The next morning, Zheng Boping came to Qipanyuan again to visit Fang Zian. Fang Zian slept a little late last night. When Zheng Boping arrived, Fang Zian was lying high in the room with Qin Xiqing in his arms. After receiving the report, Qin Xiqing had to get up and get dressed. But he refused to go together.

"Fang Lang, go and socialize by yourself. I'm tired and don't want to go." Qin Xiqing said.

Fang Zian smiled and nodded. He knew that Qin Xiqing was certainly not tired, but that he was afraid that he would be too preoccupied. Back then, Zheng Boping had pursued her under the pseudonym Pu Gongzi, so Qin Xiqing naturally refused to let her feel unhappy. But in fact, Fang Zian didn't care at all. Regarding this matter, I think back then Qin Xiqing was famous all over the southeast. He was the coveted dream object of many people, and there were many suitors in Lin'an City alone. If he was jealous like this, wouldn't he have become a jealous person?

However, Fang Zian didn't want to force it. Qin Xiqing didn't want to go, so she just didn't go. She was really tired during this period, so it would be good to let her rest for a while. So she dressed, washed and left the room, and asked Shen Ling'er to stay with her. Qin Xiqing, Zhao Gang and others went to meet Zheng Boping.

In the front hall, Zheng Boping was sitting and drinking tea. He seemed to prefer white robes, and today he was wearing another white robe embroidered with gold flowers. When he saw Fang Zian, Zheng Boping stood up to greet him.

"Master Fang, you're polite. Did you sleep well last night?" Zheng Boping said with a smile.

Fang Zian nodded and said: "Very good. Your garden is quiet and comfortable. I have been here from Lin'an for more than half a month, and I had the sweetest sleep last night."

Zheng Boping chuckled and said: "Of course, the efficacy of ambergris is not in vain."

Fang Zian was startled and said in surprise: "You mean I slept well last night because of ambergris?"

Zheng Boping nodded and said: "I'm afraid it is related. Mr. Fang is a distinguished guest. I ordered Chen Qingzhu to light ambergris for him to help him sleep at night. Ambergris calms the mind and calms the mind. It is the most precious spice, so naturally it is worth it. value."

Fang Zian was not only shocked, but even a little scared. He had actually told Zhao Gang and other people around him to be careful. During dinner, Shen Ling'er even used a silver hairpin to test the poison in the wine and food, but who would have thought of the incense burner? I didn't even notice the scented tablets I ordered. No wonder I felt that the fragrance in the room was different last night. Qin Xiqing even said, 'The Zheng family is really luxurious, using such expensive scented tablets.' She didn't care at the time.

In fact, Fang Zian doesn't think it matters what fragrance he uses. The key is that Zheng Boping's seemingly casual mention of this point is tantamount to warning himself. Fang Zian can feel the seemingly casual threat in Zheng Boping's words. If that wasn't the case last night, The ambergris is actually incense, or some other incense that can hurt people. Could it be that all the people like me have been wiped out without knowing it?

"Hahaha, you are really thoughtful. Fang is really flattered. I have long heard that ambergris is extremely valuable, calms the mind, and is of great benefit to people. The taste is even more elegant and fragrant, but I have never used it. Who? I think what I smelled last night was the smell of ambergris. This is the first time in my life." Fang Zian laughed.

Zheng Boping smiled, with a touch of contempt in his eyes. This Fang Zian had never even used ambergris, he was like a country bumpkin.

"If Mr. Fang likes it, I will give you some later. But this thing is not easy to get. It is not easy for the Nanhai Sharks to obtain, and there are not many countries. My Zheng family earns very little every year. The imperial court and the wealthy families in various places need it. It’s quite a lot, so I can only give you a small package. It’s too much, but I’m powerless.”

Fang Zian quickly thanked him and said: "Okay, okay, not to mention a small packet, a spoonful of fragrant powder is also fine. I know this thing is very expensive, and I don't dare to take more. Hahaha, thank you in advance."

Zheng Boping smiled and nodded, the disdain in his eyes becoming more obvious. Not only was this man ignorant, but he was also a greedy guy. He was just being polite, but who knew that he would not even say a word of refusal and just accept it directly.

"Master Fang is so polite. Huh? Why didn't Miss Xiqing come with you?" Zheng Boping poked his head and looked out of the hall.

"Dong Zheng's wife is resting in her room and will not come to see the guests. Does Zheng Dong's family have anything to say to her? I can do it for her," Fang Zian said with a smile.

Zheng Boping hurriedly waved his hand and said, "No, no, I'm just asking. It's okay if you don't come. I just happen to be accompanying you for a stroll in the garden. It would be inconvenient for the female family members to follow you."

Fang Zian smiled and said: "Inconvenient? Is there something that only men can look at?"

Zheng Boping chuckled and said, "Sir, do you know why this courtyard of my Zheng family is called Qipan Garden?"

