Chapter 3, Blindfold Chess

At this moment, Zhang Yuan's mind was exceptionally clear. Having been unable to see for over two months was undoubtedly a form of extreme training. His mind had become extremely tranquil, akin to the sharp edge of a newly honed blade. In this state of mind, listening to Zhang Cai and Wuling read, he could memorize everything after just one hearing. The Four Books and Five Classics became ingrained in his memory, and now, when playing blind chess, he could vividly imagine a large chessboard in his mind, with the red and black pieces arranged in an orderly manner. The movements of the pieces were as clear as if they were happening in front of him. He played through more than fifty moves without any confusion, and moreover, he was able to take the initiative. The two rooks and the linked knights had already cornered the black pieces in the center, presenting an inevitable winning situation.

Zhang E laughed in anger: "What do I need your eye mask for? Are you cursing my eyes to fall ill? Despicable! Truly despicable!" After a moment's thought, she continued: "Well, even if I win, you still cannot decide to give me Wuling. Your mother will go to the ancestral hall to complain, saying that the Western Zhang is bullying the Eastern Zhang. How about this: if I win, I will throw your eye mask into the Tola River, and you will never be allowed to wear it again. Just the sight of you in that eye mask makes me furious—oh, and if it's a draw, we will play again until a winner is determined."

Pawn to e5

Zhang E also noticed that Zhang Yuan's demeanor and tone were different from usual. She looked at Zhang Yuan again, smiled lightly, and asked, "Have you recently acquired some secret chess techniques? Is it from 'Dream into the Divine Machine' or 'The Ever-Changing Chess Manual'?"

Zhang E set up the central cannon, and since Zhang Yuan was advancing slowly, he decided to take the initiative to attack first. Having become accustomed to winning against Zhang Yuan, he hardly regarded him as a threat. Moreover, with Zhang Yuan blindfolded, it was likely that he would soon become confused about the positions of his own pieces. Haha, he wanted to see Zhang Yuan make a fool of himself and enjoy mocking him thoroughly.

Zhang E asked Zhang Yuan, who mentioned wanting to play chess, "Have your eyes recovered?"

Seeing Zhang Yuan remain calm and composed, without the embarrassment or panic of having his scheme exposed, Zhang E could not fathom where Zhang Yuan derived his confidence. She turned and instructed, "Wang Kecan, run back and tell the servants to quickly bring the chess set here." She then asked Zhang Yuan, "You mentioned wanting two people to read books to you; what books do you want them to read?"

Zhang E expressed great interest: "Have you learned to play blind chess?"

... ...

Losing one's temper is a sign of incompetence, Zhang Yuan shook his head and, supporting Wuling's shoulder, walked home slowly

Zhang E was taken aback; Zhang Yuan had learned all his moves from him. In the opening, the first move is usually the cannon at the head, while the second move is the screen horse. He had never seen Zhang Yuan play the advancing pawn formation, also known as the Immortal's Guiding Finger, which is both offensive and defensive, and quite complex. Where did Zhang Yuan learn this Immortal's Guiding Finger? This kind of opening is not easily mastered; Zhang Yuan must be playing haphazardly.

Zhang E laughed for a while and said, "Alright, if you win me in chess, I will arrange for two literate guests to come to you every day to follow your orders. They can read whatever you want until your eyes are better. Is that sufficient?"

Zhang E turned pale and said: "How can you play chess with me if your eyes are not well!"

The young performers had followed for quite a distance, leaving only Wang Kecan, Pan Xiaofei, and a few servants who had brought the chess pieces behind. The servants were tidying up the chess table and searching for the pieces among the rocky shore.

Master Jie, your chess moves just now were truly exquisite, winning without any hesitation, which is truly admirable

Zhang Yuan made a sound of acknowledgment, while Wuling was in a daze: "When did the young master learn to play blind chess? The young master hasn't touched any chess pieces these days, neither the pieces of Xiangqi nor those of Go."

Blind chess, also known as "Mengmu Chess," is played without looking at the board, relying solely on verbal descriptions and mental calculations, which requires exceptional memory skills

Zhang Yuan's tone was calm: "At one time, this was one thing; at another time, it was another. The three brothers only need to decide whether to proceed or not."

Zhang Emei's brows furrowed tighter and tighter, her folding fan fluttering with a "whoosh" as she fixed her gaze on Zhang Yuan, unable to believe that this was the move he had made while blindfolded. It seemed he could no longer hold his ground, and there was no opportunity even to exchange pieces for a draw.

Zhang Yuan is well aware of Zhang E's chess strategies, excelling in the use of cannons, with a fierce attacking style. He employs various tactics such as the head cannon, the heart cannon, and the convenient cannon, demonstrating formidable firepower. However, his defense is rather lax. In the past, Zhang Yuan was unable to counterattack effectively due to being overwhelmed by attacks, which prevented him from exploiting the weaknesses in Zhang E's defense. Now, of course, things are different

Xiao Xinu Wuling was filled with joy, never expecting that the young master, with his eyes covered, could defeat Zhang E. It truly seemed as if the young master had transformed into a different person

Zhang E stared at the chessboard without moving, while Wang Ke, Pan Xiaofei, and a few other young performers exchanged glances, not daring to speak. Yan Ke, a proud and hot-tempered young man, had just lost a game of chess to the blindfolded Zhang Yuan, and was sure to be furious. They needed to be cautious and avoid provoking him.

