Chapter 89: Ancient Sages

Oh no!

Chen Ji's pupils suddenly contracted. His own biological father was standing right in front of him, and he hadn't recognized him! No wonder the man had been looking at him so often earlier, and no wonder he had asked in surprise, "You call me 'Sir'?" How was he going to explain this?

In this feudal and superstitious era, if he didn't even recognize his own father, he would surely be branded as an evil spirit and burned alive... Before him, Chen Liqin wore a blue official robe with a leather belt. His face was dark from months of supervising construction on the river embankment. Unlike Zhang Zhuo's ruddy complexion, Chen Liqin at this moment resembled less a civil official and more a military general. Prince Jing looked at Chen Liqin and asked curiously, "Minister Chen, did you teach Chen Ji how to play Go? I presume your own skill at Go must be exceptional." Chen Liqin cupped his hands and humbly replied, "This humble servant is not skilled at Go and has never taught him. My useless son is quite hopeless; if he managed to win against Your Highness, I can only assume you were being generous."

Hearing the term "my useless son," Chen Ji was reminded of his own deceased father.

His father had been a humble man, yet when 13-year-old Chen Ji was taken to a Go tournament and won second prize, his father would laughingly tell everyone, "This boy just plays Go in his spare time; otherwise, none of you would be his match!" This always infuriated the other players.

Beside them, Zhang Zhuo chuckled, "Your Highness, your Go skills have long reached perfection. I recall seven years ago, at the Jiangnan Literary Gathering, when you played against Abbot Huitong of Famen Temple. After his 137th move, he thought you would resign, casting aside even his meditative composure, with satisfaction clearly written all over his face. But he never expected that what awaited him was your exquisite 138th move – a 'dig' that nullified all his plans. I presume young Chen's victory over you must have been due to you giving him a handicap."

Hearing this, Prince Jing smiled and said, "I did indeed give Chen Ji a two-stone handicap, but only for one game. After that, even without the handicap, I still lost several games in a row."

"Oh?" Zhang Zhuo and Chen Liqin both looked at Chen Ji.

Prince Jing picked up a Go stone and explained, "Chen Ji has an unusual talent for Go. You'll understand once you have the chance to play against him... However, Minister Chen, I can't help but notice that you two, father and son, seem rather distant. You didn't greet each other, and just now Chen Ji called you 'Sir' instead of 'Father'."

Chen Ji's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, sank along with the Crown Prince and Princess Baili.

He had thought everyone's attention had shifted to Go. Why was someone still adding insult to injury?

Chen Liqin glanced at Chen Ji, then turned to Prince Jing, cupping his hands. "Reporting to Your Highness, this humble servant is also unsure what's going on. My useless son just looked at me like a stranger, which surprised me greatly."

Prince Jing looked at Chen Ji, smiling with interest, and asked, "What? You don't even recognize your own father?"

Chen Ji hesitated.

Just as he was pondering how to reply, he heard Old Man Yao sneer at Chen Liqin, "Your Chen family sent Chen Ji here as an apprentice, yet we never see any gifts during festivals. Now, even the tuition fees are constantly delayed and miserly. It's perfectly normal for him not to want to recognize you. You scholars always talk about the proper roles of ruler and subject, father and son, but if a father isn't benevolent, a son naturally doesn't need to be filial."

Chen Ji heard his master speak and suddenly turned to look at him in surprise.

Inside the medical hall, Chen Liqin was taken aback. "Physician Yao, please don't speak nonsense. When I sent Chen Ji to the medical hall, I specifically instructed my servants to deliver the monthly tuition fees on time, and to send modest gifts for you during festivals. The Chen family values scholarly tradition and propriety; we wouldn't be ignorant of such rules."

Old Man Yao said blandly, "Oh, so I'm lying then? In any case, I haven't seen much in the way of gifts from your Chen family. Furthermore, your Chen family is so wealthy, why do you only give Chen Ji three hundred coppers each month? It truly doesn't match your family's status. How about this: from now on, the Chen family won't need to pay tuition fees. I'll take Chen Ji as my 'foster apprentice,' and I'll take care of his food, clothing, and housing, and he'll look after me in my old age and see me to my grave."

Zhang Zhuo, with his hands tucked into the sleeves of his official robe, looked at Chen Liqin with a puzzled expression when he heard "three hundred coppers."

The embroidered rank badge alone on the front and back of Chen Liqin's official robe was probably worth a hundred times more than three hundred coppers.

Official rank badges in the Ning Dynasty were issued by the imperial court, but many officials, finding the court-issued badges not exquisite or vibrant enough, would commission embroiderers to re-embroider them with gold, silver, and colored threads. This even gradually led to a trend of consuming such elaborate badges.

A single badge cost thirty taels of silver, yet his own son only received three hundred coppers a month. Was there some deep-seated animosity between father and son? Chen Liqin stopped arguing with Old Man Yao; he, too, sensed that something was amiss.

