It was once said, âCorner is gold, side is silver, center is grass.â<sup>1</sup>\n
Go paid attention to the boardâs overall layout. The general practice of playing Go was to first occupy the corners and then tear down the sides, so as to encircle and develop towards the middle. After all, Go was mainly a word that meant, âsurround.â<sup>2</sup>\n
When launching an opening âcenterâ move, one would place the stone right down the middle of the board. It wasnât that such a move was taboo, but to land the first piece on that spot inferred that one was either ignorant of Goâs standard practice, or boastful of oneâs superior Go skill with the intent of scorning the opponent.\n
It was naturally impossible for Zong Yue to be the former, so the only possiblity was that he was contemptuous.\n
Feng Sheng remained undeterred and played a piece at the lower left corner in a very mediocre manner, by no means responding to Zong Yueâs contempt. The two subsequently exchanged blows in a âyou come, I goâ fashion.\n
For masters, a game of Go wasnât so difficult upon start. They were adroit and hardly needed to expend energy strategizing moves. Thus, the two battled exceedingly fast. Zhi Chun serving tea at the side watched things in a blur as over ten stones landed on the board.\n
She gingerly placed the tea on the table and was about to retreat, but Feng Sheng stopped her.\n
âFind some snacks to eat.â\n
Zhi Chun peeked at Zong Yue, and in silence, went to the side to open the tea cupboard and fished out several small saucers from inside.\n
There were chestnuts, fennel beans, five-spice peanuts, two kinds melon seeds, and a dish of preserved fruits. Zhi Qiu veered a small table by their side and set the snacks atop it.\n
Feng Sheng waved her hand as she grabbed melon seeds to eat, and the two girls backed away.\n
Now, their Go match had reached a critical point, and both were playing very slowly. Feng Sheng nibbled on her snacks to pass the time.\n
One could see that she was playing with leisure. Otherwise, would she be crunching on snacks in between moves?\n
Zong Yue listened to that crunching noise and re-examined the Go boardâs surface, clenching the back of his teeth.\n
âThese melon seeds are good. Did you switch to a different store?â\n
Zhi Chun answered, âThe store we frequented had closed. This is from a new store. If Young Master likes it, this servant will have someone buy some more.â\n
âGood.â\n
Zong Yue finally dropped a piece, and Feng Sheng, with her free hand, brought up her own Go piece and swiftly placed it on the board with apparent nonchalance.\n
It was Zong Yueâs turn again.\n
After a few more moves, Zong Yue tossed aside the piece he had pinched in his hand.\n
âYou have nothing to say?â\n
âWhat?â\n
The corners of Zong Yueâs mouth tightened, and he studied the innocent face opposite him.\n
Truly too innocent. The brownish black muffler rendered her face extremely fair and clear, albeit somewhat aloof. However, because of her pair of inky brows and eyes, she appeared a bit more carefree and unfettered.\n
It was completely different from when he first saw her.\n
It was also unlike the her that day at the Sun family, exhibiting her clever and glib bravado in front of a thousand staring eyes. Even the her during their farewell at Yangzhou was dissimilar. Sometimes, Zong Yue wondered how many faces she truly had.\n
âNeed this prince to remind you?â\n
Feng Sheng blinked. âIs Your Highness, Prince Wei, talking about the life-saving grace? This scholar has already said thanks. Since Your Highness brought it up, I would like to once again express my gratitude. If not for Your Highness, Iâm afraid I wouldâve lost my life that day.â\n
Zong Yue felt that churning feeling once more, an indescribable fire even worse.\n
âFang Feng Sheng, are you playing dumb with this prince?â He refused to believe that she was oblivious of his meaning.\n
âYour Highness, Prince Wei, this scholar really doesnât understand what youâre sayingâŠâŠâ\n
Zong Yue shot up and, because of this fierce action, toppled the board over. He wasted not a moment longer and swept away like a gust of wind.\n
âAi, this person is truly baffling. Whatâs he even angry about?â\n
As these words left her mouth, Feng Sheng observed his back, but the emotion in her eyes was a bit peculiar. After standing for a while, she squatted down to retrieve the Go stones, and Zhi Chun and Zhi Qiu, who were momentarily aghast, hastily stooped down to join her.\n
