Tonight's night is starless and moonless. Ba City and Liu Xuanhan's camp outside Ba City are like two monsters dormant in the darkness. Once anyone accidentally disturbs them, they will open their bloody mouths and tear them apart. Devouring people's lives.
Ba City is famous for its high defenses. This is Xiao Yuanche's military base. Xiao Yuanche's military equipment, heavy soldiers and food, grass and baggage are all stationed here. In some respects, Ba City is even more important. It is higher than the Longtai of Kyoto in the Jin Dynasty.
At the north gate of Ba City, the majestic city wall towers into the clouds, as if connected to the darkness of the sky.
There is a large tower above it, which seems to be shining with invisible lights. Looking from a distance, it looks like stars shining faintly on the dark black sky in the distance.
The main hall was empty and deserted. Except for the two long-bright lamps burning on the big pillars, there was no bright color. The dim lights illuminated the surroundings, making the main hall alternately dim and dim, making it even more lonely.
In the deepest part of the hall, there is a high platform. There are two wooden tables on the high platform. There is a small table between the wooden tables. There is a chessboard on the small table. The black and white colors are arranged staggered on it. It is almost full. piece.
Next to the chessboard, a small wax lamp illuminated the entire chessboard.
One person sat on each side, one on the left and the other on the right. The one on the left was a few years old and had wrinkles on his face. He was dressed as a scholar and wore a soft towel. He held a feather fan in his left hand and shook it occasionally. Down, better than nothing.
He didn't look at the chessboard, he just smiled lightly and looked at the young man opposite.
The young man opposite him has a fair complexion, bright eyes like stars, a straight nose and a square mouth, and is quite handsome.
He held a white chess piece in his hand and was frowning, not knowing how to place it.
Finally, he sighed, shook his head and said: "My father's chess skills are beyond the reach of my son, and my son will never be able to win..."
As he said this, he felt a little depressed and surrendered.
This middle-aged scribe is Xu Wenruo, the Secretary-General of the Jin Dynasty, and the young man is Xu Wenruo's eldest son, Xu Wei.
Xu Yi is an outstanding young master among the Longtai clan. He is quite talented and good at poetry. In addition, the Xu family has a very upright family tradition. This Xu Yi is already well-known in Kyoto despite his weak reputation.
At the beginning, Xu Wei, together with Kong Xiyan, son of Kong Hechen of Dahonglu, Yang Shuzu, son of former Taiwei Yang Wenxian, Wu Zhi, son of Wu Jie, the imperial censor, and Xiao Sishu, son of prime minister Xiao Yuanche, were collectively known as the Five Horses of Kyoto.
The young scholar in Kyoto is unparalleled in terms of talent.
However, Xu Wei became famous at a young age, but his experience was insufficient. In addition, he was young, had an unstable temperament, and was somewhat arrogant. Although Xu Wenruo offered many advices, Xu Wei still did not take it seriously.
It was not until the Longhuang Poetry Society that Su Ling's four poems, Feng Hua Xue Yue, ranked first in the world, that Xu Wei realized that there were many people in the world who were not as good as him.
So he closed the door to thank his guests, and studied hard, including Tao strategy discussions, Confucian classics, and military strategies.
This time Xu Wenruo was ordered to guard Bacheng with Xiao Jianshu, and he also took Xu Yi with him, one for training and the other for teaching.
When Xu Wenruo saw him surrendering, he chuckled and said, "Xi'er, do you know why you can't always defeat me?"
Xu Wei shook his head and said: "The child is also confused. Although he tried his best, he always failed to win in the end..."
Xu Wenruo nodded slightly, then suddenly raised his head and looked at the sky outside the wooden window of the distant hall. After a few glances, he said: "Xi'er, what time is it now..."
Xu Wei said hurriedly: "It's the first time of the year..."
"Oh!" Xu Wenruo nodded heavily, seeming to indicate something: "It's time, Yi'er, go and open all the windows in this hall."
Although Xu Wei didn't understand what his father meant, he didn't dare to disobey him, so he stood up and opened all the windows in the hall before returning to sit down.
The wind outside was not very strong, but it blew into the hall, and the candlelight swayed.
Xu Wei finally couldn't help but asked: "Father, are you feeling a little hot? Why do you have to open all the windows?"
Xu Wenruo lightly twirled his beard under his chin and said calmly: "Listen more clearly..."
Xu Wei thought to himself that it was extremely quiet outside, with nothing but the sound of the wind. What was his father trying to hear?
He was about to ask, but Xu Wenruo suddenly said again: "Let's continue talking, why do you think you can't beat me at chess?"
"This... the kid doesn't understand. My father and I have already played three games. At the beginning of each game, I took the advantage and made frequent killing moves, which forced you to retreat step by step. You are like this."
Almost all the black stones retreated to a corner of the chessboard, and I could only rely on your experience, father, to deal with the child... Several times, the child felt that he had a chance to win. But, in the end..."
