Chapter 789: Ji Qingwei’s Blatant Plagiarism! (1)

It was actually quite common for artworks to have the same name, like “Galloping Horses.” There were countless paintings with that title.

However, even though they all beared the same name, each piece reflected the artist’s unique style unless it’s a copy.

Even copies couldn’t be exactly identical.

Embroidery was a traditional folk art of Great Xia, with a history spanning two to three thousand years, and it was now quite rare even within Great Xia.

The resurgence in embroidery was sparked by the niche brand East Moon, which Si Fuqing endorsed, bringing a new wave of interest.

Neither the Western Continent nor Eastern Mulberry has this craft.

Not to mention that this was a Youth Culture Exhibition, which only accepted works from international youths under twenty.

It was very rare for teenagers in this age group to have such proficiency in embroidery.

The chairman had only seen the piece sent by Gu Huiyan.

The appearance of a second embroidered piece had initially intrigued him, but it turned out to be a lower-quality version.

If not for the superior version, this lower-quality one could have been considered a fine work.

“Whose work is this?” The chairman asked, looking up with a faint glance. “Who sent it? How did it make it to the finals?”

“Master Zhuang submitted it,” a judge replied awkwardly. “He is quite well-known in the Great Xia Empire. Before seeing the piece in your hand, I had never seen the ‘Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains,’ so…”

This time, the counterfeit and the genuine piece met head-on.

“Master Zhuang?” The chairman sneered. “Submitting a plagiarized work and still being called a master? Don’t disgrace the title of master!”

The judge looked even more embarrassed. “But he assured us it was an original creation, and he seemed so confident. He might not have known it was plagiarized or could have been deceived by the plagiarist.”

“Plagiarism is plagiarism. This is blatant plagiarism!” The chairman slammed the table, sneering. “Claiming ignorance? I don’t believe it. Do you?”

The judges looked at each other.

Indeed.

Names can be repeated, and both can be embroidery, but having the same creative point is inexcusable.

Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains on embroidery was a vague concept. The rivers and mountains of Great Xia numbered in the thousands.

How could the chosen landscapes be identical?

“I’m not deeply versed in embroidery,” the chairman said calmly. “But the ‘Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains’ sent by Gu Huiyan used many stitching techniques that were seamlessly integrated. This piece, however, is quite chaotic.”

It was like an awkward imitation, exposing its flaws in front of the original.

The judges nodded in agreement. “So, what do you propose?”

“This entry should naturally be disqualified. But for someone to plagiarize so blatantly and bring it before me, it can’t be let off easily.” The chairman sneered again. “Gu Huiyan mentioned that the Great Xia Empire is hosting a variety show related to art, and one segment involves participating in our exhibition.”

“Since they want to exhibit, let’s exhibit. Showing these two pieces together will be interesting.”

The judges exchanged glances, understanding that the chairman was truly angry.

Plagiarism is the greatest taboo in literary and artistic works.

Allowing plagiarism to prevail and steal the honor due to original works would eventually stifle originality.

This was something the chairman could not tolerate.

A judge pondered for a moment. “Chairman, the Ji family is a prominent family in the Great Xia Empire. Wouldn’t they retaliate with dirty tricks?”

As the International Arts Committee, they were not afraid of the Ji family.

But Si Fuqing was still in the Great Xia Empire, and getting on the Ji family’s bad side could bring trouble.

“This is indeed a concern,” the chairman frowned, contemplating. “I’ll contact Gu Huiyan. Today is their New Year. I’ll ask tomorrow.”

The Lunar New Year is the most important festival in the Great Xia Empire, and he wouldn’t disturb them during this time.

“Send a VIP invitation to that Zhuang. Make sure the Ji family comes. Tell them their embroidery will be showcased at the center of the exhibition.” The chairman snorted. “I want to see who’s shameless enough to bring this to an exhibition and let everyone see the extent of some people’s shamelessness.”

Hearing this, the assistant went to prepare.

A judge, looking at Si Fuqing’s “Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains,” suddenly said, “Chairman, this name sounds familiar.”