novelSusiti Chapter 11 System Upgrade, Meeting Ji Dan
Chapter 11 System Upgrade, Meeting Ji Dan
"Balancing complete, system upgrade in three days!"
"Isn't there a function to crop the text? I've seen novels written like that!"
"This is the upgraded feature, which will be unlocked after the upgrade! However, some characters have been added as compensation; please check them out yourself."
"That's good. Go upgrade quickly, we'll set off for Youzhou in half a month!" Tian Heng said.
Then a huge wave of memories came over him, and after Tian Heng finished receiving them, he had an unexpected surprise.
The Wanyan tribe was defeated in the succession struggle among the Eastern Yi and suppressed by the new emperor. They have now been driven to Youzhou on the border between the two countries. In order to survive, they have decided to surrender to the Great Xia and have already submitted a letter of surrender. When they arrive, they will take in the talents of the Wanyan family and replenish their middle and high-level strength. Moreover, Yang Lin and Yang Su will be incorporated into the Yang family of Youzhou, and Cao Bin will be incorporated into the Cao family...
The next morning, Tian Heng eagerly invited Ji Dan to come.
The fragrance of sandalwood wafted like mist in the study, drifting over the neatly bound books on the rosewood shelves and condensing into a thin layer of moisture on the silk surface of the "Landscape Painting".
Tian Heng stood with his hands behind his back by the window, his gaze piercing through the carved wooden railing and landing on the century-old ginkgo tree in the courtyard. It was late spring, and the ginkgo's new leaves were just beginning to unfurl, their tender green like emerald feathers, trembling slightly in the night.
Footsteps approached from afar, light and steady, and stopped outside the door.
"Your Highness, Mr. Ji has arrived," the servant announced in a low voice.
"Please." Tian Heng turned around, the candlelight flowing over his black royal robe, making the embroidered gold dragon pattern seem to take flight.
The door opened slightly, and Ji Dan entered the study. He was still wearing the faded blue robe, his hair simply tied up with a wooden hairpin, and the only ornament on his body was a warm jade pendant at his waist. He walked with composure, walked to the center of the study, bowed deeply, and said, "Your subject Ji Dan greets Your Highness."
"Sir, please excuse the formalities and have a seat," Tian Heng said gently, gesturing with his hand.
The two took their seats as host and guest, respectively.
The servants served tea, which was this year's newly tribute Longjing tea, made before the rain. The tea soup was emerald green and clear, with a delicate aroma.
After the servants left, only the two of them remained in the study, sitting opposite each other, the candlelight flickering slightly in the night breeze.
Tian Heng lightly stroked the rim of the teacup with his fingertips, his gaze falling on Ji Dan's face: "I heard from Chief Steward Wu that these past few days, you have been organizing the accumulated documents in the mansion, classifying the official documents between the six ministries and the reports from various prefectures and counties into three volumes of 'Essentials of Current Affairs,' with a particularly detailed analysis of the border affairs and the people's sentiments in Youzhou."
Ji Dan's hand holding the cup paused slightly. He looked up at Tian Heng, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
He did indeed casually extract the relevant content about Youzhou while organizing the documents, but it was just a casual thing to do. He never expected that the King of Qin would even notice such a detail.
"I had nothing better to do, so I just tidied it up casually."
Ji Dan put down his teacup, speaking humbly.
"Your Highness is about to be stationed in Youzhou, and I thought it might be of some use to you."
"More than just useful."
Tian Heng picked up a book from the table; it was the first volume of the three-volume "Essentials of Current Affairs".
He turned the page; it contained Ji Dan's elegant writing, the characters neat and precise.
"The gentleman noted here: Youzhou should have paid 420,000 shi of grain last year, but only paid 280,000 shi, leaving a shortfall of 140,000 shi. He also noted: According to the Ministry of War's archives, less than 30% of the cotton-padded clothing for the border troops in Youzhou last winter was distributed, and more than 2,000 people suffered from frostbite."
He raised his head, his gaze intense: "Where did you obtain these figures, sir?"
Ji Dan was silent for a moment, then slowly said:
"The shortfall in grain tax was calculated by comparing official documents exchanged between the Ministry of Revenue and Youzhou. As for cotton-padded clothing..."
He paused for a moment, then said, "I have an old friend who used to work in the Ministry of War's Department of Military Affairs. He resigned last year for some reason, and before leaving the capital, he drank with me and we talked about this matter."
"An old friend?" Tian Heng raised an eyebrow.
"He has passed away from illness." Ji Dan's voice was calm. "He caught a cold in the first month of the lunar calendar and didn't make it."
Tian Heng placed the book back on the table and suddenly changed the subject: "I recently came across an ancient chess manual, and there's one game in particular that I've been pondering for days without finding a solution. I've heard that your chess skills are superb, sir. Could you perhaps offer me some guidance?"
A knowing glint flashed in Ji Dan's eyes, but his expression remained respectful:
"Your Highness has given the order, how could I dare disobey? However, my chess skills are rudimentary, and I dare not presume to offer a solution. Please allow me to observe the entire game first."
"Very good." Tian Heng clapped his hands, and the servant waiting outside the door entered and placed a white jade chessboard on the table.
