Chapter 11: The Way of Being an Official

  Before long, a sixty-year-old man with gold-rimmed glasses came in, knocking on the door. He was refined and courteous, looking like a scholar.

  Lao Liu smiled and asked: "Teacher Wang, is there something?"

  "King expert waved his hand and pointed at the Spring Palace in his hand, exclaiming excitedly: 'Old Liu, come take a look.'"

  Old Liu is the director of the Provincial Museum and a connoisseur of calligraphy and painting. Wang, an expert who used to work at the Capital Museum, is now a specially appointed consultant at the Provincial Museum.

  Director Liu knew he had stumbled upon something good when Wang Lao specially called him over to take a look at a painting. Director Liu sat down beside Wang Lao, took the magnifying glass and began to examine it carefully.

  When the two were looking at the painting, Jin Baozi also came over. His specialty was ceramics, but as an antique appraiser, he also had some knowledge of calligraphy and painting. Seeing the two authorities studying the ancient painting so seriously, Jin Baozi naturally understood that this painting was extraordinary, and its value was self-evident! He had just taught this young man not to have any illusions about getting rich overnight, but he didn't expect this young man to really have such good fortune!

  Han Qin looked at Song Wenfei's blushing face and was also at a loss for words, so he could only awkwardly smile.

  In fact, Song Wenfei didn't have any other ideas when Han Qin took out this spring painting. After all, it was just an ancient painting and couldn't explain what kind of person its owner was, it was just a sudden instinctive reaction!

  After a few minutes, the two masters locked eyes and nodded in unison.

  "Ah, young master," said Director Liu with a smile, "can you tell me where this painting came from?"

  Seeing the two experts being so serious, Han Qin had a number in his mind. It seemed that this Spring Palace was very likely to be the work of Tang Bohu. Hearing Director Liu ask this question, Han Qin originally wanted to tell the truth, that he had also picked it up from the antique market. But when the words reached his lips, Han Qin changed his mind.

  Many things, when fake becomes true, the truth also becomes false. If I say that this painting is actually something I picked up from the market, people will think that I'm too lucky, and that all good things have come to me? Of course, they'll think I'm lying!

  Han Qin smiled and replied, "This painting should have been passed down from our ancestors. This year, when we were renovating the old house, I accidentally found it on a beam in the attic, wrapped in wax paper. I heard my grandfather say that our ancestors followed Li Zicheng to participate in the peasant uprising, and after breaking into the Imperial City of Beijing, they even entered the palace and got many good things, but most of them have been lost." Han Qin was confident in his storytelling skills!

  Hearing what Han Qin said, the two experts looked at each other and nodded in agreement. This was right, only something from the palace could produce such a thing!

  Liu Guanzhang smiled and said, "Young man, your ancestors have left you a good thing! Let me tell you clearly, I and Wang Lao have made a preliminary appraisal, this Spring Palace should be the work of Ming Dynasty's great painter Tang Yin, it is one of the 'Wind Flowing and Joyful Pictures', it is a good thing! The 'Wind Flowing and Joyful Pictures' has been lost for hundreds of years, it is said that it was once collected by Yan Shifan, after Yan Shifan was killed, this album was taken into the palace, later when Li Zicheng captured Beijing, it disappeared. This painting has solved a historical case!"

  Han Qin studied history and never thought his fabrications would inadvertently complete a circle in history!

  After a pause, Director Liu asked: "Young man, are you willing to sell this painting? If you have the intention, the Provincial Museum is willing to collect it and we will give you a fair price!"

  "After a moment's thought, Han Qin said: 'The best destination for this painting is to enter the museum. I am willing to transfer it.'"

  Director Liu was overjoyed and nodded his head, saying: "Young man, you indeed have a deep understanding of the grand justice! Our expert group will discuss it and contact you soon!"

  Leaving the expert's room, Han Qin said sincerely: "Song Wenfei, thank you. This painting of mine may sell for over a million, and I'll become a millionaire! Let me treat you to a cup of coffee first."

  Song Wenfei didn't decline, smiling and saying: "Originally it should have been me treating you, since you're about to become a millionaire, I won't be polite." The two of them said this as they entered the coffee shop inside the exhibition center.

  Han Qin looked at Song Wenfei, the word "million" came out of her mouth, as if it was just a number, without any surprise or envy! Han Qin took a deep breath, it seemed that this girl was like Yu Lei, not rich and noble!

  After the coffee arrived, Song Wenfei took out a recorder and smiled lightly: "Let's chat while we drink, tell me some stories about collecting!"

  Han Qin worked in the Oriental antique market for four years, and the anecdotes about antique collecting could be packed into a sack. Han Qin told stories about spotting and picking up antiques, and Song Wenfei was so engrossed that she forgot to drink her coffee!

  After organizing the interview notes, Song Wenfei seemed to ask casually: "Han Qin, you're a senior this year, have you found a job unit?"

  Han Qin replied: "I have already signed up for the civil service examination."

  "Really? What position?" Song Wenfei asked softly.

  Han Qin took a sip of coffee and smiled: "Municipal government secretary."

  Song Wenfei smiled and said: "Want to be an official, huh!" After a pause, Song Wenfei looked at Han Qin and said meaningfully: "I feel that you are not suitable for being an official!"

  Han Qin asked: "What's wrong? Don't you see I have no official rank?"

  Song Wenfei gently shook her head and smiled, "Where, where. I'm just casually saying this. Being an official isn't easy either! Haven't you heard people say that there are three essential skills for being an official that absolutely can't be lacking? A thick skin, a sweet mouth, and diligent legs. Take a look at yourself, do you have these qualities?"

  Look at Song Wenfei, Han Qin secretly admired her. This kind of problem was not what girls usually cared about, but Song Wenfei seemed to be able to grasp the essence with ease, deeply understanding its subtleties.

  Han Qin smiled and said, "Great journalist, I remember a famous person once said that the easiest job in this world is being an official. Nowadays everyone also says that even a fool can be a good US president. But you say being an official isn't easy either, surely you have your own high theory, can you tell us about it?"

  Song Wenfei pursed her lips, seemingly unwilling to continue the conversation. After a pause, she continued: "A politician once said that officialdom is like a game of chess. Your pieces are no fewer than your opponent's, and nobody forces you to make any particular move. In the end, whether you win or lose depends on every step you take yourself. Sounds profound, doesn't it? It's not easy to play this game well!"

  After saying that, Song Wenfei found Han Qin staring at her in surprise and quickly said: "These aren't my summaries, I don't have this skill."

  Han Qin smiled and said: "If you go into politics, you might become a great statesman."

  Song Wenfei smiled: "The officialdom and the battlefield are all men's territory. Since you have decided to take this path, I hope you can be a good official!"

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