Chapter 33 Chess
Liu Yitiao had received great kindness from Yang Bofang on several previous occasions, but had not yet had the chance to express his gratitude. So this time when he came to visit, he brought more gifts. Although he knew that Yang Bofang would not mind these things, Liu Yitiao felt that he must do so out of politeness and from the bottom of his heart.
Invited by the host, Yang Bo Fang was sitting there with a smile, Liu Yi Tiao stepped forward two steps, bowed his head to Yang Bo Fang and said: "Nice to meet you, Uncle Yang. I'm here to wish you a happy new year. Wishing you good health and peace in the new year."
Yang Bofang ordered the servant to bring tea and smiled at Liu Yitiao, saying: "Hehe, Yitiao has a good heart. Sit down, you don't have to be so polite here, just relax."
"Ah, thank you Uncle Yang." Liu Yitiao sat down in a chair under Yang Bo Fang's nod.
Yang Bofang said: "It's rare for you to come see me today, this is your second time coming to my home, I remember last time your father brought you here when you were not yet seven years old."
"Yang Shu really has a good memory, these past events can't be remembered at all." Liu Yitiao said with a bow. Things that happened when he was seven years old, even normal people may not remember clearly, let alone him being a transmigrator? So for some past events, he could only choose to pretend to be muddled.
"Haha, no wonder, you were too young at that time, it's normal to not remember." Yang Bo Fang picked up his tea cup and took a sip, saying: "In the blink of an eye, you've become a grown man, aren't you turning 18 after the new year? Hmm, you should have your own land and wife by now. I had two sons at your age, haha! You must work hard!"
"Uh..." Liu Yitiao awkwardly picked up his teacup and took a light sip.
Yang Bofang looked at Liu Yitiao's embarrassed appearance and burst out laughing. However, he also tactfully avoided mentioning the matter again. After Liu Yitiao put down his tea cup, Yang Bofang said: "We've never had a chance to have a long conversation before, but today we're free, why don't you and I play a game of Go?"
"Black and white pieces?" Liu Yitiao's face turned sour, saying: "Uncle Yang, as for Chinese chess, I can still make a few moves, but if it's Go, then forget it, just looking at the black and white pieces makes me dizzy."
"Oh? You can't even play Go?" Yang Bofang was quite surprised, having heard that Liu Yitiao had some literary talent, how could he not even play Go? He then said: "In that case, let's play a few games of Xiangqi instead. I have the board and pieces at home."
Liu Yitia nodded in response. However, when he saw the chessboard and pieces brought up by his servant, Liu Yitia was stunned.
An eight-by-eight chessboard? Only five types of pieces: General, Advisor, Chariot, Horse, and Pawn? What about the Elephant and Cannon? And what about the Chu River and Han Border? How can you play like this?
"Uncle Yang, this..." Liu Yitiao pointed at the chessboard on the table, unsure of how to begin.
Yang Bofang saw Liu's strange expression and asked, "What's wrong?" He looked at the chessboard and said, "Nothing seems to be missing. The pieces are all there and the board is intact."
Liu Yitiao cupped his hands and said, "Yang Shu, this chess game seems to be somewhat inconsistent with what my master taught me?" Helpless, Liu Yitiao had no choice but to push the question back onto his master's body.
"Oh?" Yang Bo Fang guessed: "Could it be that your teacher taught you ancient chess? Well, that's okay, let's just remove the pieces and we'll be fine. Ancient chess only has four types of pieces: general, chariot, horse, and pawn, but the board hasn't changed much. It doesn't matter."
"Go again?" Liu Yitiao didn't know what to say anymore, wouldn't going again make it even harder? He hastily said: "The moves taught by Master are not ancient chess, and the types of pieces on the board seem to be two more than now."
"Oh?" Yang Bofang's interest was piqued, and he asked the two sons to explain. He turned to Liu Yitiao and said, "Tell me, how do you set up your Xiangqi pieces?"
"First, the chessboard is nine vertical and ten horizontal, with two armies facing each other across the Chu River and Han border. When attacking, you must first cross these two defensive lines. Secondly, there are thirty-two pieces on the board, twelve for each side. Divided into black and red sides, the red side has: one general, two advisors, two elephants, two chariots, two horses, two cannons, and five soldiers. The black side has: one marshal, two guards, two elephants, two chariots, two horses, two cannons, and five soldiers."
"What about the cannon?" Yang Bo Fang asked: "The prime minister is still understandable, he is an assistant to the country, but what is that cannon?"
"As Yang Shu said, the General is a piece that assists the country, moving only in straight lines within its own camp, walking through the nine palaces. As for the Cannon, it's an instrument for attacking cities, similar to the Pao (an ancient stone-throwing vehicle). Yang Shu can consider it as a Pao. It only moves in straight lines and requires someone to construct a framework before it can be activated."
Yang Bofang thought for a moment and said: "Listening to you, it seems quite strict. You draw them out, let's play a game of uncle and nephew to see how it goes."
"Yes!" replied Liu Yitiao. He asked Yang Bofang for paper and pen, and drew the modern chessboard on it. Then he explained in detail the movement and function of each piece to Yang Bofang, who listened with great enthusiasm. Immediately, he ordered his servants to make a chessboard and pieces according to Liu's drawing.
Because there were only eight pieces left, they were made very quickly. In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the servants brought up the finished chessboard and pieces.
Liu Yitiao and Yang Bofang sat on both sides, Liu Yitiao said: "Uncle Yang, you first!"
As it was the first time playing this style of chess, Yang Bo Fang didn't show any mercy to Liu Yi Tiao. Both sides moved their pieces out and started a fierce battle. The result was predictable, with Liu Yi Tiao winning by a large margin.
However, as he moved around, Yang Bo Fang also became familiar with the routine rules of this Xiangqi. His combat power gradually increased.
"Haha, one move, and the master is truly a great talent! To be able to come up with such an ingenious chess situation, it's really admirable! I wonder what the master's name is?" Yang Bo Fang couldn't help but praise as he delved deeper into the game.
Liu Yitiao replied: "The name of the master is not convenient for the younger generation to mention, but the master's surname is Tang, known as the Master of Peach Blossom Hut, and he is a native of Jiangnan."
"Taohua An's master? How come I've never heard anyone mention him?" Yang Bofang furrowed his brow, completely without impression. He then asked Liu Yitiao: "I don't know where your respected teacher is now, another day I'll go personally to ask for instruction on chess skills."
Liu Yitiao pretended to be sad and said: "My master has passed away many years ago."
"What a pity!" Yang Bo Fang sighed: "Being able to teach students like you and create such innovative chess moves, yet not being able to meet him in person, is truly the greatest regret of my life!"
Liu Yitiao didn't say a word, silently moving the pieces on the chessboard.
Yang Bofang saw this, stretched out his hand and pushed the chessboard, saying: "Let's stop here for today. After playing for so long, I'm a bit tired too. Let's have a chat, you and I, uncle and nephew. I know that besides coming to see me, you also have something else to talk about."
"Yang Shu is wise, and I have indeed come to ask for his advice on some other matters." Liu Yitiao put away the chess pieces and said to Yang Bo: "A few days ago, I exchanged some wasteland with County Magistrate Wang, but now I'm having trouble finding someone to cultivate it. Can you tell me where I can hire some good farmers?"