The chessboard was smooth and translucent, with nineteen lines inlaid with gold thread, shimmering under the candlelight. The black and white pieces were both of the finest quality, the black pieces like ink jade, and the white pieces like solidified cream.
Following Tian Heng's instructions, the servant set up a game on the chessboard. The large black group was trapped in the center, while the white group formed an impenetrable encirclement on the outside. The black group only had two eyes to make a living group, and its strength was almost exhausted. It seemed like a dead end.
Tian Heng picked up a black piece, hovering it over the board without placing it down: "Please look, sir. The black piece is surrounded and will be eliminated within ten moves. I have pondered this for days, tossing and turning, but I still have no solution."
Ji Dan leaned over, gazing intently at the chessboard. He looked extremely intently, his gaze lingering on every intersection, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on his knees. After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Ji Dan suddenly raised his eyes, a glint of light flashing in them: "Your Highness is mistaken."
"Oh?" Tian Heng's chess piece was still suspended in mid-air.
"This game seems like a certain death for Black, but it actually hides a chance for survival." Ji Dan extended his index finger and lightly tapped a spot in the northeast corner of the chessboard.
"This is a crucial point for White's liberties. White has concentrated all its forces in the center to encircle and kill Black's large group, leaving this area vulnerable to attack."
He then pointed southwest:
"Look here, White's connection is weak. If Black insists on defending the center, it will only increase casualties. It's better to..."
He paused, then said decisively, "We will abandon the central position to seize the key northeastern territory, while simultaneously sending troops to harass the southwest and cut off its retreat."
Tian Heng's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and the black piece in his hand finally fell, landing precisely on the vital northeast corner that Ji Dan had pointed out.
Ji Dan responded with white stones and continued, "To protect its winning position in the center, white will inevitably return to defend. At this point, black can sacrifice three stones here."
He pointed to another spot, saying, "A feigned breakout is used to lure the main force of the white pieces here. Once the white pieces' formation is scattered, the black pieces can launch a counterattack and directly attack the center. In this way, the outcome will be decided in less than 120 moves."
He spoke and placed his pieces simultaneously, speaking slowly but each piece landed on a crucial point.
Tian Heng followed closely behind, and the two exchanged blows, exchanging more than thirty blows in the blink of an eye.
As Ji Dan had predicted, the situation on the chessboard was exactly as Black had described. Although Black had sacrificed several stones in the center, Black had opened up a position in the northeast and laid an ambush in the southwest.
After another twenty or so moves, White's position was indeed thrown into chaos.
Tian Heng suddenly stopped playing, put the chess piece back into the jar, and clapped his hands in praise:
"What a brilliant move, 'sacrificing the central palace to seize the vital northeastern position'! You saw through the mystery at a glance, sir. I admire you greatly!"
He stared at Ji Dan, then abruptly changed the subject: "But there is one thing I don't understand. With such great talent as you, why did you choose the pseudonym Ji Dan and hide your identity to join my Prince Qin's mansion?"
Ji Dan's hand, holding his son's, stopped in mid-air.
The candlelight flickered in the study, casting shifting shadows on his face. He slowly put down the chess piece and looked directly at Tian Heng:
"Your Highness...recognizes me?"
"Ji Dan, born into a poor family in Yingchuan, wrote 'Ten Strategies for Governing the Country' at the age of twenty, which made him famous throughout the Heluo region. The King of Qi summoned him three times and the King of Jin invited him twice, but he declined each time."
Tian Heng recited each word as if it were his own treasure.
"Last winter, the Qi Prince's men launched a night raid on a thatched hut on the outskirts of Yingchuan. You narrowly escaped with your life. Three days ago, you changed your name to Ji Dan and came to my Qin Prince's mansion."
He paused, then lowered his voice: "I know all of this."
Ji Dan remained silent for a long time, then suddenly smiled. His smile contained relief, bitterness, and a hint of a heavy burden: "Now that Your Highness knows my origins, what are your plans? Do you intend to offer me to the Crown Prince in exchange for his trust?"
"What do you think, sir?" Tian Heng asked instead of answering.
"If Your Highness intends this way, why go through all this trouble?" Ji Dan shook his head.
"Simply bind me and send me to the Prince of Qi's residence. Why summon me here to watch chess and discuss philosophy?"
Tian Heng laughed loudly, the sound echoing in the study: "Sir, you are indeed wise! I have a question to ask you today, and I hope you will not hesitate to enlighten me!"
"Your Highness, you must be asking about the strategy after we go to Youzhou, right?" Ji Dan said, getting straight to the point.
"Speaking with wise people is like drinking fine wine!" Tian Heng's eyes were full of approval. "That's exactly it. I hope you can teach me, sir!"
Ji Dan rose and walked to his desk. On the desk lay Xuan paper, a tribute from Xuanzhou, as white as snow.
He took the wolf-hair brush, dipped it heavily in the inkstone, and with his wrist suspended in the air, the brush moved like dragons and snakes.
In a short while, a map of Youzhou's territory appeared on the paper, with mountains, rivers, cities, and passes clearly marked.
"Youzhou is a vast and sparsely populated region, bordering the Di tribes to the north and the Yi states to the east. It is located on the frontier, and although its military might is strong, the people's livelihood is impoverished."