Fang Zian shook his head and said: "You have to ask me, is this garden built according to the shape of a chessboard?"

Zheng Boping said: "Your Excellency guessed half of it right. The garden is not built according to the pattern of a chessboard, but the garden is

There is indeed a chessboard inside, and... there are chess pieces."

Fang Zian smiled and said: "That's normal. Who doesn't have chess pieces on the chessboard? Although I'm not good at black and white, I do have an ivory Go set in my study."

Zheng Boping smiled and said: "The chess pieces on my chessboard are different from those on your chessboard. The chess pieces here are not made of ivory. And your chess is Go, and I am talking about chess. Do you usually play chess?"

Games like chess have become very popular in the Song Dynasty. Go is too complicated, while chess is simpler and easier to learn. Therefore, ordinary people can play chess, but in the eyes of literati, playing Go is a high-level game. Fang Zian knows nothing about chess.

I have no interest in Go or chess.

"No. If I have that time, I might as well listen to the lyrics and go shopping. Playing chess is too boring. I don't like boring things." Fang Zian said.

Zheng Boping said with a smile: "I can guarantee that the chess here is not boring. Come on, I will show you. Maybe we can play a game."

Fang Zian smiled and said, "There's nothing going on here, so it's a good idea to go take a look."

The two of them left the hall and walked to the back garden. As they walked inside, the courtyard became more and more exquisite. Until they entered a large garden, the scenery here was even better than the scenery outside. There were pavilions and rockeries, small bridges and flowing water, and winding paths.

, I don’t know where it leads. Fang Zian secretly clicked his tongue. Based on the distance he was walking at this moment, the area of ​​​​this chessboard garden is at least the area of ​​a large house with four rooms. It only takes up such a large area to build a single courtyard.

The Zheng family is really quite luxurious.

After turning several corridors, walking through the paths behind the rockery and the lush scenery of flowers and trees, a green lawn suddenly opened up. At both ends of the lawn are two high rockeries, each with an exquisite pavilion.

One pavilion has red pillars and red tiles, and the other has a black roof and black tiles.

"Master Fang, we are here. Which pavilion will you choose to go to?" Zheng Boping said with a smile.

Fang Zian scratched his head and said, "What do you mean? I'm confused. Why choose a pavilion?"

Zheng Boping did not explain, but smiled and said: "Your Excellency is a guest. Red comes first and Black comes last. Sir, please go to the pavilion on the right."

Fang Zian said: "What? Are you serious about playing chess? There are masters in that pavilion, and I told you I don't play chess."

Zheng Boping said with a smile: "You will know when you get there. Keep it safe so that you can have fun."

Fang Zian chuckled and said, "Mysterious, just like you. Are all of your Zheng family members as mysterious as you?"

Zheng Boping was stunned and said with a smile: "How do you know that my Zheng family is so talkative?"

Fang Zian smiled and said: "I don't know, it's just a feeling. Your Zheng family is so rich and has established such a big business in Quanzhou. It's quite strange that we rarely hear about your Zheng family in Lin'an City.

Maybe that's why I feel this way."

Zheng Boping smiled and said: "My Zheng family is just a businessman. Lin'an City is full of big shots. What do we think? Sir, let's just play chess."

Fang Zian waved his hand and said: "Okay, okay, my second boss insists on me playing chess and making a fool of myself, so I can only be respectful and obey. I'm going to the pavilion over there. You have to tell those masters to be merciful and don't let me lose."

It’s so miserable.”

Zheng Boping smiled and said: "Don't worry, sir, you won't lose. You should be very happy. I will make you unforgettable for the rest of your life."

Fang Zian followed a servant to the pavilion at the east end. There was no master waiting for him in the pavilion. There were snacks and tea on the stone table, but there was not even a chess piece. Fang Zian didn't know what it meant and didn't bother to go.

Thinking too much, I simply sat down to drink tea and have snacks. I haven't had breakfast yet since I woke up in the morning. I, Zheng Boping, will accompany me to have breakfast. It turns out that this guy insists on taking me to play chess. It's really inexplicable.

"Are you ready?" Zheng Boping's voice sounded loudly in the black-roofed pavilion opposite.

"Second boss, you're ready." Someone replied loudly.

"Then why don't you start? Let's play chess." Zheng Boping shouted.

Fang Zian became wary. It sounded like he was going to do something big. Could it be harmful to him? Just as he was thinking, he suddenly heard the sound of gongs, and from the side corridor, dozens of people rushed in in an instant.

When they came out, half of the people were in red clothes and half were in green clothes and half were in green clothes. They turned out to be dozens of graceful women with fair skin and beautiful appearance, holding bamboo hats.

The women screamed and rushed to the lawn, but no one could see how they moved. A huge chessboard suddenly appeared on the lawn. It was horizontal and vertical, with clear lines. Half of it was paved with silk ribbons and the other half was paved with black ribbons. In the middle was written Chu

The four characters "Hehanjie" were written there beforehand, and the turf above them was revealed.

