That was during the first year of Kangxi, when Kang Fu's ancestor, Kang Shen, went to the capital to take the imperial examinations. On a snowy evening, I came straight
He was standing beside an ancient temple on the ground of Ansu County, preparing to enter the temple to avoid the snow. Kang Shen was just about to push open the temple door when he suddenly realized that there was a pile of snow by the door.
There was a person lying on the ground, almost completely buried in the snow. Shocked, Kang Shen hurriedly bent down and placed his hand on the man's nose.
Beside the hole, he could feel a trace of anger. He swept the snow off the man's body and carried him into the temple with both hands. This is a broken
In the old small temple, besides a hall where the clay Bodhisattva was placed, there was a small room next to it. There was a bed in the house and some simple
It seemed like someone was living there, but no one was there. Kang Shen thought that perhaps this person lived here and fell ill when he entered or left the house.
At the entrance. Kang Shen placed the man on the bed and covered him with a blanket. He stuffed a handful of hay into the stove, lit a fire, and boiled a bowl of water.
He gave the man two mouthfuls, then sat by the bed and looked at him carefully. It was a man in his fifties, but he had a beard around his mouth.
He didn't even have a beard and was emaciated. His clothes were thin and old. He was a poor man. After a while, the man woke up. Kang Shen said,
She gave him two of the "Cold Wind Powder" that she had brought with her. The man sat up with his hands on the bed and let out a sharp, feminine voice.
"Husband, you carried me into the house from the snow, right? Thank you for saving my life." As she spoke, she struggled again
He stood up and kowtowed to Kang Shen.
"Master, do you live here?" Kang Shen stopped him.”
The man nodded and pointed at the earthen jar beside the stove. Kang Shen saw that the jar contained half a jar of rice flour. That person said,
"Husband, please cook it. You can eat two bowls of steamed corn paste at my place tonight!”
The sky was completely dark, the wind and snow outside were getting heavier, and there was no one nearby. Kang Shenxiang had no choice but to spend the night here.
Night fell. When Kang Shen cooked a pot of porridge with the corn flour, the man was much more energetic. He got out of bed and found a few pieces of salted radishes to fry again.
Four eggs. Just as he was about to eat, he suddenly thought of something. He ran out of the door and took out a gourd from the snow. he will
The gourd was soaked in hot water, and then the white wine was poured out. Then, he and Kang Shen drank it one mouthful at a time. That man knew Kang Shen was a lake
After entering the capital for the imperial examinations, he was especially happy and said,"My name is Niu Xuxuan. I have been a eunuch in the Ming Palace for more than ten years.”
"Oh! It turned out to be a eunuch. No wonder his voice sounded like a woman's.”Kang Shen thought. Eunuch Niu continued,"The Ming Dynasty will fall."
After that, I returned to my hometown of Ansu. Because he was neither male nor female, he didn't want to live with his relatives, so he lived in this old temple alone.
The little savings he had and the money he spent helping others. I went to town to buy wine this afternoon. On the way home, I felt uncomfortable and met a big girl.
In the blizzard, she barely made it to the door of her house before fainting. If she hadn't met her husband, her life would have ended today.”As he spoke,
Eunuch Niu stood up and raised his wine glass." Mr. Kang, I'll borrow this glass of wine to thank you for saving my life."”
"Eunuch Niu, you're too polite." Kang Shen hurriedly stood up. Meeting you today is also my fate. You were in the Ming Palace for more than ten years.
Nian, you've seen a lot, tonight you'll tell me some stories about the former Ming palace!”
Eunuch Niu was very excited. While drinking and drinking, he and Kang Shen talked about Emperor Chongzhen from Emperor Hong Wu and Emperor Chongzhen in detail.
The story of Empress Zhou, Concubine Tian, and Concubine Yuan fighting for favor and jealousy, and she talked with great interest about how the palace maids and eunuchs formed vegetable households.
These secrets of the palace made Kang Shen's ears feast. It was not until late at night that Kang Shen finally fell asleep on Eunuch Niu's kang.
