Chapter Five, Feng Erniang

The three individuals in the room all bowed to the woman, with Wu Haogu and Wu Haowen respectively addressing her as "Mother" and "Young Lady"

"Mother..." Wu Haowen expressed his dissatisfaction upon hearing that his mother wanted to send him away, and added, "Just now, Zhao San Heizi came to extort money, claiming he wanted to return the painting. Eldest brother agreed to pay him seven thousand two hundred coins and also asked a high-ranking official to vouch for him..."

I did not see Lord Pan, but only his sister who guards the gate.

This woman is named Pan Qiaolian, also known as Pan Shibajie (among the women of the Pan family, she is the eighteenth in line). She is the legitimate younger sister of Pan Daguoren Pan Xiaoan, and she is only 17 years old this year. A few years ago, she was betrothed to a member of the Zhao family, but before the marriage could take place, her fiancé fell ill and passed away, leaving her as a "widow waiting at the door".

This woman is not Wu Haogu's biological mother, but rather a beautiful performer who was taken from a brothel by Wu Cheng eighteen years ago (she is a performer, not a prostitute). Initially, she was a concubine, and later she gave birth to Wu Haowen. After Wu Haogu's biological mother, Wen, passed away, she was elevated to the status of the legitimate wife by Wu Cheng. However, Wu Haogu still refers to her as "Xiaoniang" rather than "Niangqin".

However, during the Northern Song Dynasty, there were few virtuous and chaste women. This Pan Qiaolian would eventually have to marry; it was just that she could not find a suitable match at the moment. The preferred husbands for the daughters of military families in the Northern Song were members of the royal family, and Pan Qiaolian had already occupied that quota, so she naturally would not have another chance. Now, she could only wait until after the spring imperial examination in the third year of the Yuanfu era to catch a husband from the list of successful candidates, marrying a scholar-official.

Therefore, Feng Erniang has been involved in her husband Wu Chengzhi's calligraphy and painting business since she began following him, and continues to do so to this day

Not only were there noblewomen and women from scholar-official families who had a penchant for collecting paintings and calligraphy, but there were also quite a number of female painters. Among them, the more notable ones include Song Yanyan, renowned for her skill in painting flowers, grass, butterflies, and insects, as well as Madam Wang (the wife of Wang Zhicai, a court councilor), who was adept at forging fakes, even deceiving masters of forgery and authentication like Mi Fu, and Li Xiaomei (sister of Li Gongze and Li Gonglin)

You speak so lightly of it

Previously, in order to raise funds to repay the palace, Wu Cheng even pawned two paintings by Wu Zongyuan and two paintings by Huang Juzheng from his own collection, along with a copy of Mi Fu's "Mid-Autumn Letter" after Wang Xianzhi, to the pawnshop affiliated with the Pan family's gold, silver, silk, and satin business. After Wu Cheng and Wu Haogu were imprisoned in the Kaifeng Prefecture jail, Feng Erniang repeatedly went to plead with Master Pan to find a way to rescue them

She refers to her own son as "Second Brother". To later generations, this sounds very strange, but this is how people in the Song Dynasty addressed each other.

Having sent away Wu Haowen and Liu Wuji, only Feng Eniang and Wu Haogu, the "mother and son" duo, remained in the Wu family's painting studio

Consequently, a considerable number of talented individuals aspiring to the imperial examination choose to marry later, so that they can immediately wed a wealthy and beautiful woman after achieving high honors.

Which high-ranking official?

Ah, mother

Seeing Gao Qiu about to leave, Wu Haogu did not keep him but personally saw him off. Upon returning to the painting studio, the onlookers had also dispersed. Only Liu Wuji was helping Wu Haowen prepare for the shop's opening. When Wu Haogu returned, Wu Haowen said with a hint of reproach: "Elder brother, why did you agree to that scoundrel Zhao Sanhezi's offer of seven thousand two hundred coins?"

Today, Feng Erniang appeared somewhat anxious and urgently questioned her own son: "Er Ge'er, you just mentioned a high-ranking official? Who is he?"

Therefore, the bookstores and antique shops on Panlou Street are merely the starting point for large transactions, while the completion of these transactions typically takes place at the gold, silver, silk, and brocade exchange shops on Jieshen Alley

Wuji has met Madam Wu

Although Wu Haowen was not much involved in the family business of calligraphy and painting, his mother, Feng Eniang, had been supporting her husband in the art market. This was because the Neo-Confucianism of the Northern Song Dynasty had not yet flourished, and the social atmosphere was far less conservative than that of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, allowing women a more prominent role in the calligraphy, painting, and cultural artifacts market

Did Prince Wang also get involved? Feng Erniang furrowed her delicate brows, thought for a moment, and then smiled at Liu Wuji, saying, "Xiao Yige, please take care to go out and find some food."

The reason why Panlou Street can become the largest market for calligraphy, painting, and cultural artifacts in Kaifeng Prefecture is actually related to the existence of Jieshen Alley

"Do you really need to ask this question when you know he is a Sanheizi?" Wu Haogu chuckled awkwardly, "Moreover, 7,200 coins is not an excessively large sum; there are always ways to raise it."

