Chen Caozhi and Jiang Sixuan played this game of chess for nearly an hour. When the game ended, it was already dusk. The waiter of the Situ Mansion lit eight three-core lamps, and the Yayan Teahouse was brightly lit.
Lu Shi, Lu Na, Wang Biaozhi, Wang Ningzhi, Han Kangbo, Huan Mi and others had already bid farewell to Sima Yu and left. Those who stayed to watch the game were all Go enthusiasts, including Yu Yun. Although Yu Yun hated Chen Cao
Yes, but such a wonderful chess game is not to be missed.
During the Wei and Jin Dynasties, the society was in violent turmoil, and the pain of chaos awakened a strong sense of life in the scholar class. Many people indulged in pleasure on the surface, but deep sorrow lurked in their hearts. They drank, drank, and feasted all night long, and had all kinds of strange words and deeds.
, they used short-term joy to hide or escape the eternal fear of death. Go's status was elevated during the Wei and Jin Dynasties, and it became one of the three major arts along with calligraphy and music. Go's aliases are "hand talk", "forgetting worries" and "sitting in seclusion".
"It was during this period that Ji Kangyun said, "Playing chess is fun for oneself, and it can be treasured when traveling far away." Go plays the same role as drinking and taking medicine. A game of chess will pass in half a day before you know it. This is called relieving worries, and it is often the same for masters of conversation.
Go masters, the famous Zhi Daolin said that Go is "hands-on", and the game can show the player's magnanimity and demeanor. This was the reason when Director Wang used chess to test Jiang Sixuan. Therefore, a person who is good at Go
The influence of a person among scholars is no less than being good at painting or being good at talking.
Although Jiang Sixuan defeated Chen Caozhi in the second half, he was greatly impressed by Chen Caozhi's chess skills. He said: "Cao had a great advantage in the first half of the game. Unfortunately, my closing method was a little weak in the second half of the game. I was able to regain it little by little. With time, I won."
, I'm afraid I can't be the vanguard." I asked Chen Caozhi who he learned to play Go from.
Chen Cao said: "I once found an ancient manual of the Eastern Han Dynasty in Mr. Zhikawa's collection. It was written under the name of Ban Gu, but I don't know whether it is true or not. After reading and practicing calligraphy, Cao Cao studied the music and tried to figure it out. Later, he played many games with Xie Youdu, and his chess skills improved.
Make progress.”
Ge Hong's collection of books was a confusing account. Whenever Chen Caozhi encountered something difficult to explain, he would use Ge Hong's collection of books as an excuse. Ge Hong was as knowledgeable as the sea, so no one raised any suspicion.
Jiang Si
Can you lend me a copy of the score?"
Chen Caozhi had expected such a question early on and replied: "The chess score is on paper and was accidentally damaged by the rain, but I still remember some of the chess tricks in it." He immediately recited: "The game of chess."
Tao, the most important thing is to be cautious. The higher one is in the belly, the lower one is in the side, and the middle one is in the corner. This is what chess players usually do. The method is: "It is better to lose several pieces than to lose one first."
If you attack to the left, look to the right; if you attack to the rear, look forward; don't break up the two lives, don't connect them both alive; don't be too wide, don't be too close; don't be too close; instead of loving your son to survive, don't abandon him to gain power; instead, do nothing.
, if you don’t make up for it, if you are the one who is good at fighting, you will not be defeated, and if you are good at defeating, you will not be in chaos.
—This is the joint war chapter, with thirteen chapters in total. I will record a copy of it and give it to Jiang Hujun the next day."
This is "The Thirteen Chapters of the Book of Chess" written by Zhang Xi, a scholar of Hanlin Academy in the Northern Song Dynasty. Chen Cao had read it thoroughly when he was studying chess in his previous life. Putting the classic Go books of the Northern Song Dynasty into the Eastern Jin Dynasty would naturally be unfavorable.
Jiang Sixuan was fascinated after listening to a few chess tactics recited by Chen Caozhi. Hearing that Chen Caozhi wanted to write down Ban Gu's Thirteen Chapters on Chess as a gift, he was overjoyed, but did not say thank you. He only said to Fan Ning who was sitting on the side: "Wu Zi
, Your Majesty’s "Chess" should list Chen Caozhi as the first grade."
