Late Ming Dynasty: The Counterattack Begins with Sea Pirates

After returning to the south bank by boat, Chi Honghai first asked Shen Er to bring out the paintings by famous artists that were stored in the warehouse.

He then went to Manager Li, who was under house arrest.

He stood at the door and knocked first.

"Knock knock knock" "Knock knock knock"

"Oh, at least there's someone with manners today. Come in."

Chi Honghai pushed open the door and looked at Manager Li with a smile.

When Manager Li saw that the person who came in was the same person who had tied him up that day, he hurried over to him.

"I said, we had an agreement that you would let me go after I painted for a few days. I've been locked up here for days with no definite answer. Distinguished guest, what have we done to offend you? Please tell me, I'll change it or not. I'm begging you, please let me go."

Chi Honghai replied with a smile, "Manager Li, you've misunderstood, you've misunderstood. The Mid-Autumn Festival just passed a few days ago, so I've been very busy. Are you satisfied with the food I prepared for the Mid-Autumn Festival?"

"The food is quite good," Manager Li replied, then changed the subject again, "But you can't let me eat here for free, can you? Distinguished guest, sir, you have to let me finish your painting quickly and let me go back. Everyone in the shop is waiting for me."

"Alright, alright, since Manager Li is so eager, I shouldn't let him rest any longer."

Chi Honghai clapped his hands twice, and Shen Er, understanding the situation, carried several famous paintings in from outside.

Manager Li watched as Shen Er gently placed the paintings on the table, picked up one of them, and carefully unfolded it.

The shopkeeper looked at the unfolded scroll; it wasn't a blank sheet of rice paper, but a complete painting.

He pointed at the painting and said, "My lord, you've picked up the wrong one. Why are you showing me a finished painting?"

"I didn't take the wrong one, please take a look." Chi Honghai stretched out his right hand and pointed to the painting.

The shopkeeper walked to the table, bent down to examine it closely, and couldn't help but lightly touch it with his fingertips.

"Wow, wow, the skill in this painting is truly superb. Judging from the brushstrokes, it seems to be the work of a master." He said as he carefully scanned the painting until he saw the signature—Wen Zhengming.

He jumped up in surprise, unable to believe it.

Then he carefully pulled out one of the paintings.

Even after only a portion of it was unfolded, the painting was already recognizable as "Playing the Qin under the Shade of Pines".

He was still somewhat unwilling to give up, thinking that the painting must be a fake, but he couldn't find any trace of evidence to refute it on the painting itself. It wasn't until he unfolded it and saw the seal at the end that he had to admit that it was Zhao Mengshun's genuine work.

"This...this...my esteemed guest, why are you so accommodating? These are all genuine works by renowned masters."

"Aren't you also a prominent figure?" Chi Honghai smiled.

"I brought you here so you could copy these paintings; don't worry about it."

Upon hearing the word "copying", Manager Li paused for a moment.

"My lord, what you're looking for isn't a copy, but a counterfeit, isn't it?"

Chi Honghai smiled and shook his head, pointing at him.

"Shopkeeper, you could say that too."

As if he had realized something, Manager Li pulled out another painting from the remaining scrolls.

He knew, of course, that the rest were all genuine works by the masters; he just wanted to determine if there were any that he was familiar with or had even come into contact with.

Such authentic calligraphy and paintings by masters are extremely rare, let alone appearing in groups. For a wealthy businessman, it is already quite difficult to have even one piece kept in his home.

After all, many officials in the bureaucracy have a taste for this kind of thing. You have to use these treasures to win their favor so that things will be easier for you in the future.

Moreover, those who can use this painting to curry favor are usually of a high rank.

Good things are obtained through multiple layers of scraping; the level of respect shown to one's parents increases exponentially.

The more you see, the more greedy you become.

As it happens, Manager Li actually recognized the painting that he pulled out this time.

A few days ago, Chen Qian, the general of Guangzhou Prefecture, happened to bring his men to Tongren Hall to look for him.

What he's looking at is the painting he's holding right now—"The Emperor's Procession".

Her eyes widened, and her head and neck trembled as she turned to look at Chi Honghai, like a rusty screw being twisted by an external force.

"My esteemed guest, where did you obtain this painting from?"

It's easy to tell from Manager Li's expression that he understands the first two paintings, and he understands the one he has in his hand even better.

Chi Honghai said casually, "This painting was naturally brought from Guangzhou Prefecture."

"Guangzhou Prefecture? May I ask, sir, what is your relationship with General Chen?"

Despite his doubts, no matter how much he guessed, Manager Li could never have imagined the origin of the painting.

After all, it's too far beyond his understanding as an artist.

"When General Chen first met me, he didn't presume to be of a higher position. As for how this painting ended up in my hands, that's a matter for the imperial court, and I'm afraid that's not something you, shopkeeper, can concern yourself with."

Speaking of which...

If he was someone whom even General Chen respected, then why didn't he simply send a servant to his residence instead of resorting to banditry?

However, this painting is indeed the one he saw at the time, and the rest are all genuine works by masters.

How did it come about? Who would dare ask?

Sometimes, when it comes to matters of officialdom, that's just how it is.

The more you know, the faster and more tragically you will die.

Although Manager Li had many questions in his mind, he dared not ask any further.

"You... no, sir... you want me to copy all these paintings."

"Not missing a single step."

"I understand, please rest assured, sir. I will do my utmost."

"If Manager Li needs anything, just tell him, and he'll find a way to solve it. I only have one thing to say: finish these paintings without missing a single stroke."

As Chi Honghai spoke, he turned and left the room. When he reached the threshold, he raised his hand, his back to Manager Li.

"I hope that you will forget everything you have experienced and seen here when you return to Guangzhou. If you utter even a single word about it to anyone, you know the consequences. Remember that, General Chen, no exceptions."

"Work hard, and you'll be well paid. Don't worry about your safety either, as long as you serve the court faithfully."

"I understand, I understand, rest assured, I will not utter a single word."

Of course he wouldn't dare; a painter at the pinnacle of his career is appreciated by the imperial court.

But what a painter fears most is actually being appreciated by the imperial court.

Anything involving the imperial court is a mix of glory and risk.

The greater the glory, the greater the risk.

Even if you do nothing but paint all day, you never know which word or stroke of your brush might cost you, or even your whole family, their lives.

The most heartless are those in the imperial family; the most ill-fated are those of ordinary people.

Chi Honghai had just walked out of the room and disappeared from Manager Li's sight.

He took a deep breath and exhaled: "It's so suffocating."

Shen Er followed behind him.

"Master, master."

"Why did you follow me?"

"Master, shouldn't I be serving you?"

"Keep a close eye on him, and those paintings too. Don't damage or lose a single one! Remember, treat this person kindly; he's a treasure now."

"Sir, what kind of treasure is it?"

"You'll know once he finishes those paintings."