Chapter 87: Eminent Sages

"Broken!"

Chen Ji’s pupils suddenly constricted. The biological father of this body was right in front of him, and he hadn't recognized him! No wonder the other person had been looking him over so frequently just now. No wonder the other person had surprisingly asked, "You call me official." How could he fix this?

In this feudal and superstitious era, if he didn't even recognize his own father, wouldn't he be treated as a dirty thing and burned to death?

He saw Chen Li Qin in front of him, wearing a blue official robe with a leather belt around his waist. His face was tanned from supervising work at the river embankment for several months. Unlike Zhang Zhuo’s ruddy complexion, Chen Li Qin at this moment didn't look like a civil official; on the contrary, he looked more like a military general. Jing Wang looked at Chen Li Qin curiously and asked, "Minister Chen, was Chen Ji's *Go* taught by you? Presumably, Minister Chen's *Go* skills are also very formidable."

Chen Li Qin cupped his hands and humbly replied, "This humble official is not skilled in *Go* and has never taught him *Go*. This worthless son is hopeless, unable to achieve anything. The fact that he was able to win against you, I think, is because you were being modest and let him."

Hearing the words "worthless son," Chen Ji remembered his father who had already passed away.

That father was a humble person, but when the thirteen-year-old Chen Ji won second prize in a *Go* competition, that father would smile and tell everyone, "This boy just plays *Go* in his spare time, otherwise none of you would be his opponents," making the other *Go* players incredibly angry.

Beside him, Zhang Zhuo laughed and said, "Your Highness's *Go* skills have reached the pinnacle. I remember seven years ago at the Jiangnan literary gathering, you played against the abbot of Fa Men Temple, Monk Hui Tong. After 137 moves, he thought you were going to resign and admit defeat. He didn't even care about his composure from Zen cultivation, with complacency written all over his face. But he didn't expect that what was waiting for him was your exquisite 'dig' in the 138th move, which rendered all his schemes useless. Presumably, the Chen family boy winning against you is because you let him have some pieces."

Hearing this, Jing Wang smiled and said, "I did let Chen Ji have two pieces, but only for one game. Later, I didn't even let him, and I still lost several games consecutively."

"Hmm." Zhang Zhuo and Chen Li Qin both looked towards Chen Ji.

Jing Wang picked up a *Go* piece and explained, "Chen Ji is a quirky talent in the way of *Go*. You will understand once you play with him in the future when you have time. On the contrary, Minister Chen, why do I feel that you two father and son are somewhat unfamiliar? You didn't greet each other when you met. Just now, Chen Ji even called you 'official' instead of 'father'."

Chen Ji’s heart, like Shi Zi’s and Bai Li’s, plummeted.

He thought everyone’s attention had shifted to *Go*. How could there still be such pointed words?

Chen Li Qin glanced at Chen Ji, then turned his head and cupped his hands to Jing Wang, saying, "Reporting to Your Highness, this humble official also doesn't know what's going on. My worthless son just looked at me like a stranger, which also greatly surprised this humble official."

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

Chen Ji hesitated.

Just as he was thinking about how to answer, he heard Elder Yao laugh coldly at Chen Li Qin, saying, "You Chen residence sent Chen Ji here to be my apprentice, but you never sent a gift during the New Year and other festivals. Now, you've been dragging out the tuition silver payment over and over again, being very stingy. It's very normal for him not to want to recognize you. You literati talk about ruler, minister, father, and son every day, but if a father is not benevolent, naturally a son doesn't need to be filial."

Chen Ji heard his master speak and was suddenly surprised. He turned his head to look at his master.

In the medical hall, Chen Li Qin was slightly startled. "Elder Yao, don't talk nonsense. When I sent Chen Ji to the medical hall, I instructed the servants that the monthly tuition silver must be sent on time, and that they should still prepare some thin gifts for you during the New Year and other festivals. The Chen family's traditions are passed down; we wouldn't not understand these rules."

Elder Yao said faintly, "Oh, so I was lying. Anyway, I didn't see many gifts from your Chen family. Moreover, your Chen family is so wealthy, why do you only give Chen Ji three hundred *wen* every month? It really doesn't match your Chen family's status. How about this, from now on, the Chen family doesn't need to pay tuition silver anymore. I'll take Chen Ji as my foster son. From now on, I will take care of his food, clothing, housing, and transportation, and he will support me in my old age and see me off."

Zhang Zhuo’s hands were tucked into the sleeves of his official robe. Hearing "three hundred *wen*," he looked at Chen Li Qin with a doubtful expression.

Just the patch on the chest and back of Chen Li Qin’s official uniform was probably worth a hundred times more than three hundred *wen*.

The patches worn by officials in the Ning Dynasty were issued by the court, but many officials thought the court-issued patches were not refined enough or bright, so they would ask embroiderers to re-embroider them with gold and silver threads, and this even gradually formed a trend of patch consumption.