He was silent for a moment, then asked, "Physician Yao, this Mid-Autumn Festival, I specifically instructed my steward to send over money and gifts. He said he had dispatched servants to deliver them to you. Did you receive them?"

Old Man Yao stroked his beard. "You mean the hundred coppers your servant sent? Yes, I received them. Thank you for your 'trifles.'"

Chen Liqin: "..."

Chen Ji: "..."

His master's mouth was truly sharp, as if it were laced with poison from the inside out.

Chen Liqin frowned, cupped his hands, and bowed to Physician Yao. "Physician Yao, I will certainly investigate this matter thoroughly and give you an explanation."

Prince Jing laughed, trying to smooth things over. "There must be some misunderstanding regarding the Chen family's affairs, perhaps a mistake made by a servant. The Chen family has been prominent for generations, known for their wealth, scholarship, and influence; they would not be remiss in their etiquette concerning such matters. I recall that when I was still in the capital, I often visited the Chen estate with my second uncle. The Chen family was always warm, hospitable, and courteous, leaving a lasting impression... I believe Minister Chen had just finished the imperial autumn examinations around that time, didn't you?"

Chen Liqin cupped his hands. "Your Highness remembers correctly."

Prince Jing waved his hand. "Alright, I also have family matters to attend to. Please return home, everyone. We can discuss official business again tomorrow at the Jing'an Hall." Chen Liqin looked at Chen Ji. "Chen Ji, come back to the estate with me. I will clarify the truth for you today." But Chen Ji remained silent.

He did not want to return to the Chen estate.

Although Chen Liqin was his biological father, in his heart, he only had one father and had no intention of adding another.

The affairs of the Chen estate became irrelevant to him the moment he laid down the three hundred coppers at its gate.

In the quiet atmosphere, Chen Ji stood behind the mahogany counter and cupped his hands toward Chen Liqin. "Minister Chen, please go back. I still have lessons to review. I won't be returning to the Chen estate until I have completed my studies."

"Minister Chen?!"

As soon as he said this, Princess Baili and the Crown Prince simultaneously widened their eyes.

In this era, everyone was educated in the principles of ruler-subject, father-son relationships; no one dared to defy their own father in such a rebellious manner. Once a reputation for unfilial conduct spread, neither high society nor officialdom would tolerate you.

But Chen Ji, after all, did not belong to this era.

Chen Liqin's face darkened. "If you feel you've been wronged regarding the tuition fees, I will clarify this matter for you today. If you resent me for sending you to the medical hall, then think about what you once did. Do you expect me, as your father, to apologize to you instead?"

Chen Ji pondered for a moment, but ultimately did not produce Chen Wenxiao's confession.

He merely smiled and said, "Minister Chen, you misunderstand. I haven't been wronged. I am doing very well at the medical hall now. My master takes great care of me, my fellow apprentices are harmonious, and my life is very fulfilling. Please go back. There are already patients waiting outside the door; let's not delay their consultation."

Chen Liqin opened his mouth repeatedly, wanting to speak but holding back.

Constrained by Prince Jing's presence, he couldn't erupt on the spot. He merely flicked his sleeves and left, saying, "Do as you wish!"

Dozens of official palanquins slowly departed, and Taiping Medical Hall became quiet once more.

Prince Jing, still toying with a Go stone, looked at Chen Ji. "The Chen family's status is beyond the reach of countless people. You are still young, so you don't realize what you've given up."

"Plain living is good too," Chen Ji said, looking at Old Man Yao. "Master, thank you." Old Man Yao chuckled. "Don't thank me; the tuition fees still need to be paid." Chen Ji: "...Alright."

As they spoke, Prince Jing turned his attention back to the Crown Prince. "We were interrupted just now, and I haven't addressed your matter. What punishment do you think you deserve?" The Crown Prince tentatively suggested, "No food for a day...?"

Prince Jing's face immediately fell. "From today onwards, your and Baili's monthly allowances are cut. You are to kneel at Mingzheng Tower for three days without food, and you are confined to the princely estate for half a year!"

The Crown Prince's face changed drastically. "Father, isn't half a year too long?!"

Baili also grew anxious. "Father, just punish my brother! Can't you spare me?" Prince Jing laughed in exasperation. "You children certainly are loyal to each other."

Chen Ji observed that Prince Jing was very patient in other matters, but in front of his children, he was like any ordinary father, prone to pulling out his belt in a fit of temper at any moment.

At this point, Baili and the Crown Prince exchanged glances with Chen Ji, signaling him to think of a solution.

If they truly couldn't leave the estate for half a year, they wouldn't be able to attend the Lantern Festival, nor go on spring outings. They would simply rot away in the princely estate.

Chen Ji said, "Your Highness..."

