Gu Weijing had no plans to go to the orphanage on his schedule today.
In addition to his plans to go home and copy "Old Church" again, Professor Lin Tao also scheduled video lectures with him every Friday night.
The painting "Hundred Flowers" painted by Professor Lin Tao's junior sister Ms. Tang Ning, which won the gold medal at the Shanghai Art Exhibition, has been mailed to Gu Weijing.
There are copying textbooks.
Professor Lin will also carefully dismantle for him the painting methods of each different flower and natural scene.
For example, last week's course talked about daylilies.
Hemerocallis is also known as the flower of worry-free. Since ancient times, there has been a saying in China that Hemerocallis forgets worries.
The leaves are not easy to be dark green when painting, and stone green and ink should be added to avoid anger and tackiness.
At the same time, the branches and leaves should be long and short, and the petals should be sparse and dense, seemingly chaotic, uniform but not uniform, well interspersed, and graceful in posture.
These detailed insights are precious experiences that others cannot ask for. Except for close teachers, few people will be so generous and teach them.
Gu Weijing walked out of the campus and heard the noisy flow of people.
The main entrance of the campus is located along several famous commercial streets.
There are couples cafes, electronics stores, luxury clothing stores, high-end Internet cafes, and a go-kart club.
Students in international schools have good spending power, and many of the young people visiting these places are wearing Dulwich uniforms.
He turned the corner and prepared to hail a taxi to go home.
at this time,
Snapped!
Suddenly there was a crisp sound like a firecracker.
Gu Weijing saw about ten meters away from him, a middle-aged man in a black T-shirt who was waiting to cross the road fell softly to the ground, hitting his head on the ground.
"Gang vendetta?"
The conversation with Mrs. Sakai in the afternoon was like a glass of strong wine, which made Gu Weijing feel a little dizzy.
But with the sound of a gunshot, he quickly woke up.
Gu Weijing just witnessed a shooting.
A person dies,
It happened right in front of his eyes.
If it were the style of "Infernal Affairs" in the old Hong Kong movie, the gangster's vendetta would be accompanied by a long chase, a confrontation on the rooftop, and exciting background music. If it were a Japanese film directed by Akira Kurosawa, then there would probably be a few long close-ups, and a few confessions about "men's justice" before the sword fight.
But in chaotic Myanmar,
Everything started and ended so quickly.
Cool and dry.
Just a slight gunshot, not too loud,
The bullet entered the back of the head at close range amid the interlacing figures. The man fell to the ground face to face, and the gunman quickly disappeared into the crowd.
Even the people who were watching this scene were somewhat accustomed to it. After a brief period of panic and screaming, they realized that the gunman had left the danger and disappeared, and quickly regained their composure.
Some brave boys even took out their mobile phones from their pockets and started taking pictures of the scene.
According to Myanmar's national security report, in the past six months, there have been 2,570 bomb explosions in public places alone. A shooting that was probably caused by a gang entanglement was really just a topic for conversation after dinner.
"Mr. Xiao Gu? Are you here too?"
Gu Weijing saw that someone had called the police and had no intention of going up to watch the excitement, so he prepared to walk away.
At this time, someone tapped him on the shoulder.
"It's you?"
Gu Weijing turned his head and his pupils shrank slightly.
He didn't expect to meet an acquaintance here, who turned out to be the bald man who had been looking for him during the Spring Festival.
Several bald boys not far away looked at the direction where the middle-aged man fell to the ground, with ferocity and wild excitement in their eyes as they saw blood.
An officer from Yangon's VIP protection team stood guard in front of their calligraphy and painting shop for two weeks.
Mr. Cao withdrew after leaving Myanmar.
This is an obvious statement of unwillingness to be associated with the underworld.
Brother Hao's men never came to visit again.
Gu Weijing originally thought that everything was over, but he didn't expect to encounter a bald head here again.
Is the other party waiting for me here?
"No, don't get me wrong, I have other things to do today. But I really want to find you. I plan to visit Mr. Gu at his home gallery in a few days. Since we meet today, it will save trouble."
