General Zhang's incredibly hurtful remark, "Not even enough to fill a tooth gap," plunged Xiao Che into complete isolation.
For the rest of the afternoon, he kept a dark expression on his face, remaining silent and radiating a menacing aura. Lin Wanwan tried to speak to him several times, but he shut her off with his silent back.
He felt that his imperial career had suffered an unprecedented Waterloo.
Xiao Che was a man of both literary and military prowess, capable of pacifying the country, quelling palace coups, eliminating treacherous officials, and ushering in a golden age. How could he, after retiring to this rural area, have fallen so low that he can't even catch a chicken and is bullied by shrimp?
This immense sense of loss dealt a heavy blow to his once invincible imperial heart.
He needs a victory.
A resounding victory that crushed his opponents and restored his imperial dignity!
After dinner, as dusk approached, Xiao Che finally emerged from his reclusive state. He stood up, his gaze sharp, and swept over General Zhang, who was leisurely strolling in the courtyard digesting his meal. In an unyielding tone, he slowly spoke:
"Zhang Wei."
He called out his full name, his tone as if he had returned to the days when he was reviewing his troops on the battlefield.
General Zhang was startled by his sudden seriousness, and instinctively stood up straight, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "This humble general... uh, this old minister is here!"
"Do you dare to challenge me again on the final 'battlefield'?" Xiao Che's voice was not loud, but it was full of challenge.
"The final battlefield?" Old Zhang looked bewildered. "Your Majesty, you still want to... catch chickens?"
Xiao Che's face darkened, and he squeezed out two words through gritted teeth: "Play chess!"
...
Fifteen minutes later, in the pavilion of the secluded courtyard.
A white marble chessboard was placed on the stone table, and the black and white jade chess pieces gleamed with a warm luster under the moonlight.
Xiao Che and Lao Zhang sat facing each other.
Lin Wanwan stood aside and personally brewed a pot of fragrant tea for the two of them, acting as both referee and spectator.
The atmosphere was heavier than ever before.
After suffering a complete defeat in the two "physical" activities of planting vegetables and fishing, Xiao Che, who had lost all face, finally pulled out his last and strongest "ultimate weapon" - mental labor.
He wanted to use his expertise to defend his last shred of dignity!
The match begins.
General Zhang, playing black, truly lives up to his reputation as a former military champion. His chess style, much like his commanding troops, is bold, expansive, and imposing. He immediately establishes his position in the center, placing pieces with lightning speed, seizing every opportunity with an aggressive approach.
Xiao Che, who was playing white pieces, was a far cry from his impatient and flustered state that afternoon.
On the "battlefield" of the chessboard, he is no longer the "farmer" who can't even hold a hoe properly, nor the "unlucky guy" who is mocked by the little shrimp.
He transformed back into the decisive emperor.
Xiao Che, who, even amidst bloodshed and flames during the palace coup in Volume Four, remained calm and strategic, gradually eroding the Regent's power.
His gaze deepened and sharpened, as if he could see through the chessboard a hundred moves ahead. His playing style was steady, meticulous, and methodical. Faced with Old Zhang's relentless and aggressive attacks, he remained calm and composed, responding to each move with equal skill. Quietly and subtly, he built an impenetrable defense, while simultaneously laying countless tiny yet deadly traps in every corner of the chessboard.
Lin Wanwan watched quietly from the side, feeling a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex emotion encompassing both emotion and reflection).
This is the Xiao Che she knows.
That man who could stir up the winds and clouds of the world within a small space.
The game is halfway through.
Fine beads of sweat had begun to appear on General Zhang's forehead.
He discovered that his once-powerful "dragon" in the central region had been unknowingly surrounded by white pieces from all sides. Every attack point he had set up was easily neutralized by the opponent; and every position he thought was safe had already been ambushed by the opponent.
The entire chessboard seemed to have become a huge, invisible net. And his black pieces were like trapped beasts in that net, unable to escape their predetermined fate no matter how they struggled left or right.
Xiao Che's face remained as calm as water as he gently picked up a white chess piece with his slender fingers.
"Clatter".
A soft sound.
The white piece landed in the center position.
This seemingly ordinary move was like a sharp dagger, precisely piercing the heart of the black "big dragon" and completely severing its last chance of survival.
"Slaying the dragon".
General Zhang stared at the white piece that had landed in the center of the chessboard for a long time before finally letting out a long sigh.
He tossed the black piece back into the chess box, bowed respectfully to Xiao Che, and said with a wry smile:
"I'm convinced! This old minister is completely convinced!"
He shook his head, his face showing a mixture of admiration and helplessness. "Farming and fishing, this old minister relies on his strength and experience, and is indeed better than you. But when it comes to troop deployment and strategic planning, not only on this chessboard, but even in the entire Great Xiao, no one can surpass you!"
This heartfelt praise finally allowed Xiao Che's face, which had been tense all day, to slowly relax.
He won.
Although his victory was somewhat "unhonorable," that doesn't matter. What matters is that he won!
He finally regained that feeling of being in control of everything and looking down on the world!
He nodded slightly with a reserved air, which was considered as accepting Lao Zhang's "surrender." Then, he turned his head and looked at Lin Wanwan with an extremely arrogant and expectant gaze.
His "artificial voice package" system was now eight octaves louder than usual, clearly showing off.
"Wanwan, do you see this? This is truly 'my' empire!"
He pointed to the chessboard he had completely mastered, his expression suggesting that he had conquered not just a game of chess, but the entire world.
Lin Wanwan smiled, her eyes crinkling at his smug, childlike expression. She picked up a plate of snacks and offered it to him, softly saying:
"Yes, yes, I see. Our 'Chess Saint' Your Majesty, you've worked hard, please have your meal."
"Hmm." Xiao Che picked up a piece of osmanthus cake with satisfaction and slowly savored it. His demeanor had regained the elegance and composure of an emperor.
Seeing this, General Zhang wisely got up and took his leave.
Only Xiao Che and Lin Wanwan remained in the pavilion.
The moonlight was like water, and the evening breeze was exceptionally gentle.
Xiao Che sipped his fragrant tea and ate some snacks, his gaze passing over the chessboard and looking into the distance.
The vegetable patch that had once caused him such a crushing defeat now appeared tranquil and peaceful under the moonlight. Although it was still Old Zhang's patch, the vegetables were growing more lushly.
The lake that had once caused him such humiliation now shimmered, serene and beautiful. Although, Old Zhang still caught more fish than anyone else in the lake.
But at this moment, Xiao Che felt an unprecedented sense of comfort and peace.
He finally found his own balance.
Yes, he's no good at growing vegetables. He's no good at fishing either.
But so what?
He picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and a relieved smile appeared on his lips.
—This "retirement" life, finally, there's something I'm good at!
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