Wu Haowen shot a glare at his brother. Although he and Hao Gu were brothers, they were not born of the same mother and had not been very close in the past

However, Pan Qiaolian is not an ordinary wealthy beauty; she is a highly capable and resourceful one. Ever since she became a "widow" by guarding the family door, she has been learning the business from her brother, Pan Xiaoan. The siblings manage a shop dealing in gold, silver, and silk in the neighborhood together. Whoever marries her in the future will surely have a virtuous and capable partner who can manage the household well

Due to the fact that transactions involving calligraphy, painting, and cultural artifacts often amount to thousands of strings of cash, such large-scale transactions cannot be conducted using copper coins; otherwise, merely counting and transporting the money would be exceedingly troublesome. Therefore, high-value silver ingots, gold ingots, salt vouchers, and tea vouchers serve as the primary "currencies" in the market for calligraphy, painting, and cultural artifacts. Consequently, the process of exchange and settlement is indispensable for conducting transactions with these currencies.

"Er Lang, the son-in-law Wang, and the governor have all come forward." Liu Wuji noticed some discomfort between the two brothers and intended to leave, but before departing, he couldn't help but mention one more thing.

Considering the current proportion of the Song Dynasty's economy in the world, Jieshen Alley is almost a global financial center, where it is truly a gathering place for the big players!

Additionally, the business of calligraphy and painting, as well as cultural artifacts, often requires substantial amounts of capital, and storage and credit are also indispensable

Jieshen Alley is located just south of Panlou Street. It is a relatively short alley, yet its significance is by no means inferior to that of commercial streets such as Panlou Street and Moxing Street. This is because it served as the "Wall Street" of the 11th century, the financial center of the Song Dynasty

As Wu Haowen's words fell, a clear and melodious female voice was heard from outside. Immediately after, the door opened, and a fragrant aroma wafted in, accompanied by the swaying of her skirt and the gentle jingling of her ornaments, as a bright and charming woman entered.

It turns out that this woman is the wife of the esteemed official Wu Da, known as Feng Erniang, who is detained in the Kaifeng Prefecture. However, the term "little lady" used by Wu Haogu does not refer to Feng Erniang's nickname, but rather means "little mother".

With the presence of female collectors and artists in the field of calligraphy and painting, it is only natural that there is also a place for female calligraphy and painting dealers who facilitate interactions with them

In the Northern Song Dynasty, the successful candidates in the imperial examination were often the preferred choices of wealthy and powerful families. As long as the candidates came from families without any disgrace, they would typically gain both the "golden house" and the "beauty like jade" as a package deal.

"Mother," Wu Haowen replied, "the tall official claims to be a minor clerk from the Duke Wang's governor's office."

Moreover, Wu Haowen is studying Confucianism. Although he is only sixteen or seventeen years old, he has already been admitted to the Kaifeng Academy. In the future, it is not just a matter of passing the imperial examination; there is still hope for entering the Taixue. Currently, the Song Dynasty implements a dual system of "San She Qu Shi" (which refers to the Taixue selection) and "Ke Ju Qu Shi". As long as one can enter the Taixue, there is a high probability of becoming a civil official in the future. Therefore, the promising Wu Erlang looks down upon Wu Dalang, who can only be a merchant of calligraphy and painting.

After all, in today's world where everything is of inferior quality, only reading holds high esteem in the great Song Dynasty

The esteemed gentleman Pan is named Pan Xiao'an, a descendant of Pan Mei, a meritorious minister of the Northern Song Dynasty. He is a "tiger of a military family" and has a military official position obtained through patronage, currently serving as a ceremonial official of the eighth rank. At the same time, he is a prominent merchant, managing the Pan family's gold, silver, and silk trading shop in Jieshen Alley, which is equivalent to a bank.

Upon hearing Feng Erniang's words, a delicate and charming figure immediately emerged in Wu Haogu's mind. She had skin as white as snow, a tall and graceful stature, and a heart-shaped face that was both pretty and alluring. On her fair chin, there was a small red mole, and she always seemed to be accompanied by a beautiful young girl dressed in white.

What did Master Pan say?" Wu Haogu hurriedly asked.

"San Heizi" is the nickname of Zhao Tieniu, meaning having a dark face, a dark heart, and dark hands

little girl

Today, Feng Erniang had actually gone to the Kaifeng Prefecture prison. She forced a smile and said: "At least everything is still intact; I have spent all the necessary money, and the officials and constables of the Kaifeng Prefecture have received quite a bit. Therefore, I did not suffer too much hardship, but I am still worried about my home and the painting studio... When I returned from the yamen, I also went to Jieshen Alley, hoping to ask Lord Pan to lend a hand and provide some assistance."

"Little girl," Wu Haogu asked, "Is father doing well in the Kaifeng Prefecture prison?"

Wu Haogu closed the doors and windows, carefully lit two white candles, and then sat opposite "Little Mother" Feng Eryang inside the shop.

"Go on, go on, 7,200 coins won't be a challenge for your brother." Feng Erniang waved her hand, "Just bring me and your elder brother some food later."

Wu Haowen asked: "Can that tall official help us"

Seven thousand two hundred coins is indeed not a large sum, but that is in reference to the Wu family before their misfortunes. Now, let alone seven thousand two hundred coins, even seven hundred twenty coins are not so easily obtainable.

Upon hearing this, Wu Haogu and Liu Wuji both shook their heads. Although the Confucian studies of the Wu family’s second son are commendable, his life experience is still too lacking; even now, he does not understand what crime the Wu family has committed.

... ...