Doubts turned out to be doubts, but he had to obey the Australians' orders. Under the urging of the escort, he bit the bullet and walked in.
The Third General Office is now the headquarters and barracks of the Wuzhou National Army. As soon as you enter the gate, you can see many National Army soldiers walking back and forth. The naturalized citizen who brought him here took him into an alley and went all the way to the back.
Lin Zongzong walked through the fifth and sixth major courtyards, turned another corner and came out from the side door. Chang Qingyun took a closer look and recognized: this was the place where Xiong Wencan originally rested, with three elegant rooms, the front and back yards were decorated with garden stones and plants, and there was a small pond in the front yard with goldfish and lotus flowers. Being secluded and quiet is a good place to be.
At the entrance of the alley, there is also a wooden sentry box with guards standing guard. The cadre who brought him here had to bring out paperwork before letting them enter the yard.
Naturally, such a place would not be the residence of ordinary soldiers. Could it be... that it was the residence of the Australian leader? !
Chang Qingyun suddenly had another layer of cold sweat break out on his spine - he knew the Australians too well and didn't take them scholars seriously, let alone that he was just a scholar. So it is impossible to call him here for recruitment.
Could it be that Jiang Suo's appointment with him was revealed? On second thought, it shouldn't be either. Neither Jiang Suo nor himself did anything, not even said anything against him. Even if the Australians know everything, they cannot speculate on things that have never happened... Moreover, in his own capacity, whether he is handed over to Australian factory guards for interrogation or directly executed, it is all a matter of one sentence. The Australian leader does not know how to do it. Come and interrogate yourself.
While he was panicking, a fake man wearing an Australian-style "cadre uniform" came out and asked, "Are you Mr. Chang Qingyun?"
The man who came had an imposing appearance and was neatly dressed. He was obviously not an ordinary fake man. It was extremely polite to call him "sir" for a prisoner. Chang Qingyun quickly bowed to the end, "I don't dare, student Chang Qingyun."
"I have something to ask you today," the fake Kun nodded towards the escort, who immediately withdrew.
"Well, I don't know what I need the students to do for me."
"Come in and talk."
Chang Qingyun was brought into the house. He had been here before. The middle room was originally where Xiong Wencan received guests, with a study room on one side and a bedroom on the other side. Originally, the furnishings here were very elegant because of the Governor's stay. Nowadays, not only the decoration is exquisite, but the furnishings are better than before. Chang Qingyun was secretly surprised - Australians are known for their simplicity, but they never expected that there are such luxurious elders!
"I am Zhao Toyota, secretary of the Wuzhou Municipal Office." The fake Kun who brought him in introduced himself, "Sit down."
Chang Qingyun bowed and sat down.
"I called you here because I want to ask you for a favor." Zhao Toyota said, "To be honest, I shouldn't have bothered you in the first place. It's just that we don't have many scholars here, and we can't find a more suitable candidate in Wuzhou... …”
Hearing these words, Chang Qingyun was confused, so he had to stand up and said: "If Shangguan needs anything, just give me your instructions. The students will definitely help."
"I heard that you are a talented man. Not only is he a good scholar, but he is also good at poetry and painting."
Chang Qingyun's face turned red, and he quickly said: "I don't dare, I don't dare, a little pen and ink thing, something that can't be put on the table..."
"Don't be humble." Zhao Fengtian's face was a little contemptuous, but his words were very generous. "I used to be a citizen of the Ming Dynasty, and I know that it is not easy for you to succeed." He said, "Now I have an errand for you to do. ——It doesn’t take much trouble, as long as you do it well, when the situation is stable, I will naturally let you go home and provide you with money."
"Students know the preferential treatment policy of the Senate." Chang Qingyun knew in his heart that it was most likely a matter of flamboyance. "I wonder what kind of errand it is?"
"Sir, please take a look." Zhao Toyota led him to the back hall, where he saw a large painting table facing the backyard, with various painting tools and paper and silk listed on it, many of which were of high quality. There are many calligraphy and painting scrolls placed in the painting jar.
Zhao Toyota picked up a scroll of painting silk on the table, stretched it out, and pressed it down with rulers on both sides. But it is a green landscape.
Chang Qingyun is not a famous artist in painting - for him, it is just a hobby, which he uses as a pastime. But even so, he could see that the quality of this painting was really not good: the composition was obviously imitated from a certain famous artist, but the brushstrokes were weak and the brushwork was messy. Although the fine silk, ink and paint were used, the painting was still But it is really unsightly.
"What do you think of this painting, sir?" Zhao Toyota asked.
Chang Qingyun was suddenly alert: It took such a lot of trouble to call him here, and it was in a place like the Third General Mansion, and the painting tools were so exquisite... This painting was most likely made by a high-ranking official.
Since ancient times, high-ranking officials and wealthy businessmen have always liked to be arty. Chang Qingyun has been seen a lot, and the thief is probably no exception.
He thought for a while and said: "This painting is obviously the work of a novice, but it is quite talented, and it is not easy. If I can give it time, I will become a master!"