The next morning, when Kang Shen woke up, he saw Eunuch Niu sitting by the stove and starting a fire. He held a book in his hand and the room was already clear.
It was much cleaner than yesterday. Outside the window, the red sun shone high in the sky. The wind had stopped, and the snow had stopped. The sun shone on the jade trees in the world.
Branches, silver mountains, wax plains, showing a beautiful and magnificent atmosphere.
Eunuch New was in good spirits today. Seeing Kang Shen wake up, he said with a smile,"Mr. Kang, did you have a good rest last night?"
"Good rest. She had not slept so soundly since she left home. You're up early!"
"I'm used to waking up early, so I don't have the blessing of sleeping early.”
Kang Shen put on his clothes and said to Eunuch Niu,"You're so eager to study. What books are you reading on such a cold day?”
"I'm afraid you serious scholars won't read this kind of book.”As he spoke, he handed the book to Kang Shen. Kang Shen took it and saw that it was a
This was an old book titled Ancient Chess Manual. The cover of the book was framed with yellow silk. Although it looked old and stained, it could still be seen that the yellow silk was
The quality and craftsmanship of the paper-mounting were both quite high. Kang Shen smiled and said,"Eunuch Niu, to tell you the truth, although I'm a student of Confucius and Mencius,
However, what he liked the most in his life was not the four books and five classics, but things like zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting.”
"In that case, Mr. Kang must have a deep understanding of Go. Although it's sunny today, it's snowing heavily and it's not easy to walk.
Why don't you stay at my house for a few days and we can play a few rounds? I haven't found a worthy opponent for more than ten years.”Eunuch Niu said,
At this moment, a sorrowful look appeared in his eyes. In an instant, she smiled and said," Usually, when no one plays with me, I play by myself.
Play with yourself, holding black in one hand and white in the other, enjoying yourself, playing the poem of Master Dongpo of yesteryear,'I don't like winning, I don't like losing
Worry."
Kang Shen found it very interesting. He was not in a hurry to enter the capital. There were still more than two months before the spring examination. He had plenty of time, so he readily agreed.
He took out five taels of silver from his bag and said,"Eunuch New, I see that your life is difficult, and I'm not rich either.
Human, this bit of money, just treat it as my food and accommodation for the next few days!”
"What are you saying, Mr. Kang? My family is poor, and I can't entertain you with a sumptuous feast. I feel ashamed and embarrassed. How can I accept it?
Your money!"
"Eunuch Niu, there's no need to be so polite. We are all brothers in the four seas. If you don't accept it, I won't be able to live here peacefully.”
Eunuch Niu thought about it and agreed. The house was bare, and there was no food. If he left Mr. Kang behind, what would he use to entertain him? So he accepted Kang Shen
Silver. After breakfast, Eunuch Niu said,"Mr. Kang, you stay here and review your lessons. I'll go and take your money."
Buy some wine, meat, and vegetables. We'll play a few rounds later.”
After Eunuch Niu left, Kang Shen picked up the Ancient Go Manual and flipped through it. There were not many chess manuals in the book. The first one was about Emperor Yao teaching Dan.
The chess game map of Zhu Yi, followed by the chess game map of King Wen himself, the chess game map of Guan Zhong and Duke Huan, and the chess game map of Zhuang Zhou and Hui Shi
Picture, Fan Li and Xi Shi playing chess, Li Si and Han Fei playing chess, Zhang Liang and Chen Ping playing chess, Kong Ming and Zhou Yu
Chess games and so on. Kang Shen had never heard of most of the names of these chess games. The few chess games he had seen were different from the usual ones.
The surrounding methods were very different. This was really a strange book! Kang Shen looked at it attentively as if he had found a treasure. After looking for a long time, slowly, finally
He had seen some clues.
In the afternoon, Eunuch Niu returned. After dinner, the two of them played chess. Kang Shen had always been famous among his peers for being good at chess, but who knew that he would be defeated three times in a row?