The next moment, as the gong sounds again,

All the women let out neat screams and put the bamboo hats in their hands on their heads. Standing on the pavilion, Fang Zian could see it clearly. There were big characters written on the tops of those bamboo hats. Her half was red and the other was black.

The words are all the names of chess pieces such as "chariots, horses, artillery, generals and elephants". How could Fang Zian not understand what this means at this time? This is using beautiful women as chess pieces, and what is being played is not the chess on the chessboard, but the chess pieces on the chessboard.

Lively beauty chess. No wonder Zheng Bonian said that he must like it. This is the first time Fang Zian has seen this kind of gameplay.

"Master Fang, you are the red side and can move first." The servant beside him whispered: "Master just needs to shout out how to play the chess, and the chess pieces below will move according to the master's instructions."

No need to explain, Fang Zian knew how to do it. Fang Zian stood up, looked at the chessboard, and suddenly shouted: "Cannon two draws five"

The servant next to him staggered and almost fainted. In chess, one of the most unreasonable moves is to shoot two and draw five, commonly known as the cannon. This move is aimed at the opponent's commander position, which is an extremely fierce move.

This move is also the one with the most loopholes. Generally only novices will do this, or the most rude people will make this move.

Not only were the servants a little confused, but the young ladies in red clothes with the word "gun" on their heads below were also a little confused. They had never experienced a guest coming up to take advantage of them.

"Why don't you move?" Fang Zian shouted.

"Play chess!" the servant shouted loudly.

Amidst the sound of the drums, the girl in red standing on the second line moved. With her long skirt flying, she had reached the fifth position. On the pavilion opposite, Zheng Boping suppressed a curse in his stomach and faced

This rude move had to be responded to with a smile.

Fang Zian's chess ability was average, but in the following game he pressed forward step by step and made all kinds of unreasonable moves. Generally, chess masters would exchange pieces for pieces unless they felt it was advantageous, but he seized the opportunity and exchanged pieces.

He laughed loudly on the pavilion as he watched the girl in red flying up to him and pushing the girl in green opposite him out of the chessboard like a dance.

Zheng Boping originally planned to repair Fang Zian because of his unreasonable moves. However, as the chess game progressed, his pieces were wiped out one by one, forming an unwinnable endgame. He was extremely angry. The chess player

One way to play is to play chess against an expert. When the number of chess pieces on the chessboard reaches a certain level, even if you have one or two more big pieces than the opponent, it will be difficult to win. Fang Zian adopted this rogue method.

.As long as there is a chance, he will definitely redeem his coins. Zheng Boping did not realize it at the beginning. When he realized it and consciously avoided redeeming his coins, Fang Zian did not hesitate to exchange two coins for one, and would rather suffer a loss than redeem his coins.

In the end, Zheng Boping had two big men left, one cannon and one horse. However, although Fang Zian had no big men, he had all the soldiers. It was already a difficult situation to win. What's more, Fang Zian still had one pawn left.

Patrolling the river at the opposite position No. 2. In desperation, Zheng Boping could only accept the fate of a draw.

Fang Zian laughed loudly and came down from the pavilion. Zheng Boping also suppressed the irritation in his heart and greeted him with an elegant smile. The two met in the middle of the chessboard.

"Hahaha, it's really fun. Mr. Zheng, you rich people really know how to play. Where can you find so many beautiful girls to use as chess pieces?" Fang Zian said with a smile.

"Sir, as long as you have money, there aren't enough chess pieces, right? Are you having fun, sir?" Zheng Boping asked.

Fang Zian nodded repeatedly and said: "Happy, happy. I'm so happy. It's true that money can make all the difference. But using these beautiful young women as chess pieces is really a waste of money."

Zheng Boping smiled and said: "As long as it can make adults feel happy, it is not a waste of money. They are used to entertain people. To be honest, everyone who has come to play in my chessboard garden finds it very fun and very satisfying."

Fang Zian asked: "Are many people coming here to play this kind of chess?"

Zheng Boping said with a smile: "There are not many people. It depends on whether the people who come to see are qualified to play. The Fujian Road System Envoy has come to play, the Fuzhou prefect has come to play, and many officials from the imperial court and local governments have come to play. In short,

, it’s not that I want to come and play a lot, but I can’t play much.”

Fang Zian nodded slowly and said, "I'm so honored, and I'm still not satisfied."

Zheng Boping smiled and said: "Sir, do you still want to play? In fact, the chess game is not over yet. Sir, the thirty-two chess pieces just now live in the red building at the back. Everyone lives in a single room. Do you have any chess pieces that you like?

?You can go to the red building and find her according to the number on the door and continue the chess game."

Fang Zian was stunned for a moment, then pointed at Zheng Boping's nose and laughed: "I see, that's it, I understand, I understand."
Chapter completed!