NOVPUBThe cold wind of winter, swept through the crannies opened by the crowd.
Accompanied by the joyful and excited exclamations of "Grandmaster Chen", delight spread across the numb faces of the spectators around the small chess stall.
Zhao Douan's eyebrows raised, vaguely remembering this name.
Emperors of past dynasties had the tradition of nurturing talent for the reserve, as with the scholars of the Hanlin Academy originally.
Among them, those with exceptional chess skills would be summoned into the palace, often accompanying the Emperor and princes in chess, known as "chess envoys."
Commonly referred to by the people as "National Hand."
Not referring to a single person, among the several National Hands of the current Great Yu Dynasty, this Chen Jiuyan was somewhat held in the highest regard.
"Grandmaster Chen is actually here! Did someone specially invite him?" Beside him, a chess player was overjoyed beyond expectation.
As if they had found their pillar.
However, Zhao Douan furrowed his brows, showing no joy.
"Mr. Lin doesn't seem very excited?" Princess Wen Zhu, observant and perceptive, keenly caught on to the distinct demeanor of Lin Ke standing next to her from the rest of the spectators.
Logically, as a person of Great Yu, seeing one's own National Hand appear to suppress the arrogance of the Western monk should bring joy.
Tsk... Auntie, you're quite astute, paying such close attention to my reactions... Zhao Douan exhaled softly, whispering in a voice audible only to the two of them:
"If Grandmaster Chen does not play, there's still leeway, but if he does, he cannot afford to lose."
At first listen, these words might seem profound, yet Princess Wen Zhu, astute as she was, lit up upon understanding, and her estimation of Zhao Douan increased by a mark.
Dan Che's unanticipated challenge had indeed caught the court off-guard.
But as long as the National Hand did not step forward, the impact wouldn't be substantial; people would only think the young monk was certainly capable, but at most renowned for defeating the local chess players in Yellow Court Alley.
However, a "chess envoy's" participation would push the situation to an extreme.
If he won, all would be well.
If he lost, it would be significant enough to make a fuss over diplomatically.
In times of peace, chess diplomacy... was never something new, and Zhao Douan, as a politically astute official, almost certainly surmised that this Chen Jiuyan was not sent by the court.
More likely, someone had been notified but did not report to the palace, or to officials of adequate rank, and came on his own instead.
Any sensible official, once informed, would immediately issue an order to prevent the "chess envoy" from appearing.
...
"Today, as the winter snow takes a break, I heard there's a visiting chess player showing great prowess in Yellow Court Alley, quite rare."
The young man known as Chen Jiuyan, with an ordinary appearance, carried the pride of a Grandmaster; a strand of his hair at the forehead slightly graying.
He approached among the crowd, his gaze disdainful, looking at Dan Che with a slight smile:
"I, Chen, would indeed like to experience the handiwork of this Western Barbarian monk."
Dressed in a red robe, a young monk with an appearance of humility and courtesy but actually just as haughty, the Western monk Dan Che placed his meal box back into the bamboo case, showing a serious demeanor for the first time since his arrival.
Yet in those pupils, slightly different in color from the Yu people, a strong desire for battle shone through.
Clearly, he was not unfamiliar with the name of this chess envoy, Chen Jiuyan.
"Please."
Dan Che made a gesture for "taking a seat," and Chen Jiuyan gladly obliged.
In the blink of an eye, the two sat opposite each other, and Chen Jiuyan laughed:
"You may eat your fill before playing chess, so no one can accuse my Great Yu of bullying the weak by ganging up on a single person."
Dan Che's smile was simple yet met with an equally pointed one. He said nothing, only gesturing once more to invite play.
Chen Jiuyan wasted no more words, and both placed their pieces at the star points, securing their positions, thus negating the advantage of the first move.
Afterward, as the challenger, Chen Jiuyan held white and started at the three-six point.
Dan Che sat upright, picking up the black piece with a standard motion like a novice in a chess club, responding at the nine-three point.
"Clack."
"Clack."
"Clap clack."
"Clap clack."
The two alternated moves in quick succession, their speed, compared to the previous chess players, was nothing short of rapid.
Chen Jiuyan was known for "quick chess," but this monk from the Western Regions, challenging Capital chess players on his first visit to Great Yu, was not outdone in the slightest.
The crowd suddenly quieted down, not a sound to be heard, as onlookers held their breath, not wanting to disturb the palace chess envoy.
Some even stood in the winter cold, warming their frozen brushes in their mouths, pulling out blank game records, eyes unblinking as they transcribed what might be a historically significant match.
Zhao Douan stood hands behind his back among the crowd, squinting to watch the game.
Qian Kerou, disguised as a maid, whispered to Shen Er, and the two quickly disappeared only to return shortly with two folding stools.
Zhao Douan and Princess Wen Zhu each took one, just able to sit and watch the match.
"Thank you," said Princess Wen Zhu, slightly stunned before whispering with a smile.
Then, she delicately lifted the hem of her cashmere skirt, her full hips creating astonishing curves, legs together, she sat on the small stool.
Zhao Douan chuckled, thinking that the surrounding people wouldn't dream in a million years that he, Yama Zhao, would be squatting beside a chess stall alongside the highly esteemed Western Princess in such a fashion.
The tall female warrior regretted her lack of foresight, acknowledging the Yu servants truly knew how to serve.
And soon after, when Shen Juan returned from a nearby restaurant, carrying a packed big food box, set up a small dining table, and brought out the steaming beef sauce, warm fruit wine, mutton pies, and a big bowl of hot soup...
Not just the female warrior and company, but also the other spectators' eyes lit up.
They thought: Well, these noblemen indeed know how to enjoy themselves!
The game continued.
After the opening phase with steady and unoriginal plays of a dozen quick moves, the chess battle between the two gradually slowed down.
