"It is not easy to take wood from a tree. They are all fixed with wooden nails instead of iron nails. The same number is nine on one side and five on the other. It is probably not a mistake, but even if it is intentional, it cannot be regarded as fine workmanship.
, at most it’s just good stuff.” The big fat man shouted again.
Everyone once again turned their attention to the big fat man. Unexpectedly, the big fat man suddenly stood up, waved his hands to everyone and said, "It's not what I said, it's not what I said."
Everyone burst into laughter. It didn't matter who said it. It was not easy to point out something special. Even if he said something wrong, no one would hold him accountable. The fat man seemed a bit petty in his eagerness to clarify.
The white-headed man did not laugh, but gently picked up a box and said, "This friend is right. The material of this box is indeed small-leaf red sandalwood, and the materials used in these nine boxes are indeed taken from the same piece of material."
Although the current market price of small-leaf red sandalwood is high, this box is made of plain work, with no carvings or engravings. If you rely on these alone, it is indeed difficult to scare everyone sitting here."
Then he changed the topic and asked: "I would like to ask you, do you know who the most famous carpenters in history are?"
"Luban" everyone in the audience shouted in unison.
The white-headed man smiled and said: "Lu Ban's work is indeed exquisite. Among carpenters, no one can compare with him. But his status is very ordinary. In terms of high status, he is far inferior to this man. You know that there was an emperor in history.
Are you involved in government affairs but indulged in woodwork?"
Before anyone could answer, the white-headed old man continued: "This is Zhu Youxiao, the fifteenth emperor of the Ming Dynasty, also known as Emperor Tianqi. This emperor was ingenious and had a strong interest in carpentry. He used knives and axes.
Sawing, chiseling, painting, all done by hand, from collecting materials to finishing, the process is extremely meticulous."
"Most of the carpentry work he created, such as beds, tables, chairs, boxes, etc., are colorfully decorated and extremely exquisite. Although he is not a good emperor, he is a good carpenter."
"Although he is an emperor, he is also a human being. As a human being, he has a mentality of showing off. He is so good at carpentry, but he cannot leave his own mark like other carpenters. I feel a little disappointed. But our emperor is a smart man.
People, it’s hard to leave a mark clearly, so let’s do it secretly, so we have these hidden nails with nine on the left and five on the right.”
"What does the Nine-Five stand for? In ancient times, it was the Nine-Five Lord. It is like telling everyone in disguise that the person who does this wood work is an emperor, but most people can't see it, and they won't think about it if they see it."
"And we all just saw that the hidden nails under these nine wooden boxes are all nine on the left and five on the right. And judging from the wrapping of the boxes, they do belong to the Ming Dynasty. These nine boxes look like plain work.
, in fact, it is polished extremely smoothly, it feels like gelatin to the touch, and the diagonals are regular. Not to mention these, even the buckles inside are made of wind-milled white copper dragon head buckles. You must know that wind-milled white copper was still used in the Ming Dynasty.
It is extremely rare, let alone the dragon head button. Most people use the dragon head button, which is very disrespectful."
"Characteristics, age, material, combined with the above points, I can confirm that these nine rosewood boxes are definitely made by Emperor Tianqi Zhu Youxiao, and the nine boxes are combined into one, cleverly conceived, and are the best among the best.
I'm afraid it is also a proud work for Zhu Youxiao himself. It is absolutely unique and it is no exaggeration to describe it as priceless."