Xu Wenruo smiled lightly and said: "But in the end, my black pieces turned from defense to offense and took back all the land occupied by your white pieces. Although you tried your best to attack me, you found that you had no organization at all.
If you don't get up and attack, even if you use all your killing moves, your father will eliminate you, right?"
Xu Wei nodded heavily and said: "Yes, I don't know why. The further you go, the seemingly sharp chess moves become weaker and weaker."
Xu Wenruo smiled and said slowly: "It's not surprising. Have you ever heard that playing chess is like running a life?"
Xu Wei was startled at first, then nodded and said: "Although I have heard of it, my understanding is always limited..."
Xu Wenruo nodded and said: "Suppose...this chess game is the situation of Da Jin today, and you and I are the heroes of Da Jin. The small black and white stones in our hands are all between you and me."
Judging from his net worth and trump card, does the child know anything?"
When Xu Wei heard this, he stared at the chessboard and was silent in thought.
After a long while, Xu Wenruo Fang said: "Your chess moves were full of murderous intent and sharp edges from the beginning. For a moment, there was no competition. Just like Shen Jizhou now, Shen Jigao a few years ago has become Wang Xi, the withered skeleton in the grave.
Yes. These three people also had the upper hand at the beginning, and heroes from all over the world avoided their advantages. That Wang Xi was so arrogant that he could even depose the emperor, that Shen Jigao even proclaimed himself emperor in Huainan, and that Shen Jizhou, all the people in the world
The land of the five states and the entire northern Jin Dynasty is almost all in his pocket. Isn't this similar to the situation of your original white son..."
When Xu Wei heard this, he nodded slowly and said: "Father said so, it is indeed true..."
Xu Wenruo then said slowly: "Looking back at my father's chess journey, at the beginning, it was just like the prime minister when he was young. He suffered repeated defeats and finally conquered a county..."
Xu Wei listened carefully, his eyes flashing.
"But the further you go, you will find that you can no longer form a threatening attack. Not only that, my black ones are eating away your white ones step by step. My son, think about Prime Minister Xiao, is this a step like this?
How far have you come now?" Xu Wenruo said in a persuasive way.
"yes......"
Xu Wenruo nodded and said: "My son only knows why Xiao Yuanche, who only has one county, can be the prime minister of the Jin Dynasty today, while Wang Xi, who frightened the world in the past, and the richest man who once dominated the Jin Dynasty Why is Shen Jigao in the land of Huainan defeated, with the sun setting on the west mountain, and destruction so close in front of us?"
"this......"
Xu Wei felt somewhat clear in his heart, but he didn't know where to start.
"Because the sharp edge is revealed too early, and the killing move appears too quickly... If the sharp edge is revealed too early, it will be feared by others, and it will be more calculated by others. If the killing move is made too fast, once it is determined and powerful, He was hindered by the defense, but in the end it was just a lot of effort, exhausting financial resources and manpower, and being eaten away step by step by the defending side. In the end, how much territory was eaten up, and how much territory will be vomited out!" Xu Wenruo said word by word.
Xu Wei was speechless for a long time, thinking carefully about his father's words, and finally straightened his clothes and bowed: "Thank you father for reminding me, my child has learned a lesson!"
Xu Wenruo waved his hand and said with deep meaning: "Does my son really understand what it means to be a father?"
Xu Wei was a little surprised, raised his head and said: "Didn't my father teach me how to march and fight, and the two armies clash to plan the situation? When you see the move, stick to the situation, don't care about gaining power for a while, wait until you seize the enemy's flaw, that's it. Will my fighter plane be destroyed in one fell swoop?"
Xu Wenruo smiled noncommittally and said: "Yes...and no..."...??m
"What does father mean by this..."
"Can these principles really only be used when two armies are fighting?" Xu Wenruo looked at Xu Wei with burning eyes.
Xu Wei looked solemn and began to think deeply again.
"Son, do you know Yang Wenxian, the first captain of the Jin Dynasty? Does this person want to be the Jin Dynasty or the prime minister?" Xu Wenruo said lightly.
Xu Wei blurted out: "The Yang family has supported several generations of late emperors. At that time, they undoubtedly wanted the emperor of the Jin Dynasty..."
He suddenly waved his hands urgently and said: "No, no, no! But after Yang Wenxian passed away, it was Prime Minister Xiao who ordered the Yang family to help him..."
He frowned and said for a long time: "This... this kid can't understand..."
Xu Wenruo smiled and said: "It's hard for you, let me tell you..."
"Mr. Yang Wen actually knew how to keep a low profile and hide his edge. In fact, what he wanted in his heart was mostly in the Jin Dynasty and the emperor. But he also knew how to judge the situation and hide his clumsiness. No matter what he thought in his heart, at least On the surface, he not only respects the emperor, but also treats the prime minister with humility. Unlike Kong Hechen, Wu You and others, who want to come to the prime minister and quarrel with each other like a mad dog, it is ridiculous that they claim to be clean..." Xu Wenruo said here, sneered.