The game, the game, the game was defeated. Eunuch Niu's skills were superb, and he often placed a piece on the board, making Kang Shen dumbfounded. He couldn't think of a match for a long time.
Son. After three rounds, Kang Shen knew that his chess skills were worlds apart from Eunuch Niu's. So he tidied up his clothes and left his seat.
He knelt down in front of Eunuch Niu and said,"Eunuch Niu, your chess skills are extraordinary." If you think Kang Shen can be educated,
Please accept this bow and accept me as your disciple. Kang Shen would rather live in this temple, serve his father-in-law, and study hard.
Go skills."
Eunuch Niu laughed and helped Kang Shen up. He said happily,"Husband, there's no need to be so serious. Thinking of me, the preface is heaven and earth
A cripple, with only the skill of Go, but unable to support himself. If you really want to give up your fame and study chess, then I don't dare to compete with you.
You talked about chess." Niu Xuxuan stopped smiling and became serious." However, my husband's words touched me. A few games of chess
After that, I knew that you had a deep foundation and were flexible. With a little guidance, you could defeat me in three to five months. Besides,
You are my savior. I thought about it all night last night and was ashamed that I couldn't repay you. So I took out the chess book this morning to see if you have it.
Interested. Since that's the case, I'll tell you everything I know. The capital is only 300 li away, a five-day journey.
Cheng, there are still two more months before the test. If you stay here for a month, I don't think it will delay things.”
From that day on, Kang Shen humbly took Eunuch Niu as his teacher. He used the Ancient Chess Manual as a textbook and studied all kinds of chess games. As expected, he was good at chess.
After half a month, he would break away from the secular world and enter a brand new realm. Kang Shen was overjoyed.
In the blink of an eye, a month had passed. The next morning, Kang Shen was going to bid farewell to Eunuch New and set off for the capital. That night, Eunuch Niu held
He took out a box of Go and placed it on the table. He said to Kang Shen,"This is a box of Go pieces that I've kept for more than twenty years.
To commemorate the unforgettable days between us.”
Kang Shen took the rosewood box excitedly. He first looked at the Silvercloud Golden Dragon on the box and felt that it was extraordinary. Then he looked at the two piles inside.
The black and white chess pieces were really divine. He was overjoyed and hurriedly bowed deeply."Thank you for your generous gift, Eunuch!"
"Sit down, sit down." After Kang Shen sat down, Eunuch Niu said slowly," This box of Go is from Empress Tian of the Eastern Palace of Emperor Chongzhen.
The treasure in the room." After Kang Shen heard this, his heart shook violently. "Tian Niangniang is Lord Chongzhen's most beloved concubine, not only is she a national beauty,
She is very fragrant, but also very intelligent, playing the piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, all exquisite, no one in the harem can compare with her. Lord Chongzhen treats her far better than the main palace
Zhou Hou. However, Lord Chongzhen had been in power for seventeen years without a day of peace. The Emperor is busy with government affairs and doesn't have much entertainment
Time.
Empress Tian knew the heavy burden on the Emperor's shoulders. Whenever the Emperor was in the Eastern Palace, Empress Tian would always try her best to be attentive.
Zi let him relax for a while. Lord Chongzhen loved to play Go, so Lady Tian played with him. In terms of chess skills, the Emperor is naturally not as good as Lady Tian, but Lady Tian
Mother always left no trace of her intention to let the Emperor win. There were no good chess pieces in the palace, so Empress Tian asked her father, Tian Hongyu, to try.
Find a good chess piece. Tian Hongyu sent his son to Yongchang Prefecture in Yunnan.”At this point, Eunuch Niu stopped and looked into the fire pit.
After adding a few pieces of dry wood, the room became much warmer. He continued," Husband, you know that the chess piece from Yongchang Prefecture in Yunnan is called Yun.
His son is very skilled and has always been famous all over the world.
This year, two pieces of jade were dug out from Golden Rooster Mountain, 30 miles northeast of Yongchang Prefecture.