Fan Ning then said to Chen Cao: "My father is living in seclusion in Wu County. How about I ask my son to come with me to see my father when he has time someday?"
Fan Wang was Yu Liang's assistant at that time. He was highly valued by Yu Liang and appreciated by Xi Jian. He was an important figure in Xi's faction and Yu in the north of Jingkou. He was deeply tabooed by Huan Wen, so he was demoted to him because he missed the deadline for the Northern Expedition.
Although he is a commoner, Fan Wang is still very influential in the Jingkou area. Fan Wang is still the master of Go in the world. He has nine levels of Go: entrance, sitting, concrete, secluded, wise, small, fighting, foolish, clumsy,
It was Fan Wang who proposed it.
Chen Cao said: "I have a relationship with Brother Fan, so I should go visit Uncle Fan."
Yu Yun on the side was a little surprised when he heard what Chen Caozhi said. He knew that Chen Caozhi had a good relationship with Xi Chao and had agreed to join the Xifu to serve Huan Wen. Chen Caozhi was no better than Wang Xie's disciples who could maintain a transcendent status in the Xifu. Chen Caozhi
Cao Zhi will either be loyal to Huan Wen or be abandoned by Huan Wen. Now isn't Chen Cao Zhi afraid of Huan Wen's displeasure when he associates with people whom Huan Wen dislikes? Xi Chao can see it all——
Xi Chao indeed noticed Yu Yun's demeanor and couldn't help but smile. Although Xi Chao was a descendant of the Xi family, he had betrayed his family and followed Huan Wen wholeheartedly. He had also become enemies with Fan Wang, but he was against
Far from being displeased at all about Chen Caozhi's relationship with Fan Wuzi, he was actually happy to see the results. Chen Caozhi was an anomaly. From a poor family, he could be admired by a noble scholar, make friends with celebrities, and become a nobleman in just two years. He could play chess, calligraphy, and calligraphy.
An old Confucian and Xuan master, he was known as Manjiangzuo when he was still young. His friends include Gu Kaizhi from the south, Xie Youdu from the north, Xu Miao from the common people, and Liu Shangzhi from a poor family. After entering Beijing, he made friends with Kong Wang in Kuaiji and Fan Ning in Jingkou.
When it comes to making friends in the arts, he is not praised by monks, laymen, and common people. The woman he loves is Lu Weirui of Sanwu and Xie Daoyun of Chenjun. These things are all gathered in one person, Chen Cao. It is really amazing. Huan Da Sima currently lacks one.
A figure who can balance the forces of various factions, Wang Xie, Gaomen and Hanmen common people, Beidi gentry and Jiangdong gentry, Jingxiang West Prefecture and Jingkou Beifu, Chen Caozhi is the best choice to deal with these complicated relationships in the future——
At this moment, Xi Chao suddenly felt like he was being spied on. When he looked up, he saw no one watching him. He only saw a corner of a green jacket peeking out from behind Xie Wan, who was sitting opposite. Xi Chao had already noticed it when he was arguing earlier.
The so-called Zhu Yingtai sitting behind Xie Wan, who else could it be if he wasn't Xie Daoyun? Knowing that Chen Caozhi was having a big argument today, how could Xie Daoyun be willing to miss it!
Xi Chao's smile deepened. Chen Caozhi wanted to balance the forces of various factions, and this Xie girl was the key.
King Sima Yu of Kuaiji stayed over for a night banquet. Xie Wan knew that his niece Xie Daoyun would not be able to dine with everyone, so he took his leave and returned to Wuyi Lane. Before leaving the Yayan Teahouse, Xie Wan also said to Chen Caozhi: "Fuck it, I won't be there until tomorrow."
See you in Hengtang."
When Gu Kaizhi saw Zhu Yingtai who was following Xie Wan, he didn't even look at Chen Cao. Chen Caozhi didn't even look at Zhu Yingtai. The two of them obviously had a tacit understanding. Gu Kaizhi couldn't help but be confused and thought: "That's strange.
Didn't Zizhong just see Brother Yingtai today? I didn't see Zizhong talking to Brother Yingtai before. Why did they pretend not to know each other? They hadn't seen each other for three years. They couldn't be so calm.
