The young man surnamed Liu raised his head and smiled. "Less than three years. I only learned it after I came to the capital for the imperial examinations. I haven't played much. After my good friends left the capital last year, no one was willing to play chess with me."
Fan Zhanghou smiled bitterly. "Brother Liu is like a god on the chessboard. Amazing."
Sun Yin laughed heartily. He felt even happier than when he had defeated Fan Zhang. This scholar with the surname Liu, who was going to take the imperial examination, was only able to obtain this residence after much effort. Even so, if it were not for Sun Yin's identity as Northern Liang, this fellow would most likely not have come to stay here. The young man's surname was Liu and his name was Huai. He was also from Beiliang and was the only scholar to participate in the Autumn Exam last year. However, his ranking was very low and he could barely participate in the Court Exam. If it were based on the results of the exam, he would definitely be a Jinshi. However, Liu Huai could not be considered unknown because there was a middle-aged scholar surnamed Zhang who had helped Liu Huai copy scriptures at the entrance of the Imperial College. After Liu Huai settled down here, he lived in seclusion and devoted himself to studying. When Sun Yin was studying in his hometown of Beiliang, he was already known for his "outstanding writing skills". At that time, even Yao Baifeng, who was the Left Chancellor of the Imperial College, this kind of leading literary figure, was willing to make a name for himself. Later on, Tantanon Huan Wen, who sat firmly on the top seat of the Secretariat, had also personally verified this matter. He had no choice but to teach Sun Yin to be low-key while pinching his nose and saying angrily, "This child won the imperial examinations, it was easy for him to win."
Liu Huai was preparing for this spring's court examinations, so he naturally benefited greatly. In addition, even though Liu Huai's personality was strict, he wasn't arrogant. He spared no effort in seeking advice. There were several times when he burned the midnight oil to read something that he couldn't understand, so he would remember it one by one. Then, he would wait until early in the morning, when Sun Yin, who had to attend the morning court, woke up and opened the door, and then he would ask questions one by one. However, even though Sun Yin would answer all of his questions, the rather grumpy Sun Yin would still scold Liu Huai a few times, "You're more diligent than Li Jifu, but your aptitude is a bit lacking", "You can't even compare to that idiot Li Jifu", and so on. If he wasn't so grumpy when he woke up, he would also pat Liu Huai's shoulder and say a few words of encouragement, "It's fine, your writing is on par with Li Jifu's, so it's not too embarrassing. After all, you guys aren't me, Sun Yin. Liu Huai and Li Jifu, the likes of which only appear once every ten years, but I, Sun Yin, only once in a hundred years." Brother Liu Huai, the ability of a scholar doesn't depend on the court examinations. Yin Maochun was the zhuangyuan, right? But what rank did his esteemed teacher, our Grand Secretary Zhang get in the court examinations? Look at Li Jifu, didn't he also become the top scholar? How can he be compared to someone like me who didn't even participate in the court examinations? "
Li Jifu, who often stayed here, would always smile and not say anything.
Motherf * cker, although Li Jifu's career wasn't smooth, his essays for the imperial examinations were truly flawless!
Three years ago, a certain senior top scholar admitted defeat in public and said, "How lucky am I to not participate in the court examinations in the same year as Li Jifu! How unlucky am I to be the second in the imperial examinations! "
Luckily, Li Jifu didn't refute him.
At first, Liu Huai thought that the gentle Brother Li only had the same name as the top scholar in the first year of Xiangfu. When he found out the truth, he had no choice but to persuade Sun Yin not to laugh at Brother Li in front of him. However, Sun Yin waved his sleeves and said, "There are countless people who have been scolded and humiliated by me, Sun Yin. However, there are only a few people who I, Sun Yin, reluctantly acknowledge. Li Jifu is happy, why would he be angry?"
Liu Huai, who got along well with Li Jifu after meeting him, was so angry that he almost moved out of the house. However, Li Jifu stopped him. After a heart-to-heart talk, Liu Huai returned to the house. After half a day, Sun Yin finally managed to suppress his impulse. However, it was obvious that he was holding back a lot.
In the end, Li Jifu forced Sun Yin to swallow back the words he was about to say. He scratched his head and smiled, "Brother Sun, I'll say it if I want to. If you're uncomfortable, I'm even more uncomfortable. "
Sun Yin pointed at Li Jifu and looked at the helpless Liu Huai. He said proudly, "Did you hear that?"
After interacting with Sun Yin for a long time, Liu Huai, who had learned a lot of unconventional catchphrases, couldn't help but mutter, "There's no justice in this world. There's no law in this world!"
Therefore, the three of them got along harmoniously.
Liu Huai also knew that Li Jifu was truly talented. Most importantly, he had an even rarer "neutral and peaceful" temperament. He had no arrogance and was proud to the bone. He was definitely not the kind of person who "appeared to be loyal but was actually treacherous".
Today, Liu Huai only knew that Sun Yin had a chess friend who came to his house to play chess. When the two guests arrived, Sun Yin didn't introduce himself. He only said that if he won, he would bring him and Li Jifu to the restaurant at the end of the street. They would eat a lot of fish and meat. With Sun Yin's salary in hand, he would be able to compete with Kong Fang brothers. If it wasn't enough, he could even put it on credit. How could the name Sun Yin not be worth tens of thousands of taels of gold?
