Oh no!
Chen Ji's pupils contracted sharply.
His biological father was standing right in front of him, and he hadn't recognized him! No wonder the man had been scrutinizing him earlier, no wonder he had asked in surprise, "You call me 'sir'?"
How was he going to explain this? In this superstitious feudal era, if you didn't even recognize your own father, you'd be burned as a demon...
Before him stood Chen Liqin, dressed in a blue official robe with a leather belt around his waist.
His face was tanned from months of supervising riverbank construction.
Unlike Zhang Zhuo's rosy complexion, Chen Liqin looked more like a military general than a civil official at this moment.
Prince Jing looked at Chen Liqin curiously and asked, "Minister Chen, did you teach Chen Ji his chess skills? I imagine your own chess skills must be quite impressive."
Chen Liqin cupped his hands and replied humbly, "Your Highness, I am not skilled in chess and have never taught him. My son is like mud that can't be plastered to a wall. If he managed to win against you, it must be because you went easy on him."
Hearing the term "my son," Chen Ji was reminded of his late father.
That father had been a humble man, but when thirteen-year-old Chen Ji had won second place in a Go tournament, his father had proudly told everyone, "This kid only plays Go in his spare time. Otherwise, none of you would stand a chance," much to the annoyance of the other players.
Zhang Zhuo chuckled beside them.
"Your Highness, your chess skills have long reached perfection. I remember seven years ago at the Jiangnan Literary Gathering, when you played against the abbot of Famen Temple, Monk Huitong thought you would concede after his 137th move. He was so confident he even lost his meditative composure, his pride written all over his face. But he didn't expect your 138th move—a brilliant 'dig' that ruined all his plans. Surely, when Chen's son won against you, it was because you let him take some stones, right?"
Prince Jing smiled and said, "I did let Chen Ji take two stones, but only in the first game. After that, even without letting him, I lost several games in a row."
"Hmm?" Both Zhang Zhuo and Chen Liqin turned to look at Chen Ji.
Prince Jing picked up a chess piece and explained, "Chen Ji has a unique talent for chess. You'll understand if you ever get the chance to play against him... But Minister Chen, why do you and your son seem so distant? You didn't even greet each other, and earlier Chen Ji called you 'sir' instead of 'father.'"
Chen Ji's heart sank, along with the prince's son and Bai Li.
He had thought everyone's attention had shifted to the chess game.
Why was there still a follow-up attack?
Chen Liqin glanced at Chen Ji and then turned to Prince Jing, cupping his hands.
"Your Highness, I'm not sure what's going on either. My son just looked at me as if I were a stranger, which surprised me as well."
Prince Jing looked at Chen Ji with interest and asked, "What's this? You don't even recognize your own father?"
Chen Ji hesitated.
Just as he was pondering how to respond, Old Man Yao sneered at Chen Liqin, "Your Chen family sent Chen Ji to me as an apprentice, but I haven't received a single gift during the holidays. Even the tuition fees are always delayed and barely enough. It's no wonder he doesn't want to acknowledge you. You scholars always talk about the proper relationships between ruler and subject, father and son, but if the father isn't kind, the son doesn't need to be filial."
Chen Ji was startled to hear his master speak up and turned to look at him.
In the clinic, Chen Liqin was momentarily stunned.
"Master Yao, please don't speak nonsense. When I sent Chen Ji to your clinic, I instructed my servants to deliver the tuition fees on time every month and to bring you modest gifts during the holidays. The Chen family has always valued propriety and wouldn't neglect such matters."
Old Man Yao said indifferently, "Oh, so I'm lying? Well, I haven't seen much of your Chen family's gifts. And your family is so wealthy, yet you only give Chen Ji three hundred coins a month. That hardly matches your family's status. How about this: from now on, the Chen family doesn't need to pay tuition fees anymore. I'll take Chen Ji as my 'disciple-son.' I'll provide for his food, clothing, and shelter, and he'll take care of me in my old age."
Zhang Zhuo, who had been standing with his hands tucked into his sleeves, looked at Chen Liqin in confusion when he heard "three hundred coins."
The embroidered badge on Chen Liqin's official robe alone was probably worth a hundred times that amount.
In the Ning Dynasty, officials were given badges by the court, but many found the court-issued ones too plain and would hire skilled embroiderers to redo them with gold and silver threads.
This had even become a trend among officials.
A single badge cost thirty taels of silver, yet Chen Liqin only gave his son three hundred coins a month? Was there some deep-seated hatred between father and son?
Chen Liqin didn't argue further with Old Man Yao.
