Later, led by Zhou Dashui, the nephew and uncle walked to the county government office.
The journey is not that far, it only takes one stick of incense to reach it.
Carrying a small baggage on his back, Qi Yu curiously looked at the yamen gate facing north and south. This is the highest authority in Lanshan County. Although it is a bit mottled, it is very impressive.
There are two majestic stone lions standing on both sides of the yamen gate. The red drum of injustice is also very eye-catching, revealing the majesty of the official family.
What was very incongruous was that the two cadres on guard were lazily talking to each other about romantic affairs, and laughing out loud from time to time.
Seeing Zhou Dashui coming, they hurriedly straightened their bodies, bent down and said respectfully: "See you, Your Excellency."
"Um!"
Yamen cadres are different from yamen servants. They are miscellaneous personnel outside the official establishment, a bit similar to temporary workers in later generations. They still have to behave when meeting official envoys like Zhou Dashui.
Uncle Zhou didn't even look at it. He only ordered Qi Yu: "You wait here first. I'll go in and let you know. I'll say more nice things."
Qi Yu responded, but he was thinking in his heart that it would be easier to do things if he had connections. Even a low-level official like his second uncle could use the back door. Otherwise, how can I, a commoner, get an official position?
I'm a little nervous. I need to think carefully about what I should say and what I shouldn't say when I meet Mr. Yu later.
So, I hurriedly filtered through the etiquette that should be required, so that I knew it well.
Don't panic when something happens, use your brain more. This is how my wife handled things before.
After drinking tea, Zhou Dashui came back and said with a smile: "With your current status, I'm afraid you won't even be able to pass this threshold. But with my kind words and your letter of recommendation, Yu Your Excellency finally rewarded me with some thin noodles."
"That's great." Qi Yu was overjoyed.
After taking only two steps, Zhou Dashui turned around and said, "Don't have too much hope. I don't think Mr. Yu is very interested. You should pay more attention to your words and expressions, and you must not lose your etiquette."
"My nephew took note of it." Qi Yu nodded and straightened his clothes.
"Come with me!"
One after another, the two passed through the gate first, then passed the lobby, second hall, reception hall, and third hall, then passed the east and west accounting rooms, and finally arrived at a courtyard after crossing an arched door. Here, this is Lord Yu's official residence.
Then there was another report, and after Shao Qing, the county prince Yu Hai walked out with a big belly.
"The common people are honored to meet Master Yu."
"Excuse me." Yu Hai didn't even look at her. He held it up with his empty hand and said lazily: "There is no need to be polite in private situations. Just sit down."
After Mr. Yu sat down, Qi Yu sat down with his body half tilted.
"Da Shui, please retreat first."
"Uh...yes, sir!"
Because the matter involves giving gifts during the New Year, it is best for the subordinates to avoid suspicion. It is wise to see through but not speak out.
Qi Yu felt a little regretful. He originally wanted to ask his second uncle to give him more kind words, but unexpectedly he was kicked out.
"I have read You Xuexu's recommendation letter. He said that you are serious in writing and have made great achievements in calligraphy." Yu Hai said calmly.
Mr. Yu did not address himself as an official but instead addressed himself as me. It was obvious that he was speaking in a talkative manner.
Not a bad opener.
Qi Yu hurriedly followed up and said, "Your Excellency, you are ridiculous. The students are young and have little knowledge. Although they occasionally copy graffiti, they dare not take it seriously."
"Well, he is courteous and courteous in his conversation. He is a good Confucian scholar." Yu Hai nodded and looked at him with a more relaxed look: "That's right, because one of my staff loves painting, so I wanted to give him a painting to chat with him. I wonder if you can do it to make up for the wall?"
The expressions in officialdom are so euphemistic. Giving gifts is not just a gift, but a way to make up for one's problems. I really need to learn more.
Qi Yu hurriedly said: "The student is not sure whether it can be done or not. It depends on Master Yu's standards. Then the student asked abruptly, I wonder what the style of the painting you want is like? It is a landscape painting. Or is it a flower picture?"
Yu Hai shook his head: "Landscapes and flowers are all paintings of joy. This friend of mine is decisive and heroic, so the style of the painting should be more grand. His zodiac sign is tiger, and this year is the year of the tiger. Next month It's his birthday, and when I give him a picture of a roaring tiger, wouldn't it complement each other?"
"Your Excellency, there is a saying in the book: The tiger is a yang object and the leader of all beasts; it is an auspicious beast that can fight, defeat, and eat ghosts. It is really appropriate to paint a tiger." Qi Yu Quoting scriptures and echoing the Tao.
"That's a good point. It's well-founded. Okay, without further ado, if you can draw, just draw one." Yu Hai said warmly.
“Students must do their best.”
Unexpectedly, what Master Yu wanted was a picture of a tiger.
Tigers are ferocious beasts that appear and disappear in remote mountains. Has any ordinary person seen a tiger? Those who have really met him probably went to meet their ancestors.
I still couldn’t understand why so many scholars failed to win awards, but it turns out that’s what happened!
If they were asked to draw a tiger based on their imagination, they would probably only be able to draw a big cat.
Moreover, tigers are the most difficult to draw with verve. That is to say, it is difficult to draw the bones when painting the skin of a tiger. The brushwork on the momentum is too difficult to control.
However, I have advantages.
In my previous life, in addition to seeing a lot of the animal world, I also saw real tigers in the zoo several times. In addition, I have art skills, so even if I can't draw a charm, I can still outline a similar shape.
