Chapter 359

When looking at a painting, first look at the paper.

The paper color is slightly dark, showing gray within the yellow. Viewed slightly from the side, it emits a faint blue-green luster.

The paper surface is extremely flat, with tree bark fibers like ribbon-like floating catkins. The edges of the backing have been nibbled by insects, and the layering at the jagged edges resembles saw teeth.

The paper is definitely old; as for how old, one must ponder it further.

Lin Sicheng turns on the flashlight and looks carefully: the reason it is not as white as ordinary Xuan paper, but instead a yellowish-gray, is likely because it was not dried in the conventional natural way after pulping, but rather air-dried in a cellar.

The reason it has a blue tint is that the wheat straw content exceeds seventy percent, with the polysaccharide components iodized. The reason it has a green tint is that kiwi vine or similar Actinidia-genus plant sap was added to increase toughness.

There are not many places in ancient times that used this method to make paper. Combined with the South Peak of Huashan in the painting, the answer is ready to emerge:

Barring any surprises, this should be Shaanxi Jingyang Xuan Paper from the Ming and Qing dynasties, also known as North Xuan. During the Ming dynasty, it was supplied exclusively to the Qin Prince Mansion and government offices in the northwestern provinces; during the Qing dynasty, it was supplied exclusively for northwestern border defense.

The aging characteristics are also extremely obvious: the edges of the wormholes are velvety, the saw-tooth-like cracks branch out randomly, and dotted yellow spots appear and disappear.

Especially when viewed with a magnifying glass: white frost-like crystal clusters are faintly visible on the paper surface. This is because the age is so remote that the paper mulberry glue within the paper has crystallized.

A rough estimate is at least around five hundred years.

The roller is the same; although it is just an ordinary pine roller, the core already shows signs of pith decay.

This includes the ink and pigments: the mineral blue is turning blue, the mineral green is turning black, the ochre red is already showing purple within the red, yet the ink color is so pale it is turning white. Without five or six hundred years of history, it would not age to this degree.

A rough deduction: between the Xuande and Zhengde periods of the Ming dynasty.

Lin Sicheng sighs inwardly: what a pity, no title, no signature, no colophon, no name, not even a single seal.

Even if he is quite certain this is an ancient Ming dynasty painting, or even the work of a famous master, if he were to appraise it, it would only be worth a few tens of thousands, at most not exceeding one hundred thousand.

The reason the two masters estimated it at twenty thousand is likely because they were only referring to this painting. The remaining two pieces are nine times out of ten problematic.

Thinking secretly, Lin Sicheng rolls up the scroll.

Forced by the overbearing pressure of Tang Nanjin, Jing Zeyang is as anxious as a cat scratching in his heart, yet he has not dared to speak. Seeing Lin Sicheng finally free, he immediately mutters: "Cousin Lin, didn't you say we were going to look at the Imperial Edict?"

"Why do you care which one we look at first? Even if I let you look, you wouldn't understand, and you have so much nonsense to say!" Tang Nanjin glares, "If you don't want to look, get out of the way!"

Jing Zeyang pouts and dares not make a sound.

Tang Nanjin points to the scroll again: "Sicheng, what do you think?"

"The painting is quite good, and the age is old enough, but it's a pity, no signature, no colophon—"

Before he can finish, the young man's eyes light up: "My fellow countryman is sharp; this was passed down by my ancestors, of course it's old enough!"

Lin Sicheng nods: "Have you had anyone look at it? Do you know who painted it?"

"I've had it looked at. I don't know who painted it, but it definitely came from the hands of a Ming dynasty court painter." The young man speaks with conviction, "My ancestor was a high official; it must have been a gift from the Emperor!"

Lin Sicheng says nothing, just smiles: if it were an Imperial Gift, it might depict flowers, birds, or perhaps rocks, bamboo, pines, beasts, or even people, but it would certainly not be a massive landscape.

It could not have flowed out of the palace either: if it were painted by imperial decree, court painters would only use tribute paper. If it were a personal creation, they would only use the leather Xuan paper popular among the common people in Beijing during the Ming dynasty.

