Kang Shude and Ning Weimin turned right in the direction pointed out by the salesperson and found that it was bigger inside.
In order, there are a series of rooms with different business categories such as the mounting room, the restoration room, the woodblock watermarking room, the printing and publishing room, and the gallery.
There is also a reception room with a plaque "Home of Calligraphers and Painters".
But Ning Weimin was the same as when he was staying in the outermost business hall.
Without even having time to take another look, he followed Kang Shude into the house to find the restorer.
It must be said that the attitudes of the old masters in this room are much better than those outside.
As soon as they saw them entering the house, a master in his fifties temporarily put aside what he was doing and came over to ask why they were there.
This is probably the difference between older people and younger people, or simply the difference between professional technical talents and ordinary people.
Anyway, the difference in quality is not small.
Kang Shude had nothing to be embarrassed about. Seeing that this person was very enthusiastic, he quickly asked Ning Weimin to put down his things and unfold the calligraphy and painting.
What is an expert?
When the old master took a look at it, his attitude was similar to Kang Shude's when he saw these two calligraphy and paintings.
Sighing endlessly.
"Old sir, these two calligraphy and paintings of yours are really good, but it's a pity that they were not well kept and they are all rotten."
"Look at this stone wave, which contains a lot of light, but it's all damaged. This one by Shen Zhou is also a bit decayed, and there's even frost at the back."
"Thank you for coming to us. If we delay for a few more years, these two things may be ruined."
Kang Shude also sighed, looking like he was heartbroken and regretful.
"Yes, why else would I be here? It's hundreds of years old, and it's the work of a famous artist. Please don't let him destroy it in my hands. Thank you."
"No, no. Don't worry too much."
When the master heard this, he quickly expressed his comfort.
"Our store's restoration technology is second to none in the country. We can do both silk and paper, and the process is complete. We have rescued countless severely damaged art treasures that are on the verge of being lost. Even those with more serious damage can be restored to their original appearance.
old."
"For example, a few years ago, a pair of ink bamboos from Zheng Banqiao was almost in pieces when it was delivered. We spent eight months repairing it."
"This job of yours, I must say, was delivered on time. The rescue is not a big problem now, it can be done in three or two months at most. As long as you leave the things to us, you can rest assured."
Kang Shude nodded quickly, "That's right. It's a century-old store with a great reputation and a good reputation. I can afford to wait for this time, and I understand the principle of fine workmanship. It's just that the price..."
The old master heard the subtext of Kang Shude's last sentence, and it was not difficult for him to understand.
After all, Kang Shude and Ning Weimin's clothes were so old that they looked white after being washed, which showed that they were not living a wealthy life.
On the contrary, he felt that it was quite difficult to still think about the person who repaired calligraphy and paintings under such circumstances.
So I responded.
"Well, don't worry, we operate with integrity and we won't charge you more. I'll do the math for you."
With a dedicated attitude, he compared the two unfolded calligraphy and paintings and started meticulous statistics and calculations with a pen and paper.
That's from big to small, place by place, sum by sum, and estimate item by item.
After working on it for seven or eight minutes, I finally got the numbers and then took the list to show Kang Shude.
"Old sir, you see, we have to wash out the calligraphy, peel off the old work, and then re-mount it. The painting also needs to be repaired and made full color. It needs to be put together. This is the final price.
The scroll is worth 122 yuan. The picture scroll is worth 76 yuan..."
To be honest, the price is approximately 200 yuan, which is really not much value.
But even so, Kang Shude still screamed in pain as if he had been stabbed.
"Ouch, why is it so expensive! Can't you make it cheaper?"
The old master chewed his teeth and found himself in a bit of a dilemma.
But he frowned, took a look at the raw edges on Kang Shude's clothes and the tape-wrapped handle of his artificial leather bag, and gave in.
"This...if you think it's too expensive, I'll give you another discount, even if it's 180. Do you think that's okay?"
