"Brother Zhu, is this your home?" Because of the close relationship, Liu Dong's title naturally became much more cordial.
However, when Liu Dong saw the old, even dirty residential complex in front of him, probably built in the 1980s, he couldn't help but show surprise on his face.
According to his understanding, given the current popularity of Master Zhu Bingren and the short supply of his bronze sculptures in the market, there should be no shortage of money.
But looking at it now, the place where we live is really worse than where ordinary people live! This really surprised Liu Dong.
"Yes, this is my home, and it is also the place where I grew up!" Looking at the old and even messy community in front of him, Zhu Jun's face showed a strong look of nostalgia and warmth.
Seeing Zhu Jun's expression, even though Liu Dong was doubtful, he couldn't ask more questions!
Under Zhu Jun's guidance, Liu Dong drove the car to the underground of a unit building and stopped.
"This is it, let's go down!"
"Bang bang...!"
After closing the car door, Liu Dong quickly said: "Wait for me!"
With that said, Liu Dong opened the trunk and took out the gift he had prepared long ago under cover!
"When did you buy it...?" Zhu Jun looked at the big and small bags in Liu Dong's hand with a look of surprise on his face.
"I've prepared these a long time ago and kept them in the trunk. I just need them now! Let's go!"
"Thank you on my father's behalf!"
He also has some eyesight, so he can naturally see that the things in Liu Dong's hands are of great value.
"Brother Zhu is polite and reciprocal. It's human nature! And it's not easy to visit Mr. Zhu empty-handed! Okay, let's go up quickly. I finally got this opportunity, and I don't want to wait any longer!" Liu Dongxiao
road.
"Haha, okay, let's go up! ...My home is on the third floor, just a few steps away!"
With that said, the two of them each carried the gifts they bought and walked upstairs. After a while, they reached the third floor. Then they saw Zhu Jun stopped in front of the security door on the left side of the stairs with the word "Fu" posted on it.
Then, Zhu Jun skillfully took out the key from his trouser pocket, opened the door, and took Liu Dong in. At this time, Liu Dong also saw clearly the situation in the room.
ordinary!
This was Liu Dong's first impression after reading it! The furnishings in the entire room were no different from ordinary people's homes. Except for the refrigerator and air conditioner, which looked fresh, there were at least ten other TVs, sofas, tables, chairs, and benches.
It's an old thing that's a few years old, and it's obviously dilapidated at the corners.
If there is something special about this room that has a sense of antiquity, it is the bronze utensils that can be seen almost everywhere. These bronze utensils include portraits, landscapes, bronze sculptures in the round, and relief murals, which include almost everything Liu Dong created.
The types of all the bronze sculptures seen are rich. What is even more rare is that each of these bronze sculptures is the work of an exquisite master, or even a masterpiece, and is of high value. However, it is placed randomly here. However, from these
In the cleanly polished bronze sculptures, Liu Dong can also understand the care and concern the owner here has for them.
"Dad, are you at home?".
"Here, why are you back here when you are free?"
A slightly hoarse voice came from a room inside!
"You're back, of course I want to come over and take a look!" With that, Zhu Jun put the things he brought back on the sofa next to him. Then he turned around and said, "Liu Dong, sit down and I'll get you a glass of water!"
"No need to bother, I'm not thirsty!" Liu Dong said quickly.
"It's okay, just sit down!"
"Xiaojun, are there guests at home?"
As he spoke, a lean and energetic half-century-old man wearing a gray coat walked out of the room.
"Well, this is Liu Dong, a friend I met in Jinling!"
"Hello, Mr. Zhu, I am Liu Dong. I have admired your name for a long time!" Liu Dong quickly stood up and greeted him.
"Haha, Liu Dong?" After looking up and down, the old man nodded, "He is indeed a good young man. He has a lot of talents. He is much better than my son!"
"You're so polite. Brother Zhu's unique art of melting copper is truly yours. I can't compare with you!"
"That's all he has!" Even though he said this, Liu Dong could still see a flash of pride on Mr. Zhu's face.
"Come, sit down! There is nothing to entertain at home, so just drink some tea!" As he said this, Mr. Zhu took out a box of Tieguanyin from under the coffee table in the living room.
From Liu Dong's point of view, although this box of Tieguanyin is not top-notch, it is still top-grade. However, judging from the layout of the house, it is obvious that this tea should be a gift from someone else.
"Dad, please rest, I'll make tea!" With that, Zhu Jun walked into the kitchen next to him with a teapot.
"Liu Dong, right?"
"yes!"
"Your accent doesn't sound like you're from Jinling?"
"No, I'm from Shandong. This time I came to Jinling to visit an elder and stayed here for a few days!" Liu Dong said.
"How many days? How many days did you get to know this boy of mine?"