Like the Shaanxi-style North Xuan, it basically would not flow to Beijing—

The two masters also say nothing: whether they come here for appraisal or to sell things, ninety-nine out of a hundred will pat their chests:

This is an heirloom of mine.

Don't believe me?

Let me tell you the history: how my ancestors were this and that, how this and that—

The item is indeed quite old, but no matter how good the painting is, even if it really is the work of a famous master, what is the use if you don't know who painted it?

Being able to offer twenty thousand is still out of their own selfish desire to take it back and work on it. If they followed the shop's rules: anonymous works are never accepted—

Because the young man warned in advance that if they wanted to take the three pieces, they must take them all together, he does not ask Lin Sicheng if he wants them, but instead unrolls another scroll: "Fellow countryman, let me broaden your horizons!"

As he speaks, the scroll is spread out, and the few of them lean forward in unison.

Taking a close look, Lin Sicheng's eyes light up.

It is extremely long; the three-meter-long coffee table is not enough, and at least a small half of the scroll remains unrolled. The total length is at least four point five or six meters.

But it is extremely narrow, about thirty centimeters.

The key is that there are many colors, from right to left: white, blue, yellow, light Jiang, and red.

First look at the signature: November 23rd, the third year of Hongzhi. Then look at the seals: "Seal of the Secretariat", "Treasure of Vast Fortune".

Then look at the content: By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The state has established laws; when ministers labor for the affairs of the state, the monarch must extend grace to honor their ancestors—

The Minister of Personnel oversees all officials and balances the four seas; the Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent assists the Crown Prince to secure the foundation of the state. You, Crown Prince's Grand Guardian and Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Wang Shu, a veteran of three reigns—now specially granted the title of Specially Promoted Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, and your wife, of the Li Clan, is granted the title of Lady of the First Rank—

Nearly two hundred words are written in a flowing hand, mostly words of praise, with one central idea: appointing Minister of the Ministry of Personnel Wang Shu as Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, and granting his wife, of the Li Clan, the title of Lady of the First Rank.

Who is Wang Shu?

A man from Sanyuan, Shaanxi (belonging to Xianyang), a Jinshi of the thirteenth year of Zhengtong, who served successively as a Bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, Left Evaluator of the Dali Temple (in charge of criminal law, Official Rank), promoted to Left Vice Director of the Court (Official Rank), and also served as Prefect of Yangzhou, Provincial Administration Commissioner of Jiangxi, Governor of Henan, Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice in Nanjing, Left Vice Censor-in-Chief, Minister of the Ministry of War in Nanjing concurrently serving as Left Vice Censor-in-Chief, Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and Crown Prince's Grand Guardian.

He reached the rank of Grand Preceptor concurrently serving as Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent, died in the third year of Zhengde, and was posthumously granted the titles of Specially Promoted, Left Pillar of State, and Grand Preceptor, with the posthumous name "Duanyi".

Have you ever seen a veteran of five reigns?

This is not the kind of chaotic era or end of a dynasty where emperors changed rapidly, but the relatively stable period of the Ming dynasty restoration. Counting from the Zhengtong period when he became a Jinshi to the Zhengde period when he passed away, the Ming dynasty had a total of sixteen emperors, and Wang Shu served through five reigns.

He lived to ninety-three and held nineteen official posts. Not to say there was no one before him and no one after him, but if one were to rank the veterans who served the longest in the same dynasty in ancient times, he ranks fourth.

Before him is Guo Ziyi of the Tang dynasty, and after him is Xu Jie.

Because of certain open secrets, film and television dramas do not often portray the Chenghua and Hongzhi reigns, so not many people among the common folk know of Wang Shu, but the records in the History Books are extremely numerous, and his reputation is excellent: "At the end of the twenty years of Hongzhi, the court was full of righteous men, and the profession was rectified; those who called it the peak, it was Wang Shu's effort."

The final "it was Wang Shu's effort" means it was all Wang Shu's credit.

The History of Ming also records: Wang Shu was granted titles three times, once in Chenghua, once in Hongzhi, and once in Zhengde. Looking at the content of the grant: "You, Crown Prince's Grand Guardian and Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Wang Shu, a veteran of three reigns—" this should be the second time.

