world class art fanatic

The pipa, which started at 1000 Euros, became a sky-high price of [-] million Euros.

Not to mention Chairman Chen, even the bidders in the entire auction site found it inconceivable and unimaginable.

Zhong Ying heard countless people talking in low voices, and most of the participants checked the brochures in their hands again to confirm that this is only a Tang Dynasty pipa, not the top-quality pipa used by the royal family of the Tang Dynasty!

"It's impossible, I've never heard that a lute can be photographed for 1000 million euros."

Sarah frowned and said, "Only Viotang has sold such a price in history."

At another time, Zhong Ying will definitely ask Wei Aodang what kind of fairy instrument it is.

But he is very clear that most of the Chinese musical instruments that can be auctioned for more than [-] million yuan are handed down Guqin, and there has never been a pipa.

Now, he was staring at the blond lady, unable to take his eyes off it.

Before the auctioneer started counting down, she didn't even intend to wait to see the result, she stood up arrogantly and determinedly, and took away the companions in suits and leather shoes beside her!

Zhong Ying immediately stood up and ran out after their figures, without even having time to say hello to the master.

He is very sure that the businessman is not a fool who spends money indiscriminately. Anyone who can spend 1000 million euros to take pictures of this pipa must understand the meaning of its existence.

Then he has to determine the ins and outs of this pipa.

To determine whether it has anything to do with Chu Shuming and Zheng Wanqing.

"Ma'am!" Zhong Ying shouted loudly to stop the buyer, who stopped with his companions in surprise and wariness.

He said eagerly: "Can you tell me why you bought this pipa for 1000 million euros?"

Before the other party answered, countless guys with recorders in their hands suddenly appeared at the auction house.

"A pipa worth 1000 million euros, is it real?"

"So do you have any interest in Austro-Hungarian jewellery?"

"And that magical Guinness hat, is it really like the legend that hides Solomon's treasure map?"

Five or six reporters seemed to have been preparing for a long time, and they all spoke to the blond buyer.

Zhong Ying had never seen such a battle before, and he suddenly realized that his questioning had brought great trouble to the other party.

"Sorry, I'm not..."

Unfortunately, before his apology was finished, the reporter immediately found a new breakthrough.

"Excuse me, did you participate in the auction today?"

Zhong Ying retreated back, just as the security guards from the auction house arrived and expelled these people.

"Xiao Ying?" Fan Chengyun came out, only to see the chaos outside, "What happened?"

"Master, that buyer came for Pipa."

Zhong Ying pointed anxiously at the blonde woman and brunette companion who boarded the vehicle ahead.

"They didn't bid on other auction items, so they must know the source of this pipa!"

1000 million euros is not a decimal.

Zhong Ying even felt that if the Qingling Lake Chamber of Commerce or other bidders offered a price of more than 1000 million euros, she would buy it without blinking.

After Fan Chengyun finished listening, he looked at the deputy head of the Art Orchestra who was walking behind him.

"Sarah, do you know them?"

Sarah squinted her eyes and looked at the car carefully, her expression changed from dazed to stunned.

"I know the license plate number." She said helplessly and joyfully, "I know who bought the pipa, follow me."

The capital of music, rich people like music.

There is no social network more powerful than the Austrian Art Orchestra, and there is no rich person Sarah doesn't know.

However, the businessman who bought the pipa for 1000 million euros is quite special.

It was so special that Sarah asked President Chen to take a break, and she led Zhong Ying and Fan Chengyun, two guqin players, to visit.

On the way there, Sarah looked serious and begged, "No matter how much this gentleman irritates the two of you later, please don't argue with him."

"He has a bad temper?" Zhong Ying asked curiously.

Sarah was very disdainful, and said affirmatively: "He is a bastard!"

Fliss, a bastard merchant, is a famous jeweler in Austria.

Many luxury gold, silver and jewelry brands under the group's name, as well as many art galleries, auction houses, and musical instrument shops, can be described as deep-rooted rich men.

Sarah sighed and added: "And he is also one of the shareholders of the Vienna Auction House."

"shareholder?"

Fan Chengyun questioned, "Since he is a shareholder and he has taken a fancy to this pipa, why didn't he just trade it privately?"

It is not an item that has not been withdrawn temporarily.

Customers who have a little relationship can use their personal relationship to contact the original owner of the collection, determine a reasonable price, and cancel the auction.

As a shareholder of the auction house, Fliss can easily contact the original owner privately or buy out internally.

There is no need to go to such a public auction.

"I don't know." Sarah said frankly, "But I promise, the buyer must be him."

Zhong Ying was silent for a long time, with the shadow of Pipa in his mind.