Looking at the questioning look on the old man's face, Liu Dong could naturally understand what he meant, and immediately said: "It's a coincidence, Fu Kun and I are good friends. After coming to Jinling, he took me to visit the Antique City in Confucius Temple.
, that’s how I met Brother Zhu! Later, we got along better and became friends with each other!”
"Oh, so that's what happened?" Mr. Zhu was obviously no stranger to Fu Kun.
"By the way, you know that kid Xiao Kun, so what do you do?"
"Old man, I own several companies, and I also like to collect antiques, so I am familiar with many people in the antique circle!"
Mr. Zhu nodded clearly and said, "I didn't expect you to have such a career at such a young age. It's quite rare!"
"You're so polite!"
After Liu Dong finished speaking, Zhu Bingren smiled slightly, looked at him again and said: "Since you are friends with Xiaojun and Kunzi, I won't treat you as an outsider. Tell me, what kind of person do you want to come to me?
Bronze sculpture?”
"You always know?" Liu Dong said with surprise on his face.
"What do you know? As a poor old man, apart from my craftsmanship, which is worthy of others' attention, is there anything else that attracts me?"
Mr. Zhu's rhetorical question made Liu Dong not know how to answer for a moment.
Also, apart from the unique art of melting copper passed down by Mr. Zhu, there is indeed nothing else that is too attractive. However, this is not a shortcoming. Because in this world, people who can specialize in a unique art can reach the peak.
There are really too few. Most of them are vulgar people who are too ambitious and afraid of hardship and fatigue!
"Liu Dong, if you have anything to say, just say it. For my sake, my dad will agree!" At this time, Zhu Jun, who had made tea and brought it out, said with a smile.
"You brat, when will it be your turn to make the decision for your father!" Although Liu Dong said this, he didn't hear much anger from Mr. Zhu's words!
After hearing this, Liu Dong also knew that it was time to reveal his intention!
"Mr. Zhu is very skilled in craftsmanship, so this time I have the guts to come and ask you to help me make twelve bronze statues!" As he said that, Liu Dong took out the drawings he had prepared long ago from the black leather bag he carried with him.
It was handed over to Mr. Zhu.
After taking it and looking at it for a few times, Zhu Bingren couldn't help showing surprise on his face, "Is this the twelve zodiac bronze sculptures that have disappeared in front of the Great Water Dharma in the Old Summer Palace?"
"The old man really has a good eye!"
Mr. Zhu nodded and did not continue talking until he had read all the documents prepared by Liu Dong before he stopped. However, the look on his face became much more solemn!
"You have prepared in great detail. The dimensions of each bronze sculpture in these documents are extremely detailed. If I guess correctly, these twelve zodiac bronze sculptures should be the same as the original bronze sculptures in the Yuanmingyuan!"
"You are right. These bronze sculptures are indeed the same size and specifications as the twelve zodiac bronze sculptures in the Old Summer Palace that have disappeared in history!" Liu Dong nodded.
"In this case, I have to ask one more question! I wonder what you will use these bronze sculptures for after they are made? If it is just for collection, then I will not be stingy with my craftsmanship, old man. But if you want to make a profit, no matter how high the price is,
I won’t do it either!”
Looking at the determined look on the old man's face, Liu Dong also roughly guessed what Zhu Bingren was thinking. The old man was afraid that he would completely copy the twelve zodiac bronze sculptures in Yuanmingyuan, chop off his head, and take the remaining twelve zodiac signs.
The animal heads are used to make illegal profits!
With Zhu Laorong's copper craftsmanship, the artistic value and beauty of the twelve zodiac animal heads are definitely not inferior to the original ones, and it is not even a problem to fake them.
Therefore, if Liu Dong really has this kind of profit-making idea in his heart, he will succeed in all likelihood.
But obviously this is not Liu Dong's purpose.
"You can rest assured, boss, I'm not short of money! I won't use the bronze sculptures you cast to make illegal profits!" After saying this, Liu Dong understood that this time he didn't feel much relaxed when he saw the old man's face.
If you don't want to go back empty-handed, just tell people what you really want to do.
Thinking of this, Liu Dong hesitated for a moment and then said: "Let me tell you the truth! The reason why I want to ask you to cast the bronze sculptures of the twelve zodiac signs in the Old Summer Palace this time is mainly because I plan to rebuild the Old Summer Palace...!"
"Rebuild the Old Summer Palace?"
"What?"
Before Liu Dong finished speaking, he was interrupted by the exclamations of Mr. Zhu and Zhu Jun, father and son. Of course, this was also because the topic Liu Dong revealed was too shocking.
"Liu Dong, aren't you kidding? Rebuilding the Old Summer Palace? How is this possible...?" Zhu Jun's face was full of disbelief, and he almost said to Liu Dong, "Stop talking nonsense!"