something to keep him, but he did not pander to him. Fang Ding couldn't hear Chen Chen's compliment. He got straight to the point: "In the past two years, I have been thinking about the paintings left by your ancestors to my brother!" At that time, I listened to my brother's words, and thought that those who were officials should not hang up with Lu Gen. Today for the sake of my brother left the job, the situation is the same as the mountain. I still hope that my brother will endure the pain of giving up his love and give me the scroll as a souvenir! ”
Chen Chen had long heard that Fang Ding had been an official for two years, and his hands and feet were a little dirty. Today, he saw Fang Ding brazenly coming to ask for family heirlooms, so he was a profiteer. Taking a sip of tea, he said slowly: "Has Governor Ding ever heard of a rural proverb 'Crouching tiger, hidden dragon, harmful to people'?" In the previous dynasty, there was a ministry attendant who came to the door to ask for a picture of Shang Lugen painted by the ancestors. My ancestor did not forgive me, but painted a picture for him. Unexpectedly, the attendant was convicted of something, lost his family property, and was sent to the border to banish the army. The squire suspected that the painting had ruined his future and tore it up in public. The ancestors heard about this and vowed never to paint for officials again. Since then, no one in the government and the people has dared to collect the calligraphy and paintings of the ancestors! Although he is currently a middle-aged brother, after all, he is a person with a career, and his future is crucial! If the folklore of the rural proverb is fulfilled for a small object, it is not too late to regret! "
This statement made sense, and it was obviously Fang Ding who rejected it. The painting was rejected, and Fang Ding was a little disappointed.
At this time, he said with a smile, "Governor Ding does have a preference for calligraphy and painting. How dare I brush your brain if I have sex with you! There is also a "Tigger" picture at home, which is also a family heirloom left by the ancestors, and it is never easy for others to see. Currently in the hands of friends. In three days, I will personally deliver it to your home. What do you think? ”
Fang Ding was overjoyed, bowed again and again, and the words of gratitude were endless.
Three days later, Chen Chen sent a framed painting to the county seat Ding House. Fang Ding hung the painting on the west wall of the living room, and the sunlight shone in through the window frame, and the antique painting showed brilliant colors. I saw a gorgeous tiger on top of a cliff with sparkling eyes. The tiger flew with its front paws, its back feet on stones, its ears standing up, its saber teeth flashing, and it had to jump over mountain streams.
After watching it for a while, he high-fived and said, "Ding has lived on the road for a long time, but he is still only a county commander. If the tiger had not jumped into the stream, when would he have a chance to surpass himself? He turned and asked, "Is this the original work of your ancestors?"
"There is only one handed down from the ancestors!" Chen Chen replied.
Fang Ding looked at the scroll carefully, and the inscription on the frame was: Daming Chenghua acetate. The seal of the bell is: the aging of the ancient tomb. Fang Ding was persuaded, and now he held a banquet for Chen Chen. Two people pushed cups and changed lamps, and they were drunk.
A year later, Fang Ding was promoted. In addition, Chen Chen has an only son, Chen Wan, who works as a farmer at home. When he heard that Fang Ding had been promoted to the provincial capital, he said to his father: "Dad, you and Fang Ding are good friends, and you gave him your ancestor's heirloom. Why don't you ask him to help me find a job in the provincial capital now? ”
Chen Chen closed the door and stared at his son. Suddenly he showed a weird smile: "Where is that painting of the ancestor?" It's my old copywriter! ”
The son asked, "What about the inscriptions and seals?" And old smoke stains? ”
Chen Chen said: "Inscriptions can be imitated, seals can be made. Smoking and sun exposure as an ancient technique can be confusing. I will not give him the originals of my ancestors! ”
The son was skeptical, thinking that his father would not accommodate him.
Another year passed, and Fang Ding was fired and investigated. It is said that Fang Ding was planted on the "Tigger" given to him by Chen Chen. The official who received Tigger gave the painting to the boss. The owner is a caring person. He asked someone to identify the painting and identified it as a fake. He couldn't help but get angry, so he secretly visited and fired an official who fooled him to investigate. This also echoes the old saying: success is also Xiaohe, defeat is also Xiaohe.
Chen Chen, as a civilian, lived an ordinary life.
After Fang Ding was removed, Chen Chen said something meaningful to his son: "The tiger jumped into the river, it was all forced by the situation!" Those who can jump off cliffs die and come to life; Those who can't jump into deep streams will be crushed into pieces and fall off a cliff and die! Inspector Ding pretends to know how to draw, but in fact he doesn't know how to draw! ”
