"The human spiritual world is boundless. When a certain level is reached, the spirit can be cultivated. The higher the chess skill, the easier it is to cultivate. If one does not cultivate the spirit, the human spirit will gradually weaken after reaching a certain age, and the chess skill will also decline. However, it is said that as long as the chess power reaches the fourth level, the thinking will be condensed, and the spirit can be cultivated. The spirit can be cultivated through chess skills, which is called the chess way. The first level of the realm is called sitting Zhao. This is not the sitting Zhao state of chess. Rather, it means that the human body's thinking can stop delusions and observe the truth." Chen's father explained.
"The key is how to practice? I want to practice too, why don't you tell me how to practice?" Chen Fan was anxious in his heart, but Chen's father didn't get to the point. When he mentioned observing the righteous principles, he suddenly stopped and got stuck. What is "contemplating the right principles"?
"Then how to practice specifically? How to stop delusional thoughts and observe the right principles?" The eldest brother asked from the side.
"This practice is the same as the practice of internal strength. My father has only heard about it and has never practiced it in detail. However, there should be related practice methods circulated above the fourth level. Oh, by the way, there is a book "Zuo Wang" in the Chess Academy in Kyoto. "Sutra" can allow people to practice sitting in the state of reflection. It is said that it is likely to be taken out as a prize for the winner." Chen's father guessed.
"When will the competition in Kyoto start?" Chen Fan tried his best to suppress the turmoil in his heart and asked in a calm tone.
"Next summer, that is, next year at this time." Father Chen said.
There is still enough time. I will use this year to study Taoist scriptures and take a look at the courses Gong Qing and others have learned. In addition, I will learn internal skills and martial arts. The key is to make money. I have a foundation in chess skills. I will collect more chess records. It seems that the next year will be very busy, Chen Fan thought to himself.
"Everyone, stop talking and start eating." Grandma interjected from the side.
"Yes, eat." Chen's father also agreed.
In addition to the duck eggs, there are two plates of side dishes, three stir-fried dishes, and a bone soup on the table, which is quite rich. Perhaps because he was in a good mood, Chen Fan ate particularly deliciously.
During the dinner, Chen's father talked about some current affairs, some essentials of playing Go, and the life of Master Li. He felt sorry for Master Li's defeat, and at the same time warned Chen Fan to guard against arrogance and impetuosity. Chen Fan's attitude Note it respectfully.
As the ancients said, "Eat without speaking, sleep without speaking." Chen Fan discovered that this was not feasible for his father. Fortunately, through his father's words, Chen Fan also learned a lot of knowledge.
After dinner, Chen Fan returned to his residence and continued reading and studying every day. Life continued, and it did not change because of a chess game.
In the next two days, Chen Fan's opponents did not encounter Master Han or his father. With the experience of negotiating with Master Li and some of the key points taught by Chen Fan, Chen Fan easily won the next two sets.
There was a small episode in the middle, that is, there were 78 people in this chess match, and there were 39 people in the second game. Among them, No. 20 had a bye, but this had nothing to do with Chen Fan. In the end, Chen Fan learned that among the 10 people selected, , with Father Chen and Master Han, this is enough for Chen Fan.
As for the race to Suzhou, it will have to wait until winter. During this period, Chen Fan decided to make some tricks and use the opportunity of the race and the time when everyone is preparing New Year's goods to sell a lot before the new year. Aren't Feng Can and Gong Qing going to come to Suzhou with him? Don't waste these two labors, Chen Fan thought to himself.
After the game, as soon as he returned home and had lunch, Gong Qing and Feng Can came to find him. Chen Fan had already prepared for today. He had already counted the private money accumulated by the original owner. One tael of silver and three hundred Wen were equivalent to his Father's half-month salary, Chen's father's monthly salary is two thousand and five hundred yuan, which is equivalent to two taels and five cents of silver.
In this era, one tael of silver can currently be exchanged for 1,000 copper coins, and five copper coins can buy a bucket of rice. A bucket of rice is about five kilograms today. In other words, a pound of rice costs half a penny. In modern society, a pound of ordinary rice costs about One penny buys a kilogram of rice, which is equivalent to eight yuan. Chen's father's monthly salary is equivalent to 20,000 yuan in modern society. Chen Fan now has the equivalent of 10,400 yuan, so he can treat his friends to a drink. I still have the confidence to have tea and a meal.
Once you have the confidence, things will be much easier to handle, so when the two came, Chen Fan suggested finding a teahouse to have afternoon tea. When they heard about Chen Fan's treat, the two took Chen Fan to a teahouse called Yipin. , they don’t know the reason why it is called Yipin. The reason for coming here is very simple. These two foodies have never been here. It is said that this teahouse can make friends through chess. Now Chen Fan has become a master of chess in the small county. To this There is nothing better than drinking tea in a teahouse.
Yipin Teahouse is located by the river in the east district of the small town. Chen Fan's first impression was only two words, "elegant". The entrance of the teahouse facing the street is a wall made of blue bricks, with a full moon in the middle. When entering the door, there is a corridor, about 1.8 meters wide, extending to both sides. There is a courtyard in the middle, with flowers, plants and trees planted on both sides. The layout is quite unique. After walking through the cobblestone path in the middle, you reach the lobby of the teahouse.
There is a couplet on both sides of the lobby door, which reads, "A cup of tea temporarily welcomes guests, and two colored chess pieces spend the spring and autumn." Horizontal comment is "Long and elegant residence".