Jing Zeyang studied liberal arts; he certainly knows that Hongzhi is a reign title. But he used all his cleverness on his lower body, playing much more than he studied; as for who Wang Shu is, he truly has no impression.

But what he is concerned with is not Wang Shu, but this grant.

"Cousin Lin, does this count as an Imperial Edict?"

Lin Sicheng nods: "It counts."

There are seven types of Ming dynasty Imperial Edicts: the first is the Edict, which is to announce to the world, for enthronement, accession, sacrifices to Heaven, sacrifices to ancestors, self-reproach, and seeking talent.

The second is the Certificate, narrating merits, exempting from death. The Iron Certificate of Lin Yangcheng that Lin Sicheng picked up in Xijing is of this type.

The third is the Register, for conferring titles on princes, concubines, heirs, princesses, and commandery princesses; it is used exclusively by the imperial clan. The fourth is the Edict, specifically the Central Edict, which has no Cabinet drafting and no secondary signatures from the Six Ministries.

The fifth is the Instruction, used for the appointment, dismissal, and commendation of officials, and for the admonishment of vassal kings.

The sixth is the Proclamation, for conferring titles on the living; the one before our eyes is this. The seventh is the Command, for posthumous titles for the deceased.

This piece is indeed an Imperial Edict, but it is not the specific type referred to in folk tales and television dramas, so its price is relatively low.

But no matter how low, it is impossible for it to be worth only 500,000—

Yan Wenjing leaned in a little: "Is it real?"

"Probably doubtful!" Jing Zeyang shook his head, "Whose Imperial Edict would sell for only 500,000?"

Suddenly, the young man curled his lip, a swear word on the tip of his tongue, only to be glared back by his mother.

The words were unpleasant to hear, but as the old saying goes: cheap goods are never good, so one cannot blame others for being suspicious.

Several people looked at Lin Sicheng, meaning to ask whether it was real or fake.

Lin Sicheng did not answer directly, but picked up the flashlight and magnifying glass: "I haven't seen many of these; I need to take a close look before I can say!"

""

The group was completely stunned.

Then they felt relieved: who could see this thing often?

Counting the people standing in this circle, every one of them was a genuine Beijing native, and their families had more officials than the next.

For example, Tang Nanjin and Tang Nanyan, their family backgrounds are good enough, so ask them if they have ever seen such a thing?

Jing Zeyang's uncle and father are both high-ranking officials, ask him if he has seen it?

No matter how professional Lin Sicheng is, or how much he knows, he still needs the opportunity to understand it.

While pondering, he picked up the magnifying glass again and looked at it carefully.

The two master craftsmen twitched their lips: something that is fake at a glance, is it still worth looking at?

The pattern is correct: Gold Tracing cloud, crane, and double dragon patterns. The roller ends are also correct, gilded copper dragon heads inlaid with Lapis Lazuli, and the end covers are made of brocade peacock feather thread.

But the format is wrong, the wording is wrong, and the seal is even more wrong.

Except for Certificates and Registers written on jade or metal, Edicts, Instructions, Proclamations, and Commands are all written on silk or paper. Whatever type the document is, the wording must match.

To put it bluntly, if it is an Edict, it says "The Edict says," if it is a Regulation, it says "The Regulation says," and a Proclamation says "The Proclamation says."

This is a Proclamation, yet you use "Regulation" says?

Secondly, the seal: since it is a Proclamation, it must use a Proclamation seal, such as "Treasure of Proclamations" or "Treasure of Commands and Proclamations," but this one has "Treasure of Vast Fortune"?

This seal is an Instruction seal used exclusively by the Ming Dynasty Emperor to issue Central Edicts; it cannot be stamped on a Proclamation.

And the most critical point is the color of the silk. The Great Ming Collected Statutes states: Proclamations use plain silk with double crane brocade patterns (solid color), with crimson for ranks one through five, and blue for below rank five.

Yet this one is made in five colors?

Therefore, even if other parts are imitated well, this thing is fake.