But this was still not enough to satisfy Kang Shude.
Because that's not what he wants.
"That's too expensive! This is about half a year's salary of mine! Can we get...a hundred yuan?"
"Ouch! The price is not that good..."
The old master couldn't help but smile bitterly and complained about his grievances.
"Old sir, not only is this a state-owned store, but it's also a century-old brand. The prices are clearly marked, so it's impossible to fool you."
"Especially in the restoration and mounting business, we are based on the purpose of serving the people and focus on rescuing paintings and calligraphy. The price is not set high in the first place, and there is basically no room for negotiation."
"I understand that it is not easy for you to come all the way, and I feel sorry for you for these two paintings and calligraphy, so I give you a 10% discount according to the treatment of an old customer. If you are still dissatisfied with the price, I really can't do anything for you."
"Besides, old sir, didn't I make it clear to you just now? This repair is a delicate job that requires manual labor and time."
"Not to mention anything else, it's just the process of removing old things. We have to use our fingertips every day to remove them bit by bit, just like rubbing mud, and it won't be completed for twenty days. This is still the easiest.
"
"To do your job, we need three people. One master and two apprentices will work for at least two months. Do you still think it's expensive? Hey, what can I say..."
Not only are these words sincere, but they also contain the bitterness that some practitioners do not understand.
Even Kang Shude, who was deliberately trying to make things difficult, was a little moved by the old master.
But the problem is that he had already made a plan in his mind and deliberately talked about the matter in a low-key manner.
If he doesn't push people to the point where they can't move, it won't be easy to move on to the next step.
So in order not to miss the mark, he could only harden his heart and finish off this set of enchanting palms.
"Everything you said is right. I didn't say your price was unfair, right? But the problem is... in my hands..."
"I'll tell you the truth. I collected a hundred dollars before I came here. I really didn't expect that it would cost so much money for these two things."
"Otherwise, do you think it's okay? This is the price, I agree. But I really can't give you all the money at once. I'll give you one hundred first. We can only pay off the rest in the future."
Hey, okay.
Kang Shude agreed to this price, but he put forward additional conditions that the master could never agree to.
What else can the master do?
He had no right to make the decision regarding such a request. He smiled wryly and wiped his sweating forehead and glasses.
The only last resort left was to ask the superiors for instructions.
In fact, how did the master know that the bargaining just now was all a false shot.
It just so happened that this result was exactly what Kang Shude really wanted.
how?
Because the leaders of Rongbaozhai are not only powerful, knowledgeable and educated, but also have more flexible minds than ordinary employees.
Kang Shude made the right calculation. If this matter is reported like this, there are only two possibilities.
Either they don't like these two things and send them away.
Or... I'm afraid the leader put forward the acquisition proposal, hoping to solve it in disguise, and took the initiative to fall into the trap he had laid out.
The old master asked Kang Shude to wait here while he went to the stall to invite people.
Ning Weimin also lowered his head and chuckled to himself.
And with admiration, I gave Master a thumbs up in my heart.
Because others don’t know Kang Shude’s intentions, but he does.
Even at this point, a doubt in his mind was cleared up.
Before going out this morning, he suggested to the old man that he should dress decently, as he was worried that people would lower the price.
But Kang Shude said no, and told him that being poor also had its advantages, and that selling paintings could be divided into those sold by the poor and those sold by the rich.
And when he asked in detail, the master just didn't say anything.
Later, he thought about this matter all the way, but he couldn't figure it out.
Only now did I really understand the old man’s intention.
But no, only by making a poor appearance can this move be played flawlessly.
Of course, there is no need to say anything else. Let’s just quietly watch Master’s performance.
This old man is full of evil ideas, which suits his taste perfectly!
Otherwise, it means that one family does not enter the same house.
This is the fate.
(Note: Baoguang, a jargon term, refers to a kind of luster produced by long-term friction between the center of the painting and the backing paper.)