He too sensed that something was amiss.
After a moment of silence, he asked, "Master Yao, this past Mid-Autumn Festival, I specifically instructed my steward to send you a gift and some money. He said he had sent a servant to deliver it. Did you receive it?"
Old Man Yao stroked his beard.
"Are you talking about the hundred coins your servant brought? Yes, I received it. Thank you for your meager offering."
Chen Liqin: "..."
Chen Ji: "..."
His master's tongue was truly sharp, as if it had been dipped in poison.
Chen Liqin frowned and bowed to Old Man Yao.
"Master Yao, I will investigate this matter and give you a proper explanation."
Prince Jing smiled and tried to smooth things over.
"There must be some misunderstanding in the Chen family's affairs, likely due to a servant's mistake. The Chen family has always been known for their hospitality and propriety. I remember when I was still in the capital, I often visited the Chen residence with my uncle. The Chen family was always warm and courteous, leaving a lasting impression... I believe Minister Chen had just passed the imperial exams at that time, right?"
Chen Liqin cupped his hands.
"Your Highness remembers correctly."
Prince Jing waved his hand.
"Alright, I have some family matters to attend to as well. Everyone, please return. We'll discuss official business tomorrow at Jing'an Hall."
Chen Liqin turned to Chen Ji.
"Chen Ji, come back to the Chen residence with me. I'll get to the bottom of this today."
But Chen Ji remained silent.
He didn't want to return to the Chen residence.
Although Chen Liqin was his biological father, the only father he acknowledged in his heart was his late father.
He had no intention of adding another.
The affairs of the Chen family had ceased to concern him the moment he left three hundred coins at the Chen residence's doorstep.
In the quiet atmosphere, Chen Ji stood behind the redwood counter and cupped his hands to Chen Liqin.
"Minister Chen, please return. I still have studies to review. I won't return to the Chen residence until I've completed my education."
"Minister Chen?"
At these words, both Bai Li and the prince's son widened their eyes.
In this era, everyone was taught the proper relationships between ruler and subject, father and son.
No one dared to defy their father and go against tradition.
If word got out that someone was unfilial, they would be ostracized by high society and the officialdom.
But Chen Ji didn't belong to this era.
Chen Liqin's expression darkened.
"If you feel wronged about the tuition fees, I'll investigate the matter today. If you resent me for sending you to the clinic, think about what you've done in the past. Should I, as your father, apologize to you instead?"
Chen Ji thought for a moment but ultimately decided not to bring out Chen Wenxiao's confession.
He simply smiled and said, "Minister Chen, you misunderstand. I haven't been wronged. I'm doing well at the clinic. My master takes good care of me, my fellow apprentices are friendly, and my life is fulfilling. Please return. There are already patients waiting outside. Don't delay their treatment."
Chen Liqin opened his mouth several times but couldn't find the words to say.
Bound by Prince Jing's presence, he couldn't make a scene and could only flick his sleeve and leave.
"Take care of yourself!"
...
...
Dozens of official sedan chairs slowly departed, and the Taiping Clinic returned to its usual quiet.
Prince Jing played with a chess piece and looked at Chen Ji.
"The Chen family's status is something many people aspire to. You're still young, so you don't realize what you're giving up."
"Simple food is fine too," Chen Ji said, looking at Old Man Yao.
"Master, thank you."
Old Man Yao snorted.
"No need to thank me. The tuition fees still need to be paid."
Chen Ji: "... Alright."
As they spoke, Prince Jing turned back to his son.
"We got sidetracked earlier, so I haven't addressed your punishment yet. What do you think you deserve?"
The prince's son cautiously suggested, "No food for a day?"
Prince Jing's face immediately darkened.
"Starting today, both you and Bai Li will have your allowances cut. Kneel in the Mingzheng Pavilion for three days without food, and you're confined to the palace for six months!"
The prince's son's face fell.
"Father, isn't six months too long?!"
Bai Li also panicked.
"Father, just punish my brother. Can you leave me out of this?"
Prince Jing laughed in exasperation.
"You two are quite the pair, always sticking together."
Chen Ji noticed that Prince Jing was patient in most matters, but when it came to his children, he was like any ordinary father, ready to lose his temper at any moment.
At this point, both Bai Li and the prince's son gave Chen Ji meaningful looks, urging him to help them out.
If they were confined for six months, they wouldn't be able to attend the Lantern Festival or the spring outings.
They'd rot in the palace.
Chen Ji spoke up.
"Your Highness..."
Prince Jing raised his hand and said sternly, "Don't speak. You're also involved in this. If it weren't for Master Yao's sake, you'd be punished too."