What an elegant home. It looks like an elegant place at first glance. No wonder Gong and Feng have never been there. Elegance is often accompanied by a high level of consumption. For students like them who have no source of income, there is really no need to come to this elegant place. Place for tea. However, today, Chen Fan came with a mission.
As soon as you enter the tea room, the fragrance of tea lingers, and the fragrance soaks your heart. The floor is paved with wooden floors, and there are square tables in the hall. Most of them are occupied by people sitting in pairs, enjoying tea and eating. chess.
"Shall the three guests sit in the private room or in the hall?" A waiter came and asked.
"Elegant room." Chen Fan glanced at the lobby and returned.
"We only have one private room left today. It's the largest private room by the window near the river. The minimum cost is fifty cents." The waiter probably said cautiously because he thought the three of them were still young.
Fifty Wen. The last time we ate at Wangyue Tower, we only spent a dozen Wen at most. Why is it so expensive? Chen Fan thought to himself, but it was within Chen Fan's acceptable range.
"Are all your private rooms priced at this price?" Chen Fan asked. You have to ask questions, and you can't take advantage of them.
"That's not true. This is the largest room, which can seat more than a dozen guests. The smallest private room can only seat two or three people. The minimum cost is ten coins." The waiter returned.
"Okay, let's take this one." Chen Fan said. Unexpectedly, tea houses in this era have a minimum consumption compared to those in modern society. Chen Fan laughed at himself and decided to make a reservation.
"Okay, there are three of you in Qingxiang Juyajian!" the waiter sang loudly.
When he arrived at the private room, Chen Fan felt that the money was worth it. The space inside was vast, and three square tables had been placed near the window, but it was not crowded. Through the window, he could see green willows and a small river outside, which was full of poetry.
"What do you want here?" Chen Fan asked.
"Tea, as well as snacks, we have Xin'an tea, which is produced in Shuding. It is top quality tea and costs fifty cents a pot. We also have Lushan Yunwu tea, Huangshan Maofeng tea, etc. It all depends on what kind of tea the guest wants. "The waiter recommended.
"Do you have a tea order?" Feng Can interjected and asked.
"Yes, please take a look, sir." The waiter handed over a bamboo slip, four or five inches wide and seven or eight inches long, with prices recorded on it. Chen Fan reached out to take it.
"Which of your teas is the most ordered?" Chen Fan asked.
"Fuliang tea is produced in the Ganjiang area. It is green in color, has the fragrance of orchids, and has a sweet and mellow taste. The local production is large, and a pot of ten coins is available. It is very popular." The waiter replied.
"Then when making this kind of tea for the first time, do you need to use it to wash the tea?" Chen Fan asked. Chen Fan knew that in modern society, when drinking tea, generally speaking, the first brew of tea is usually poured out to wash away the dust on the tea leaves, and the second brew is used to start drinking.
"Oh, this is not necessary. We grind the tea leaves into fine powder, add oil to make tea paste. When it is time to drink tea, mash the tea paste and boil it with dogwood and so on. It has the effect of dispelling cold and detoxifying." The waiter explained.
Chen Fan suddenly froze and drank the tea leaves together? Wasn't that just a pot of tea that couldn't be mixed with boiling water, so he drank it all at once?
"Have you put in the tea leaves? Can you brew it with hot water several times?" Chen Fan asked unwillingly.
"I've never heard of this. How can I drink tea without cooking it?" the waiter asked in confusion.
"Okay, let's have a pot first." Now that it's here, Chen Fan decided to taste it before talking. He suddenly discovered that in this society, he had never drunk tea once. Every time he was thirsty, he just told Ah Chun to drink water. It was from Master Jia, but Master rejected it and never mentioned it again. Misguided, misguided, Chen Fan secretly complained in his heart. He originally thought that some teahouse would have the first tea washing water and buy it back. It would be just right for pickling preserved eggs, which would save a lot of costs. It seems that his wishful thinking is doomed to fail. .
"Just think of it as just coming out to relax. It's not bad to taste the tea in this world." Chen Fan comforted himself in his heart.
"Fasheng, let's play a game of chess. Feng Can and I join forces. How about it?" Gong Qing asked from the side.
"If you give us another son, you will definitely reach the seventh level now." Feng Can added from the side.
Chen Fan had no objection to letting Gong Qing and Feng Can join forces. Even if these two people joined forces, in Chen Fan's opinion, it would not be a big deal. In Go, it's not like three cobblers can beat Zhuge Liang, but Chen Fan is not sure about handicap, but he has never played handicap before, let's give it a try.
"Okay, let's give it a try." Anyway, it's fun among classmates, and Chen Fan doesn't pay much attention to winning or losing, so he agreed immediately.
Gong Qing immediately asked the waiter to bring chess, and the three of them started playing chess.
Handicap chess in this era is not much different from modern Chinese handicap rules. Black will first place the handicap piece in the star position. If there is a handicap between two pieces, it can only be placed on the opposite corner, and then white will go first.
When three people play Go, the speed is slow. The main reason is that Gong Qing and Feng Can sometimes disagree about which move to play and have to argue for a long time. Gong Qing, who is always sharp-tongued, of course has the upper hand, but Feng Can sometimes has his own reasons. Strive hard and never lose. Fortunately, they were playing chess in an independent private room with no one else around. Otherwise, they would have been kicked out long ago.
However, not long after, the people who chased them came.