The reporters squatting outside the auction house came prepared, and the staff who bid on behalf of Fries agreed to come prepared.

"Maybe, he did it on purpose," he said.

Under the surprised eyes of Fan Chengyun and Sarah, Zhong Ying expressed his guess.

"Deliberately going through such an auction, deliberately buying it at a high price of 1000 million euros."

"What?" Sarah couldn't understand.

Zhong should not know.

A strong desire to explore rose in his heart, and he realized more clearly than anyone who wanted to ask Ferris why he did this——

If it was not intentional, it would be impossible for this pipa to fetch 1000 million euros.

He said: "Although I have not participated in other auctions, the price increase of the first three lots this time is very regular."

Famous oil paintings, one thousand and one plus, occasionally a few rich people come, but it is only five thousand once.

Even for royal jewels, the highest price increase still did not exceed [-] euros when many participants robbed them.

"The agent sent by this person doubled the bid at the beginning, and each time the price increase exceeded 130 Euros. The last time, when the bid was only [-] million, they directly doubled it by seven times! I think their approach is wrong. It's like fighting for the buyer's favorite item, and it's more like hoping that we will quit in the face of difficulties."

Zhong Ying's analysis is very reasonable.

Sarah, who had participated in many auctions, had a shocked expression and suddenly realized the key.

"But why did he do that..."

Zhong Ying looked at her seriously, "I want to know too."

Fries is a loyal listener of the Austrian Art Orchestra, and Sarah's appointment was easy and smooth.

He is a typical wealthy businessman, living in a luxurious detached villa with a wide and beautiful garden.

Zhong Ying walked into the modern decorated residence and felt the strong artistic atmosphere head-on.

The decorative vases placed in the entrance hall and the collected paintings hung in the corridor all have a unified artistic style, revealing the unique European style of Austria.

Zhong Ying looked over one by one and found a special Chinese painting.

"Master, look."

He pointed to the picture of the rebounding pipa in Dunhuang, hanging high on the top, like a flying sky looking down on all living beings.

Fan Chengyun nodded, looked around, and raised his hand to indicate another picture of a pipa beauty.

It is located between two oil paintings of Austrian pastoral landscapes, and the lady holding a lute in her arms shows a low-browed and pleasing sadness.

Zhong Ying couldn't tell the authenticity of the paintings lined up in the corridor, but he was very sure that these two Chinese paintings were obviously imitations.

They are hidden among the oil paintings of landscapes and figures. The painting style is so abrupt that people can't move their eyes away, and they coexist harmoniously with the heavy oil paint unexpectedly.

Zhong Ying and Fan Chengyun didn't say much, followed Fliss' secretary through the art gallery, and finally met the bold buyer.

Fliss is young.

He was wearing a casual V-neck thin sweater with a polite and polite smile.

"Sarah, you are finally willing to come and see me."

With the enthusiasm unique to Westerners, Ferris hugged Sarah friendly.

Sarah introduced elegantly and politely: "Fliss, these two are outstanding Chinese musicians. You must have heard of Mr. Fan Chengyun Fan."

Freeston's eyes lit up immediately, and he stretched out his hand to hold Fan Chengyun excitedly.

"Of course!"

His voice was high-pitched, and his expression was delighted, "I have heard Mr. Fan's concerts, including Japan, France, and Italy. I have been there at least five times. Your piano sound is indeed the sound of nature, and I will never forget it in this lifetime!"

The praise came from within, enough to see that Fries really liked the guqin.

Zhong Ying shook hands with him quietly, frowned slightly at his words, and looked at Master expectantly for a moment.

In any case, it's much easier to talk to someone who understands music.

Sure enough, Fan Chengyun smiled and cut straight to the point, and said, "Since Mr. Fliss understands the qin, we don't want to talk nonsense. This time, we are here for the Tang Dynasty pipa you just photographed."

The friendly atmosphere ended here, and Ferris's smile became meaningful.

He raised his hand to pick up the wine bottle on the table and invited the visitor to sit down.

Amidst the gurgling sound of red wine falling into the empty glass, he asked in confusion, "The two are guqin players, right? What does it have to do with pipa?"

"Because this pipa comes from an orchestra in the period of the Republic of China, Yiyin Yashe."

Fan Chengyun's explanations are always brief, "I will ask my apprentice Zhong Ying to tell you about Yiyin Yashe and this pipa in detail."

Zhong Ying has always been in charge of interpreting foreign languages.

He has been studying and researching since he was a child, which is enough for him to tell the story of Yiyin Yashe in German very well.

His unhurried voice echoed in the luxurious and exquisite living room of Fliss.