The bald man looked toward the coffee shop aside and made a gesture of invitation: "I don't mean any harm, it's just that Brother Hao appreciates you very much and asked me to convey a few words."
At the window seat of the coffee shop, the clerk brought two cups of Americano coffee.
"You pick first... don't worry. Adding psychedelic drugs to drinks is something only the little bastards who sell white powder do. Brother Hao is a man of rules, so just drink without worry."
The bald man pushed two cups of coffee to the center of the table.
"People who follow the rules... Haha, were you responsible for the shooting just now?"
Gu Weijing's mouth showed a sneer.
Although it was only a month, he no longer needed to be as cautious as walking a tightrope during the Spring Festival for fear of offending the other party.
Network is energy.
As long as you speak, whether it's Uncle Sakai, Mr. Cao Xuan, or even Cao Xuan's assistant Lao Yang or Professor Lin Tao.
It is not difficult to arrange to leave Yangon to study elsewhere.
Uncle Sakai had previously suggested that he transfer to an English international school in Japan this semester and live directly in a spare room in their home.
It's just that the Good Luck Orphanage is in Yangon, and Gu Weijing's schedule has been very tight in the past six months.
He didn't have a clue about the works he wanted to participate in the Singapore Art Exhibition, and it took time to adapt to a new environment, so he gave up.
"It's just a matter of giving my young men a chance to work for Brother Hao. Not everyone is like Mr. Gu. It is an honor for 99% of the people in this city to work for Brother Hao."
The bald head didn't even mean to hide it.
In Myanmar, tycoons like Brother Hao, who operates both black and white, are like the Italian godfathers in Chicago or Atlantic City before World War I.
High social status,
Even the police gave them three points, or even a nest of snakes and rats.
"Mr. Xiao Gu, Brother Hao wants to cooperate with you."
The bald man inserted the plastic straw, took a sip, and stared straight at Gu Weijing.
"I answered this question during the Spring Festival, and it will not change now."
Gu Weijing shook his head: "Sir, let me tell the truth. There are many people in Myanmar who can draw. Why do you insist on holding on to me?"
Gu Weijing really didn't understand.
His original painting skills were pretty good and he had some talent, but he could only be considered outstanding among local young students.
The bald man is right, not everyone has such a strict upbringing like Mr. Gu Tongxiang.
Ninety-nine percent of the people in this city would regard working for Brother Hao as an honor and an opportunity to make a fortune.
The twisted melon is not sweet,
Why do you have to find him?
"Brother Hao has always liked to use young guys. They are passionate and dare to do things. They are more obedient and loyal than those adult painters. And Brother Hao really likes you because you have a bottom line and perseverance. He thinks you are a person who can do great things. people."
The bald man thought for a moment: "Brother Hao was originally a painter. I think he saw the shadow of his youth in you."
"I'm not proud of being a fake painter."
Gu Weijing shook his head.
"Oh? Who said I came here to ask you to be a forgery artist?"
The bald man smiled.
"Isn't this what you originally meant?"
Gu Weijing was confused.
"That's because we are blind to the truth. Mr. Gu, just take this matter as a joke. Not to mention that we have found a young counterfeit painter who is willing to work for Brother Hao. As long as you can be used by Mr. Cao For the young man I admire, asking Mr. Gu to do such a thing is both offensive and a waste of natural resources."
""The Picture of Worshiping the Buddha and Protecting the Dharma", right? I heard that Mr. Xiao Gu mixed the color. Brother Hao went to see it with his own eyes. The color was awesome. He was full of praise for your talent. Can a Yangon compatriot be praised by Mr. Cao? It's really rare to praise a young person who is better than me." Baldhead praised.
Gu Weijing was stunned for a moment.
He knew that with Brother Hao's connections in Yangon, it was not surprising that he knew what happened in the mural restoration project.
Why are you just bald and talking to yourself?
"Mr. Xiao Gu, you have always said that you want to be a painter. Have you ever imagined that one day your works can sell for five million US dollars, eight million US dollars, or even 10 million US dollars?"
The bald head's eyes sparkled.
