It's a little troublesome to understand "calligraphy". Some people understand that "Mu Mubai" is the name of the signer and "calligraphy" means handwriting. This statement is not correct enough. Obviously, it is difficult to understand that Ba is a plant, namely dill, or as a verb, it means "transplanting" or "planting". "Handwriting", like "cursive script", is more casual and unconventional. If it is changed to "sincere writing", it is barely acceptable. In my opinion, "Mu Shu" should be interpreted as: "Mu Shu" is the name of the signer, "hand worship" is a polite expression of respect and congratulations, here, it means respect and congratulations, and "book" means writing. The reasons are as follows: The entry "Gu Mu" in A Dream of Red Mansions Appreciation Dictionary published by Shanghai Ancient Books Publishing House 1988 is interpreted as "Dong 'an County King, Jia Fu's family friend, Guo Rongfu's couplets writer", which clearly shows that "Gu Mu" is a person's name. "Cihai" (abridged edition, page 1638) interprets the word "bow" as "bow, a bow ceremony of ancient men. Kneeling, arching the ground with both hands, bowing your head until you are at peace, but not reaching the ground, was called "hand worship" or "short position" in ancient times. There is also a Chinese Dictionary (Volume 12, Volume VI, page 427): "Bow to the hand", also known as "bow to the head". A bow ceremony of ancient people. After kneeling, arch your hands and bend your head to your hands. Obviously, "bow and raise your hand" is more appropriate as a courtesy, which can be interpreted as "respect and congratulations" in this couplet.
After we make clear the meaning of the inscription, it is easy to divide it into phonetic pauses, which can be divided into: "fellow countryman/shixiong/Dongan county king/Gu Mu/hand worship/book".
Mushu called a man in Jia's family Shixiong, calling himself Shixiong. This is not the kind of "world brother" relationship between the former real estate teacher and the examinee, but a kind of flattery, flattery and attachment to Jia, a very rich royal relative.
The Cao family of three generations and four people was appointed as Jiangning weavers, with low rank and great power, and was the close minister of the emperor. Not only did it pay huge profits to the dynasty (Jiangning Weaving was responsible for all the costumes of the royal family and the government), but it also had the right to report directly to the emperor about the officials and people in this area. This can't be compared with the provincial judges in Qing Dynasty, and the memorial on the provincial judges must be forwarded by the governor (see China Youth Publishing House, April edition 1976, A Dream of Red Mansions and the feudal society in Qing Dynasty). Jiafu is also a famous family from generation to generation. Jia Baoyu's sister Jia Yuanchun is the imperial concubine, Jia Baoyu's father is the emperor's father, and Jia Baoyu is the prince's maternal uncle. In the feudal society that needs to be "intertwined" to consolidate its own interests, it is also reasonable for the hereditary Lord Mu to curry favor with such royalty.
This couplet written by Mu Shu is "ebony couplet", "calligraphy" and "inlaid with carved silver", with high specifications and heavy value. This appellation order of couplets is also particular. Address fellow villagers first to draw closer regional relations; The second name is "Shi Jiaodi", which emphasizes the relationship of friendship; Also known as the "King of Dong 'an County", it shows that although the title of this fellow countryman is hereditary, it can be hereditary because of the hereditary conditions and qualifications. The attacked position is so noble, which also shows that the heir has a prominent family background. Therefore, Jia Fu attached great importance to this couplet, hung it in the center of the most conspicuous main hall, stamped with the seal of "Treasure of Wanji Chen Han" and placed it under the "Red Gold Kowloon Green Monument".
Such a once powerful person still respects Jia Fu so much, which shows how clever Jia Fu is from another angle!