But still, Ye Buxiu had stood up for him. Wang Dayan, knowing exactly who had helped him, gradually began to l…
But still, Ye Buxiu had stood up for him. Wang Dayan, knowing exactly who had helped him, gradually began to let his guard down. What started as a reluctant camaraderie between classmates and classmates soon deepened into genuine friendship.
Wang Dayan learned that his sparring friend had become the new Imperial Chess Attendant and earned the emperor's special favor. During their matches, the emperor would recount past battles, and Ye Buxiu cleverly turned those stories into a series of chess manuals that mirrored the campaigns. The emperor was thrilled. Wang Dayan read through the manuals and attempted to study them. But to him, the moves felt hollow, like the jerky motions of a puppet. He simply couldn't grasp the meaning behind them.
Why did advancing a Soldier symbolize the emperor rescuing his foster father, the Grand Ancestor of the Later Tang? Why did moving a Horse signify defeating the Later Liang forces?
"Wait... it's still the same emperor, right? So why is His Majesty a Soldier in this move and a Horse in that one?"
"Depends on the situation," Ye Buxiu had replied vaguely, popping a wedge of orange into his mouth.
Situation? What situation? And how could you possibly grasp it? Wang Dayan was baffled, but he bit his tongue. He couldn't help but envy Ye Buxiu's instinctive talent. The gap between them was wider than the difference between a Soldier and a Chariot. But even so, he wasn't going to quit. He believed that with enough grit and persistence, one day he'd win a game and finally put Ye Buxiu in his place.