A good stone that was hard to come by in a thousand years: a pure white stone without any flaws; A piece of jet-black, without any impurities. In order to curry favor with Tian Guozhang, the prefect,
He personally sent the best cellar workers to burn a box of Go pieces at all costs. After the chess pieces were burned, everyone who saw them exclaimed. This box of chess pieces
All the other clouds looked more ancient and vigorous, with an exceptionally pure and gentle color. The white ones were better than Hetian jade, and the black ones were better than Huizhou.
The ink was solid, and the sound of it falling onto the plate was sonorous and pleasant. Holding it in his hand, it was warm in winter and cool in summer. There was an indescribable sense of comfort. Tian
Hongyu rewarded the prefect of Yongchang heavily and asked the craftsman who made utensils for the palace to make an exquisite box for Chongzhen.
The emperor. The Emperor liked it very much and placed this set of chess pieces in the palace of Lady Tian. From then on, the number of times the Emperor visited Lady Tian's palace increased.
Too many. The Emperor's love for Lady Tian made Empress Zhou, Lady Yuan of the West Palace, and all the concubines in the Inner Palace jealous. Tian Hongyu also relied on his woman
As a child, he was famous in the capital. Because I have always served Lady Tian, I was influenced by her and loved Go. Lady Tian also often gives us
Speaking of chess, in order to please the Empress, I also desperately learned, and secretly worshipped the famous chess cripple Lang San in the capital at that time as my teacher, so chess
His skills were also slowly improving. One day, the Emperor was so happy that after playing chess with Lady Hetian, he wrote a few words on the bottom of the box.
Words." Eunuch Niu turned the box upside down. Kang Shen saw the words on it: "The gentleman uses it to wander the spirit, and the first person uses it to calm his mind.
To explore the mystery of reason. The right copy of Liang Wudi's "Go Fu." The winter of the twelfth year of Chongzhen."
" Later," Eunuch Niu continued," King Li Chuang led his troops into Beijing. Emperor Chongzhen ordered Empress Zhou and the others to commit suicide.
Hanging on a mountain of coal. The palace was in chaos. Everyone fled for their lives. I also packed my clothes and left the palace. When I passed by the old palace of Empress Tian, I saw this box surrounded.
The chess pieces and the Ancient Chess Manual were placed by the windowsill. At that time, everyone only had gold and silver in their eyes. No one wanted these things. I will
He stuffed the box of Go and the Ancient Go Manual into his bag and returned to his hometown. In the blink of an eye, more than twenty years had passed. I'm glad this time
I made friends with you, a kind-hearted friend who loves to play chess. My body is getting weaker and weaker, I will not live long, this box of chess pieces and this book
Giving the Ancient Chess Manual to her husband was not an insult to them.”After saying that, he handed the chess piece and the book to Kang Shen with both hands.
Kang Shen knelt down again and received it respectfully. Eunuch Niu looked at Kang Shen and said solemnly,"Emperor Ming of the Tang Dynasty and Prime Minister Zhang Shuo are right.
At that time, Li Mi, Marquis of Ye, was only seven years old and playing beside him.
Zhang Shuo casually recited four lines of a poem to Go: 'Square like a chessboard, round like a chess piece, moving like a living chess piece, and still like a dead chess piece.'Marquis of ye
He replied with four sentences: 'Square as if to do righteousness, round as if to use wisdom, moving as if to show off talent, quiet as if to do what you want.'Lord Ye is worthy of being the unparalleled god of ancient and modern times.
Tong, at a young age, could associate playing chess with governing the world. The way of chess was interlinked with the world and humanity. Shen Yue, a famous official of the Liang Dynasty
It is well said,'It is great righteousness to abandon it! The subtle interest of the body, containing strange and positive feelings, quiet will conform to the Tao, action will adapt to change.'I hope you will be happy
After that, he would slowly appreciate the subtleties of chess and become a virtuous and talented gentleman.”
Eunuch Niu was extremely excited when he said this, while Kang Shen's eyes were already filled with tears.
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