One patch costs thirty *taels* of silver, but he only gives his own son three hundred *wen* a month. There must be some deep-seated grudge and hatred between father and son. Chen Li Qin didn't argue with Elder Yao anymore. He also detected something was wrong.

He was silent for a moment and then asked, "Elder Yao, this year's Mid-Autumn Festival, I specifically instructed the steward to send the customary gold and gifts over. He said he had already sent servants to give them to you. Perhaps you received them?"

Elder Yao stroked his beard. "You mean your family servants sent one hundred *wen*? Yes, I received it. Thank you for your three melons and two dates."

Chen Li Qin: "..."

Chen Ji: "..."

His own master's words were really damaging, poisoned from inside out.

Chen Li Qin frowned, cupped his hands and bowed towards Elder Yao. "Elder Yao, I will definitely investigate this matter and give you an explanation."

Jing Wang smiled and smoothed things over, "The affairs of the Chen family are presumably some misunderstanding, probably the servants made a mistake. The Chen family has been a family of wealth and standing for generations, with a strong tradition of poetry and learning. They wouldn't lose etiquette in such a matter. I remember when I was still in the capital, I often followed my second uncle to the Chen residence as a guest. The people of the Chen family were enthusiastic, hospitable, and polite, which left a lasting impression. I remember at that time, Minister Chen had just participated in the autumn imperial examination."

Chen Li Qin cupped his hands, "Your Highness remembers correctly."

Jing Wang waved his hand. "Alright, I also have family matters to attend to. Please return. We can discuss official matters at Jing An Hall again tomorrow."

Chen Li Qin looked at Chen Ji. "Chen Ji, follow me back to the residence. I will investigate the truth for you today."

But Chen Ji remained silent.

He didn't want to return to the Chen residence.

Although Chen Li Qin had a blood relationship with him, in his heart, there was only one father, and he didn't plan to add another.

Whether the Chen residence's affairs were right or wrong, from the moment he put down the three hundred *wen* copper coins at the door of the Chen residence, it was irrelevant.

In the quiet atmosphere, Chen Ji stood behind the red wood counter and cupped his hands towards Chen Li Qin, saying, "Minister Chen, please return. I still have lessons to review. I won't return to the Chen residence until I have completed my studies."

"Minister Chen."

As soon as these words came out, Bai Li and Shi Zi simultaneously widened their eyes.

In this era, everyone received the education of ruler, minister, father, and son. No one dared to deviate from the classics and rebel against their own father. Once a reputation for being unfilial spread, the upper class would not tolerate you, and the official circle would not tolerate you either.

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

Chen Li Qin's face sank. "If you feel wronged about the tuition silver matter, I will investigate this matter clearly for you today. If you resent me sending you to the medical hall, then think about what you did before. Could it be that you still want me, this father, to turn around and apologize to you?"

Chen Ji pondered for a moment. In the end, he didn't take out Chen Wen Xiao’s confession letter.

He just smiled and said, "Minister Chen misunderstood. I didn't suffer any grievances. Now I live very well in the medical hall. My master takes great care of me, my senior brothers are very harmonious, and my life is very fulfilling. Please return. There are already patients queuing outside the door. Don't delay the patients' treatment."

Chen Li Qin opened his mouth repeatedly, wanting to speak but stopping.

Because of Jing Wang, he couldn't lose his temper on the spot. He could only flick his sleeves and leave, "Behave yourself!"

Dozens of official sedans slowly departed, and Tai Ping Medical Hall became quiet again.

Jing Wang played with the *Go* pieces and looked at Chen Ji. "The gate of the Chen family is something many people climb up to. You are still young, so you don't know what things you are giving up."

"Coarse tea and simple food are also quite good." Chen Ji looked at Elder Yao. "Master, thank you."

Elder Yao sneered, "No need to thank me. The tuition silver that should be paid still has to be paid."

Chen Ji: "..."

"Okay."

Speaking, Jing Wang looked at Shi Zi again. "Just now, I was interrupted. I still haven't talked about your matter. How do you think you should be punished?"

Shi Zi cautiously suggested, "One day without meals?"

Jing Wang's face suddenly darkened. "From today onwards, your and Bai Li's monthly allowance will be cut off. Go to Ming Zheng Tower and kneel for three days without food. You are confined to the Wang residence for half a year, and you are not allowed to leave!"

Shi Zi's face changed dramatically. "Dad, won't half a year be too long?"

Bai Li also anxiously said, "Dad, confining my brother is fine, but you can't confine me!"

Jing Wang laughed in anger, "You are indeed very loyal."

Chen Ji discovered that Jing Wang was very patient in other matters, but in front of his children, he seemed like an ordinary old father who might irritably pull out his belt at any time.

At this moment, Bai Li and Shi Zi simultaneously gave Chen Ji eye signals, indicating for him to help think of a way.

If they were really confined for half a year and couldn't go out, they wouldn't be able to participate in the Lantern Festival lantern show, nor go on the spring outing. They would rot in the Wang residence.

Chen Ji said, "Your Highness..."