âWhat a damper! Pick them up. Iâm going out.â Feng Sheng straightened her back and stood up.\n
âYoung Master, where are you going? Itâs so cold outside and youâre not yet well.â\n
âIâm going to find Brother Fan.â\n
*\n
Fan Jin Chuan wasnât at the rear court, but at the front court.\n
Feng Sheng found him in the study room behind the civil court.\n
âWorthy Brother.â\n
Seeing Feng Sheng, behind the large table, Fan Jin Chuanâs eyes flickered for a moment. âWhatâs wrong? I have some official business here.â\n
âNothing important. I just havenât seen my lord for a few days and it feels a bit strange.â\n
âWhatâs strange?â Fan Jin Chuan stood up and pretended to search for something in front of the bookcase. âIâve been busy with official business these days, so I had no time to visit Worthy Brother. Howâs Worthy Brotherâs illness? The doctor already told you to recuperate for a few more days. You still canât run outside. Itâs cold now, and you might catch a cold.â\n
âI only come out for walks when Iâm bored in my room.â Feng Sheng ambled closer and looked at the bookcase, then raised her eyebrows at him. âAs for what I find strange, of course itâs Brother Fanâs attitude. Brother Fan seems to have been avoiding me lately.â\n
âAvoiding you? Howâs that possible? Worthy Brother misunderstood. Iâve just been busy with official business.â\n
See, being too open and guileless was also a disadvantage. Take Fan Jian Chuan, for example. Telling this kind of lie was completely uncharacteristic of him, making it so obvious. At a glimpse, one could sniff out his diffidence.\n
Feng Sheng was powerless against it and sat on a chair by his side.\n
âDid something happen?â\n
âItâs nothing, really. Worthy Brother shouldnât think too much.â\n
âBut Iâm your advisor. If you keep being so dismissive and evasive, I might not be able to continue.â\n
Hearing this, Fan Jin Chuan was shaken and a little pained. He probed, âIs it because of His Highness, Prince Wei?â\n
Feng Sheng asked curiously, âWhy does my lord think so?â\n
Fan Jin Chuan could no longer uphold his lie. He also thought it a little too rude to keep having his back to her. He casually took a volume of books and headed to the writing desk, but instead of sitting down, he began tidying the tabletop again.\n
âPrince Wei seems to have made this trip for you. He had once intended to invite you as a protege, and I can see that this intention hasnât yet been dispelled, soâŠâŠâ\n
âSo, you think Iâll leave with Prince Wei?â\n
âHe saved your life. If he asks, Iâm sure it will be hard for Worthy Brother to refuse.â\n
Feng Shengâs face turned cold. âWho told you that Iâm leaving with him?â\n
Fan Jin Chuan raised his eyes to look at her. âThen, Worthy Brother wonât leave with Prince Wei?â\n
His especially limpid eyes contained a bit of ineffable apprehension. Feng Sheng was obviously quite incensed, but the fire was now all adrift and had instead transformed into helplessness.\n
âWe havenât finished what we needed to do. How can I leave?â\n
Fan Jin Chuanâs eyes brightened.\n
âSo, Worthy Brother never planned on leaving?â\n
âYou wish for me to go so badly?â\n
For some reason, Fan Jin Chuan couldnât dare look into her eyes. âOf course not, itâs just thatâŠâŠâ His tone suddenly turned downcast, and only after a while did he say, âThis brother is ashamed in his heart.â\n
âAshamed of what?â\n
Fan Jin Chuan didnât say anything at first, but he really couldnât stand the sight of Fang Feng Sheng eyeing him with intense scrutiny. He firmly slumped his head down, hinting that he had cut off his means of retreat.\n
âWorthy Brother took all the dirt on himself, but I stayed out of it. Worthy Brother braved through hardships outside, but I rested easy. This time, even His Highness, Prince Wei, had realized you were in danger, and I, alone, didnât notice. If His Highness Prince Wei hadnât insisted on going there, Iâm afraid Worthy BrotherâŠâŠ Even after that, I was clear of the culprit behind the incident, but I was incapable of actionâŠâŠ The longer I stay here, the more I question my ability to become a good official, or what the definition of a good official even isâŠâŠâ\n
Was he perplexed?\n