"From what I can see, these people will soon become withered bones in their graves..." Xu Wenruo said firmly.
Xu Wei suddenly interjected: "But the child doesn't understand... Since Taiwei Yang is quite humble to the Prime Minister, why is it inevitable in the end..."
Xu Wenruo groaned and said: "Oh, it's just because he couldn't bear it in the end... After all, he exposed his innermost feelings to the world, how could the prime minister tolerate him? In the end, he had no choice but to cut off his wrists. Having staked the fate of the Yang family and serving the prime minister, he, the Yang family, can be saved..."
Xu Wei nodded thoughtfully.
Xu Wenruo then said: "Son, you have always known that your father's heart is for the Jin Dynasty. Even today, as the emperor, in my father's heart, I have always been a minister of the Jin Dynasty... But why has the Prime Minister not been able to do so until now?"
Why didn't you get angry with me because of this, and why did you allow me to hold on to the position of Zhongshu Ling for many years?"
"The child is stupid..."
"Because my father knows how to keep a low profile and bide his time, and he also understands the bottom line of my work and the bottom line of the Prime Minister's tolerance. I never exceed the rules..."
Xu Wenruo had a hint of vicissitudes in his eyes, and said: "Not only that, what Prime Minister Xiao wants to do, even if it is for the purpose of safeguarding his own interests, as long as he does not threaten the world today, as long as what he does can barely
He deserves to be called the Great Jin... Not only did I not stop him, I also tried my best to help him... This is the reason why my father is still in the position of Zhongshu Ling.
....."
"I see, my father has good intentions..." Xu Wei sighed.
"The world didn't understand me, but I didn't say anything. The world insulted me for helping Xiao Yuanche to abuse me, but I didn't say anything. The world just said that I was a dog beside Xiao Yuanche, and I didn't say anything. Why? Show off your rhetoric and prove yourself.
Is this true intention? Isn’t that exposing your edge prematurely?
In the world, should those who are willing to be wary prematurely? Once they are wary, if they attack with all their strength in the future, even the killing move will be easily resolved. By then, I, Xu Wenruo, will follow in the footsteps of Yang Wenxian.
It's gone!" Xu Wenruo sighed.
"My child understands... My child will always remind himself in the future that in everything he does, he should keep a low profile and bide his time, rather than showing his edge prematurely... This is how you fight, how you are an official, and how you are a leader.
The same goes for officials..." Xu Wei cupped his hands and said seriously.
Xu Wenruo waved his hand and said: "No, no, son, you don't fully understand... I can tell you these truths at any time, but why did you choose tonight, here?
?”
"this......"
The vicissitudes of life in Xu Wenruo's eyes were even greater, and he said slowly: "Son, my father is old. Although there are things that are difficult to let go of in my heart, after all, people grow old and their hearts are sad, and they no longer have the passion of the past...
.But this great Jin Dynasty, this world's common people, this Xu family's glory cannot be ignored...and this heavy burden of thousands of kilograms can only and must be carried by you..."
When Xu Wei heard this, he suddenly looked a little excited, and suddenly kowtowed to Xu Wenruo: "My father has good intentions, and I understand. However, I am afraid that I am unworthy and cannot..."
"No! No matter what you do, you have to succeed even if you don't succeed! These...you have no shirk, it is your mission! Because you are my eldest son, Xu Wenruo! Do you understand!"
Xu Wenruo suddenly said sharply.
"Yes! Yes! The child must practice hard and live up to his father's expectations!" Xu Wei quickly kowtowed again.
Only then did Xu Wenruo show a look of relief, stretched out his hand to lift Xu Wei up, looked at him a few times and said, "You are my son, Xu Wenruo! You are the future leader of the Xu clan. You have great responsibilities, and you are bound to do so!"
"yes!"
Xu Wenruo sighed suddenly, and then said quietly: "It turns out that these are the words I didn't want to tell you so early... It's just that there was a person in the daytime who made me feel that there might be an opportunity to advance.
Maybe because of him, the country can continue for a longer time..."
"Oh? Who actually made my father do this..." Xu Yi said in shock.
Xu Wenruo was not in a hurry to answer, and just said calmly: "Although the situation in the old Zhangzhou war is anxious now, it will change over time. In my opinion, the Prime Minister will win, and Shen Jizhou should be defeated. After this defeat, there will be no two." In the year, there will be no more Shen family in the Jin Dynasty!"
When Xu Wei heard this, he was a little surprised and said: "What? How can my father be so sure that he, Shen Jizhou, will definitely be defeated?"
Xu Wenruo pointed at the chessboard next to him with his feather fan and said: "Isn't Shen Jizhou just like the white piece you are holding on this chessboard? We have played three games and deduced, has the white piece ever defeated him?"