Jing Wang raised his hand and said solemnly, "Don't speak. You also have a part in this matter. If it weren't for Elder Yao's sake, you would also have to be punished."

Elder Yao had just finished grabbing medicine for Jing Wang. He saw him wrap the yellow paper with hemp rope while leisurely saying, "No need to consider my feelings."

Chen Ji suddenly said, "Your Highness, let's play another game of *Go*. If I win, you will listen to what I have to say and give Shi Zi and Jun Zhu a chance to atone for their crimes."

"Oh?" Jing Wang turned his head to look at Chen Ji. "That isolated curing technique of yours is no longer effective against me. Do you still have the confidence to win against me?"

Chen Ji lightly rolled up his sleeves and said seriously, "Let's try."

Jing Wang became interested. "It seems you still have some hidden skills you haven't revealed. Guess first!" Saying this, he held several *Go* pieces in his hand. Chen Ji guessed, "Odd number."

Jing Wang opened his palm and dropped two *Go* pieces. "Wrong guess. I will play Black first."

Bai Li watched this scene in surprise. In the past, when his father encountered friends with weaker *Go* skills than himself, he would take the initiative to let the other person play Black first. But now, the other person was like a competitive general, fighting for every inch and yielding nothing.

Jing Wang started without hesitation in the corner. He wanted to use thick momentum to bully White's isolated pieces and completely cut off Chen Ji's idea of using isolated curing and swallowing the dragon. But this time, Chen Ji's White pieces actually stubbornly stuck to it without hesitation.

The weakness of isolated pieces is that they are like a candle in the wind, which can be extinguished at any time. While few people realize, thick momentum also has a weakness: it is afraid of being even thicker, becoming more and more clumsy.

Chen Ji's White pieces fell like an antelope hanging its horns, leaving no trace to seek. His *Go* style was strange and ethereal, cold and rational.

Chen Ji's several moves completely subverted all his cognition. In the cognition of all *Go* players in the Ning Dynasty, being clamped and having someone fly-press is a disadvantage, but with Chen Ji, being fly-pressed actually became an advantage.

Unbelievable!

Jing Wang doubtfully said, "Why can you turn fly-pressing into an advantage? Whose sage's style is this?"

Chen Ji didn't answer and continued to place the pieces.

Jing Wang became more and more doubtful as he played. In these simple seventy-two moves, he seemed to see the shadows of all the sages in the path of *Go*, but yet they were completely different!

So *Go* could still be played like this!

Jing Wang threw down his pieces and admitted defeat. "Again, I'll play Black first."

Bai Li watched silently. His father even omitted the step of guessing first, defaulting that he was the one who needed to play Black first.

In the second game, Jing Wang started with the Small Lin style, wanting to form momentum with three points on the left, middle, and right. But in Chen Ji's entangled fight, the wonderful move in the middle that should have connected the whole board was like a fool isolated alone in the middle, completely useless.

In the third game, Jing Wang started with the Star Position Three Swordsmen, but he was still utterly defeated.

He looked at the chessboard, then looked at Chen Ji, and finally threw the Black pieces on the table. He suddenly remembered what he had said earlier: "You are not suitable to be a *Go* player, only suitable to be a *Go* piece."

While Chen Ji had asked back, "Must one live on the chessboard?"

At a certain moment, Jing Wang vaguely felt that the person sitting opposite him was not a small medical hall apprentice, but some sage of *Go* sitting in the river of time, playing against him.

The wheel of the era lightly sketched across the chessboard, making the old era history from now on. Jing Wang solemnly asked, "Boy, who is your *Go* teacher?"

Chen Ji couldn't answer, because he couldn't tell Jing Wang that this was the AI's playing method.

Chen Ji had also experienced Jing Wang's doubts. When he was thirteen years old, he won the second prize in *Go*, and originally wanted to continue learning, but he welcomed the era of AI.

He originally wasn't willing to use those new formulas from the AI to win against Jing Wang, but now he had more important things to do.

Jing Wang took a long breath. "Speak. Since you won against me, then tell me, how do you want Yun Xi and Bai Li to atone for their crimes?"

Chen Ji pondered for a moment. "Your biggest trouble now is how to allocate enough glutinous rice to the border to build city walls. But glutinous rice conflicts with people's livelihood. If you ruthlessly allocate glutinous rice, many common people will starve to death."

Jing Wang gathered the *Go* pieces from the chessboard into his palm while leisurely saying, "This matter is difficult to resolve. There are originally not so many win-win methods in the world. I can only make choices."

Chen Ji said affirmatively, "I have a win-win method."

Jing Wang's action paused. "Conscripting glutinous rice is for military strategy. You know, there are no jokes in the army."

Chen Ji said with a bang, "You lend me Shi Zi and Jun Zhu to use, and give me half a month's time. If I succeed, I will sell you a win-win method. If I fail, Shi Zi and Jun Zhu will be confined for one year, and I will be exiled to Ling Nan."

Jing Wang looked at Chen Ji with interest for a moment. "Deal."