Zhang Yuandao: "The Third Brother must be upset; I won by sheer luck this time. Please convey my apologies to the Third Brother."

Wuling does not believe that the young master can play blind chess; even if he can, he would not be able to outplay Zhang E

At this point, Zhang E paused for a moment, casting a sidelong glance at the young servant Wuling beside Zhang Yuan, and continued: "However, if you lose, you must give me Wuling. Heh heh, this kid is quite stubborn, and I like that."

Wang Ke said: "Although the young master of the Yan family is displeased, he will certainly not go back on his word—Master Jiezi, safe travels"

Zhang Yuan, wearing a blue cloth eye mask, slowly began to speak

Wuling Fuzhang sat on the large blue stone under the stone arch and whispered, "Young Master, you cannot win against him in chess. The sunlight is so blinding now, it is not good to remove the eye mask."

Zhang E let out a sound of "uh" as if she had choked, then burst into laughter, saying while laughing: "Jiezi, you are truly something; only after your eyes went bad did you think of studying, aiming to become a scholar. Hahahaha, you crack me up."

Zhang Yuandao: "Of course, it is the Four Books and Five Classics, as well as the Eight-legged Essay."

Zhang Yuan sat quietly without speaking, listening to Zhang E's wild laughter

Zhang Yuan retorted, "Haven't the three brothers heard of the game of blindfold chess?"

The vehicle is level two.

Zhang E smiled and said, "Jiezi, it has been more than two months since we last met, and you have truly become quite arrogant. You dare to play chess with me and wager on the outcome, hehe, you haven't forgotten that your chess and Go skills were all learned from me, have you"

The seventh soldier advances one step

Ma Er enters San

After a few more moves, Zhang Yuan's double horses cornered the black pieces, leaving them with no escape.

With a bang, Zhang E flipped the Huanghuali wood chess table to the right, causing thirty-two chicken wing wood chess pieces to scatter all over the ground. Zhang E shouted, "This is infuriating!" She glared at the unmoving Zhang Yuan and stormed off.

Wang Kecan's skill in chess is not weak; otherwise, Zhang E would not have invited him to set up the game. Wang Kecan speaks with the accent of Suzhou and Kunshan, using soft and gentle tones that are extremely tender. If one were to only listen to his voice, one would definitely assume that Wang Kecan is a woman. In the opera troupe, Wang Kecan also plays the role of a dan (female character)

On a scorching afternoon in June, the intense sunlight rises in a haze of vapor over the water's surface, creating a warm atmosphere. The vegetation on both banks appears wilted from the heat. Two young boys, unable to comprehend the game of chess, barefoot and eager to play in the water, step onto the pebbles only to jump back in surprise, as they are scalded by the heat. They quickly retreat to the shade beneath the arch bridge.

Ma 8 advances to 7

Zhang E, smiling gently, sat down at the right side of the chess table, while Wuling assisted Zhang Yuan to sit down at the other end

Zhang Yuan smiled and said, "Third Brother, it was you who first said you wanted to see my eye mask. I lost, so I can only give you this blue cloth eye mask; there is nothing else. If Third Brother is unwilling to play, then please make way, as I must return." He understood Zhang E's temperament very well, as steady as fishing, unafraid that Zhang E would not take the bait.

Ma Erjin San https : / / m.hetushucomcom

On a scorching day in Wuling, a chill ran down my spine. The young masters over in the west, particularly the young master Zhang San, who is already sixteen, are likely to have learned those ways. Wuling exclaimed, "No, no, young master must not agree to that."

The young vocal performers of the "Ke Can Ban" were purchased a few years ago by Zhang Ru Lin, the grandfather of Zhang E, from the Suzhou area (in Shaoxing, it is customary to refer to one's grandfather as "Da Fu"). Zhang Ru Lin was a third-degree scholar in the imperial examination of the 38th year of the Wanli era. After serving as an official for many years, he was impeached and dismissed from office five years ago. Disheartened with his political career, he then devoted himself to building gardens and nurturing vocal performers. The Zhang family opera troupe in Shaoxing is quite renowned.

Zhang Yuandao: "Not ready yet"

The game continues, as Wang Kecan moves the red pieces according to the moves suggested by Zhang Yuan, while also relaying Zhang E's moves to Zhang Yuan.

Zhang Yuan nodded and said, "Alright, it's settled then"

On one side, Wang Kecan advanced a red pawn of Zhang Yuan's along the first file.

The sound of footsteps suddenly rose on the bridge. Zhang E, being impatient, had his orders executed without delay by the servants, who all hurried over. The huanghuali wood chess table, the beech wood chessboard, the double-sided chess pieces carved from chicken wing wood, and two ebony official hats chairs were quickly arranged neatly under the arched bridge paved with cobblestones.

Zhang E is correct; Zhang Yuan learned both chess and Go from Zhang E. Zhang E is exceptionally intelligent, mastering various activities such as playing the sheng and xiao, kicking the cuju, playing chess, beating drums, singing songs, and engaging in the games of the wealthy elite with ease and proficiency. In chess, Zhang Yuan had never won against Zhang E before, and even draws were rare.