First Update
With the rise of the cultural and creative industry in recent years, exemplified by the Palace Museum's online store, and the broadcast of a series of cultural promotion and popular science programs, as well as historical and museum-related programs, traditional culture has become increasingly effective at attracting revenue in modern commercial products.
This is a good thing. The money-making power of Western culture is undeniable. Even if we exclude the Western world's cultural discourse and influence, and objectively view its cultural charm, it has its merits... However, we should not favor one over the other and forget the elegance and beauty of our own traditional culture.
Nowadays, when marketing products, many people don't forget to incorporate some traditional elements. Clothing, jewelry, daily necessities, and even cars bearing traditional cultural symbols are commonplace.
These days, the minimum requirement for hiring people to repair cultural relics at the Forbidden City is a master's degree... It's not that you absolutely need a master's degree, it's just that there are so many applicants that they have to raise the screening standards.
Li Hongfang's profession is actually related to cultural relic restoration in many ways.
Petty thieves are usually only responsible for digging things out; they're often not good at cleaning or repairing them. Experienced thieves like Li Hongfang are more skilled at it.
Li Hongfang has a good understanding of the Song Dynasty culture because she inherited the mantle of Li Daoren. Li Daoren's "Chronicles of Artifacts" records many things about the customs and products of the Song Dynasty. While studying "Chronicles of Artifacts", Li Hongfang also learned a lot about the Song Dynasty culture.
She knew very well that both the first version of "Along the River During the Qingming Festival: Qingming" here and the "Along the River During the Qingming Festival: Four Seasons" treasured in the Palace Museum were actually silk paintings.
Although China has a long history of papermaking, due to limited productivity, using large sheets of paper for painting was still a luxury. It wasn't until the Yuan Dynasty that painters began to use paper more widely.
As for the famous Xuan paper, it only began to be used extensively in the mid-to-late Ming Dynasty.
The most highly regarded paper in the Song Dynasty was Clear Heart Hall Paper; for example, Li Gonglin's "Five Horses Painting" was made on this type of paper.
However, the national treasures "A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains" and "Along the River During the Qingming Festival: Four Seasons" were painted on silk.
The history of this version of "Along the River During the Along the River During the Qingming Festival: Four Seasons" has been quite tumultuous, having passed through many hands. Preserving it is a delicate art, requiring top-notch talent in the field of cultural relic restoration and preservation.
However, the first version of "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" found at the treasure trove was different; it had always been kept in a box.
When Li Hongfang opened the unremarkable box at the treasure's location, she was surprised to find that it contained exactly what she was looking for. She was immediately annoyed because many ancient artifacts that have been unearthed tend to oxidize and deteriorate rapidly upon contact with air.
However, this one was different. Li Hongfang studied it carefully and found that there was originally some special liquid soaking the painting in the box. However, due to its age, the liquid had completely evaporated and seeped into the silk, allowing the painting to retain its original state.
Carrying this painting, Li Hongfang hid and moved around. After renting a house here, she was inspired by her roommate and rolled up the painting to make the shape of a skirt. With the help of the girl, she made it into what it is now.
The girl even used this piece as her graduation project, which received great acclaim. Now it's displayed openly in her rented room every day, and her friends often come to visit.
No one knows the true value of this dress.
Li Hongfang removed the outermost layer of tulle from the skirt and unfolded the hem, revealing a complete "Along the River Along the River During the Qingming Festival" scroll.
Liu Chang'an examined it carefully. Although it was slightly wrinkled, it could still be said to be perfectly preserved. It was quite ingenious that Li Hongfang could come up with such a hiding plan in her suspicious state of mind.
Who would have thought that an ordinary female fashion design student would use fabric from the famous painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" for her graduation project?
"You can take it." Li Hongfang took the painting down, rolled it up, and handed it to Liu Chang'an.
"Didn't I say you should handle it yourself?" Liu Chang'an didn't answer. He looked at the painting and thought of many things, but he had no intention of taking the painting for himself. Otherwise, he would have taken it himself long ago.
"This is how I handle things," Li Hongfang insisted.
"Why?" Liu Chang'an looked into Li Hongfang's eyes.
"I'm not the kind of person who puts the cart before the horse; my own life is more important... Ever since I got this painting, I haven't been able to eat or sleep properly... This painting is too valuable; I can't rely on my previous sales channels anymore." Li Hongfang forced a smile. "I'm also very distressed, but my life is more important."
"That's true. A small, vulnerable female thief like you carrying this is no different from a child carrying gold through a bustling marketplace." Liu Chang'an acknowledged her rationality. "That's why I suggested you donate it to the relevant organization."
"I dare not... I'm afraid of being questioned about its origin. Besides, everyone knows that 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival the Qingming Festival' is in the Palace Museum. If I say that this is the first edition, specifically depicting the grand Qingming Festival scene in Capital, 'Along the River Along the River During the Qingming Festival: Four Seasons,' who would believe me?" After receiving it, Li Hongfang calmly considered many questions after the initial excitement.
If you weren't level-headed and prone to impulsiveness and being driven by excitement, you'd be dead long ago in her line of work.
"There are no historical records or documents to prove its value. To determine its worth, it must be certified by an authoritative institution in the entire industry, or by a powerful professional organization in the antique and collectible industry, and only after a series of meticulous preparations and strategic planning can it slowly come to light." Liu Chang'an was well aware that this painting was priceless, and it might even surpass the version in the Palace Museum in the future, but not now... Both Liu Chang'an and Li Hongfang recognized its value, a value that could not be fully realized at this stage.
"I want to sell it through channels, the price won't be too high, but I don't have the ability to restore it to its rightful historical status." Li Hongfang handed the painting over again, "Although I am a descendant of Li Daoren, you are also a descendant of the Nine Provinces Wind and Thunder Swordsman, we are both destined to meet, and you have a better ability than me to preserve this painting."
"Okay." Liu Chang'an agreed and took it in his hand.
"I didn't lose out either, because there's more than just this painting in the treasure trove. The other items are much easier to sell. I've already sold some... If you need money, you can also come to me," Li Hongfang said frankly... Of course, there was also a hint of politeness in her words. She knew that someone like Liu Chang'an would never ask her for money.
She had no reason to hide anything; he had given her the location, and she needed him to save her life. If he knew she was hiding things and refusing to tell the truth, would he be less willing to go all out to save her?
Just like many people like to give doctors red envelopes before surgery, they won't feel at ease if the doctor doesn't accept them.