Master Yao, who had just finished preparing Prince Jing's medicine, tied the yellow paper package with hemp string and said leisurely, "No need to consider my face."
Chen Ji suddenly said, "Your Highness, let's play another game of chess. If I win, you'll hear me out and give the prince's son and princess a chance to redeem themselves."
"Oh?" Prince Jing turned to Chen Ji.
"Your isolation tactics won't work on me anymore. Are you still confident you can win?"
Chen Ji rolled up his sleeves and said seriously, "Let's try."
Prince Jing was intrigued.
"It seems you still have some tricks up your sleeve. Let's guess the number of stones!"
With that, he held a few chess pieces in his hand.
Chen Ji guessed, "Odd number."
Prince Jing opened his palm, and two stones fell out.
"You guessed wrong. I'll take black and go first."
Bai Li watched in surprise.
Her father usually let weaker players take black and go first when playing against friends.
But now, he was acting like a competitive general, unwilling to yield an inch.
Prince Jing started with the "carefree corner" formation, intending to use his solid position to crush Chen Ji's isolated stones and prevent any chance of a comeback.
But this time, Chen Ji's white stones boldly pressed forward.
The weakness of isolated stones was that they were like a flickering candle in the wind, ready to go out at any moment.
But few realized that solid formations also had weaknesses—they feared becoming too solid, too cumbersome.
Chen Ji's white stones moved like a gazelle leaping over a cliff, leaving no trace.
His style was strange and ethereal, cold and rational.
Prince Jing was baffled.
His unbeatable "carefree corner" formation had been shattered by Chen Ji's white stones in just four moves.
Chen Ji's moves completely颠覆了他的认知。在宁朝所有棋手的认知中，夹击时被人“飞压”是劣势，可在陈迹这里，被飞压却成了优势。
匪夷所思！
靖王疑惑道：“为何你能将飞压变优势啊，这是哪位先贤的路数？”
陈迹不答，继续落子。
靖王越下越疑惑，简简单单七十二手，他仿佛在这七十二手棋路中，看见了所有先贤的影子，可又完全不同！
原来围棋还可以这么下？
靖王投子认负：“再来，我执黑先行。”
白鲤默默看着，自己父亲连猜先这一步都省去，默认自己便是需要执黑先行的一方。
第二局，靖王以小林流起势，想要以左中右三点位成势，可在陈迹缠斗面前，中间本该将大局连成一片的妙手，却像傻子似的孤零零留在中间，根本用不上。
第三局，靖王以星位三剑客起势，却仍然一败涂地。
他看了看棋盘，又看了看陈迹，最终将黑子扔于桌上，他忽然想起自己先前所说“你不适合当棋手，只适合当棋子。”
而陈迹却反问“一定要活在棋盘里吗”。
某一刻，靖王隐约中真的以为，坐在自己对面的并不是一个小小的医馆学徒，而是某位棋道先贤坐于时光长河中，与自己对弈。
时代的车轮，轻描淡写的从棋盘之上碾压过去，让旧的时代从此成为历史。
靖王郑重问道：“小子，你的棋道老师是谁？”
陈迹没法回答，因为他没法告诉靖王，这是AI的下法。
陈迹也曾经历过靖王的疑惑，他十三岁时拿到围棋二等奖，本想继续学下去，却迎来了AI的时代。
人类过去喜欢将棋道赋予哲理与天道，可从AI诞生的那一刻起，围棋重新变回一个记忆力与算力的竞技游戏，从此之后陈迹便不怎么碰围棋了。
他本不愿用AI的那些新定式来赢靖王，但现在他有更重要的事情想做了。
靖王长舒一口气：“说吧，既然赢了我，便说说看，你想怎么带云溪与白鲤戴罪立功？”
陈迹思索片刻：“您现在最大的困扰，是如何调拨足够的糯米去边境修筑城池，可糯米与民生冲突，若狠心调拨糯米，便会有许多百姓饿死。”
靖王一边从棋盘上收拢棋子到掌心里，一边慢悠悠说道：“此事难解，世间本没有那么多两全之法，我只能做取舍。”
陈迹笃定道：“我有两全之法。”
靖王动作一滞：“征调糯米乃为军略，你可知，军中无戏言？”
陈迹掷地有声：“您将世子与郡主借我一用，给我半个月的时间。若成功，我卖您一个两全之法，若失败，世子与郡主禁足一年，我发配岭南。”
靖王饶有兴致的打量陈迹片刻：“成交。”
(本章完)