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Chapter 373 - 373: Emperor Li Shimin’s One is Fake! The True Artifact Is in Luo Feng’s Hands! (2)
Chapter 373 - 373: Emperor Li Shimin’s One is Fake! The True Artifact Is in Luo Feng’s Hands! (2)
Chapter 373: Emperor Li Shimin’s One is Fake! The True Artifact Is in Luo Feng’s Hands! (2)
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Indeed, there was something lacking within that artistic conception, or perhaps, one might better define it as an absence of certain emotional richness.
What has allowed the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion to maintain its status as the supreme piece of calligraphy throughout all time?
Because its creative environment was uniquely unrepeatable.
The backdrop was the Orchid Pavilion at Kuaiji Mountain, a gathering hub for poets and calligraphers, where they congregated to drink and indulge in the craft of poetry.
Upon their turn, each participant would compose a poem; failure to do so resulted in the obligation to drink three cups of wine.
The event boasted the presence of over forty scholars, collectively generating thirty-seven poems.
This was the renowned Orchid Pavilion Gathering, an event revered across the epochs.
As previously stated, there is no distinction between the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion and the Orchid Pavilion Gathering; they are one and the same.
Consequently, under such unique circumstances, the intense emotion infused within every stroke and character is impossible to replicate.
It parallels the spirit of Li Bai post-drinking, which empowered him to create excellent poetry—an attribute indissociable from the surrounding atmosphere.
In the absence of this ambiance, his creativity might have been stifled.
Thus, the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion presents an insurmountable mountain for future calligraphers, a masterpiece to be admired but not replicated.
“Regarding this Orchid Pavilion Preface, Chairman, would you consider it authentic?”
Within the confines of the Beijing Calligraphy Association,
Everyone congregated around a large projector which was tuned into Luo Feng’s live stream.
“As far as the calligraphy is concerned, it’s indisputably the work of a great master. The strokes resonate strongly with Wang’s style! However, it lacks a certain emotional depth!”
“I concur, it doesn’t quite give the impression of a genuine artifact!”
“I align with your views! There’s an absence of vitality!” A general sense of disappointment clouded the room.
Was this not an original?
Yet, in the midst of the disheartenment, Chairman Li received a call—it was Director Su from Taiwan.
“Chairman Li, have you examined that autobiographical piece?”
“I have. What of it?”
“Could you discern if it’s genuine?”
“I hadn’t scrutinized it closely!”
Chairman Li chuckled, decoding Director Su’s underlying intentions.
Su hoped that Li would debunk Luo Feng’s Autobiographical Essay piece as a forgery.
If that were the case, their museum’s item would still be deemed the true copy.
“Upon a cursory glance, it’s genuine! Such a spirit is inimitable. If this is a copy, then the craftsmanship surpasses that of the original!”
Chairman Li offered this response to Director Su after a brief examination, leaving her utterly dumbfounded.
She was well aware of Chairman Li’s expertise and authority. If he deemed it real, then the chances of error were scant…
“Little Luo, any findings?
Gu Santong inquired anxiously. His understanding of calligraphy was rudimentary, yet he could appreciate that the writing was of high quality. “Yes, Little Luo, any insights? Is it an authentic piece?”
Zhang Shao Wei, while somewhat knowledgeable about this field, was no expert. He could grasp the basics, but anything more nuanced left him floundering.
In that moment, both men fixed their expectant gaze on Luo Feng.
Awaiting Luo Feng’s verdict.
It wasn’t just them — every member of the archaeological team and virtually everyone online was holding their breath for Luo Feng’s response.
Caught in their hopeful stare, Luo Feng felt compelled to answer, “It’s not an original, but a copy!” A copy?
Upon hearing those words,
The once excited crowd, fell into a sudden hush.
A shared sigh.
Was it merely a copy?
“However, something appears to be amiss!”
Having delivered the disheartening news, Luo Feng then extended a ray of hope. “What do you mean by ‘amiss’?”
“What’s wrong with it?”
Luo Feng shook his head, “I’m uncertain as of now!”
In truth, Luo Feng was also stumped.
Judging purely from the characters, this was an impeccable example of Wang’s style. Not an imitation of Wang Xizhi’s handwriting, but a Wang-style calligraphy honed through years of natural practice from childhood.
It exuded maturity and lacked artificiality.
But the overall Orchid Pavilion Preface was devoid of intense emotion and atmosphere—it was all form, no spirit.
Yet, the system’s prompt left Luo Feng in a state of perplexity. Why would a copy be invaluable?
Could it be?
Could it hold greater worth than the original?
Such a thought bordered on absurdity.
In the realm of calligraphic cultural relics, what copy had ever surpassed the original?
So Luo Feng surmised, this Orchid Pavilion Preface must indeed harbor some anomaly…
Swiftly, Luo Feng found himself scrutinizing each character one by one… admiring them…
In hopes of unearthing some clues.
“This calligraphy undulates like clouds and water, converging towards the center!”
“An exquisite fusion of firmness and flexibility!”
“It indeed bears the hallmarks of Wang Xizhi’s calligraphy!”
“And the technique is mature, revealing unique elements, devoid of any signs of forced imitation of Wang Xizhi!”
“This is genuinely perplexing!”
Luo Feng stroked his chin, befuddled.
Meanwhile, outside the live broadcasting room, a cohort of calligraphers engrossed in Luo Feng’s analyses were beginning to share his confusion.
“This young man’s understanding of calligraphy is profound! It’s seldom that such depth of insight is seen at such a young age!”
“To identify these issues so promptly, his expertise could probably rank him among the top twenty nationally, right?”
“Undoubtedly, he could. Among us present, how many could spot the problem as swiftly?”
“In all honesty, I share his puzzlement. While it does lack in atmosphere, the brushwork betrays no signs of deliberate imitation. The characteristics of Wang’s style are conspicuously present!”
“So Chairman Li, could this possibly be the work of Wang Xizhi’s descendants?
A practice piece perhaps?”