The King of Xiuxianjuan returns to modern times and becomes a landlord

Chapter 40 Zhuge Pen

The auction was about to begin, and Dongfang Hong was incredibly busy, several times more than usual. As soon as he got the treasure, he started to chase everyone away. Ying Ni was surprised to see this usually unreliable man working so diligently. Seeing this, Ying Ni left without hesitation.

Compared with the stalls on the first floor, the shops separated on the second floor are of a much higher quality than those on the first floor. The difference is not just subtle, but much more significant.

Chen Yiran walked into the second floor and happened to see Ying Ni standing in front of a shop, carefully examining the goods in the store.

Chen Yiran walked quickly towards Ying Ni, and as soon as she got closer, she heard Ying Ni bargaining with the merchant.

"Mr. Fang, this is really not very nice of you. We have a deep friendship, so just be generous and waive this amount for me." Ying Ni held the jade pendant in her hand and negotiated the price with the shop owner in a friendly manner.

"Friendship? Do we really have any so-called friendship?" Lao Fang gently pushed up his slightly worn reading glasses, his tone tinged with sarcasm. "Ask yourself, how much have you taken from me? Every time I see you, it feels like I've lost a lot of money."

"Auntie, I implore you to go to other shops and have a look!" Lao Fang, an old man in his sixties, said this with a heart full of difficulties and bitterness.

"Old Fang, listen to me, let's put it this way. I accept the price, but you have to give me the black block in the booth as a gift." Ying Li made concessions in the negotiation with the elder, and pointed to the specific item in the booth.

"No, you asked for a piece of Hui ink right away. Your daydream is too outrageous, isn't it?" Lao Fang thought to himself. He was old and had seen countless people, but he had never seen someone as shameless as Ying Ni.

"Calm down, Lao Fang, stay calm." Ying Ni comforted him slowly.

"Calm down? I can't calm down right now." Lao Fang retorted impatiently, "Listen carefully, pick any of the things over there, or get out of my sight right now. I really don't want to see you right now."

Ying Li quickly scanned the QR code and completed the payment. Then she walked to the area designated by Lao Fang and took out an object the size of a brush.

"Ying Ni, are you setting a trap for me again?" Lao Fang witnessed Ying Ni's actions. If he still couldn't see through her true intentions at this moment, then all his experience over the years would be wasted.

"Lao Fang, this only shows that your skills are superior." After Ying Li succeeded, she did not hide her pride.

"What the hell is this?" Although Lao Fang was indignant at Ying Ni's behavior of cheating him, he was more interested in this pen.

Chen Yiran also came forward and took a glance, but was also unable to identify the origin of the pen.

"Do you know about Zhuge pen?" Ying Ni looked at the sparse customers in the store, and her eyes happened to meet two pairs of eyes full of thirst for knowledge, so she immediately asked a question in return.

"I understand. Could it be that this brush was used by Li Yu's wife Ehuang during her lifetime? That Zhuge brush that belonged exclusively to her was given the elegant name of 'Dian Qingluo'. Is this it?" This thought quickly flashed through Chen Yiran's mind.

"The Zhuge pen, also known as the Sanzhuo pen, holds a prominent place among the ancient Four Treasures of the Study. Its long history and exquisite craftsmanship make it a true treasure of Chinese culture. Tracing its origins, we must go back to Xuanzhou during the Song Dynasty. This land, rich in cultural heritage, has nurtured countless cultural elites and exquisite craftsmanship. Zhuge Gao was a leader among these skilled craftsmen. His exceptional pen-making skills earned him a worldwide reputation, leaving behind a valuable cultural legacy for future generations."

"Since the Tang Dynasty, the art of Zhuge brush crafting has taken root in this land. Through centuries of inheritance and development, it has gradually developed its own unique style and characteristics. Each bristle, approximately an inch and a half long, is meticulously selected and processed to ensure superior texture and optimal elasticity. Even more ingenious, these bristles are cleverly concealed an inch deep within the barrel, preserving the sharpness of the tip while facilitating writing. A single Zhuge brush is the equivalent of several other pens, and its exceptional performance and quality earned it the favor and cherishment of countless scholars and writers of the time."

"According to historical records, the great Song Dynasty writer Su Shi had a special fondness for Zhuge brushes. He mentioned this brush many times in his poems and essays, praising its "ease of movement and rich ink color," which shows his high recognition of its craftsmanship. The Ming Dynasty calligrapher Dong Qichang even regarded the Zhuge brush as a treasure. Whenever he created a masterpiece, he would use this brush to show the exquisiteness and depth of his calligraphy."

"The Xuan brush takes its name from its place of origin, Xuancheng. Since ancient times, this place has been a major center for pen-making, nurturing countless outstanding pen-makers. Over time, the craftsmanship of Xuan brushes continued to improve, reaching an unprecedented peak during the Tang and Song dynasties. The unique style of Xuan brushes during this period, with their increasingly soft, loose-bristled, and lightly pointed tips, completely overturned the framework of traditional pen-making techniques prior to the Jin Dynasty and ushered in a new era of pen-making."

"The so-called 'unintentional' technique is actually a major innovation in Xuan brush design. It abandons the traditional columnar hair design in favor of one or two animal hairs arranged in a staggered pattern and tied together. This innovation not only achieves an unprecedented balance between the softness and hardness of the brush hairs, but also imbues the Xuan brush with an indescribable agility and vitality. This 'unintentional' ingenuity is just as the ancients said: 'Great sounds are silent, great images are invisible.' It's possible to hear thunder in the silence and to see truth in the invisible."

"The Xuan brush's uniqueness lies in its perfect blend of four virtues: sharpness, evenness, roundness, and strength. Sharpness refers to the sharp tip, enabling delicate and subtle lines to be easily drawn; evenness refers to the neat arrangement of the bristles, preventing splitting or scattering during writing; roundness means the pen is full and round, holding ample ink, ensuring coherent and smooth writing; and strength refers to the powerful force of the brush, enabling easy control of various scripts, showcasing the infinite charm of calligraphy."

"In actual use, Xuan brushes are renowned for their smooth writing performance, solid foundation, enduring durability, and smooth, unobstructed writing experience. Whether it's the bold, splashing brushstrokes of the style or the meticulously crafted fine brushwork, Xuan brushes can handle it with ease, becoming an indispensable tool in the hands of literati and poets."

"It's worth mentioning that the production process of Xuan brushes is extremely complex and time-consuming. From selecting materials, mixing ingredients, soaking, combing, tying the hairs, engraving, and painting, dozens of steps are involved, each of which requires the craftsmen to devote a great deal of effort and wisdom. It is this ultimate pursuit of skills and infinite love for art that has enabled Xuan brushes to survive through thousands of years and still shine."

"In summary, the Xuan brush, a culmination of renowned brush-making techniques from the Tang and Song dynasties, is unique not only in its external beauty and fluid writing, but also in the cultural heritage and craftsmanship it embodies. Like a brilliant pearl, it shines brightly in the long history of Chinese calligraphy and painting, becoming a precious treasure for future generations to learn from and pass on."

Ying Ni explained the Zhuge Brush's history and its extraordinary value to the two men. Then, as they stared in astonishment, she carefully wrapped the brush. Ying Ni's heart was filled with joy. She had finally obtained the ideal brush for drawing talismans. She only needed to bring it back and apply the magic circle to fulfill her wish.