With Wu Zhixing's command, cheers erupted from the crowd.
Inside the competition area, everyone was already holding their brushes.
With the addition of camera operators, the audience could see their posture and whether their grip on the brush was professional.
Not everyone among these 108 participants knew how to write with a brush.
Some were there just to tag along, to be seen.
They were now regretting it. They had thought it was just a casual competition, but it turned out to be incredibly formal.
Some held the brush incorrectly, using techniques meant for ballpoint pens.
Others held it correctly but unprofessionally.
And some, as soon as they picked up the brush, their hands trembled uncontrollably, unable to write a single complete character.
There were many reasons for trembling hands, with nervousness and lack of practice being the primary ones.
The most crucial requirement for brush calligraphy is a steady hand; otherwise, it's impossible to write beautiful characters.
The commentators, who were students, were very engaging.
"Alright, let's look at Participant Number One on the big screen. Number One is a student from Class 1, Senior 2, named Shen Mushu. I've heard many people call her 'Fairy in a Painting' or 'Goddess.' It's not wrong; I want to call her that too!"
Many students laughed.
On the big screen, Shen Mushu remained aloof, seemingly unaffected by the onlookers, existing in her own world.
Ink and brushes were prepared on-site, so the students didn't have to go through the trouble of grinding ink.
Brush calligraphy depends first on grip and second on movement.
The ancients said, "To learn calligraphy, first learn to hold the brush."
A scientific grip can be summarized as: brush handle vertical, fingers firm, palm empty, naturally relaxed.
Shen Mushu's execution of this was described as perfect, dazzling everyone.
"Okay, we can see Participant Number One is ready to start writing! Even as an amateur, I can feel that the Goddess is in excellent form right now. Let's wait and see!"
The commentator's voice chimed in at the opportune moment.
"The brush is held in the hand, but the hand doesn't control the movement. Movement comes from the wrist; the wrist doesn't control the holding."
The way the wrist moves can be divided into resting the elbow on the table and resting the wrist, resting the elbow and suspending the wrist, and suspending both the elbow and the wrist.
These three wrist movement methods increase in difficulty.
Resting the elbow and wrist means the elbow rests on the table, with support under the wrist. This method is used for small regular script.
Resting the elbow and suspending the wrist means the elbow rests on the table, while the wrist is suspended. This is used for medium and large regular script, or small running script.
Suspending both the elbow and the wrist means both are completely suspended, commonly used for running script, cursive script, or very large regular script.
Suspending the elbow and wrist greatly tests one's fundamental skills. If the foundation is weak, just holding the brush will result in trembling.
Shen Mushu chose the third method: suspending both the elbow and the wrist.
Her hand was steady; the brush didn't waver in her grip at all.
Shen Mushu's hand moved.
Under everyone's gaze, the character "红" (hóng - red) appeared on the paper.
This character, "红," was elegant and lively, possessing a hidden charm that made anyone who saw it consider it a good character.
"Red? Red sun?"
"What do you know? You only think of red sun. I think the Goddess meant 'red dates born in the southern land, spring comes, how many branches grow!'"
"Really? I think she's writing 'red palm paddles the clear waves.'"
"Are you a goose? 'White feathers float on green water, red palm paddles the clear waves,' right?"
"Hahaha, you guys are something else!"
The onlookers started discussing, each offering their own interpretation.
Just then, Shen Mushu wrote the second character: "酥" (sū - crisp/flaky).
"Hong Su?"
"I know! It's 'red flaky hands, yellow wine!'"
"That must be it. These characters are truly amazing! As expected of the Goddess."
Some people had already guessed what Shen Mushu intended to write.
As expected, Shen Mushu wrote the third character: "手" (shǒu - hand).
Elegant and lively, combining retraction and extension, blending thickness and thinness.
These three characters, "红酥手," already showcased Shen Mushu's extraordinary skill in running script.
At the judges' table.
Qin Chuan's eyes lit up, and he repeatedly praised, "Good! Young Shen's brushwork hasn't regressed; it has even improved. The old fellows in our association might not be as good as her."
The other judges also offered compliments.
"As expected of President Shen's granddaughter; this calligraphy is truly inherited."
"The running script is indeed pleasing to the eye. While not as unrestrained as cursive, its flowing movement is also quite impressive."
"The first prize is probably already decided."
The commentator continued to gush, "Oh my! This running script gives me goosebumps; it's written so beautifully!"
Just then, the view on the big screen shifted.
Shen Mushu had received ample screen time, and other contestants also needed attention.
"Why did they switch away?"
"No! I want to see my Shen Goddess!"
"I haven't seen enough yet; the director doesn't know what he's doing."
Some voices of dissatisfaction arose.
"Please remain calm, everyone. After all, besides our Goddess, we have other contestants. Let's look forward to their performances."
The commentator soothed the audience appropriately.
As the camera moved, everyone saw the vast difference between others and Shen Mushu.
Some were scribbling nonsense, their characters crooked and illegible.
Some furrowed their brows, their hands trembling, forcing out characters that were somewhat neat.
Others' hands were steady, but their characters lacked charm, appearing dry and uninspired.
Seeing the other contestants' performances, discussions erupted from the crowd again.
"You don't know until you see; I'm shocked. Is this the skill level of the other contestants?"
"The gap in skill is too wide. It's like a bunch of bronze scrubs playing against a king, how can they compete?"
"The difference in skill is like the Mariana Trench, hahaha. Look at what that guy wrote; it's illegible. And someone actually wrote 'red palm paddles the clear waves.'"
"I'm dying of laughter; this guy is a talent, actually writing 'Friends of Women'!"
"Fool, that's called 'Guests feel at home.' He actually wrote it quite well."
The commentator's voice came again: "Alright, we can see that other contestants are working very hard to complete their pieces. Please don't laugh; after all, just standing here requires great courage."
Finally, the camera focused on the center.
Yang Dong appeared on screen.
"Damn! The champion of last year's brush calligraphy competition is here! Looking forward to it!"
"I think Yang Dong is the only one comparable to Shen Mushu. I'm excited for his work."
"What is the cameraman doing? Hurry up and switch the camera to his artwork; we don't want to see Yang Dong's face!"
Under the lens, Yang Dong maintained his unapproachable stern demeanor.
It was evident that he was also using the method of suspending both elbow and wrist; his hand was steady, not trembling at all.
Finally, the camera moved down.
What Yang Dong had written caused another wave of discussion among the crowd.
"Whoa, what is this? Is he just scribbling?"
"Don't talk if you don't understand. This is wild cursive! Don't you see the momentum?"
"I can't appreciate it. Can anyone tell what characters he's writing?"
"It's Su Dongpo's 'Ding Feng Bo'!"