Without waiting for Prince Yong's consent, Zhao Shu ordered Xiao Guozi, who was by her side, to fetch pen and ink.
Soon, she brought out the pen and ink, and drew the chess pieces and the coordinates of the chessboard from memory.
There was no chess in Dayong yet. People are always interested in things that appear for the first time. "How do you play this?" Prince Yong asked.
Zhao Shu set up the chess pieces, pointed to the pieces on both sides of the Chu River and Han Border, and recited an introductory chess manual: "The general stays within the palace, the advisors follow and do not leave their positions. The elephants fly to the four corners, the horse moves one step and then charges. The cannon must jump over a piece to attack, the chariot moves straight and can go east or west. Only the pawn can only move one step, and once it crosses the river, it can only move horizontally and cannot retreat."
The introductory chess manual covered the rules of the game, and Prince Yong understood it immediately, gradually becoming more interested.
"Ah Jun, you go first." Prince Yong decided to strike later, so he let Zhao Shu make the first move.
Zhao Shu declined, first moving her elephants to the four corners and placing them in the center. Yong Wang raised his eyebrows, moved his cannon, and positioned it opposite Zhao Shu's elephant. With just one move, he could checkmate Zhao Shu.
“Father, such haste and rashness are not advisable,” Zhao Shu said with a smile.
The two fought back and forth, battling fiercely until the sky darkened. In the end, Prince Yong suffered a crushing defeat, losing several rounds in a row. As night fell, Xiao Guozi and Xiao Zhuzi began to light lamps.
"It's getting late, Father, it's time to rest." Zhao Shu seemed to have returned to the days when she played chess with Ajiu in the modern world. Ajiu, like her father, was indecisive and would always make a move after a few moves.
As a skilled fighter, Zhao Shu's ability to hold her own against the novice Prince Yong for two hours straight demonstrates her considerable composure; anyone else would have lost patience long ago.
Prince Yong had never won a single game, so he was unwilling to give up. "I don't think it's too late yet. Ah Jun, play another game with your father."
“Father, we can play again tomorrow. You can ask your uncle to play tomorrow, but he won’t know how either. You can beat him. I’ve already memorized this game. Do you really want to lose, Father?” Zhao Shu deliberately brought up the fact that he had been losing all along to provoke him.
Upon hearing this, Prince Yong was immediately displeased, but not wanting to be tortured any longer, he decided to find someone else to torture him instead.
Zhao Shu successfully diverted Prince Yong's attention and went back to Qionghua Courtyard for a good night's sleep, while Prince Yong, on the other hand, studied the chess game and tactics all night long without closing his eyes.
The next day, when Zhao Shu went to have dinner with him, she was shocked. "Father, did you not sleep at all last night?" She saw that Prince Yong had two black eyes on his face.
Prince Yong was completely absorbed in chess tactics. He didn't sleep half the night, but it didn't affect his spirits. He got up early in the morning and started studying the chess pieces with great enthusiasm.
Hearing Zhao Shu's words, he raised his head, reached out and pulled Zhao Shu to the opposite side of him, "Ah Jun, your father studied a tactic yesterday, can you help your father try it out?"
Zhao Shu smiled, picked up the porridge on the table, and drank it while fighting against Prince Yong.
When Wei Tingsi arrived at Chensong Courtyard, he saw a father and daughter, each holding a bowl of porridge, eating while deep in thought. It was Prince Yong who was deep in thought, occasionally frowning.
The servants around him, including Green Ivy, Little Zhu, and Little Guo, quickly gestured for him to be quiet, indicating that he should not disturb the two.
Wei Tingsi had long since stopped believing the rumors about Zhao Shu. Seeing the two acting so strangely, he became curious and went over to take a look. He had no idea what the father and daughter were playing at.
Finally, Prince Yong spoke, "Wrong, wrong, it's not here."
Zhao Shu was helpless, but she firmly refused to allow him to take back his move. "Father, one cannot speak while watching a game of chess, and a gentleman does not take back his moves. You cannot take back your move. I strongly disagree. You have already lost."
The word "gentleman" might be useful on others, but don't expect it to be useful on Prince Yong. He regretted his actions, saying, "I am not a gentleman, and besides, what gentlemanly conduct is there in playing chess with a woman?"
Zhao Shu: ...
The servants, including Green Ivy, were servants in wealthy households, and many young ladies from modest families were not as knowledgeable as them. Upon hearing Prince Yong's words, they all lowered their heads in shame.
The main problem is Wei Tingsi. Lord Wei is right here. Your Highness, can you please be a little more considerate and have some self-respect?
"Fine, I'll only regret it this once, and I won't do it again." Zhao Shu surrendered.
Having achieved his goal, Prince Yong retracted his move and focused intently on his game against Zhao Shu.
However, he still suffered a crushing defeat in just a few moves.
Zhao Shu stood up and smiled at Wei Tingsi, who was standing to the side, "Lord Wei has arrived."
She already knew when Wei Tingsi entered Baoxia, but since Wei Tingsi didn't say anything, she pretended not to know.
"This humble official greets Your Highness and Princess." He clasped his hands in a gesture of respect.
Prince Yong was somewhat surprised by the arrival of Wei Tingsi, since it was still early and time for breakfast.
“Lord Wei, there’s no need for such formalities.” Prince Yong waved his hand, ordering someone to put away the paper chess pieces. He acted like a mother hen protecting her chicks, not intending to invite Wei Tingsi to play chess with him. He was still quite resistant to Wei Tingsi.
Wei Tingsi didn't mind. "Thank you, Your Highness." He remained polite as always, as if he didn't see the obvious unwelcome on Prince Yong's face.
"Is there something you need, Lord Wei?" Zhao Shu asked.
"The princess has released several centurions. Today, I've come to ask the princess if there are any other people she would like to replace them with?" Those centurions were quite difficult to manage, and he was just about to teach them a lesson when the princess simply told them to get lost.
This surprised him.
So that's what it was about. Zhao Shu nodded, "After the assessment, the most capable person will be selected."
"I wonder how the prefect will conduct the assessment?" He had a problem that could be solved using Zhao Shu's method for selecting military commanders, but it was still not perfect. He felt that Zhao Shu could give him some inspiration.
Zhao Shu did not rush to answer his question, but instead asked, "Has Your Excellency had breakfast?"
"I've already used it, thank you, Princess."
The imperial guards were a matter of great importance to Zhao Shu, and she dared not be careless in the slightest. "Father, would you like to go with me to see those imperial guards?"
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