Needless to say, thanks to that sheet of calligraphy, A Bao and his five companions received an even warmer welcome. Even lunch became more lavish, and Teacher Li had his family order a few substantial dishes from a restaurant.
At the table, the sheet had already been returned to its wooden case. Teacher Li began discussing with his students how to mount the calligraphy, and Li Shengfa took the opportunity to offer a suggestion.
"Father, I'm just afraid there aren't any good craftsmen in our county. This paper looks very old. What if something goes wrong?"
The paper was more than old. It had already been old back then, and had suffered splashed ink and dust, followed by years of poor storage. It certainly looked fragile.
Teacher Li frowned slightly.
"Mounting paintings and calligraphy isn't exactly difficult, but calling it simple... it is indeed delicate work. This calligraphy..."
"I think we should find a craftsman in Moon Province. Xingwen has a stationery shop there, and he knows a very skilled craftsman."
The guest chimed in as well.
"That's right, Teacher Li, and young gentlemen. I have a modestly sized stationery shop in Moon Province, and sometimes supply your Moon Province Academy with certain items. I know someone with extraordinary skill. He can even remount ancient paintings and calligraphy without leaving a trace, and make minor repairs too. Entrusting it to him would be foolproof!"
The old master's interest stirred.
"Moon Province? Could you mean Xu Zichang?"
The guest's eyes lit up.
"You know of him too, Master?"
Teacher Li nodded slightly.
"How could I not? I heard he came from Jiaodong, traveling thousands of miles just to see the Mountain and River Immortal Furnace Diagram. But that peerless painting disappeared in Moon Province, so Xu Zichang stayed there and never