Chapter 1108: Treasures are hard to give away!
Yijing, South City

A house that looks very ordinary and even a little shabby, with four big characters "Xiaoxiang Xiaozhu" hung on the plaque. Anyone who sees it will think that it is just an ordinary house...
But no one would have thought that the third-rank minister of the Yijing court was drunkenly lying on the lap of a beauty in this academy, enjoying the tenderness of the world!

Although it looks very ordinary on the outside, the interior of the house is a different world. Every room is decorated magnificently, from the furniture, to the ornaments on the cabinets, and even the floor tiles, all are very exquisite, revealing a touch of elegance in the luxury!
All these reveal that the owner of this Xiaoxiang Cottage, although rich, is not a nouveau riche, but an old rich man with good manners and taste!

As the saying goes, a mountain is not high, but it is magical if there are immortals; a river is not deep, but it is magical if there are dragons. Although the decoration of the house is luxurious and unique, whether the house can be "spiritual" still depends on the owner of the house!

In the "official-oriented" system of the Great Zhou Dynasty, those who can own such a house are naturally high-ranking officials of the current dynasty!

At this time, under the guidance of Hu Ming, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Cui Zibo walked into this Xiaoxiang cottage. Feeling the huge difference between the inside and outside of the house, Cui Zibo couldn't help but ask:

"Brother Hu, your house is so gorgeous and unique, why don't you fix up the outside?"

Hu Ming smiled and said:

“The Marshal attaches great importance to the integrity of officials, so Brother Cui, when we serve in the court, we must keep a low profile…”

"There are many people with red eyes outside. If they see you, they will definitely report you to the Marshal!"

When he saw a strange look in Cui Zibo's eyes, Hu Ming changed the subject and continued:
"Brother Cui, I'm not afraid of you laughing at me. Although the things in my yard are pretty good, most of them were not earned by me. They were all given to me by my old man!"

"Although my salary is not small, I like to make friends and spend money lavishly, so I always have to rely on my family for support to live!"

After saying this, Hu Ming smiled somewhat self-deprecatingly, as if he was really feeling a little embarrassed about being a parasite!
Seeing this, Cui Zi Bo sneered in his heart. Hu Ming emphasized to him that the things in the house were given by his old man. In fact, he was telling himself that he was not greedy for money and was not afraid of others reporting him to the Marshal!

As for Hu Ming's later words, whoever believes it is an idiot. In a system like the Great Zhou that puts officials first, no matter how big your business is, if you don't have a backer, you are like a fish on the chopping board, at the mercy of others, and they can cut you however they want!

Therefore, the reason why the Hu family's Ruifengchang Business Company has grown so big is that there must be someone protecting it behind the scenes. And this protection is of course not free. One protection fee is definitely not enough. At least three protection fees are needed to buy peace!
As for Hu Ming's purpose of making friends and spending money lavishly, one can imagine·····················

Although he knew it clearly in his heart, Cui Zibo still agreed on the surface:
"Brother Hu, what you said is good advice. We should keep a low profile when serving in the court. If those red-eyed people report us, it won't be a big deal, but it's like a toad sitting on your feet. It doesn't bite you, but it's annoying!"

"By the way, Brother Hu, who doesn't know your reputation in the court for being generous and righteous? I was born with talent and it will be useful. Even if I spend all my money, I will get it back. Brother Hu, I think your good days are still ahead!"

Hearing Cui Zibo's words that seemed to have deep meaning, Hu Ming also became a little distracted and said with a smile:

"Then I appreciate your good words, Brother Cui!"

A few months ago, Ye Mingsheng established the Yijing court, and Hu Ming was appointed as the right vice minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and his immediate superior was the famous Cui Shao!

Everyone knows Cui Shao's status and influence in the Yijing court, and as the old saying goes, it's nice to take shelter under a big tree, so Hu Ming wants to get close to Cui Shao and get the upper hand!
But Cui Shao, this old fox, was ruthless and his attitude towards Hu Ming was always ambiguous, which made Hu Ming unable to figure out what his attitude was.

So Hu Ming had to settle for the next best thing and took a roundabout route to actively befriend Cui Zibo. With Hu Ming's initiative, he and Cui Zibo hit it off immediately. They had only known each other for a few months, but they seemed to be as close as old friends for many years...

Therefore, when Hu Ming heard Cui Zibo telling him with a hint of meaning that his good days were yet to come, he couldn't help but wonder if Cui Shao had said something to Cui Zibo, so Cui Zibo was hinting at him here!