Zhao Toyota smiled and said: "Sure enough, scholars can talk. You said it's okay if you don't draw well, and you said you will become a master."
"Yes, yes." Chang Qingyun echoed repeatedly, thinking that you can say this, but I can't!
"To tell you the truth, this painting was painted by our chief." Zhao Fengtian said, "His painting skills... you have also seen..."
"No wonder, no wonder." Chang Qingyun said repeatedly.
"What's the wonder?"
"Although the painting is not good, it has a heroic atmosphere."
Zhao Toyota glanced at him and didn't comment further, but the contempt on his face was clear.
"... Just like what you said, he is a novice. No matter how hard he studies and practices now, he will not be able to draw well in a while. Besides, he is busy with official duties and does not have the time..."
Chang Qingyun originally thought that Zhenkun wanted to find someone to teach him painting or something like that, but it didn't seem right when he heard what Zhao Toyota said.
"...So I would like to ask Mr. to write for me."
It turned out to be a ghostwriter! Chang Qingyun thought to himself that this would be easier than teaching Zhen Kun to draw. If it is spread out, it will not be considered as "following the crowd" or "bowing down". Reputation is easier to write about.
"This is easy." Chang Qingyun said, "I just don't know what kind of painting I want to draw and what size it needs to be. It will be easier for students to start drafting if they know."
"Don't worry." Zhao Fengtian said, "This ghostwriter is not asking you to draw randomly. Sir, please take a look." As he said that, he took out another scroll from the painting vat and unfolded it on the table.
Chang Qingyun glanced at it and saw that it was a freehand orchid, with three or five very simple strokes. The painting was pretty good, but the brushstrokes were weak, as if it was painted by a woman. There is no title on the screen.
"this……"
"The meaning of the paintings you draw must be consistent with this painting."
I see! Chang Qingyun suddenly realized. No wonder I was called in as a ghostwriter. With Kun Thief's vulgarity, let alone painting, even the meaning of the painting may not be clear.
"Student understands." He nodded, "This is not difficult. But how should Shangguan respond? There must be a purpose."
"This..." Zhao Toyota pondered for a moment, "Go and draw, as long as you are positive!"
"Yes, yes." Chang Qingyun saw that he was hesitant to speak. Adding the two paintings, he already understood more than half of it. This is a woman's business!
Combined with the furnishings and the exquisite painting tools here, Chang Qingyun guessed that this was most likely the place where the Australian magistrate of Wuzhou, Jie Errenjinwu, hid his beauty! Only he can have this qualification and ability.
I didn't expect that this true Kun could be so elegant. Chang Qingyun sighed, it turns out that not all thieves are just roughheads who only know the pleasures of flesh and blood.
"Just make a list of the painting tools you need, and I will prepare them for you here. Is it convenient for you to paint in Sanhezui?"
"Convenient, convenient!" Chang Qingyun nodded repeatedly, "I just need a picture table."
"It's easy, I'll just ask someone to send one over." Zhao Fengtian said, "You just have to paint with your heart. If there are paintings that require your response in the future, they will be sent over naturally. You should bring this one first. ――How many days will it take to finish the painting?”
"If you have all the materials, it can be done in one day."
"Okay. Then I will send someone to retrieve it the day after tomorrow in the afternoon - this painting must not be defaced, the chief attaches great importance to it."
“Students understand.”
"I will take note of the administrators in the camp and tell them not to give you any work in the past few days. Just try your best to paint."
Chang Qingyun returned to Sanhezui, feeling increasingly confused. Jiang Suo's matter hasn't been thought through yet, and this time the Australians made such a fuss again! I don’t know if it’s a blessing or a curse?
He didn't know much about Xie Erren. But based on word of mouth, he is a pretty good officer. At least under his rule in Wuzhou, the market was safe and the people were happy. I wonder which family’s daughter this Xie Yuanlao hides? She must be both talented and beautiful, otherwise, this veteran would not be so crazy about her.
The next day, a painting table and painting tools were delivered to him from the city. The manager of the camp was also very polite and said: "Mr. Chang only needs to paint, and leave other things to others."
The preferential treatment doesn't stop there. Originally, bookstores like him were only provided with two meals per day, while those who had to go out to do physical work were provided with three meals. And that day, not only did he enjoy lunch, but it was also delivered to him by someone - a "box lunch" that only fake Kun can eat, including meat and vegetables, and a bowl of soup. Chang Qingyun, who had been eating mushy relief rations for many days and whose stomach turned sour, gave him a good meal.
After having enough wine and food, he picked his teeth and thought. It's great that Australians can use him now. But Jiang Suo had to find a way to deal with it, otherwise he might actually go and report him because of his stupid youth. After all, he dared to lead troops to defend Bangshan, a desperate place.
He knows the rules of the Australians: "Ruling the country according to law" is the most important. If Jiang Suo really gets into trouble, even if he works for Xie Erren, the other party will not be able to protect him - not to mention that he will still be "second in the palace" captive.
Thinking of this, he made up his mind: go and talk to Jiang Suo as an "old friend" for a while to see who he is and what he wants to say to him. Then make a decision.
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