Chapter 33: Chess

In the past, having received great kindness from Yang Bofang several times, Liu Yitiao had never found the chance to properly express his gratitude. So on this visit, he brought along more gifts than usual. He knew well that Yang Bofang would not care for such things, but whether out of courtesy or genuine feeling, Liu Yitiao felt compelled to do so.

Led by the servants into the house, he found Yang Bofang seated, smiling in welcome. Liu Yitiao took two steps forward and bowed, respectfully offering his greeting: “Uncle Yang, I wish you an early New Year. May you enjoy health and peace in the coming year.”

Yang Bofang instructed the servants to bring tea, laughing as he said, “Well, well, Yitiao, you’re so thoughtful. Take a seat. There’s no need for formalities here—make yourself comfortable.”

“Thank you, Uncle Yang.” Liu Yitiao sat in the chair beside Yang Bofang.

Yang Bofang remarked, “It’s rare that you come to see me. This is your second visit to my home, I believe. I remember the last time your father brought you, you were not even seven years old.”

“Uncle Yang, your memory is impressive. I can hardly recall such things myself,” Liu Yitiao replied, somewhat embarrassed. Events from when one is seven are hard enough for anyone to remember, let alone for someone who had traversed from another world. So, when it came to the past, he could only feign ignorance.

Yang Bofang chuckled, “That’s hardly surprising. You were just a child then—not remembering is perfectly normal.” He took a sip of tea and continued, “Time flies; now you are a grown man. After the New Year, you’ll be eighteen, won’t you? It’s time you had your own land and a wife. When I was your age, I already had two sons. You must work hard!”

“Uh…” Liu Yitiao lifted his teacup awkwardly, taking a small sip.

Yang Bofang watched Liu Yitiao’s discomfort and burst into hearty laughter, but tactfully did not pursue the matter further. When Liu Yitiao set down his teacup, Yang Bofang spoke again, “We’ve never had much time for a long conversation. Today we have leisure—shall we play a game together, nephew?”

“The black and white stones?” Liu Yitiao’s expression grew troubled. “Uncle Yang, I can manage a few moves in chess, but if it’s Go, perhaps not. The sight of those black and white stones makes my head spin.”

“Oh? You don’t play Go?” Yang Bofang was surprised. He’d heard that Liu Yitiao possessed some literary talent—how could he not play the national game? “In that case, let’s play chess instead. I have the board and pieces at home.”

Liu Yitiao agreed, but when he saw the chessboard and pieces brought by the servants, he was dumbfounded.

An eight-by-eight board? Only five types of pieces—General, Advisor, Chariot, Horse, and Soldier? Where were the Elephant and Cannon? And what of the River Boundary? How was this played?

“Uncle Yang, this…” Liu Yitiao pointed at the chessboard, unsure how to begin.

Yang Bofang noticed Liu Yitiao’s puzzled look and asked, “Is something wrong? The pieces are all here, the board is intact.”

Liu Yitiao replied, “Uncle Yang, this arrangement seems different from what my teacher instructed me in.” Reluctantly, he shifted the blame onto his “teacher.”

“Oh?” Yang Bofang speculated, “Did your master teach you the ancient chess? Hmm, that’s no problem—we can simply remove the Advisors. Ancient chess only has General, Chariot, Horse, and Soldier, and the board is not much changed. It’s alright.”

“Remove another piece?” Liu Yitiao was at a loss. With one less Advisor, wouldn’t it be even harder? He hurriedly explained, “What my teacher taught wasn’t ancient chess, and the pieces on the board seem to be two more than what’s here.”

“Two more pieces?” Yang Bofang grew interested. Subtracting pieces was understandable, but adding pieces—how did that work? He asked, “Tell me, how is the chess you learned arranged?”

Liu Yitiao pointed at the board. “First, the board is nine columns by ten rows, and between the two armies is the River Boundary. To attack, you must cross these lines of defense. Second, there are thirty-two pieces, sixteen for each side. The sides are black and red. Red has one Marshal, two Advisors, two Elephants, two Chariots, two Horses, two Cannons, and five Soldiers. Black has one General, two Advisors, two Elephants, two Chariots, two Horses, two Cannons, and five Soldiers.”

“Elephants and Cannons?” Yang Bofang asked, “The Elephant is easy to understand, a minister of state, but what is the Cannon?”

“As you said, Uncle Yang, the Elephant is a minister, moves within its own side, Advisors move in the palace, Elephants move diagonally. As for the Cannon, it’s a siege weapon, similar to the ancient ‘pao’—a catapult. You can think of it as such. It moves in straight lines, but needs a piece to jump over to attack.”

Yang Bofang pondered, “Your explanation is precise. Draw them for me, and let’s play a game and see how it goes.”

“Certainly!” Liu Yitiao replied. He asked for paper and brush and drew the layout of modern chess. Then he carefully explained the movement and purpose of each piece. Yang Bofang listened with delight and immediately ordered his servants to craft a board and pieces as described.

With only eight extra pieces, it was quickly done. In the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the servants brought the new board and pieces.

Liu Yitiao and Yang Bofang sat on opposite sides. Liu Yitiao said, “Uncle Yang, please make the first move!”

As it was the first time playing this style of chess, Yang Bofang didn’t stand on ceremony with Liu Yitiao. Both brought out their Chariots and Horses, advancing their Soldiers in a fierce battle. As expected, Liu Yitiao won decisively.

However, as they played, Yang Bofang became familiar with the new rules and strategies, and his skill improved steadily.

“Ha ha, Yitiao, your master is truly a genius! To devise such a clever chess game—it’s admirable! What is your master’s name?” Yang Bofang was increasingly fascinated as he played, unable to contain his praise.

Liu Yitiao answered, “I am not at liberty to reveal my teacher’s name, but he is surnamed Tang, known as the Master of Peach Blossom Retreat, a gentleman from Jiangnan.”

“Master of Peach Blossom Retreat? I’ve never heard of him.” Yang Bofang frowned, searching his memory in vain. He asked, “Where is your master now? Perhaps I could visit him one day to learn more about chess.”

Liu Yitiao feigned sorrow. “My teacher passed away many years ago.”

“What a pity,” Yang Bofang sighed. “To teach a student like you and invent such a novel chess game, it’s a great regret that I shall never meet him!”

Liu Yitiao remained silent, quietly arranging the pieces on the board.

Seeing this, Yang Bofang pushed the board aside. “Let’s leave it here for today. After so long, I’m feeling a bit tired. Let’s talk instead. I know you didn’t just come to see me—you have other matters to discuss.”

“Uncle Yang, you are astute. I do indeed have something to ask your advice about.” Liu Yitiao gathered the pieces and explained, “A few days ago, I exchanged some wasteland from Assistant Magistrate Wang. Now I am troubled by the lack of workers to cultivate it, so I’ve come to ask for your guidance. Where might I find reliable farmers for hire?”