Feng Sheng found Fan Jin Chuanâs perplexity unsurprising. Throwing a pedant into such a place would inevitably shatter his three views<sup>3</sup> and impel him to reorganize them. The result of this reorganization could be two extremes: It could give him a high fighting spirit and a staunch conviction, or ruin him at a stroke and lead him to drift with the waves and go with the flow.\n
Feng Sheng certainly wasnât looking forward to Fan Jin Chuanâs ruin, regardless of her own motives, her position as his friend, or even as his private advisor. \n
âHavenât we previously discussed this matter of me shouldering the stigma and you staying out of it? In a play, someone has to wear the black mask, and someone also has to wear the red mask.<sup>4</sup> Both are indispensible, thatâs why Brother Fan appears to be doing nothing. But, how sure are you that youâre not contributing to the play? As to whether or not you become a good official, I canât answer that. All I can say is, when you feel discouraged, just think of your original intention.â\n
âWhat was your original intention?â\n
What was his original intention?\n
To become a good official.\n
However, the definition of a good official was too vague. The words âgood officialâ was merely an inherent concept externally provided to him. He only knew that good officials were good and corrupt officials were bad. It was analogous to discussing military tactics on paper.<sup>5</sup> He had initially assumed that he would become a good official just by being assiduous in his duties, but coming to Taizhou, he realized that it was too onerous to be a good official who didnât drift with the current, or one who could alleviate the common peopleâs burdens.\n
It was akin to being caught in a huge net. One desired to do certain things, but was incapable and powerless. The gentlemanâs way, which he had earnestly believed in, no longer seemed applicable. He even wanted to be adept at circuity, as well as do something that, on the surface, wasnât the ârightâ thing to doâŠ..\n
That old farmerâs face suddenly streamed through his thoughtsââ\n
âActually, everyone here knows, but no one dares tell you! Iâm old and my whole family is dead. They all died in the flood, and Iâm left alone with this weary old body to muddle my way through. Iâm not afraid to dieâŠâŠâ\n
âIf the waterways are blocked, how can we dredge? The heavens and earth are not benevolent, and they consider all living beings as disposable objects. This is heavenâs way of exterminating the common people!â\n
Fang Feng Shengâs face also flashed before his eyesââ\n
âWould you dare defy the world?â\n
âOnly when Liang Huai is in chaos, so chaotic that His Majesty canât stand it, will we be able to break through and do as we desireâŠâŠâ\n
âI canât answer that. All I can say is, when you feel discouraged, just think of your original intention. What was your original intention?â\n
âŠâŠ..\n
âWorthy Brother?â\n
Fan Jin Chuan snapped back to his senses, only to discover that Fang Feng Sheng had, at some point, walked out the door.\n
âWorthy Brother, I have one more thing to say.â\n
âWhat is it?â Feng Sheng returned with a smile.\n
Gazing at her face, Fan Jin Chuan was suddenly in a trance.\n
Recalling the day Prince Wei had carried Worthy Brother Fang, and the way Gou Qing had drunk and joked at the theatre, he was actually bereft of speech and only felt that the Worthy Brother Fang looking back his way was somewhat inexpicably quite attractive.\n
âWhat?â\n
âNo, nothing.â\n
*\n
When he was at the front court in the afternoon, Fan Jin Chuan brooded over this incident as though ghosts and gods were at work in his head.\n
When he returned to the rear court in the evening, he couldnât resist asking Xiao Qi a question.\n
âWhat do you think of Worthy Brother Fangâs appearance?â\n
This confused Xiao Qi.\n
âYoung Sir, this lowly one doesnât understand what you mean.â\n
âItâs just, itâs justâŠâŠâ The words were already at the tip of his tongue, but Fan Jin Chuan swallowed them back, âForget it, itâs nothing.â\n
Xiao Qi was even more confused and couldnât help but scratch his head.\n
That said, Fan Jin Chuan couldnât resist paying extra attention to Fang Feng Sheng and had, several times, formulated pretexts to see her just so he could gauge if his attraction was only an illusion.\n
âBrother Fan, itâs your turn.â\n
Fan Jin Chuan returned to reality and couldnât resist sneaking another glimpse of her.\n
