Finally, Xiang Nan bought another copy of Qi Baishi''s "Shou Peach Picture".
In 1922, Qi Baishi had just become famous, and the price of his works was not expensive. The price of a polished painting was only five yuan per square foot, which was lower than the price of many painters at that time.
But Xiang Nan knew that Qi Baishi’s paintings would have multiplied ten thousand times in a hundred years.
?Of course Xiang Nan can''t wait for that day. He didn''t buy Qi Baishi''s paintings for money.
In fact, by the 1980s, Qi Baishi''s paintings were not expensive, and one could be purchased for a few dozen yuan. Qi Baishi''s paintings became popular only after the 1990s, and it has something to do with the operation of international speculators.
The reason why Xiang Nan wanted to buy Qi Baishi''s paintings was mainly because his painting style was unique and interesting, which was completely different from the works of other painters.
…
After returning home from Liulichang, Xiang Nan continued to write his novel.
The remuneration of six yuan per thousand words is quite attractive to him.
Twenty thousand words a day is one hundred and twenty yuan. With three hundred and sixty-five days a year, you can earn thirty thousand yuan.
?Although he is not as rich as the country, it is enough to make him have enough food and clothing.
“Seventh Young Master~” At this moment, a crisp female voice shouted outside the door.
"Oh, it''s Xiao Lian, come in~" Xiang Nan heard the voice and put down his pen.
Immediately, a girl with beautiful appearance and gentle temperament walked in.
??She was wearing a gray cloth dress, with a green satin waistcoat tightly put on over it, and her hair was thickly combed with black bangs, which made her face look fairer and more delicate.
"Seventh Young Master, our wife asked me to ask you if there is a newly written manuscript of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes". She is waiting to read it." Xiao Lian said with a smile.
She was the personal maid of her elder sister-in-law Wu Peifang. She was trafficked into the Wu family when she was a child. Later, when Wu Peifang married Jin Fengju, she was brought with her.
"Does the sister-in-law want to read it, or do you want to read it?" Xiang Nan said with a smile, "The last time the third sister-in-law borrowed the manuscript from me, she said she would get it back in half a day, but in the end I waited for two full days. It is said that It’s just that you delayed me.”
Because the Wu family was from a scholarly family and had been a member of the Imperial Academy of the Qing Dynasty, the servants were all literate. Xiao Lian has also been studying since childhood and can even recite poems, which is better than that of the Jin family.
“The novel Seven Young Masters was well written and everyone wanted to read it, so they asked me to read it to everyone, so I wasted time.” Xiao Lian said with a smile.
"You can talk." Xiang Nan smiled, then took out a stack of manuscripts and said, "Take it, and remember not to lose it."
"Yes, Young Master Seven." Xiao Lian nodded, turned around and was about to leave, but heard Xiang Nan call again, "Xiao Lian~"
"What''s the matter, Master Seven?" Xiao Lian turned around and asked.
“I want to tell you that your waistcoat is very beautiful.” Xiang Nan smiled.
"What''s so beautiful? This was given to me by Miss Six. It was fashionable two or three years ago, but now it''s become an antique." Xiao Lian said with a smile.
“But your clothes really fit you well.” Xiang Nan nodded in praise.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Lian''s cheeks turned slightly red, and after a moment she said, "Is this why you stopped me?"
“Yes. Okay, you go.” Xiang Nan nodded.
?Xiao Lian was stunned for a moment, then left thoughtfully.
…
Hands on, Jin Quan has a great birthday.
From four o''clock in the afternoon, guests began to arrive one after another. Xiang Nan and the four brothers Jin Fengju, Jin Hesun and Jin Pengzhen were responsible for receiving the male guests.
?Wu Peifang, Cheng Huichang, Wang Yufen, Jin Minzhi, Jin Runzhi, Jin Meili and others are responsible for receiving female guests.
The guests here today include ambassadors from various countries, senior officials from all walks of life, and celebrities from all walks of life. It can be said that the house is full of distinguished guests, and it is very lively.
