Chapter 3, Lu Li

In the courtyard, there are pear blossoms and a pond, where the green bamboo sways and casts its shadow. The leaves, touched by water, hold the moonlight. A gentle breeze arrives, blowing away the heat of early summer

Two thousand two, this post is mine

About half a month has passed, and every time Gu Qing meets Lu Li, the location is different. The only similarity is that each courtyard appears particularly affluent

He claims to be afraid, yet there is not the slightest hint of fear in his expression

In the past, he had copied many times, but none were as good as this time

Xiao Hong has appeared

Lu Li chuckled and said, "Is that all? If you want the courtyard, I can simply give it to you."

Lu Li has also become familiar with Gu Qing during this period

Certainly not, he has already used his fists to strike some individuals, and the ordinary people here are not much different from those in the past world

She began to write

Gu Qing hesitated somewhat; he actually wanted to say that even if his eyes were covered, it would be of no use. He had learned many skills and could roughly determine the places he had been to based on sound, smell, directional sense, and many other details

Gu Qingdao: "You may copy this post, but it cannot be given to you"

Over a hundred characters, completed in an instant. Meticulous and precise, with a profound spirit hidden within, the strokes are square yet rounded, transcending the mundane and standing apart from the world. Lu Li glanced at Gu Qing's calligraphy, then looked at his own writing, and subsequently tore up his own work.

Lu Li greatly enjoyed watching Gu Qing in a state of entanglement. After a while, seeing that Gu Qing did not respond, she said: "Gu Qing, you should have an extraordinary life. Have you ever thought about it?"

Gu Qing removed the white paper, and the ink had already seeped through the paper into the table.

At the same time, Gu Qing also noticed that Lu Li had a good appreciation ability, but his understanding of calligraphy was indeed quite superficial. However, he somewhat understood this, as being surrounded by antique calligraphy and paintings in such an environment would naturally enhance one's appreciation level

Lu Li said: "Actually, I have investigated you, and you have piqued my curiosity. However, it is merely curiosity. I am about to leave Jiangcheng; what are your plans?"

Gu Qing wanted to say no, but what if the courtyard that Lu Li offered was too valuable? It seemed rather inappropriate to decline.

These skills, though long unused by him, have become a kind of instinct that can be awakened when needed

The young lady smiled gently and said, "Are you not afraid that I invited you in this manner? You still think about money."

Too ugly

However, Xiao Hong unceremoniously covered Gu Qing's eyes.

The crooked and uneven strokes barely allow one to recognize what these two characters are.

She saw Gu Qing and was still very pleased, saying: "Miss, you finally have time today, I will take you to meet her"

Gu Qing : `` ... ... ''

He always has a habitual feeling that he will not live much longer, although considering the circumstances, he could still live for quite a while

Lu Li said: "I will offer three hundred taels of silver"

Moreover, the furnishings in this courtyard are by no means of lesser value than those of that painted boat

Gu Qingdao: "No."

Is it that the people in this world possess great strength

Gu Qingdao: "There is one point."

The carriage steadily traveled along the street, passing by many places. However, Gu Qing was aware that some of these places were repeated. After going around countless circles, the carriage came to a stop in a courtyard

There was also a swing woven from green vines, where a young lady sat swaying. She was still veiled, and upon seeing Gu Qing, she said: "I haven't sought you out these past few days due to some matters."

After all, his calligraphy will be extraordinarily valuable after his death

On that day, Lu Li asked, "You must be very curious about my identity, right?"

Lu Li puts great effort into learning calligraphy

Two thousand taels of silver clearly cannot be given directly to Gu Qing; what Lu Li provided was a banknote issued by Wantong Bank. Even in the past, A Qing had heard of Wantong Bank, which is the largest bank in the world, and this two thousand taels banknote can definitely be redeemed.

A carriage was parked outside, and Xiao Hong invited Gu Qing to get in. She also took a piece of black cloth and said apologetically, "The place we are going to this time is not something the young lady wishes anyone to know about, so please cover your eyes for now."