The dusky yellow lighting tinted Feng Shengâs fair and jade-like face with a layer of honey. Looking down at the Go board, her remarkably curled and thick lashes, as well as her long inky eyebrows, manifested her grace and fortitude. She was half-reclined on a soft pillow with one hand subconsciously stroking her dark red prayer beads, her demeanor languid and placid.\n
âBrother Fan, are you still playing or not? If not, letâs take a break?â\n
âPlay, of course. The game isnât over yet.â Fan Jin Chuan scrambled to put down a piece, yet this piece was like a lamb chucked to a tigerâs den. Feng Sheng couldnât help but knit her brows. âForget it. Brother Fan seems to be preoccupied and is no longer in the mood to play. Itâs not too early. I want to rest. Brother Fan should rest as well.â\n
âAlright, alright.â\n
Fan Jin Chuan stood up and hurriedly headed out the door. Feng Sheng bored her puzzled eyes into his back.\n
âŠâŠ..\n
âColourâs five hues from the eyes their sight will take; musicâs five notes the ears as deaf can make; the flavours five deprive the mouth of taste; the chariot course, and the wild hunting waste make mad the mind; and objects rare and strange, sought for, menâs conduct will to evil changeâŠâŠâ<sup>6</sup>\n
âLord Fan, whatâs the chanting about?â\n
Fan Jin Chuan abruptly paused in his tracks and looked towards Zong Yue and De Wang, who were standing in the darkness by the light under the corridor.\n
It was precisely De Wang who spoke.\n
The night breeze was very cold and it felt as if snow was imminent.\n
Brushed by a puff of cold wind, Fan Jin Chuan instantly felt much clearer in the head.\n
âNo, nothing. Why is His Highness Prince Wei standing here? Itâsâââ\n
âThis prince had nothing to do and came out for a walk.â\n
Out for a walk at this time?\n
However, this moment, Fan Jin Chuan wasnât in the mood to speculate. He nodded to Prince Wei, perfunctorily spouted out words about the bitter cold weather, and hastily left to avoid catching a cold.\n
De Wang stole a glance at Zong Yueâs face and said, âThis Lord Fan even has this kind of eccentricity? Is it because he reads too many books that heâs become crazy, reciting books even while walking?â\n
âHeâs reciting âThe Classic of the Virtue of the Taoâ.â\n
ââThe Classic of the Virtue of the Taoâ?â Well, speaking to De Wang about âThe Classic of the Virtue of the Taoâ was simply like playing a lute to a cow.\n
Noticing Zong Yue stop, he very cautiously inquired, âYour Highness, will you still look for Advisor Fang?â\n
Zong Yue didnât say anything and turned around to stride away.\n
Colourâs five hues from the eyes their sight will take; musicâs five notes the ears as deaf can make; the flavours five deprive the mouth of taste; the chariot course, and the wild hunting waste make mad the mindâŠâŠ\n
What drove Fan Zi Jin, who was always well-mannered and polite, crazy?\n
De Wang seemed to hear a faint sound of something shattering, but didnât dare look up and trailed in lockstep.\n
Translatorâs Note:\n
Zong Yue is a big child who doesnât know what to do with his feelings. Please ignore him for the first half of the story⊠he eventually gets better.\n\n
<hr class="wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-vivid-red-background-color has-vivid-red-color is-style-wide">\n<sup>1</sup> éè§é¶èŸčèèçź: Corner is gold, side is silver, center is grass is a Chinese Go proverb. It means that territory in the corner is the easiest to surround, followed by the edge, and the center is the hardest place to get territory. Note that in this proverb, the center of the board is referred to as a belly (èçź), so the literal translation for the third item is grass belly, or belly is grass. Source\n
<sup>3</sup> äžè§: three conceptions or ideas about life, world and values.\n
<sup>4</sup> In Chinese Opera, the black mask is the neutral character: indicates impartiality and integrity. The red mask is the positive character: red means prosperity, loyalty, courage and heroism. Red indicates intelligence and bravery\n
<sup>5</sup> çșžäžè°ć ”: lit. military tactics on paper (idiom); fig. theoretical discussion that is worse than useless in practice; armchair strategist; idle theorizing\n
<sup>6</sup> This is from Laoziâs éćŸ·ç¶ (Dao De Jing), the repression of desires. Translation by James Legge.\n
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