??Jin Yanxi’s fair-weather friends, such as Wang Youchun, Liu Baoshan, Kong Xueni, Meng Jizu, etc., naturally also came. However, Xiang Nan just said hello to them, and then went to entertain other guests, which made these people a little surprised.
At six o''clock in the afternoon, the birthday banquet officially started.
?Jin Quan, along with fourteen members of the Jin family, appeared in the banquet hall together and delivered a passionate speech, “I am honored to have all of you come to my humble home today.
?Over the years, I have received much support and love from you. In the future, I can only repay you by fulfilling my responsibilities together with you, working together to create a new situation, and benefiting the society. "
?Jin Quan’s speech won applause from the audience.
"Okay, okay, please be quiet. In order to thank all the guests for their hospitality, Prime Minister Kim will now give a thank you gift to all the guests." the master of ceremonies said.
Jin Quan immediately took his wife, children, daughter-in-law, etc. to express his gratitude to the guests.
…
“I wish Prime Minister Jin a blessing as good as the East China Sea and a life as long as the Southern Mountains.” A spirited old man came forward with his wife and son to congratulate him on his birthday.
“Thank you very much.” Jin Quan cupped his hands and said with a smile, “Chief Liu is very interested.”
"Mrs. Liu, must this be your noble son?" Mrs. Jin smiled and said to Mrs. Liu, "Oh, you look so elegant and beautiful."
"Yes, this is Inuko Harujiang. He just returned from studying abroad and obtained a bachelor''s degree in medicine." Chief Liu showed off proudly.
“Okay, okay, as expected, a tiger father has no dog sons.” Jin Quan praised with a smile.
Xiang Nan secretly observed Liu Chunjiang and saw that this young man was indeed handsome and handsome. It''s a pity that he had a bad relationship and died in the end, which is really pitiful.
In the play, he and Xiao Lian fall in love at first sight and have a deep love for each other. However, his parents were very feudal and stubborn, and they looked down upon Xiao Lian''s status as a maid. They broke up the loving couple and forced their son to marry Lin Jiani, the daughter of Vice-Chancellor Lin.
As a result, Xiao Lian was desperate and was forced to become a nun. Liu Chunjiang also became ashes due to lovesickness, was mentally exhausted, and died of vomiting blood. By then, it will be too late for the Lius to regret it.
After thanking the guests, it’s time to offer birthday gifts.
?Jin Fengju, Jin Hesun, Jin Pengzhen and others successively presented the birthday gifts they had prepared for their father. There is a bronze blessing and longevity tripod composed of one hundred Chinese characters for longevity, a seal carved from the Shoushan Mountain stone, and a jade sculpture of a boy worshiping longevity. What Xiang Nan presented was Qi Baishi''s "Picture of Longevity Peach", with bright colors, exquisite writing skills and great originality.
Jin Minzhi also presented the Song edition of the Nanhua Sutra, while Jin Runzhi presented the landscape scroll of Wen Zhengming of the Ming Dynasty. Jin Meili, who is not as rich as her brothers and sisters, also cooked a bowl of longevity noodles for her father.
…
“Well, this is indeed the Song Dynasty version of the Nanhua Sutra. It’s very rare~”
“Well, Wen Zhengming’s landscape axis?! This is really rare.”
“Prime Minister Kim is indeed blessed, with a virtuous wife and filial son, and a prosperous family.”
There were some big names in the cultural field among the guests. After reading "The South China Sutra" and "The Great Axis of Landscapes", they were all amazed. These two cultural relics alone are priceless, which shows that the children really care about Jin Quan.
?Jin Quan was naturally happy and looked at his four sons and four daughters with a smile, feeling very satisfied.
“Fifth sister, sixth sister, if you want to give such a big gift, you should tell us. It makes us almost unable to get the gift.” Wang Yufen said with a smile.
?Those two antiques were so valuable that they made the golden peaches, carved porcelain, ivory carvings, etc. they prepared worthless.