Prince Jing raised a hand and said sternly, "Don't speak. You also played a part in this. If it weren't for Physician Yao's sake, you'd be punished along with them."

Physician Yao had just finished preparing Prince Jing's medicine. As he slowly bundled the yellow paper package with hemp string, he said, "You don't need to consider my reputation." Chen Ji, however, suddenly spoke up, "Your Highness, let's play another game of Go. If I win, please hear what I have to say, and give the Crown Prince and Princess a chance to redeem themselves."

"Oh?" Prince Jing turned to look at Chen Ji. "Your 'rescuing isolated groups' technique is no longer effective against me. Are you still confident you can win?" Chen Ji calmly rolled up his sleeves and said earnestly, "Let's try."

Prince Jing became interested. "It seems you still have some hidden tricks up your sleeve. Let's guess first!" With that, he held several stones in his hand. Chen Ji guessed, "Odd." Prince Jing opened his palm, and two stones fell out. "Wrong guess. I'll play black first."

Baili watched this scene in surprise. Her father usually allowed friends with weaker Go skills to play black first. But now, he was like a competitive general, fighting for every inch, refusing to yield an inch.

Prince Jing began with a no-worry corner, intending to use his strong position to oppress Chen Ji's isolated white stones, thereby completely crushing Chen Ji's thoughts of rescuing isolated groups or capturing large enemy groups. But this time, Chen Ji's white stones attached themselves without hesitation.

The weakness of isolated stones is that they are like a candle in the wind, liable to be extinguished at any moment. Yet, few realize that strong positions also have weaknesses: they fear becoming overly solidified, growing increasingly clumsy.

Chen Ji's white stones fell like a gazelle hanging its horns—untraceable. His playing style was strange yet elusive, cold yet rational.

Chen Ji's moves completely subverted all his understanding. In the perception of all Go players in the Ning Dynasty, being 'flied' while being pincered was a disadvantage, but for Chen Ji, being 'flied' became an advantage.

Unbelievable!

Prince Jing asked in bewilderment, "How can you turn a 'fly' into an advantage? Whose technique is this?" Chen Ji did not answer, continuing to place his stones.

The more Prince Jing played, the more perplexed he became. In a mere seventy-two moves, he seemed to see the shadows of all past masters within Chen Ji's playing style, yet it was entirely different!

So, Go could be played like this!

Prince Jing resigned, placing a stone. "Again. I'll play black first."

Baili watched silently. Her father had even skipped the stone-guessing step, implicitly acknowledging that he was the one who needed to play black first.

In the second game, Prince Jing began with the Kobayashi style, attempting to build influence from the left, center, and right three-point positions. However, in the face of Chen Ji's entanglement, the brilliant move in the center, which should have connected the grand scheme, remained isolated and useless, like a fool stranded in the middle.

In the third game, Prince Jing started with the "Star Point Three Musketeers" opening, yet still suffered a crushing defeat.

He looked at the Go board, then at Chen Ji, finally tossing his black stones onto the table. He suddenly remembered what he had said earlier: "You're not suited to be a Go player; you're only suited to be a Go piece."

But Chen Ji had countered, "Must one always live within the confines of the board?"

For a moment, Prince Jing vaguely truly believed that the person sitting opposite him was not a mere medical apprentice, but a Go master from ancient times, playing against him across the river of time.

The wheel of time had lightly rolled over the Go board, making the old era history forever.

Prince Jing asked solemnly, "Young man, who is your Go teacher?"

Chen Ji couldn't answer, because he couldn't tell Prince Jing that this was how AI played.

Chen Ji had also experienced Prince Jing's bewilderment. When he won second prize in Go at the age of thirteen, he had intended to continue learning, but then the era of AI arrived.

He hadn't originally wanted to use AI's new joseki to defeat Prince Jing, but now he had more important things he wanted to accomplish.

Prince Jing let out a long breath. "Speak. Since you've beaten me, tell me, how do you intend to help the Crown Prince and Princess redeem themselves?"

Chen Ji pondered for a moment. "Your greatest concern right now is how to allocate enough glutinous rice to build border fortifications. However, glutinous rice conflicts with the people's livelihood; if you ruthlessly reallocate it, many common folk will starve." Prince Jing slowly gathered the Go stones from the board into his palm, saying, "This matter is difficult to resolve. There aren't many solutions in the world that satisfy both sides. I can only make a choice."

Chen Ji asserted confidently, "I have a solution that serves both purposes."

Prince Jing's movements paused. "Conscripting glutinous rice is a military strategy. Do you know that there are no jokes in the military?"

Chen Ji stated emphatically, "Lend me the Crown Prince and Princess for half a month. If I succeed, I will offer you a solution that benefits both. If I fail, the Crown Prince and Princess will be confined for a year, and I will be exiled to Lingnan."

Prince Jing regarded Chen Ji with interest for a moment. "Deal."