He finds it hard to imagine that a delicate woman could write with such strength

Luli

They entered the room, which was brightly lit, indistinguishable from daylight

He pondered for a moment and said, "But it requires additional payment"

Lu Li obviously possesses more than just the painted boat, the place he resides, and this courtyard

Gu Qing rubbed his hands; this is part of the beginning of the inscription from Huadu Temple. The writing is vigorous yet restrained, and it requires considerable effort to produce. However, the entire piece, once completed, is sufficient to be passed down through generations. Even though he is currently penniless, the intrinsic artistic value of the work is exceptionally high, enough to command a substantial price from many connoisseurs.

Gu Qing shook his head, took a piece of white paper, and wrote the following passage: "It is said that the value of human spirit is precious, the celestial phenomena are dependent on it, and the harmony of benevolence and righteousness is inherent. One is moved by the beauty of mountains and rivers, exhausts reason and nature, and penetrates the subtle and the obscure. Those who study their thoughts are numerous, while those who follow the path are of three teachings. Although they originate from different sources and have different approaches, they gather in groups and divide into factions. Some strive broadly but achieve little, laboring with little significance; when literature prevails, history is overshadowed, and when rituals become cumbersome, they lead to corruption. Others control cranes and ride phoenixes, receiving the whispers of the wind; they dine on the glow of the clouds and are mocked for capturing shadows. As for the methods of observing responses and understanding the transformations of life and death, with great compassion and broad benevolence, they aim to benefit all beings, expressing the utmost marvels in their words, establishing virtue as the foundation of the original teachings, which is solely the true nature of the teachings."

A person who possesses too much finds it difficult to be particularly ambitious

Gu Qingdao: "Its value cannot be measured in monetary terms"

A sheet of white paper is spread out on the desk

At night, Gu Qing returned to have dinner as usual

That was a cat's face, a black cat. However, Gu Qing had never seen Xiao Hong and that young lady on the pleasure boat

In light of the silver, Gu Qing began to explain the calligraphy manual. He spoke in great detail, and Lu Li was quite clever; within just two or three days, she had learned it quite well.

In the past, there was often a gap between one's aspirations and one's abilities

However, he is more curious about what Lu Li intends to achieve by studying calligraphy

The patterns on the outside of the boat were clearly visible to Gu Qingdu.

It is indeed related to his current physical condition

Lu Li then unabashedly praised, "On that day, if you had presented this piece of calligraphy, I would have undoubtedly given you one hundred taels, no, I could offer you even more; this piece is far superior to the calligraphy I have collected." What was merely a line of poetry that day has transformed into a substantial passage today, with its brushwork and structure varying greatly. If the seven characters from that day were likened to a corner of a flying eave, then this passage of text is akin to a majestic palace, its grandeur evident and incomparable.

Gu Qingdao: "I am afraid."

Lu Li said: "Have you really fallen into the eyes of money?"

Gu Qingdao: "The characters you write possess great strength"

The young lady said, "Alright, I will not harm you. Time is of the essence, let us begin."

Gu Qingdao: "You have talent, this is not difficult"

Lu Li's calligraphy has also improved significantly; if it were not for Gu Qing witnessing it with his own eyes, it would be hard to believe that a person's calligraphy skills could progress so rapidly in such a short time

Gu Qing really wanted to ask, just how wealthy is Lu Li? Now he was somewhat convinced that Lu Li was certainly not the type of courtesan, after all, no matter how rich one might be in this profession, it would be impossible to casually throw out two thousand taels of silver without batting an eye

Eight hundred taels

Few people board that painted boat; among the many painted boats on the river, its status seems quite unique, with a large expanse of river surface left open around it, and no other painted boats approaching.

"This is my name, how is my calligraphy?" the young lady said

When by the river, Gu Qing could always see that painted boat. His health was improving, and his eyesight was much better than in any previous life. He even wondered if he had somehow mutated.

Lu Li said: "I want to practice my writing to make it more beautiful"

Although he was wealthy in the past, this time he truly feels that being rich is wonderful

Gu Qingdao: "Buy a courtyard, and then purchase some farmland"

Gu Qingdao: "As long as the money is paid, that is sufficient"