“It’s Wang Pei, Wang Pei’s calligraphy.” Wang Ping said excitedly after seeing the work. “The biggest feature in Wang Pei’s calligraphy is that there is an image in the poetry and poetry in image. Look, in this image of the field, it is portraying a beautiful scene of nature at the same time it reveals the appeal of a quiet and peaceful life. Wang Pei is a representative of the landscape school of poetry, a standout in the Tang Dynasty. His calligraphy is something other people cannot copy.”
Ye Qian faked a blank look and asked in surprise, “Secretary Wang, this is really Wang Pei’s work? I thought that buyer was tricking me, haha. A crude person like me doesn’t know anything about calligraphy, but when I saw the buyer talking so solemnly, and since he is my patron and he also needed money, I bought it from him.”
“Eh, Brother Ye, I don’t know how to ask you this but, do you know how much this piece is worth in the market?” Wang Ping said. Ye Qian shook his head and Wang Ping continued, “This work is worth at least two million US dollars, and that is the lower end of it. But the most important bit is not how much this calligraphy costs, but its cultural value. For lovers of calligraphy or researchers of history, this piece of calligraphy is a priceless treasure.”
“From what Secretary Wang is saying, I picked up a treasure, haha!” Ye Qian said. “Since Secretary Wang really likes this work of calligraphy, then I’ll keep it longer, help me find a buyer.”
“Oh? You want to sell this work? Brother Ye, think it over. This work of calligraphy is very precious.” Wang Pin said in amazement.
“I’m just a crude guy, I don't know how to appreciate it. Keeping this piece myself is useless for me, so it’s better to sell it.” Ye Qian chuckled awkwardly then said, “I’m an ordinary person, Secretary Wang, please don’t take offense.”
“Brother Ye, if you really want to sell it, then sell it to me.” Wang Ping said. “You know I’m a fan of calligraphy. Haha.”
“Since Secretary Wang likes it so much, then I’ll leave it here. A great gift for a great man.” Ye Qian said.
“Ay, this can’t be. I can’t receive such an expensive gift.” Wang Ping said. “As a friend too, I cannot let you take such a loss. But I don’t have that much cash on me right now, so I will pay you in installments. How about it? Brother Ye? Are you okay with it?”
“Since Secretary Wang says it, I humbly accept. I bought this for two million, but now US dollars, just in RMB, I’ll sell it to you for that value. In any case I’m not in a hurry for money, you don’t have to worry.” Ye Qian said.
The truth was everybody understood that this was just a formality. It was also very clear to Wang Ping that Ye Qian was lying a little. No matter how foolish a person was, they would not spend that much money on calligraphy they didn't know the value of. Besides, the person who sold the calligraphy to Ye Qian could not be that stupid either to sell a piece worth two million USD for two million RMB. Even if he was pressed for money fast, a trader of classics would not sell for such a price.”
Of course Ye Qian understood that even though he spoke so tactfully, Wang Ping certainly understood the underlying meaning. But in giving gifts one had to pay particular attention to the formalities on how to give it. Even though Ye Qian’s style was not original, it was not old-fashioned either. Anyway, Wang Ping was extremely drawn to the calligraphy.
After leaving Wang Ping’s house, Ye Qian drove Jack back. The painting was naturally left behind, since everybody was well aware that Wang Ping said he was going to buy it.
“Boss, wasn’t it a little excessive?” Jack could not help asking while they were on the road.
Ye Qian smiled lightly and said, “Large investments will have high returns. Besides, where am I supposed to get so many works of calligraphy? With this one piece I can already pull him in with me.”
Jack nodded and said, “Sounds reasonable. Without paying up, one cannot get any returns. Even though you paid a lot, I believe the reciprocation will be a lot. Boss, since the legal way is now all settled, then we have no problems. The next thing to do it to handle the criminal way.”
“We don’t have to hurry for now. Right now the Qing Gang, Hongmen and Dong Xiang Corporations are fighting openly and maneuvering covertly. I believe they don’t have time to deal with us. But what I don’t understand is why the Qing Gang hasn’t made any move. Based on logic, since we hit their territory, they should at least have sent somebody to negotiate with us.” Ye Qian knitted his brows, he could not figure out the Qing Gang’s intentions. “Jack, have somebody pay attention to the Qing Gang’s movements.”
“Understood!” Jack nodded and replied.
“Also, those with the potential to join the Wolf Fang, don’t just teach them skills, also test their characters, especially those ex-soldiers.These people learned a strong sense of patriotism while they served in the army. If we want to completely subdue them we need time and special means. Have Qing Feng pay careful attention to it. That xiaozi is too brash, he should act more appropriately on certain matters.” Ye Qian said.
“Boss, I know what to do.” Jack said.
Ye Qian laughed and said, “It seems I’m becoming a nag. Haha. I can rest easy when you do it. I’m counting on you.”
“Everybody does it for the Wolf Fang.” Jack said.
Ye Qian smiled faintly and nodded.
After dropping Jack off in the Ironblood Security Firm’s office, Ye Qian dorve to Qin Yue’s villa. The other night he had already been tormented all night by Song Rang, he did not dare go back there. He wanted to sleep well tonight. To sleep with a sexy woman like Song Ran but not be able to do anything was torture.
What kept Ye Qian puzzled was Hu Ke’s identity. The Wolf Fang’s intelligence network and the business intelligence network Song Ran established for the Clear Sky Conglomerate unexpectedly could not unearth anything about Hu Ke. It was very evident that her identity was not simple. It could be that she was part of a secret organization in china, like the Wolf Fang.
After parking the car, Ye Qian directly went into the villa. Something seemed different tonight, the villa was unusually quiet. Normally one would hear Zhao Ya chattering continuously inside. Ye Qian knitted his brows faintly, thinking, “Could something have happened?” After thinking up to this point, Ye Qian quieted his footsteps and slowly went inside. He pulled out Blood Wave from his waist. Blood Wave seemed to sense danger, the blade’s started emitting a killing intent.