The only difference is that other imitations are mostly modern, while this one is an ancient imitation, which is why it looks so old.

But Lin Sicheng was looking at it extremely seriously.

At first glance, it seems plausible but is actually incongruous; the wording is indeed a bit problematic, and the colors are indeed too flashy. If one only saw this much: this item is undoubtedly an imitation.

But Lin Sicheng could at least be certain: this is genuine light-transmitting flower-carving silk made by the Ministry of Rites of the Great Ming.

The Great Ming Collected Statutes: (Silk for decrees) is dyed before weaving; the crimson color is based on Sappanwood, and the dyer takes water from the Gan River at the beginning of spring, soaking and exposing it seven times—

The roller ends are correct, the mounting is correct, and the ink is also correct: imperial tribute ink from the Ming court: pine soot, fish glue, Pearl Powder, Gold Foil flakes, and it even contains musk powder.

The ink paste is also correct: cinnabar, honey, castor oil, and added Gold Powder—

More importantly: Lin Sicheng had seen this item in his previous life.

I forget if it was 2021 or 2022, the Shaanxi Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and the Shaanxi Cultural Relics Bureau jointly held the "Splendid Dust-Free, Shaanxi Cultural Relics Touring Exhibition" event.

This touring exhibition was quite unique: the exhibition venue was at the Shaanxi History Museum, but the items were temporarily collected from various municipal museums.

Relatively speaking, the appraisal capabilities of the cities were somewhat lacking, and fearing mistakes or becoming a laughingstock, the Shaanxi History Museum and the Cultural Relics Bureau specially invited experts of various categories to re-appraise the cultural relics before the exhibition.

At that time, the Tongchuan Museum sent three items. One piece of porcelain: a Northern Song Dynasty celadon Plum Vase with Carving Flowers, one stone carving: a Northern Wei Buddha Statue Stele. The third item was this Proclamation.

It is no exaggeration to say that when this thing was first taken out, a group of experts argued until they were red in the face: because the silk was correct, the rollers were correct, the ink was correct, and the ink paste was correct, and even the age and degree of aging were not a problem.

There was only one point: the color and format of the silk were wrong.

What was even more fatal was that there was no record in historical materials: neither the Veritable Records of the Ming, the Ming Daily Records, nor the memorials and reports contained any record of this conferral.

The other three times were clear: Wang Shu was first conferred a Proclamation in the twenty-second year of Chenghua, the second conferral was in the ninth year of Hongzhi, and the third was in the first year of Zhengde.

This time in the third year of Hongzhi simply could not be found.

Lin Sicheng studied a wide variety of things and even spent eight years in the Forbidden City, so he had studied Ming Dynasty historical materials relatively more, but he also had no impression of it. However, he was more inclined to believe that this Proclamation should be authentic: because no matter how he looked at it, he could not find any traces of imitation.

Since all other possibilities were invalid, the most impossible hypothesis was the only answer.

But his word alone did not count, and most experts believed that this should be an imitation from the late Ming or early Qing: it used Ming Dynasty tribute silk, Ming Dynasty tribute ink, and even palace tribute jade, but the person who forged it did not study the Great Ming Collected Statutes deeply and got the format wrong.

Some even blindly guessed: it might have been made by Xiang Yuanbian, the largest antique dealer and forger in China during the Wanli period.

A group of experts argued endlessly and could not reach a conclusion. Finally, it was sent to the Forbidden City overnight, and experts were invited to take a look and test it with machines. The result: it was undoubtedly authentic, a Proclamation for Wang Shu of the Great Ming—

Therefore, Lin Sicheng at this moment was unusually strange: the origin of this item was exceptionally tortuous, one could say it had gone through many twists and turns. That it could return to the country was entirely due to luck.

Lin Sicheng never thought that after living a second life, it could actually fall into his hands?

Even if it is only a Proclamation of relatively low value, no matter how low, this thing is still an Imperial Edict, and it only costs 500,000?

A huge bargain—

Over and over, carefully and meticulously, after looking at it for nearly ten minutes, Lin Sicheng finally straightened his back.

That's right, it is the one from Tongchuan—