With this idea in mind, Hu Ming welcomed Cui Zibo into the warm room of his own house. Although it was December and freezing cold outside, it was as warm as spring in the warm room and there was no trace of coldness at all.

After entering the warm room, Cui Zibo asked Hu Ming with great anticipation:
"Brother Hu, where is the treasure?"

The reason why Cui Zibo followed Hu Ming to Xiaoxiang Cottage today was because Hu Ming told Cui Zibo that he had found a copy of calligraphy that was suspected to be the authentic work of Yan Zhenqing in the Guhua Lane Antique Market in Yijing a few days ago.

Hu Ming said that he did not know much about calligraphy, so he wanted to ask Cui Zibo to help him take a closer look to see if this calligraphy was an authentic work of Yan Zhenqing!
Although Cui Zi Bo didn't know much about calligraphy, his father Cui Shao loved calligraphy, and especially liked Yan Zhenqing's style, and often spent a lot of money on Yan Zhenqing's authentic works. Therefore, under the influence of his father since childhood, Cui Zi Bo was also very interested in Yan Zhenqing's authentic works.

So after hearing that Hu Ming had found such a treasure, Cui Zibo also wanted to come and see and appreciate Yan Zhenqing's original work······················

Hearing Cui Zibo's words, Hu Ming smiled slightly and asked the servant to bring the calligraphy. When the servant gently spread out the calligraphy, Cui Zibo began to appreciate it with great anticipation. However, after just a glance, Cui Zibo's eyes narrowed slightly.

The content on the copybook is Yan Zhenqing's Yan Qinli Stele. The copybook looks like it was enlarged from the inscription on the stele. The reason why Cui Zibo squinted was not because the copybook was wrong. On the contrary, this copybook could be said to be an eye-opener!
Although Cui Zibo didn't know much about calligraphy, under the influence of his father, he was very familiar with Yan Zhenqing's calligraphy. He had some of Yan Zhenqing's calligraphy copies at home, so Cui Zibo could definitely identify the calligraphy copy in front of him as an authentic copy enlarged from the inscription.

Thinking of this, Cui Zibo turned his head and glanced at Hu Ming who was standing beside him. Hu Ming, who looked calm, smiled and asked:

"Brother Cui, how about this thing?"

Cui Zibo heard this and said meaningfully:
"Brother Hu, you should know best what the stuff is like!"

Because Cui Shao had spent huge sums of money on Yan Zhenqing's authentic works many times before, it was no secret in the Yijing court that Cui Shao liked Yan Zhenqing's calligraphy.

Although Yan Zhenqing’s authentic works are precious, there are still some in existence. Therefore, some people have obtained some authentic works of Yan Zhenqing and want to give them to Cui Shao·························
However, Cui Shao was still very principled. Although he liked Yan Zhenqing's authentic works very much, he always refused such bribes with righteous words! He did not help others get promoted or make money just because of his own preferences!

As for Cui Zibo, there is no doubt that Hu Ming wants to use him to give this calligraphy to his father!

Those antique dealers on Guhua Street are as cunning as monkeys. How could they let you, Hu Ming, find such a bargain on a piece of calligraphy that is now open to the public?
Besides, you, Hu Minggao, have been the Minister of Rites. How could you not recognize such a prominent calligraphy piece?

You're fooling the devil!

Therefore, this matter about finding a bargain in Guhua Street and asking me to come and appreciate its authenticity were all lies made up by Hu Ming. He wanted to use me to present this painting to his father Cui Shao!

Cui Zibo actually believed Hu Ming's words at first and wanted to come over to see if Hu Ming had really found a bargain.

Cui Zi Bo also had his own little thoughts at the time. He thought that Hu Ming really got a bargain, so he bought it and gave it to his father Cui Shao as a New Year's gift!
However, he never expected that Hu Ming had such an idea. Thinking of this, Cui Zibo was a little annoyed with himself. He should have realized Hu Ming's purpose earlier!
How could something like an authentic work of Yan Zhenqing be easily found? Moreover, if an authentic work of Yan Zhenqing really appeared, the antique dealers on Guhua Street would definitely send it to their father. How could they let Hu Ming find a bargain here?································
Seeing that Cui Zibo realized the truth of the matter, Hu Ming also said with a smile:

"As long as the things are genuine, everything else is secondary. I have no interest in calligraphy. If you like it, Brother Cui, you can take it home and have a look!"