There must be something hidden, let me ask Zizhong——" But there was no chance to ask about it in Situ's Mansion.
After dinner, everyone left one by one. Sima Yu, the king of Kuaiji, left Chen Shang alone. The two brothers of Chen Cao talked at night, and Gu Kaizhi went back first.
Sima Yu's study is simple and clean, with the incense smoke curling from the agarwood stove, the bright moon outside the window, and the mid-spring night breeze bringing the fragrance of the flowers and trees in the back garden and the sparse croaking of frogs.
Sima Yu was sitting upright in the plain curtains, with the tail in his hand, closing his eyes and concentrating. An old servant was waiting beside him. Chen Shang and Chen Cao's brothers were kneeling on the Wanxi banquet, waiting quietly for Sima Yu to ask questions.
After a while, Sima Yu opened his eyes and said with a smile: "Listening to frogs singing at night is very special."
Chen Shang thought to himself: "I bet the King of Kuaiji was listening to the frogs. I thought the King of Kuaiji was thinking about how to persuade the sixteenth brother not to go to the Xifu and serve the imperial court."
Chen Cao said: "The king of Kuaiji is elegant, the cicadas sing in tall willows, and the frogs sing in the pond, they are all sounds of nature."
Sima Yu said: "I am invincible in mystical debate, but I don't know what my interest is? For example, this cicada cries and the frog sings. I would like to say one or two common and easy-to-obtain elegant things like this."
Chen Caozhi thought for a while and said: "Art flowers invite butterflies, plant pines invite the wind, store water to invite the duckweeds, build platforms to invite the moon, plant bananas to invite the rain, and plant willows to invite the cicadas. These are all ordinary and easy-to-obtain elegances."
"
Sima Yu flicked his tail and said: "Cao Zhi can be said to be a person who understands the true meaning. But even if it is an ordinary and easy-to-obtain thing, it requires a peaceful country to enjoy it. Do you think it is true?"
Chen Caozhi bowed and said: "Yes, every man is responsible for the rise and fall of a country."
Sima Yu knocked the pawn handle hard on the desk and praised: "What a wonderful saying. Every man is responsible for the rise and fall of a country. I know his ambition." He said to Chen Shang: "Your brother is about to enter the Western Palace, so you can stay here."
How about being the Dian Shu Cheng in the Situ Mansion?"
The Dian Shu Cheng of the Situ Mansion is a ninth-grade official. He is in charge of the classics and daily etiquette of the Situ Mansion. Although it is not a noble and idle position, it is generally difficult for junior gentry children who have just entered the official career to find it. Chen Shang was overjoyed.
He bowed and said, "Thank you so much, King Kuaiji."
Sima Yu then said to Chen Cao: "Cao Zhi first went to the Xifu to practice for several years, and then returned to the court to assist me."
Chen Caozhi responded: "Yes."
Sima Yu said: "Today Cao Cao's debate was difficult and the four of them were defeated. Han Kangbo and Sun Xinggong were all willing to be defeated. Jiang Sixuan also appreciated you very much. Duke Shen understood Buddhism because of you -" His tail flicked and he said leisurely: "Cao Cao entered the city the day before yesterday, and all the people
The fight to see Wei Jie of Jiangzuo was thought to be a grand event of fifty years, and it was based on appearance. Today, Cao Cao's argument was a blockbuster, and Fan Wuzi even praised Cao as a Confucian of his generation. This was based on talent. Such talents are a blessing to the country.
How can there be no promotion?" Asked: "What rank was it assigned to in the year before Cao Cao?"
Chen Cao's way: "The sixth grade."
Sima Yu said: "The sixth rank is the highest rank in a poor family. Now that the Qiantang Chen family is a noble clan, wouldn't it be unfair to still be in the sixth rank? It is planned to be promoted to the highest rank and the second rank. I believe no one will have any objections."
"The best!" Chen Shang couldn't suppress his excitement. He looked at his sixteenth brother, who was still indifferent and calm and politely thanked the King of Kuaiji.