"Yuyin Yashe was founded in 1932 by Guqin player Shen Ling, who invited many musicians to participate in the study of "Yuefu Poems" thousands of years ago."

There are two pipas in Yiyin Yashe, which are held by famous pipa players Chu Shuming and Zheng Wanqing.

These two pipas are Chu Shuming's family musical instruments. Since the birth of the pipas, they have been titled "Mulan Songs", and magnolia flowers have been carved on the panels of the pipas, which are male and female.

Chu Shuming learned from Nanyin pipa, and the pipa used is carved with stamen magnolia, with short frets, high pitch, soft strings, and melodious sound, showing the ancient sound.

His wife, Zheng Wanqing, learned from the northern school of pipa. The pipa used is carved with pistil magnolia, with long frets, low pitch, hard strings, powerful plucking, and iron cavalry spears.

He doesn't have detailed information about Pipa, but he can tell the grand scene of Chu Zheng and his wife playing "Mulan Song" without any obstacles.

In a performance of "Millennium Yuefu", Chu Shuming and Zheng Wanqing played Mulan's pipa to recreate the legend of Mulan serving in the army for her father.

However, due to the fall of Qingling Lake in 1942, Mulan Pipa was deposited in the hands of Americans in the concession.

When the couple heard the news that the Americans had left China overnight, they immediately chased after them and retrieved the pipa.

However, in 1943, they left the United States and returned to China by boat, but they were nowhere to be seen. Mulan Pipa also disappeared, which touched the hearts of countless people in the Chinese music circle.

From Mulan Pipa astounding the music world to Mulan Pipa and the player disappearing, it is only a matter of ten minutes.

Zhong Ying stared at Fliss and said seriously: "We guess that the Tang Dynasty pipa you just photographed is the pistil pipa played by Ms. Zheng Wanqing. Ms. Zheng once met a Japanese general in the Qingling Lake garrison at an old friend's wedding banquet. She has a great reputation. , was praised and praised by the puppet army, and Japanese officers frequently came to toast."

"But she had a resolute temper, and she couldn't refuse, so she threw a cup and presented a poem-'I would rather have a tile in Chang'an than a bottle of Dongying gold'. She left the scene angrily and cut off her old friend's robes."

He was talking about people, but he was also talking about the pipa.

"I admired Ms. Zheng's integrity and spirit since I was a child, and I wholeheartedly hoped to find the instrument that she played "Mulan Song". That's why I came here and took the liberty of disturbing Mr. Follis."

The people and events during the war were entrusted to a pipa, and it was hard not to move people.

Sarah almost cried when she heard it. Anyone who understands music would be saddened by the disappearance of the legendary instrument.

Unfortunately, Ferris seemed particularly calm.

"Oh--"

After listening to it, he raised his eyebrows and looked at Zhong Ying with a long voice, "In other words, you are not sure at all whether the pipa I just photographed is the Mulan pipa you were looking for."

The businessman always grasps the key points rationally, breaking the tranquility of the room.

Zhong Ying does not have information about Mulan Pipa.

Only the fuzzy black-and-white photos in the newspapers show the pear-shaped Mulan Pipa with four pillars, four phases and ten products.

But there is Shen Ling's personal comment——

"Brother Chu's stamen pipa floats in the clouds and flowing water lingers around your fingers, sister Zhou's pistil pipa is astonishing in ancient times and is a role model for today's women. The two played "Mulan Ci" together, without distinguishing between the male and female stamens on the carvings. The eyes of the female rabbit are blurred; two rabbits walk side by side, can you tell me whether I am male or female?"

Shen Ling was deeply impressed by the two pipas of the Tang Dynasty, and wrote clearly: "The carvings of the Tang Dynasty are exquisite and rigorous, and the pistils and stamens are exquisite and lifelike. I am a layman, and I only know that the pipas are the same. Brother Chu explained the key, and I can tell the male and female at a glance. distinct."

From this, Zhong Ying can know that the carvings of the two Mulan lutes are similar, and only the stamens are used to distinguish male and female.

Such features are extremely rare in pipa carvings. He has looked at countless pipas carved with magnolias, all of which have flowers but no stamens, or stamens are used as simple decorations, with a few sporadic ones, which do not conform to the shape of real magnolia flower stamens.

The real Mulan Pipa must have clear stamens and easy to distinguish between male and female.

"Yes, we're not sure yet."

Zhong Ying replied firmly: "However, if I can examine it carefully, I will definitely be able to know whether it is the Mulan Pipa we are looking for."

"no problem!"

Fliss was very refreshing, raised his glass with a smile on his face and looked at the beautiful deputy head, "Actually, the reason why I photographed this pipa is very simple——"

"Sarah, would you like to go out with me?"