When he came to Gu's calligraphy and painting shop a month ago, he still had a condescending attitude, but now, he behaved in a flattering manner.
"This opportunity is right in front of you. Brother Hao wants to cooperate with you. It's not that you become Brother Hao's subordinate, but an equal cooperation. He likes to give opportunities to young people. He only needs to take a small commission from you. .”
"You mean...money laundering?"
Gu Weijing finally understood.
The art trading market has always been the hardest hit area for international money laundering.
The reason is simple. Whether it is a maritime law system or a civil law system, the Anti-Money Laundering Law requires strict registration and filing review for large financial transactions.
However, the "Auction Law" additionally stipulates that "if the client or buyer requests to keep their identities confidential, the auctioneer shall keep them confidential".
This creates space for a black industry of money laundering.
Before the birth of virtual currency, large-scale art transactions were the most reliable and fastest means of money laundering, and there was no such thing as one.
Even today, Interpol estimates that tens of billions of dollars are still laundered by the art trading market every year and dispersed into anonymous accounts around the world.
There is no greater means of making money than war and drugs.
In Myanmar,
Warlords and drug dealers are not completely short of money.
They have a lot of people and money, and they may even have more money than the Myanmar government.
However, due to international sanctions, there is no way to spend the money.
This kind of money from drug trafficking or fraud can't be deposited in a bank.
Yangon godfathers like Brother Hao have filled this “market gap”.
No matter how great the warlords in northern Myanmar in the Golden Triangle are at amassing money, without Brother Hao, money is really just a bunch of numbers that can only be seen.
This is also the reason why Brother Hao is so powerful.
Even the bald men under his command can call the drug dealers "little bastards who sell white powder."
"I personally prefer to call it win-win cooperation, Mr. Gu."
Baldhead licked his lips.
The early art money laundering methods were simple and crude.
Just create a fake piece of art and hype it up, and the money will just go around in a circle.
But Interpol and the financial review agency are not fools. Basically, in the past ten years or so, this has not been easy to use.
Today's favorite way to launder money is the hype painter himself.
It is best for painters to have a certain standard themselves, especially young people like Gu Weijing who have been admired and endorsed by the master Cao Xuan.
To hype up his fame, millions or tens of millions of funds were used to repeatedly speculate on his market price.
After the market price has increased, money laundering is carried out by controlling the painter.
for example,
A single work by New York-based young conceptual artist Richard Tove sold for £5.6 million in 2014.
This is just the starting point for the transaction volume of his works.
In the following months, his works were wildly priced again, and by March 2015, one of his paintings had been sold by an auction house for a sky-high price of US$25 million.
In just a few months, his works have entered the ranks of top-notch artists. Then, there were rumors that Richard was involved in the money laundering business of Latin American drug lords and was being investigated by international anti-money laundering organizations.
"Mr. Xiao Gu, I understand that you are an upright person, but there is no need to be too rigid. Just follow the right path. How much money can you make in your life?"
Throw away moral judgment,
Many art practitioners around the world are dreaming of such an opportunity.
You want money, you want money, you want fame.
For every transaction worth tens of millions of dollars, even if the bulk will definitely be taken away by people like Brother Hao, if you just randomly draw a few points, you can live a comfortable life.
Baldhead also understands Brother Hao's appreciation for Gu Weijing.
Being able to gain the appreciation and endorsement of Mr. Cao and being a native of Yangon is like a gold mine. There is really a lot to be done in it, and a national painting genius can be easily speculated.
"With such a talent, it is normal for Mr. Gu to look down on him with millions of kyats. This is a meeting gift from Brother Hao. If there is any offense before, please bear with me."
While talking,
The bald man took a car key from his belt, placed it on the table, and pushed it over.
in the sun,
On the brown leather key, the chrome-plated silver letter B shines, exuding an alluring light.
The bald man pressed the button on the key twice.
Gu Weijing turned his head. In the parking space across the road, the lights of a silver streamlined sports car flashed twice.
He doesn’t understand cars;
But you can still tell it's an expensive driving machine.
