Wang Xiao arrived at the back yard, and Li and Tang were already standing outside the door. In addition to Li Di, there was also a young man standing next to Li Tang. He is of medium height, wearing a green shirt, standing there respectfully.
Seeing Wang Xiaolie approaching, Li and Tang stepped forward to salute.
Wang Xiaolie saw the young man in green shirt. He had a clear face, red lips and white teeth, and his brows and eyes were obviously not that of a man. What's rare is that he is wearing a green shirt and there is no trace of makeup on his face. As soon as they saw her appearance, everyone knew she was a woman, but there was no trace of her feminine demeanor.
Li Tang said: "This is Miss Lin. She studied painting here and is very talented in seal cutting."
Wang Xiaolie looked at Miss Lin and felt that she looked familiar. After a second glance, he knew that it was the lake green dress that Lumen Temple had seen that day. This feeling is very strange, I can't say why, but it is this feeling.
Nodding, Wang Xiaolie said: "The carvers inside have been waiting for a long time. Come with me."
The soldier opened the door. Wang Xiaolie entered the yard first.
This is a small courtyard. There are two jujube trees planted near the door and a few pomegranates beside the wall. It looks very peaceful. A stone table and bench were placed under a large fig tree, and two birdcages were hung on it.
Hearing the door knock, five people came out. When they saw Wang Xiaolie, they saluted together.
Wang Xiaolie said: "These five are selected engravers, all from Luotian County. They used to work in Kaifeng and Luoyang, but Jinlu went south, lost his job of eating, and lived in Xiangyang. They carved copper plates here. , the long time is more than a year, and the short time is as long as five or six months."
After speaking, he pointed to the three people behind him and said: "These two are awaiting orders from the Hanlin Academy of Calligraphy and Painting. The older one is named Li Tang, and the younger one is named Li Di. This one is good at seal carving. By the way, what is his name?"
The young lady of the Lin family held up her hands and said, "Return to observe, little citizen Lin Xi."
"My original name is Lin Xi. From now on, you guys will work together and get closer."
As he spoke, he led the three people forward and into the middle room.
There is a large table in the middle of the room, with several copper plates and various carving knives placed on it. There are three small tables against the wall. There is a lamp hanging on the top of each table, and there are still various carving knives on the table.
Walking to the table, Wang Xiaolie picked up a copper plate. After looking at it for a few times, he handed it to Li Tang beside him. He said: "This is the copper plate they carved recently. How about we wait for the imperial edict to take a look?"
Li Tang took the copper plate and saw a civet cat written on it, vividly. Although there are not many strokes and appear rough, the cat's form is lifelike. Especially a pair of eyes that seem to be able to speak.
Looked and looked. Li Tang said: "To be able to carve this kind of plate on copper can be said to be a miraculous skill!"
Wang Xiaolie said: "These days, they have made various kinds of engraving knives and carved many patterns on the copper plates. Although it is not the handwriting of the name, it has its own characteristics and can be used. Just to prevent forgery, things that can be carved Not much, the key is that it lacks a kind of charm.”
There are countless talented craftsmen in the world. As long as it is profitable, what can't be made? No matter how complex the pattern is, no matter how exquisite the layout, someone can copy it. Especially the patterns of this kind of small animals, no matter how lifelike they are, are difficult to prevent forgery. This is not the case with these famous masters from the calligraphy and painting academy. Their paintings have a certain charm. No matter how similar they may be in parts, they don't look alike together. And for those who are familiar with it, they can tell it at a glance.
These engravers have been making plates here for a long time. First, they are familiar with copper plates and making suitable tools at the same time. Another thing is that Wang Xiaolie is always dissatisfied with the version he makes. He always feels that something is missing.
Li Di took the copper plate and looked at it for a while. He said: "Although this civet cat is realistic, it is not difficult to draw one. It's just that I don't know how to make plates, so I can't engrave it on a copper plate."
Wang Xiaolie said: "That's right. Folk painters can also draw very similar paintings, but they always lack a sense of spirit. So I need you to draw a specific painting, and then help the engraver to engrave it on the copper plate. The new one will be I want to print both sides of the book. The one I decided on now is to print Lumen Mountain on one side, and Zhaomingtai on the other, which is the Huizi of ten, twenty, and fifty words. There is also a seal of Sangu Thatched Cottage on one side, and the water of Han River on the other. , for one hundred wen, two hundred wen, five hundred wen and consistent enough Huizi. With the two sides combined, it will be difficult for the people to forge."
Li Tang said: "These are famous scenery in Xiangyang. It is not difficult to paint them."
Wang Xiaolie said: "This is the best. You guys are here to make several kinds of huizi with dozens of characters first. If they are done well, you can make huizi with hundreds of characters later. Making huizi is a big thing, and you need to draw it If it is good, it must be well carved. The words used on it must also be unique and seamless."
Li Tang said yes.
Wang Xiaolie pointed to an older carver and said: "This one is Ling Zi, and the other carvers obey his orders. Li Daizhao and Ling Zi will take charge of this matter. I will give you half a month." Yes, when the time comes, make a copper plate and bring it to me."
After all the instructions were given, Wang Xiaolie said goodbye and left. When he went out, he saw Lin Xi standing behind him, looking at him curiously.
After leaving the yard, Wang Xiaolie stood in front of the door, lost in thought for a while. This Lin Xi is really strange. I have never met her before, but I still have a strange feeling. This feeling is very strange, it is not what a man feels when he sees a beautiful woman, and he cannot explain it.
Without thinking about these things, Wang Xiaolie left the yard and returned to the front hall.
Chen Yuyi was already waiting there. Seeing Wang Xiaolie come in, he saluted and said: "Observe, Chen Yunshi has discussed with Zen Master Fadeng of Lumen Temple and wants to hold a Dharma meeting on the sixth day of May. Chen Yunshi took care of it all by himself. When ten monks come, it will definitely be a lively event!"
Wang Xiaolie said: "It doesn't matter if it's the sixth day of May. It happens to be after the Dragon Boat Festival, so there's no need to be too busy. This is a big event, done for the fallen soldiers, and the military can't take it lightly. At that time, it's best to have the military participate. "
Chen Yuyi thought for a while. He said: "Then select hundreds of soldiers to hold flags and patrol around before the start of the ceremony. It is not only grand, but also lets the people know that they are paying attention to this matter. At that time, there were rituals for three days and three nights on the edge of the Han River. "
Wang Xiaolie did not know what the etiquette of this era was, nor how to perform religious rituals. It is up to Chen Qiudao and Chen Yuyi to do these things. As long as it is grand and can show that the sacrificed soldiers are valued by the government and can calm the hearts of the people, then it will be fine.
Logically speaking, this kind of thing should not be involved by religion, but should be done by the yamen. It's just a folk custom at this time. People especially believe in the rituals performed by monks. Since the official has no special etiquette, it has to be this way. The most important thing is to make people feel at ease and trust the government. Restrictions on religion can only be implemented slowly in the future.