"What?" Sarah was immersed in Fries' unexpected ease, and suspected that she had heard it wrong.

The businessman was very serious, "If you are willing to date me, then I am willing to take out the pipa immediately, and ask the two guqin players to look carefully."

He picked up the wine glass and volleyed towards Fan Chengyun, "You can give it to them."

"Fliss!" Sarah's eyes widened in disbelief, "We're talking about business!"

This wealthy businessman with a not-so-good reputation looks leisurely and content.

"I'm talking about business. Last week, the auction house sent out the auction information, and I knew you were trying to find out about this pipa."

"Sarah, I think you look very beautiful when you work hard for an unrelated lute, so I am willing to help you."

He said to help, but his tone was frivolous, and he asked again like a threat: "So, are you willing to go on a date with me?"

"Fliss, you haven't changed at all!"

Sarah, who had agreed that she would never quarrel with Ferris, stood up angrily and cursed, "You are such a bastard!"

Fliss didn't care about Sarah's anger at all, and nodded happily, "Yes, I'm that mean and shameless, I want to see if you will bow your head for a lute."

Sarah reprimanded him severely, "This pipa is very important to Mr. Fan. They have spent many years looking for it all over the world. Don't you feel a little moved?"

"No." Fliss said indifferently, "How they found the relics of their ancestors has nothing to do with me. Why should I be moved?"

Sarah scolded: "You are cold-blooded, shameless, and unreasonable!"

Fliss smiled and said, "I'm glad you and I have reached a consensus."

Sarah, who seriously told them not to be irritated by Fries before going to the door, was arguing because of Fries' provocation.

Zhong Ying sat on the side, completely comprehended the bad character of Fries, and felt the unrestrained and passionate pursuit methods of the Austrians.

Of course, it would be even better if the bargaining chip he was after was not Mulan Pipa.

"ladies and gentlemen."

Zhong Ying had to interrupt their meaningless argument, "We are discussing a lute."

Ferris put down his wine glass and smiled freely.

"Yes, a pipa. Although I am not interested in the stories you tell at all, I still admire the spirit of the pipa players and your persistence over the years."

"However, if I tell you that this pipa has nothing to do with your so-called Yiyin Yashe, it is just a token of love given to your lover by a little maid who escaped from the Qing Dynasty palace..."

"Do you still want to take it?"

"Is that so?" Sarah was full of expectations. If it was true, she wouldn't have to continue entangled with Ferris.

"Who knows, I just made it up." Fliss smiled even brighter.

Sarah was so angry that her fingertips trembled, she couldn't control her volume and cursed again: "Fliss, how can you be such a bastard!"

The bastard Fliss was proud, raised his hand and poured out a glass of red wine, and responded triumphantly: "Yes, Sarah, I hope you like it."

Seeing that the two were about to quarrel again, Zhong Ying hurriedly said, "We don't need to take it away, sir."

He emphasized hard, "I just need to look at it. Even if you don't allow me to touch it, I can tell whether it is the Mulan Pipa we are looking for."

Zhong Ying said for sure.

Even after experiencing the imitation of Shixian Yayun, the authenticity can only be distinguished by playing the instrument with his own hands, he also made the best guarantee that he would not cause trouble to the buyer.

However, Ferris still did not immediately agree to such a restrained and polite request.

He narrowed his eyes slightly and stared at Zhong Ying, as if he was thinking about whether there was some trap hidden in this condition that he didn't know.

After a long while, Fliss put the wine glass back on the table and made a crisp sound of judgment.

"Sorry, I don't want to."

His words caused everyone present to frown slightly.

"I like the magnolia carvings on the pipa. Whether it is the carving, the artistic conception or the history and culture left over from the Tang Dynasty, I am very satisfied."

Fliss smiled handsomely and said that he liked pipa, but made an amazing decision in front of them.

"So, the first time I saw it, I planned to remove its panel to mend the precious wooden drawer left by my grandfather."

Zhong Ying thought he was joking.

Sarah immediately yelled, "How can you do such a thing! Fliss, your thoughts are terrible!"

Fliss spread his arms, his slender hands resting leisurely on the back of the sofa, looking up at the angry Sarah.

"No matter how scary I am, I can't compare to the original owner of the pipa. If this pipa is really what you said, it is a precious instrument. Its owner once refused to perform to the invaders. He did not hesitate to throw a cup to offend the Japanese army and risked himself in the war. Go to the other side of the ocean to retrieve it, and take it as life."

"Then, why does its current owner sell it so casually?"

"Perhaps she encountered some difficulty?"

