The anti-Qing movement began with the looting of the Eight-Nation Alliance.

Chapter 159 Show your hand

"Little guy, can I take a look at this tea canister?" Old Chen, who was standing nearby, saw the canister in Shen Lian's hand and his eyes lit up.

"Of course, please feel free to do as you please!" Shen Lian said, handing the cloisonné enamel tea canister in his hand to the other party.

That person really knows their stuff!

Shen Lian wasn't surprised at all that the old man knew these people. The old man was a retired principal of the town's middle school and a passionate calligrapher, a member of the county calligraphy association. It was perfectly normal for him to know some experts in the field.

The tea in Shen Lian's hands was a gift from Empress Dowager Cixi. The old witch would often give him daily necessities to win him over. He had several hundred catties of this tea.

Old Chen took the tea canister and examined it carefully, checking the bottom. Then he opened the canister and took a sniff.

"Top-grade Mengding Dew is extremely rare these days. No wonder it's packaged in such a fine box; we're in for a treat today!" Old Chen nodded with a smile.

"Mr. Chen, I've heard of Mengding Ganlu. It's supposedly a famous tea from Sichuan Province with a history of thousands of years! Is there anything else about this tea canister?" Chairman Wang asked from the side.

He's the president of the county calligraphy association and has some knowledge of calligraphy. He's not so knowledgeable about antiques, though.

"If I'm not mistaken, this is a cloisonné enamel tea caddy made by the Imperial Workshop during the Tongzhi period of the Qing Dynasty. Don't underestimate this small caddy; it can easily be exchanged for an apartment in our city today."

"Really? Then let me take a look." Chairman Wang certainly didn't doubt Old Man Chen's words. The other party was an appraisal expert he had invited from the city, and he was more concerned than anyone else about the appearance of Wu Changshuo's calligraphy in his small town.

"The tea is ready! Please have a taste!" Shen Lian poured a cup for each of the two guests and the old man.

Old Chen was clearly an expert; he didn't rush to drink it. Instead, he first examined the color of the broth, then brought it to his nose to smell it. After closing his eyes and savoring the aroma, he gently took a sip.

"The liquor is a clear, bright green with a slight yellow tinge. The aroma is rich, fragrant, and long-lasting, with subtle floral and fruity notes."

"It has a mellow and refreshing taste, a long-lasting sweet aftertaste, and no bitterness or astringency. It's like drinking nectar. It's truly a fine tea!" Old Chen praised it highly and then took another big sip.

"Little fellow, do you have a lot of tea leaves? Could you spare two ounces for me? I've always loved tea. I've never tasted Mengding Ganlu of this caliber before!"

"Really? Mr. Chen, I don't know much about tea. This was a gift from someone. If you like it, please take it!" Shen Lian waved his hand and said.

"Then I'd be too greedy. Just give me two ounces when I leave!" Old Chen said with a smile, stroking his beard.

Chairman Wang also wanted some, but since there was only so much tea in the can, he couldn't bring himself to ask.

"Old Shen, now that we've had our tea, let's hurry up and show you the calligraphy!" Chairman Wang said impatiently. He was a calligraphy enthusiast, and if he hadn't found out so late yesterday, he would have rushed over that very night.

The old man quickly took out the scroll and placed it on the desk. The two old men hurriedly gathered around.

"It really is Wu Changshuo's calligraphy. I never expected to find it here. It's quite an achievement!" After a moment, Old Chen nodded and said.

"Old Chen, I think the handwriting is fine. But the paper looks way too new!" Chairman Wang said with a puzzled look.

"There's no mistake. The paper, the inkpad, and the mounting all conform to the characteristics of the late Qing Dynasty. The calligraphy was also written by Wu Changshuo!"

"In our antique trade, there's a saying: 'Authentic, exquisite, and new.' This calligraphy has all three! It's a masterpiece! The collectors of the past must have cherished it very much and rarely displayed it, which is why it's been preserved so well."

"Excellent! I never expected such a treasure to exist in our little town, Lao Shen. How about we hold an appreciation event after the New Year, so that everyone in our association can come and see and learn from it?" Chairman Wang clapped his hands and said.

The three old men began to discuss the calligraphy and paintings. Shen Lian and Wang Xiaoyuan sat quietly to the side, drinking tea.