Among the many luxury cars parked on the roadside used by parents from international middle schools to pick up and drop off their children, they also stood out extremely conspicuously.
Many boys and girls passing by the car looked at the pearly silver car with awe and longing in their eyes.
"The Bentley Continental GT is not your common smuggled luxury car in Myanmar. The procedures are legal and formal. It was airlifted from the UK just last week. I just picked up the car a few days ago, and I originally thought about giving it to Mr. Gu in person next week. Send it over.”
The bald man stared at Gu Weijing, his seductive tone was like the devil Faustrian hoped to sign a contract with human beings.
Brother Hao has always been generous to his talented subordinates.
But giving a Bentley as a meeting gift is also a very rare and generous gesture.
What boys like is nothing more than girls and cars. As long as there is money in Myanmar, there will be girls.
And with this ultra-luxury sports car that symbolizes wealth in front of you, no one can easily refuse it.
Brother Hao has always loved the movie "The Godfather". When he was filming "The Godfather Part 2", the great director dragged him to death and was reluctant to make a sequel.
Paramount Pictures executives slapped the keys to a luxury Mercedes-Benz on the table as a signing fee, and even the big director immediately succumbed to the money offensive.
Baldhead wonders if Brother Hao found inspiration in movies.
But just like that classic line in film history,
This is a reason that cannot be refused.
Seeing the bald head looking at him with hot eyes, Gu Weijing suddenly felt a little funny.
He feels that life is capricious.
In the afternoon, Mrs. Sakai was worried about whether she would be able to sell a painting for $10,000 in the future.
After school in the afternoon,
First, he witnessed a shooting.
Then someone told me that he could help sell his paintings to sky-high prices quickly, and even generously wanted to give himself a super luxury car.
And he doesn't even have a driver's license himself.
"I reject."
Gu Weijing said softly with a restrained smile.
"Art is art. I don't need anyone to help me hype it up. It doesn't matter if I sell it for one dollar or 100 million dollars. It's a shame for an artist to cooperate with a money laundering black market like yours. If I obey, you can give me a luxury car." Che, if I disobey, you will put a bullet into my head without hesitation." Gu Weijing looked out the window.
"Mr. Xiao Gu, I think you are biased against us."
The smile on the bald face faded, and he was obviously a little angry: "Do you think the man who was just beaten to death was a good person? He was a bad gambler, owed loan sharks, and a bullet. Brother Hao is already very kind. You know other bosses What would you do if faced with this kind of thing? In Myanmar, a healthy body can be sold on the black market..."
"Sir, there's no need to tell me how you do things. I'm not interested."
Gu Weijing shook his head in disgust, "I just hope you won't disturb me anymore. Brother Hao will make Brother Hao's fortune and I will be my little painter, okay?"
The bald head stared at Gu Weijing, the expression on his face changed several times. For a moment, Gu Weijing was ready for the other party to get angry because of his ignorance.
But in the end,
The bald man just sighed.
"That's the same thing. What I said doesn't count. I need to talk to Brother Hao and hear what Brother Hao means."
The bald man took out his mobile phone and made a call, "Brother Hao, Mr. Gu, I don't agree to your proposal... Yes, he refused. He said art is art..."
Gu Weijing looked at the bald head and had a brief conversation with the person on the phone in a very respectful tone, then put down the phone again.
"I don't understand, but Brother Hao is not angry... He seems to really appreciate you. He likes ambitious young people."
He clapped his hands.
A boy waiting outside the coffee shop came in, and whispered a few words in Xiao Di's ear.
A few minutes later,
Xiaodi brought a new mobile phone from a store on the side.
The bald man unpacked the phone in front of Gu Weijing. After operating it for a while, he handed the phone to Gu Weijing.
"Brother Hao asked me to save my private phone number here."
Baldhead said. "If you change your mind, please call him at any time. If you have any other requests, that's fine. Brother Hao is looking forward to making friends with you. To be honest, in Myanmar, even senior police inspectors can get I’m proud of Brother Hao’s phone number.”
He pushed the phone over.
"Having a friend like Brother Hao, you won't regret it."
(End of chapter)
