Qin Mowen and Qin Bingzhong sat in the yard playing chess.

He was holding the white chess pieces, and at this moment the big dragon was surrounded by black chess pieces. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't find a way out.

Qin Bingzhong spoke up, "If Fu Xiaoguan were to play in this game, he would immediately abandon this dragon and go to the side lanes to deploy."

"The situation is over now. What's the point of deploying on the flanks?"

"You're wrong. People often focus on the big picture and ignore the details. I've lost just like that before, not much, just one piece."

Qin Mowen raised his head and asked in confusion, "Uncle, are you saying that Fu Xiaoguan lost the big dragon but won one piece against you in other small areas?"

"Yes, I remember he also said something. He said... The world is like a chess game. Giving up a move won't hurt me. The heart is like the ocean, accommodating all rivers and also accommodating others. My little brother sees things more clearly than many people in the government. That's why he didn't want to be a doctor in the Ministry of Revenue, but chose to be a civil official instead."

Qin Mowen already knew about what happened in the Golden Palace today and told Qin Bingzhong because he didn't understand what Fu Xiaoguan was thinking.

"But such a court official is not conducive to his development in the court." Qin Mowen had already given up and admitted defeat, and discussed with Qin Bingzhong what the significance of Fu Xiaoguan's move was.

"I think many people share your view, but I disagree. As His Majesty's decree states, Fu Xiaoguan understands the ways of governing and is a rare talent. It wouldn't be difficult for such a person to accomplish great things, especially since he already has Your Majesty's favor. Why did he choose such an idle official position? The timing isn't right! Think about it, he's not even seventeen yet, yet he's already deeply favored by the Emperor. If he pushes his luck any further, won't those old guard at court trip him up? He'll inevitably be trapped like your dragon, unable to break through. He has no foundation, and even with Your Majesty's support, he'll find it difficult to achieve anything. So, why not step back and simply not create this dragon? Then the siege will naturally end."

Qin Mowen frowned and thought, picking up the white dragon chess pieces on the chess scale one by one. There were countless black chess pieces on the chess scale, but all the dragon chess pieces were in his hands.

Without making a move, the chess game does not exist at all.

This kid is really a character!

So, where will he make his move?

Qin Mowen put the white chess pieces in his hand back onto the chessboard one by one, landing them in the corners.

Qin Bingzhong stroked his long beard and shook his head.

"wrong."

"Does he never make a move?"

"No, his piece is not on this chessboard."

Qin Mowen looked up in surprise and looked at Qin Bingzhong. How could he play chess without landing on the chessboard?

"I don't know either, but I've been thinking about it and it boils down to two possibilities. One is that he's already started a new chess game, meaning he hasn't played chess with the ministers at all. If they insist on playing, they can only go to his game. The other possibility is... the place where this move is made might be in the West Mountain of Linjiang. I'm even thinking that his plan to have the barbarians build a palace based on the Great Yu Palace was also his move."

Qin Ruoxue was stunned. They were all about the same age, so why was there such a big difference? Was this Fu Xiaoguan really such a meticulous person?

So she asked doubtfully, "He just said that casually in the court. Could there be any deeper meaning behind it?"

Qin Bingzhong laughed and said, "Think about it. The barbarians live in a bitterly cold land. If we ask them to build a palace, it would cost a huge amount of money and take a long time. It's not an exaggeration to say that this would be a waste of money and manpower. For the barbarians, it would do more harm than good. Isn't this a far-sighted strategy?"

Qin Ruoxue seemed to be thinking about something, and Qin Mowen nodded frequently.

However, Fu Xiaoguan, who had already entered the Qin Mansion, actually didn't think so much at all.

He just needs a talisman, and his focus is still on Xishan.

He wanted to train a group of special operations personnel in Xishan, and also to develop the flintlock rifle and red cannon in the research and development center in Xishan.

In this age of cold weapons, these things are truly powerful weapons. As for the strategy of war that was rejected in the Imperial Study, he was quite regretful, but it would not stop him from making his plan.

However, all this just happened to coincide with Qin Bingzhong's analysis. He did not make a move in Shangjing, but rather in Xishan.

As for the barbarians, God knows that Fu Xiaoguan's idea was just a casual remark, but it caused them to suffer the consequences.

"Brother Qin, I'm here to bother you again." Then Fu Xiaoguan looked at the man next to Qin Bingzhong.

He has thick eyebrows and big eyes, especially the two carp-shaped patterns at the corners of his eyes, which look like sculptures, three-dimensional and vivid.

Yes, I have seen him. He was in Jinling Prefecture.

"He is my nephew Qin Mowen, the prefect of Jinling."

"Hello, Brother Mo Wen!"

"Hello, Brother Fu!"

The two of them greeted each other, and Qin Bingzhong said, "Come, come, sit down. Ruoxue, make a pot of fresh tea."

After everyone took their seats, Qin Bingzhong said with a smile, "Mo Wen and I were just talking about you. You're a rising star in the capital now. Have you received many invitations today?"

This really doesn’t exist.

Fu Xiaoguan shook his head and sighed, "Brother, to be honest, apart from this invitation from Brother Mo Wen, I really haven't received anything else. Look, you still say I'm a rising star in the capital, but in fact, in the eyes of others, I'm nothing! But to be honest, I don't like those messy social events. They are meaningless and a waste of time. Unlike us, we can chat happily without any scruples."

Qin Bingzhong laughed loudly, and Qin Mowen also felt that this kid was open-minded and had a very good attitude.

Qin Mowen was a little surprised that Fu Xiaoguan did not receive any invitations from others. It seemed that the officials in the court had made a move and wanted to isolate this new upstart in the capital.

"Since Your Majesty has allowed you to move freely within the Imperial College and the Ministry of Revenue, what are your plans?"

"Let me take a look first. I definitely have to go for a walk, but it's just a walk. I'll find a chance to discuss this with His Majesty in a few days. It's useless for me to stay in Shangjing. Please let me go back to Linjiang. There are still a lot of things over there that need my attention."

Sure enough, Qin Mowen felt that his uncle had a very accurate vision. This kid wanted to escape instead of staying.

Qin Chengye came out at this moment, "When will you return to Xishan?"

Fu Xiaoguan looked up and said, "Of course I want it to be as quick as possible, but the time is not something I can decide."

Qin Chengye looked at Qin Bingzhong and said seriously, "Grandpa, I want to go to Xishan."

Qin Bingzhong frowned and asked, "Why did you go to Xishan?"

"My grandson believes that there are three thousand great truths, and reading is not the only way. I like the study of things, and I want to go to Xishan to realize my ambitions."

Fu Xiaoguan was shocked. This kid is not an ordinary person!

Qin Bingzhong was silent for a few breaths, then looked at Fu Xiaoguan and asked, "What do you think?"

Fu Xiaoguan was stunned. How should I answer this? How can I know whether you really want him to go or not?

So he asked Qin Chengye: "What can you do?"

"I'm very interested in firearms. I've previously studied them carefully at the Firearms Bureau. They have many drawbacks that prevent them from being used on the battlefield. I want to solve this problem, but only Xishan has the necessary conditions."

Fu Xiaoguan immediately said to Qin Bingzhong: "I think it's okay!"