Sima Yu added: "As for Mingsheng Lake, I ordered Chief Shi of the Situ Palace to discuss it with the officials of the Zuo Min Shangshu Department and the Ancestral Hall Department, and then went down to Yangzhou and Wu County to grant Mingsheng Lake to the Qiantang Chen family. In addition, I also gave two
The ten yin households are in the Chen family, just because Cao Zhi said, 'every man is responsible for the rise and fall of a country.' There is no need to thank each other, I just hope that Cao Zhi will live up to the king's high expectations."
Chen Cao's way: "Cao must fully display what he has learned in his life and serve the country."
Sima Yu nodded with satisfaction, twisted his beard and said with a smile: "Cao Zhi hesitated to speak today. Let the Mainland Minister say those words himself. The Mainland Minister was extremely embarrassed. Haha, even I thought that Cao Zhi would propose to marry the Lu girl.
!”
Chen Caozhi smiled and said: "I did not deliberately embarrass the Mainland Minister. Although the Lu family girl is the one I wholeheartedly want to marry, bringing it up at this time is enough to anger the Mainland Minister, so I just don't do it."
Sima Yu said: "This king is helpless. The mainland minister is resolute and stubborn. It is difficult to change his mind! In fact, with Cao Zhi's appearance and reputation, it should not be difficult to find another rich girl to marry. If I still have a girl of the right age,
, I also want to take Cao as my son-in-law, haha."
This was naturally a joke made by Sima Yu. Apart from Princess Xin'an, his other two daughters were still under ten years old. They were just talking to show his favor to Chen Caozhi.
…
Coming out of the Situ Mansion, the moon was in the sky and the night was as cold as water. Chen Shang felt his head was dizzy and everything seemed like a dream. He was appointed as the Secretary of the Situ Mansion. His sixteenth brother was promoted from a low-ranking to a high-ranking one.
The Holy Lake will be owned by the Chen family, and they will get twenty shady houses. The Chen family in Qiantang will have forty shady houses. Among the eight major gentry families in Qiantang, the number of shady houses is second only to the Quan family. These are all obtained in one afternoon.
of--
Since entering Jiankang on the 12th, Chen Shang has been worried about the Dazhongzheng examination, for fear of setbacks. However, this afternoon, great joy came to his face. The sixteenth brother was impressed by his outstanding demeanor and profound knowledge in the Dazhongzheng examination.
For the four seats, the King of Kuaiji gave many rewards, including promotions, lakes, officials, and shade houses, which he had never dared to think of before. Only today did Chen Shang truly realize how important it is to be appreciated by those in power. Look at ten
The sixth brother still looked unfazed.
Chen Caozhi thought much more deeply than his brother Chen Shang. King Sima Yu of Kuaiji naturally did this to show his favor, so that he could be loyal to the royal family between the Huan family and the royal family. This did not cost Sima Yu much.
, but for the Chen family of Qiantang, it was a blessing, so Chen Caozhi expressed his intention to serve the country. In Sima Yu's view, the country is the court and the Sima royal family, but of course Chen Caozhi did not think so.
, this can be regarded as a little cunning of Chen Caozhi who has integrated the soul.
It was the end of Haishi when the Chen brothers returned to the Gu Mansion. They went straight back to the small courtyard where they lived. Ran Sheng, Xiao Chan and one of Chen Shang's servants were waiting for their return.
Xiaochan served Chen Caozhi to take a bath and asked, "Xiao Langjun, how was the Dazhongzheng test today? Hehe, you can see from San Lang's beaming look that Xiao Langjun has become famous again."
Chen Caozhi smiled and said: "Of course the third brother is very happy. He has received the permission of the King of Kuaiji and will join the Situ Mansion as Dian Shu Cheng. He is a high-ranking official. He will bring his wife and children to Jiankang in a while."
Xiao Chan exclaimed in surprise and quickly asked: "What official position did Xiao Langjun get?"
Chen Cao said: "I still want to go to Gusxi Mansion. When the third sister-in-law and the nephew arrive in Jiankang, sister Xiaochan will stay in Jiankang."
Xiao Chan was gently massaging the back of Chen Caozhi's neck. When she heard this, her hands froze and she asked in a harsh voice: "Young Master, don't you want me anymore?"
