“Urgent report! Inform His Excellency at once—the Imperial Maritime Inspector, Lord Zhao Wenhua, has arrived at the Governor’s Office!” A guard rushed to the Zhejiang Army camp, delivering the message urgently at the entrance.
Upon receiving the news, Zhu Ping’an had no choice but to leave the army camp in haste and return to the Governor’s Office to pay his respects to Zhao Wenhua.
It’s better to offend a gentleman than a petty man, especially someone like Zhao Wenhua, who would hold significant influence over江南’s political landscape in the near future. Offending him would hinder Zhu Ping’an’s ability to operate effectively in the region, making it difficult to achieve his ambitions.
Thus, upon hearing of Zhao Wenhua’s arrival, Zhu Ping’an immediately rode back to the Governor’s Office.
At the office, Zhu Ping’an dismounted, handed his horse to a guard, and hurried toward the main hall.
The hall’s doors were open, and from a distance, he saw Zhao Wenhua and Hu Zongxian seated, sipping tea and chatting about current affairs.
“This student pays respects to Master Zhao. Master Zhao, accompanied by Lord Hu, has graced us with your guidance. I was inspecting the Zhejiang Army camp and could not welcome you from afar. Please forgive my lapse,” Zhu Ping’an said, striding forward and bowing with the courtesy of a disciple at the entrance.
Having been corrected by Zhao Wenhua multiple times—and since he could勉强 be considered a mentor—Zhu Ping’an preemptively addressed him as “Master Zhao.” It was just a title, and if it could lull Zhao Wenhua into complacency, all the better.
“Rise, rise! Zihou, you’ve rushed back from the camp, panting from the journey. Sit, sit, and have some tea,” Zhao Wenhua said, standing from his seat and stepping forward to help Zhu Ping’an up, acting as if he were the host, his tone full of concern.
“Thank you, Master Zhao,” Zhu Ping’an said, expressing his gratitude. He then exchanged salutes with Hu Zongxian. “Lord Hu.” / “Lord Zhu.”
“Sit and have some tea to soothe your throat,” Zhao Wenhua said, personally pouring a cup and offering it to Zhu Ping’an.
“Thank you, Master Zhao,” Zhu Ping’an said again, accepting the tea. Without standing on ceremony, he took several sips to refresh himself.
“Meilin and I came here primarily to congratulate you, Zihou. One or two letters of felicitations couldn’t express our joy, so we’ve come in person to offer our congratulations,” Zhao Wenhua said with a smile.
“Haha, indeed, congratulations, Lord Zhu. Double blessings—truly enviable,” Hu Zongxian added, standing to offer his congratulations with a smile.
“Double blessings?” Zhu Ping’an was slightly taken aback. What double blessings were they referring to?
“Haha, first, we congratulate you, Zihou, on the joy of having both a son and a daughter—a fine heir to bring glory to your family and a sweet girl to care for you. Truly cause for celebration,” Zhao Wenhua said, chuckling as he congratulated Zhu Ping’an.
As he spoke, he waved toward the door, and an attendant promptly entered carrying a gift box.
Zhao Wenhua took the box and opened it, revealing two exquisitely crafted gold lockets gleaming inside.
One locket, inscribed with “Longevity and Prosperity,” was shaped like a carp leaping through a dragon gate, vivid and masterfully made.
The other, inscribed with “Fortune and Longevity,” resembled a begonia flower, with gold encasing jade, the jade carved into water plants and a beauty holding a washbasin, intricate and elegant.
Judging by their weight and craftsmanship, these lockets were undoubtedly valuable.
“These two lockets are for your nephew and niece, to ward off calamity, ensure a long life, and bring wealth and honour,” Zhao Wenhua said, handing the gift box to Zhu Ping’an with a smile.
“Thank you, Master Zhao, but these are far too precious…” Zhu Ping’an thanked him, attempting to decline.
“Still calling me Master Zhao, yet you refuse my gift for your nephew and niece? Or do you no longer acknowledge me as your master?” Zhao Wenhua said, feigning displeasure.
“Haha, Lord Zhu, when an elder offers a gift, it’s impolite to refuse. Accept it—you’ve earned it,” Hu Zongxian chimed in with a laugh.
“Well, then I’ll accept with thanks on behalf of my children,” Zhu Ping’an said, taking the gift and expressing his gratitude.
“Lord Zhu, these are Tang Bohu’s *Pine and Crane* and *Golden Tortoise* paintings from our dynasty, gifts for your nephew and niece. May they enjoy long lives, good health, robust growth, and a bright future,” Hu Zongxian said, producing two scrolls from his sleeve and presenting them to Zhu Ping’an.
“Thank you, Lord Hu. I won’t stand on ceremony,” Zhu Ping’an said with a grin, accepting the two paintings.
These were Tang Bohu’s works—authentic masterpieces! Passed down through generations, they’d be true family heirlooms.
Zhu Ping’an vividly recalled that in 1989, Tang Bohu’s *Silent Mountain, Long Day* was auctioned at Christie’s, with an estimated value of 150 million USD. At the exchange rate of the time, that was nearly 500 million RMB.
Yes, the RMB-to-USD exchange rate was quite high back then.
In 1990, Tang Bohu’s *Moon Spring* fetched 56 million USD at auction. Later, works like *Ancient Trees and Bamboo*, *Rainy Bamboo*, and *Ge Changgeng* sold for 10 million, 28 million, and 65 million USD, respectively—all in USD.
In modern times, Tang Bohu’s originals were worth billions.
These *Pine and Crane* and *Golden Tortoise* paintings, passed down through generations, could sustain his descendants even if a few turned out to be wastrels. With just these two paintings, they could stage a comeback and revive the family’s fortunes twice over.
He’d need to “shear more wool” from contemporaries—Xu Wei, Hu Zongxian, Xu Jie, Zhang Juzheng, Qi Jiguang, Yu Dayou, and others. Collecting a few of their works to pass down would build the family’s legacy, and as the ancestor, he’d have boundless merit.
“Alas, I truly envy you, Lord Zhu. A son and a daughter—perfect. Unlike me, with three rambunctious boys at home, always causing chaos and turning the house upside down. I’m at my wit’s end. I envy you, Zihou, with both a fine heir and a sweet little daughter,” Hu Zongxian said, looking at Zhu Ping’an with envy.
“Haha, Lord Hu, you’re full of vigour. With a bit more effort, having a few daughters is well within reach. No need to envy me,” Zhu Ping’an teased with a laugh.
“Haha, Zihou, don’t get me started. After my first troublesome boy was born, I had that very thought and tried again. Who’d have guessed the second was another rascal? I thought, surely not a third time, so I tried again. Well, guess what? Another boy. You don’t know, Zihou—these three little terrors are like three demon kings. If they don’t cause a ruckus for three days, they’re climbing the roof. Every few days, I’m settling their messes. If they go ten days without causing a major disaster, you can burn incense to thank the heavens and ancestors. I don’t dare try again. Another boy, and I’d lose years off my life,” Hu Zongxian said with a wry smile, his brow furrowing at the mention of his three sons.