Zhong Ying has come into contact with many impoverished musicians, "She will not sell this pipa unless it is absolutely necessary."

"We in Austria have the best musical instrument store in the world, and the kindest musicians."

Fliss totally disagreed with his point of view, "The original owner can choose to mortgage the pipa to the musical instrument store and redeem it at any time, or he can perform and play the pipa and hold donations to get money."

"I believe that people in Austria who love music will help her through the difficulties with kindness."

"but--"

The evil rich man spread his hands regretfully, pampering his five fingers, "[-] Euros, in her heart, such a treasure is only worth [-] Euros. If you think the original owner has something to do with the great Mulan Pipa player, she will Don't you know the value of this pipa?"

There was silence in the room, and even the angry Sarah was rendered speechless by his words.

The price of [-] Euros is not cheap, but for a pipa that has gone through thousands of years and wars, it is really too cheap.

Ferriss was content with their silence.

His smile returned to his gentlemanly elegance, and he said earnestly: "I don't care what troubles she has encountered, but I think this pipa is worth 1000 million euros, which is just right for the precious legacy my grandfather left me."

Zhong Ying looked at the leisurely wealthy businessman and said calmly, "Then, can I ask you a question?"

Fliss picked up the wine glass and made a gesture of invitation.

Zhong Ying, who got the permission, asked directly: "You know the source of this pipa, you know the current owner of this pipa, and may even have a deeper connection with this pipa. So, you don't allow others to get this pipa Pipa, specifically told the agent to deliberately raise the price to force the opponent to give up the competition... right?"

His guess changed the face of the leisurely businessman.

Fliss narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Zhong Ying, as if he was thinking about where he got his judgment from.

After a while, Fries put down his wine glass, stood up, and suppressed his smile.

"No comment. But I promise, if you want to continue to get to the bottom of it here, then I can only contact the secretary immediately, please take a look on the spot—"

His threat was suddenly cold, revealing the anger of being exposed, "How can I tear it down and use it to complete my grandfather's wooden drawer."

"Mr. Fliss!" Zhong Ying couldn't help trying to defend himself, but before he could say anything, his master patted him on the shoulder.

He watched Master stand up in surprise.

Fan Chengyun, who was polite and introverted, extended his hand with a smile, and said, "Mr. Fliss, thank you for your time, and look forward to seeing you next time."

This is almost a signal to announce a retreat.

Even though Zhong Ying was full of anger and couldn't stand Fliss' contemptuous words that he wanted to turn the Tang Dynasty antique musical instrument into a pile of wood, he obediently followed his master and said goodbye to the bad bastard businessman in front of him.

They walked through the corridor in silence and left in a long way.

Zhong Ying glanced at the two Chinese paintings on the theme of the pipa, and felt deeply that Fries didn't want to discuss the pipa.

He intentionally provoked Sarah, deliberately said that he was going to dismantle the pipa to annoy them, and it was more obvious that he knew the life experience of the pipa.

Ke Zhong should not understand.

Why is a businessman who knows the value of the pipa unwilling to let them see the pipa.

He thought that merchants would be happy to add a legendary experience to their collections.

After finally leaving Fliss' villa, Zhong Ying said aloud, "Fliss might know something, so he's making excuses..."

"No, he's a jerk!"

Sarah interrupted him emotionally.

After walking out of the villa, she no longer concealed her disgust, "He often harassed our musicians, regardless of gender, he wanted to ask them out. He also often did some things that both people and gods hate, I know him!"

She gritted her teeth, "If Mr. Fan hadn't proposed to leave just now, he would definitely tear down the pipa without blinking an eye!"

Such a villain-level description really shocked Zhong Ying.

He was about to ask Fliss what he had done that both people and gods hated, when suddenly, a familiar figure rushed out from the side.

The reporters who had been chasing and intercepting at the auction house actually appeared in front of them accurately.

The white flashing lights clicked, accompanied by the excited and fast German of the reporters.

"Head Zhang, you just went to the auction house today, why did you immediately visit Mr. Fliss?"

"Is your coming here to meet Mr. Fliss related to today's sky-high auction price?"

"So the 1000 million Euro pipa was really bought by Fries?"

Sarah was in a fit of anger, and when she heard the reporter's question, she opened her mouth and said, regardless of the principles of confidentiality:

"Yes, Fliss bought the lute for 1000 million euros. Do you know what he bought it for? He actually wanted to dismantle such a precious instrument and use the carved wood of the lute to repair his cheap wooden drawers!"

"On behalf of the Austrian Arts Orchestra, I strongly condemn him—"

She pointed at the reporter's camera and said without hesitation: "He is a bastard who ruins musical instruments! He is a sinner of art!"