Cui Zibo sighed and said:

"I've long heard that you, Brother Hu, are known for your generosity. Today I see that you are indeed extraordinary. This copybook would cost at least a thousand taels of silver in the market. You are so generous to give it to me like this!"

"But I won't accept gifts without merit, and a gentleman shouldn't take away what others love. It's enough for Cui to admire it! Brother Hu, please keep the calligraphy!"

Seeing that Cui Zibo didn't appreciate it, Hu Ming continued:

"I don't understand calligraphy. Such a treasure in my hands is like a pearl covered in dust. As the saying goes, a sword goes with a hero, and rouge goes with a beauty. Such a treasure needs someone who understands it!"

Cui Zibo still smiled but said nothing after hearing this. He was determined not to accept the gift. Seeing this, Hu Ming said helplessly:

"Since Brother Cui is unwilling to accept my gift, how about I sell it to you, Brother Cui?"

"Brother Cui, I bought this thing from Guhua Street for three hundred taels of silver, but since you just said it's worth one thousand taels, how about you let me make seven hundred taels of silver?"

Hearing what Hu Ming said, Cui Zibo was also somewhat moved. Although his father Cui Shao liked Yan Zhenqing's calligraphy very much, he was never willing to owe favors to others and do something that went against his principles...
Therefore, he also agreed with his father Cui Shao on this issue, not letting those with ulterior motives take advantage of him. But it would be different if it came to buying!

As long as the price is reasonable, it is a normal transaction. There is no question of owing anyone a favor and no one can say there is anything wrong with it. Thinking of this, Cui Zi Bo also looked at the copybook on the table!

The thing is indeed a good one and it opened the door to him at first sight. Cui Zi Bo likes it very much and thinks that if he gives it to his father as a gift, Cui Shao will definitely be very happy!
Thinking of this, Cui Zibo hesitated for a moment and said to Hu Ming:

"Brother Hu, my father spent 1,800 taels to buy a similar copybook. Your copy is almost the same quality. How about I pay you 2,000 taels of silver and you give it to me?"

Hu Ming pretended to be angry when he heard this:
"Brother Cui, you don't even consider me as a friend. You are slapping me, Hu Ming, in the face!"

"I got these three hundred taels of silver by chance, and I've already ripped you off by making seven hundred taels of silver. And you're actually going to give me two thousand taels. How can I, Hu Ming, live my life if I tell anyone about this? All my colleagues in the court will want me to poke my spine!"

Looking at Hu Ming who was pretending to be angry, Cui Zibo said nothing but just looked at him deeply, giving Hu Ming face and not exposing his lie····························
Seeing Cui Zibo's expression that said "I'll eat shit if you take advantage of this bargain with three hundred taels of silver", Hu Ming also understood that it was impossible for Cui Zibo to owe him this favor today!
Although I can't let Cui Zibo owe me a favor, being able to deliver the things to Cui Zibo can also be regarded as deepening the relationship between the two. Thinking of this, Hu Ming also said:

"Since you insist on letting me earn more money, then I will respectfully obey your order. How about 1,500 taels of silver, Brother Cui?"

Hearing the number "1,500 taels", Cui Zibo pondered for a moment and felt that it was the normal price of Yan Zhenqing's authentic works on the market. The Yan Zhenqing calligraphy that his father bought was also about the same price. He then said:
"In that case, thank you, Brother Hu, for giving me this treasure!"

"I don't have that much money on me. I'll have my servant bring it to me later!"

"These are all trivial matters! Do I still believe in you, Brother Cui?" Hu Ming said generously:

After talking about the calligraphy, the two came to the main hall, and the servants brought in the food that had been prepared long ago. Although the meal was only for two people, it was very rich with a variety of meat and vegetables.

Just when Cui Zibo was about to toast with Hu Ming, Hu Ming smiled mysteriously and clapped his hands.

As Hu Ming's applause rang out, a melodious sound of a pipa and gentle, moving singing came from behind the screen.

"It turns out that all the beautiful flowers are left to the broken wells and dilapidated walls. What can we do about the beautiful scenery? Who can enjoy the joyful scene?"

“Flying in the morning and rolling up in the evening, the clouds and the green pavilion. Raindrops and wind, mist and waves, painted boats. The people on the brocade screen look down on this beautiful time! The green mountains are all red with the cuckoo’s cries...”

(End of this chapter)