Therefore, Liu Huai only knew that one of them was surnamed Song and the other was surnamed Fan.
At this time, when he heard the young man with the surname Fan praise him as "divine" and "amazing", Liu Huai's expression became a bit strange. He was just a layman who had unintentionally learned how to play chess. Wasn't it inappropriate for him to praise him like this?
Noticing Liu Huai's gaze, Fan Zhanghou felt helpless. He wasn't Sun Yin and didn't have the face to announce his name.
Sun Yin was even more delighted. He grabbed the last handful of peanuts on the plate and gave half of them to Li Jifu. After getting up, he shook his robe and said with a smirk, "Liu Huai, do you know who this guy is? 'Fan Zi' of the chess world, the tenth dan Chess Saint, the number one national player of our dynasty, second to Cao Guanzi, the famous Huangmen of the Hanlin Academy, Fan Duanxian! "
Fan Duanxian?
Pouring beans out of a bamboo tube, such a big nickname being shouted out by Sun Yin. Even Song Keli, who was reading a book in the distance, couldn't help but shake his head slightly.
Fan Zhanghou put his hand to his forehead.
Liu Huai wasn't stupid and quickly understood. He got up and bowed, "Liu Huai thanks Mr. Fan for the guidance."
Fan Zhanghou quickly got up and bowed back, "It's just a friendly match. I don't dare to give you any advice."
Sun Yin rolled his eyes and turned to Li Jifu, saying, "See, sour scholar! Two! "
Before Li Jifu could speak, Sun Yin sighed and said, "Including you, three!"
But before Sun Yin could continue, Song Keli said, "Brother Sun, you don't have to praise me. Including me, four!"
Sun Yin said bluntly, "Song Keli, it's not that I want to criticize you, but since you're close to Yan Chiji, you can be considered as a friend of a gentleman. Why do you care about those gossips? Sigh, in the end, it's Young Mistress Fan who has taken advantage of you two."
Song Keli, who was holding the book, took a deep breath and didn't say anything.
Sun Yin was still unwilling to let the matter rest. He nagged, "Song Keli, you must know that the more you know, the lighter you become. What a beautiful couple. Don't waste the Moon Elder's red string because of you."
Liu Huai and Li Jifu looked at each other. Was there really something going on here?
Fan Zhanghou, who knew what was going on, tried hard not to laugh.
Song Keli raised the rare engraved ancient book in his hand, "Three hundred taels of silver! Don't let it get burned, it's not even worth thirty taels! "
Sun Yin quickly gave him a thumbs up and praised, "Attacking the enemy's base directly, you use your troops like a god! I'm impressed! "
Song Keli snorted and continued to read.
Liu Huai asked tentatively, "Mr. Fan, can we play another round?"
Fan Zhanghou nodded with a smile, "Just call me by my name."
The two sat back down and continued to play.
Sun Yin, who was bored to death, lost interest in watching the game and could only stare blankly.
Li Jifu didn't have much interest in playing chess and his chess skills were average. However, he still enjoyed watching the game between two masters. As for his chess skills, he was naturally much better than Sun Yin.
Sun Yin muttered to himself, "It's a pity that Chen Shaobao and Yan Chiji aren't here. Otherwise, all the guys I like would be in the same nest."
Liu Huai was very focused on playing chess. In fact, Liu Huai was always so focused whether he was reading or doing things.
Fan Zhanghou, who had played chess countless times, was also the same. It could be said that when he placed a piece, even thunder wouldn't move it.
Song Keli thought for a while.
Only Li Jifu smiled. He was very happy.
It was very strange. Although he had known Sun Yin for a long time, there had never been any heartfelt words between the two of them. Sun Yin always liked to be lost in thought, and his mind would often wander. Li Jifu also rarely took the initiative to talk when he was beside Sun Yin. He usually just quietly read and thought about the big and small things in the officialdom and the high and low people in the yamen.
Sun Yin said to himself, "Actually, Fan Zhanghou is very competitive and can let go of things easily. He's really suitable to be an official. He's not suitable to play chess. First, he should wander around places like the Imperial Academy and Imperial College. He's not afraid of being slow, but he's afraid of being fast. Young Chicken Song … oh, that's not right, Young Chicken Song. What about Young Chicken Song? She is courageous and diligent. She will be an assistant minister for three years, a minister for five years, and a grand secretary for ten years. Oh, that's not right. I, Sun Yin, will be the grand secretary for ten years. Song Keli, you should just be a minister obediently. As for Liu Huai, don't be stuck in a pile of books. Being a teacher won't be a big deal. At most, you'll be given an average posthumous title. What Wenjie, Wenyi, Wenda? How is that a posthumous title? It's just cursing people … As for Li Jifu, you'll have to make do with cultivating in the government. Remember to burn incense and pray to Buddha when you're free. If you're lucky, you'll be able to get a third-rank assistant minister or a provincial governor. If you're unlucky, sigh, you'll have to borrow money from me. I don't think you'll be able to marry a decent wife … "
Li Jifu nodded solemnly.
Well, it seemed that this top scholar took it seriously.
Song Keli shook his head again.
Before the night ban in the capital, Fan Zhanghou said goodbye to Song Keli. Liu Huai got up and walked him out. Li Jifu left the house later. Liu Huai helped him carry the lantern to the corner of the alley before handing it to him.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