Chen Caozhi said quickly: "Sister Xiaochan, I didn't mean that -"
Xiaochan listened to Gillian's instigation that day and was a little resentful. When she saw that Xiaolangjun wanted to abandon her, she couldn't help but feel sad and started crying. She didn't listen to Chen Caozhi's explanation and said while crying: "Xiaochan
Mr. Lang doesn’t want me, so I’ll go back to Qiantang and accompany Lady Youwei. Lady Youwei will always want me, wuwuwu——”
Chen Caozhi grabbed Xiaochan's hand from his shoulder and held it in his palm. He raised his face and said, "Sister Xiaochan, I'm afraid it will be too hard for you to follow me. I shouldn't have much leisure when I get to Xifu. Okay, don't
I cried, tears dripped down my face, just think I said something wrong."
Xiao Chan became emotional and said: "The old mistress told Xiao Chan before she died that she should serve the young man for the rest of her life. Xiao Chan is also willing to serve the young man. Xiao Chan does not envy Qingzhi. Xiao Chan only wants to stay with the young man.
Don't think about marrying me off, unless you kick me, but I know you won't hit anyone -" At this point, Xiaochan burst into laughter.
It sounds like she was originally a cheerful and optimistic woman, but she occasionally felt resentful because of something on her mind.
Chen Caozhi smiled and said: "It's hard to say, hateful people will also be beaten, but not Sister Xiaochan."
Xiao Chan looked at Chen Cao's raised face. His eyebrows, eyes, mouth and nose were all reversed, which made him look a little weird. However, his lips were red and his teeth were white, and he was still so beautiful. Xiao Chan's heart was beating wildly, and she wanted to be with Xiao Langjun.
I kissed her on the cheek, but I didn’t dare. She, Xiaochan, is very timid, so why didn’t she dare? It was really useless. Gillian also instigated her to sneak into the young man’s bed. She would be beaten to death for such a shameful thing.
Can't do it——
Xiao Chan hugged Chen Caozhi's head to her chest, let go and said, "Okay, my clothes are wet. Let me change my clothes. I will wash them myself." She hurriedly went to the next room.
Chen Caozhi shook his head. There seemed to be a soft and greasy feeling on the back of his head. He was lost in thought when he suddenly heard Gu Kaizhi's voice in the courtyard shouting: "Zizhong - Zizhong -"
Chen Caozhi quickly jumped out of the bathtub, quickly wiped off the water droplets on his body, and while putting on his inner shirt and small clothes, he said: "Changkang, wait a moment, I am taking a bath, I will come out soon." He thought to himself: "It's so painful, could it be?
Poetry is booming in Changkang, why do we have to recite poems all night long again?"
Gu Kaizhi was confused and couldn't sleep unless he asked clearly. He stood outside the door and said, "Zizhong, did you see Zhu Yingtai today?"
Chen Caozhi knew he couldn't hide it, so he responded: "I saw it."
Gu Kaizhi said: "Then why don't you meet him and pretend that you don't know each other?"
Chen Caozhi responded fluently: "Brother Yingtai used his eyes to signal me not to see him for the time being. I don't know why?"
Gu Kaizhi said suddenly: "I see, I know the reason. Brother Yingtai said that Mr. Xie looked down on him, Mr. Zhu, and he didn't want to meet us in front of Xie Wan. He said he would meet us in private when he had time."
Chen Cao said: "I am also surprised. It turns out that it is for this reason that even great talents like Yingtai are not immune to the burden of family status."
Gu Kaizhi said: "The Zhu family of Shangyu is also a noble family, not a poor family, and has a rich family. The King of Kuaiji appreciates you so much. Why don't you recommend Zhu Yingtai to him and say that Zhu Yingtai's talents are not inferior to yours."
Gu Kaizhi was really enthusiastic, so Chen Caozhi had to lie again: "In Changkang, everyone has his own ambitions. Brother Yingtai is a first-class figure in Dai Andao and does not like the reputation in the world. Otherwise, with her talent, she would have already become famous in Jiangzuo."
, we must not go against her wishes."
Gu Kaizhi nodded and said: "That's right, Zi Zhong, then I'm going back. You have a good rest. You have to recharge your batteries. You have to go to Lu Mansion tomorrow. It's a pity that I can't go with you."
Chen Caozhi heard the sound of Gu Kaizhi's footsteps getting further away, and thought about how Xie Daoyun dealt with Gu Kaizhi, and couldn't help but laugh.
