However, compared to rewards, both the Song Dynasty and Xixia cared more about their own face, which was naturally nothing compared to the ten thousand taels of gold.
Liu Zhongfu was a major national chess player in the Song Dynasty. The only three people who could compete with him were Zhu Buyi, Jin Shiming, and Wang Han. Therefore, everyone in the Song Dynasty also had full confidence in Liu Zhongfu.
If even he can't win, I'm afraid no one in the Song Dynasty can beat Xixia in chess.
The two guessed first, and Duan Yanqing luckily guessed correctly, holding the black piece first.
This couldn't help but make Song Baiguan suddenly feel nervous.
Duan Yanqing first placed a black stone on each of the two diagonal four-four roads, and Liu Zhongfu also placed a white stone on the other two four-four roads.
Duan Yanqing then played a son on the "Pingwei" Liusan Road, and Liu Zhongfu responded with a son on the Jiusan Road.
The two of them made moves very quickly, and within a short while they each made seventeen or eighteen stones.
It seems that the two of them are making random moves, but in fact, after a few steps, they have roughly known each other's true and false situation. Every move they make is extremely cautious, and they do not dare to be careless at all.
Murong Fu was also a good player at this. Because he was sitting behind Helian Tieshu, he could clearly see the situation on the chessboard.
Seeing the two of them fighting hand to hand with various clever moves, I secretly praised them in my heart and looked a little fascinated.
Not only him, many civil servants in the Song Dynasty were also attracted by the chess game. They all stretched their necks and looked at the chessboard. Even Emperor Zhezong had a look of interest on his face and watched with gusto.
He has the best viewing angle, from top to bottom, with an unobstructed view of the chessboard.
Although Princess Xu is proficient in piano art, she is still too young to know everything, so she is not that interested in playing chess.
She couldn't help but look around curiously. She had never seen many officials in the court. After taking a look, she subconsciously looked towards the Xixia delegation.
Except for a few people who were drunk on the ground, the one who caught her eye the most was naturally the handsome and elegant Murong Fu, who was wearing a Confucian shirt.
Her eyes only stayed on the other person's face for a moment, and when she was about to look away, she suddenly noticed that the other person gave her an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
The eldest princess looked at the other person carefully for a moment again, and found that this face was indeed very strange. She had never seen it before in her life, but the look in his eyes made her feel familiar.
"Where have I seen it before..."
The eldest princess frowned slightly and fell into deep thought.
…
on the other side of the board.
Just when the two men reached the thirty-fifth step, Duan Yanqing suddenly stood out with a surprise force. Liu Zhongfu was unable to react in time, and the "position" in the lower right corner was in crisis. If he should have held on with one man, and the opponent had the advantage of taking the lead, he would have lost it. Two sons.
Just when Duan Yanqing was calming down, he suddenly saw Liu Zhongfu counterattacking on the 73rd road where he was "out of position", and immediately made up for the disadvantage.
Duan Yanqing frowned, holding the sunspot in his hand, hesitating slightly.
Not long after, he landed a piece.
After several consecutive exchanges of moves, the two men's chess moves became slower and slower, and they had to think carefully for each move before making a move.
People who can understand the situation on the chessboard know that it is dangerous. When thinking about countermeasures in their minds, they also take themselves into the identity of the chess player. In addition, "the authorities are confused, but the bystanders are clear". This is interesting and difficult to satisfy. Words are not enough for outsiders.
Those officials whose seats were far away could only sit there with their eyes wide open, which was a bit boring.
After watching dozens of chess moves, Murong Fu thought to himself that his chess skills were still better than those of the two, so he could clearly see the changes in the situation between the two.
"Liu Zhongfu is worthy of being a national player of the Song Dynasty. Even if Duan Yanqing holds the piece first, the game will most likely end in a draw. It seems like a draw between the two, but in fact it is Duan Yanqing who loses the piece."
Thinking of this, Murong Fu picked up his wine glass and drank calmly, no longer paying attention to the outcome of the chessboard.
Sure enough, after about half an hour passed, the two of them sighed in unison, and the situation on the chessboard could not be clearer.
Seeing that it was a draw, Emperor Zhezong couldn't help but frown slightly.
Duan Yanqing looked ashamed. He knew that his chess skills were as good as those of his opponent. It was just that he had not considered a few moves carefully, which allowed his opponent to catch up and the game ended in a draw.
If he had another chance to play against him, he would definitely be able to find a way to crack it.
However, the game of chess is just like life. A win is a win, and a defeat is a defeat. Even if you care about it in every possible way, you will regret it too late.
Liu Zhongfu also wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and marveled at his opponent's superb chess skills.
I was able to turn the situation into a draw with only one piece missing, and there was a bit of luck in the process. If it happened again, the outcome would be hard to say.
Even if it is a draw, it will be counted as a draw, regardless of the outcome.
Although Emperor Zhezong and Helian Tieshu were not satisfied, they had no choice but to accept this fact.
The main hall, which had been silent for a while, became lively again amid the singing and dancing.
After sitting for a long time, Emperor Zhezong felt that no matter how frequently he played the dance music, he could not help but feel a little tired. When he saw the dusk, he suddenly thought of something, and after giving a few instructions to the eunuch, a smile appeared on his face.
Not long after, the eunuch who served in the chamber came back and whispered a few words beside Emperor Zhezong.
Immediately afterwards, Emperor Zhezong said: "Sitting in the main hall like this will make the Xixia envoys unable to fully enjoy themselves. Why not move to Jinming Pond and enjoy the scenery around the lake? Wouldn't it be fun?"
The ministers were indeed unable to sit still. After hearing Emperor Zhezong's suggestion, they all stood up and agreed.
As a military general, Helian Tieshu didn't like sitting, so he naturally had no objection.
As for the drunken diplomatic and civil servants, they were sent back to the post house.
Jinmingchi is one of many royal gardens and has long been famous for its large scale and beautiful scenery.
It was mid-March. In order to show the emperor's grace, the Song Dynasty opened the pool regularly on March 1st every year and closed it on April 8th.
During this period, not only ordinary people but also ordinary people could visit the pool, and there were also vendors doing business in Jinming Pool, entertaining the public, and it was very lively.
Jinming Pond has turquoise lake water, majestic towers catching the wind, weeping willows dipping in the water, and tobacco paving the embankment. In addition, the emperor's presence has naturally made it a good place for people in Tokyo to visit. The pond is often crowded with tourists.
When Emperor Zhezong came here with everyone, he only took the ministers of the fifth rank and above and the envoys of Xixia to get on the painted boat prepared in advance.
There were countless fine wines and delicacies on the painted boats. In addition, there were more than a dozen flower boats floating on the lake, and beautiful songs like orioles came along, accompanied by the singing of pipa and guzheng.
It can be said that the lights are bright and the scenery is pleasant, just like the bright moon and stars shining into the lake and swimming in the sky.
However, it is worth mentioning that Princess Xu also came over. Whether it was his own illusion, Murong Fu always felt that the other party's eyes were always looking at him.