The only worry is whether Master Yu recognizes it or not. After all, this kind of painting technique is too advanced at present.
It’s useless to think too much, just draw it first and then talk about it.
Then he started to take action. He first laid out a piece of thickened hemp paper, then flattened it, and then gently drew the outline of the tiger with his pen.
During this period, Qi Yu used a knife to sharpen his pencil from time to time, his movements skillful and light.
Qi Yu's brushwork was very light and he painted very slowly. There was no eraser at the moment, so it would be troublesome if he painted wrongly.
Fortunately, my hand felt good today and it was accomplished in one go.
As for Mr. Yu, he was very curious from the beginning. He saw that the young man did not set up an inkstone or hold a brush. This kind of painting method was really unheard of.
Later, he finally couldn't sit still anymore. After putting down the tea cup in his hand, he slowly walked closer to observe.
I was really surprised when I saw it!
With just a few strokes, he outlined the outline of a majestic tiger.
Fast, accurate and accurate!
What's even more surprising is that the tiger actually has a three-dimensional feel, as if it was carved with a knife, majestic and lifelike.
Looking more closely, this painting technique is completely opposite to the current traditional painting. It completely abandons the artistic conception and spiritual resemblance, and specifically pursues the physical resemblance. If we look at it more vividly, this has gone beyond the scope of physical resemblance and is considered realistic.
Finally, the painting was completed.
Lord Yu looked at it and thought to himself: This scholar is really smart. He deliberately left a blank space at the end of the signature to make room for himself.
But Qi Yu thought: The family is poor and has no money to engrave the seal. I hope Mr. Yu won't mind too much about the comparison!
The two looked at each other and smiled, without saying anything more...
"Master Qi's paintings are in a different way, unique and indeed different. However, this style of painting is too weird, and I dare not judge it randomly. Let's put it this way, this painting is eccentric, even if it is not the best, it can be regarded as one of the best. It is a work of ingenuity." Yu Hai affirmed.
"Thank you for your affirmation, sir!" Qi Yu breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
Yu Hai added: "This is the first time I have seen this kind of painting technique. I wonder who the young master learned from it?"
Qi Yu replied cautiously: "To be honest with you, I figured out this painting technique myself. This kind of pen is called a marker pen, which was recently introduced from the West. I saw that it was interesting to do graffiti, so I practiced it often. Over time, I got better at it. It became this style of writing.”
Yu Hai naturally knew about markers. It had only been introduced to Da Fengguo for two years. From this point of view, Qi Yu was indeed self-taught, and he looked at him more kindly.
"Personally, I quite approve of this work. I didn't expect that there would be a talent like Young Master under my command!"
Being recognized was a great honor, Qi Yu hurriedly bowed to express his thanks.
Yu Hai smiled and said: "This tiger is so lifelike in painting, I'll take it! Come and get twenty taels of silver! In addition, I'll give you half a piece of silk as an extra reward."
Qi Yu thought about it for a while and said hurriedly: "Sir, wait a minute, I have accepted the reward of silver, but I dare not greedily take the silk. ... If you want to encourage late students, why don't you give me a calligraphy treasure instead."
"oh?"
Don’t poor scholars love possessions the most? Although Yu Hai was surprised, he still nodded.
Qi Yu had his own considerations. In the county examination in the next year, Mr. Yu will be the first examiner. The best thing to do is to build a good relationship and don't take advantage of those small advantages.
Master Yu just smiled slightly, and after getting a pen, he impromptuly wrote four powerful characters: Rising Star.
Very complete, everyone is happy.
"One more thing!"
"Please give me your orders."
Yu Hai said sternly: "Before I send this painting out, I don't want to see similar works on the market. Let's just limit it to the Spring Festival. After the New Year, I can paint whatever I want." ."
Qi Yu thought for a while and said, "Student understands."
Rare things are valuable, Master Yu probably thinks so too.
When the ink was dry, Qi Yu carefully put the inscription and the money into the bag.
Seeing that everything was in order, Mr. Yu held the teacup intentionally or unintentionally.
this……
Qi Yu understood this and hurriedly stood up to say goodbye, and then walked out of the county government office under the leadership of a government official.
Today, Qi Yu has broadened his horizons, gained more knowledge, and gained a lot.
Before this, although I had been thinking about winning the reward, I was not sure at all. Now that I have really touched the money, I have a sense of security.
Uncle Zhou was even happier. He knew Master Yu relatively well. Although Yu Hai was not an upright official, he still had some knowledge. If he can approve it, it means that my nephew is good at painting.
After a while, it was lunch time, and the two of them walked towards Zhou Dazhuang's small restaurant.
Uncle Zhou's name is Da Zhuang, he is a rough man, he respects his second son in everything, and he also loves Qi Yu.
At the wine table, the three nephews and uncles were chatting and laughing, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.
Uncle Zhou was careful and thought that his nephew should stay one night and return early the next morning. He had money on him and it was unsafe to walk at night, so Qi Yu readily agreed.
"Your cousin Chunsheng will also take the county examination after the new year. In two days, I will help you two find a good local student and take care of the joint insurance work in advance." Zhou Dashui said.
To participate in the scientific examination, you need to hire a guarantor. Of course, this also costs a lot of money.
While chatting about home affairs, they suddenly heard a burst of laughter coming from outside the door. The three of them were startled and looked out the window.
