Chapter Thirty-Two: The Chessboard Array at the Heart of Heaven (1)

There exists a game called Go, which some say bears resemblance to the art of warfare. The highest players focus on distant placements, setting stones to encircle, thus forging paths to victory. The middling ones strive to sever and block, seeking advantage and profit, so the outcome remains uncertain, requiring calculation to determine. The lowest players guard the corners, hasten to form basic shapes to claim small territories, though inevitably their results are inferior. From the Spring and Autumn era onward, each generation has had its masters.

This passage, taken from "New Discourse" by Huan Tan of the Eastern Han, compares the philosophy of Go to military strategy: the highest players seize momentum to seek victory, the middling rely on force to contend, the lowest defend territory to survive. Similarly, Ying Tang, a literatus of the late Eastern Han, wrote "The Power of Go," discussing the parallels between chess and warfare:

The rules of Go have ancient origins, mirroring the order and discipline of military formations. Flags are arrayed, interests arise in abundance. Troops gather like rain, formations align in fish-scale and wild-goose patterns. Wings unfurl, defenses solidify at the borders. Sometimes feigned retreats and sudden turns are employed, columns are arranged in strength, weakened forces draw in the enemy, exploiting gaps to cut them off, resulting in capture and annihilation, reminiscent of Han Xin’s campaign at Huaiyin and the momentum of raising the flag. At times, unpredictable setups are made, adapting to threats and changes, when the enemy strikes the northern camp, defenses respond from the south; when the central banner prevails, the enemy’s perimeter collapses, demonstrating the wisdom of Zhou Yafu and the ingenuity of Geng Yan…

This passage associates the tactical brilliance of ancient generals such as Han Xin and Zhou Yafu with strategy on the Go board. Ma Rong’s "Ode to Go" further asserts the unity of military and Go principles:

A brief glance at Go reveals the laws of warfare. The three-foot board serves as the battlefield. Soldiers are arrayed, two sides oppose each other. The inept achieve nothing, the weak perish first…

The interconnection between military and Go has always been deeply respected by the ancients; outside the confines of the board, marvels often arise.

Now, Lian Qiying had learned that the court secretly viewed the power of the Six Harmonies Hall with suspicion, intending to use the Hall’s upcoming mission to escort the Green Forest forces from the east as a chance to eliminate its elite outside the border with the strength of the Jurchen cavalry. Shaken, she sighed and lamented, “The current Emperor Wanli, Zhu Yijun, once, as a prince, worshipped at the incense hall of Six Harmonies Hall. After we assisted his accession, the previous chief, Lu, severed ties to avoid unforeseen troubles. When I took over, I was even more determined to keep Six Harmonies Hall distanced from the emperor. Only once, compelled by circumstance, to rescue disaster victims, did I sneak into the palace alone, revealing the golden token of Six Harmonies, and begged him to open the granaries and provide relief, for the sake of the Hall’s past assistance. It was also for the benefit of his Ming dynasty. Though he granted the request, he remembered that there was still someone able to command him, the emperor. His heart is narrow; how could a martial society dictate to the Son of Heaven? We merely aided his benevolent governance, yet our good intentions were misinterpreted, becoming the source of disaster.” With that, Lian Qiying fell into deep thought.

Sun Qi spoke, “This old brother of Six Harmonies Hall sits upon the throne, so naturally he fears the Hall’s influence, wary lest it foster ambition and threaten his rule. If Six Harmonies Hall ever harbored ulterior motives, how could his Ming dynasty remain stable?”

At this, Lian Qiying replied, “Now, with pursuers behind and no path ahead, we are cornered; is it the fate of Six Harmonies Hall to end here?” Sun Qi said, “Chief, do not despair. At this point, we must fight with our backs to the river, seeking survival amidst certain death.” Lian Qiying worried, “If the Jurchen army truly numbers two hundred thousand, our forces are far outmatched. Though our brothers are brave, prolonged battle will wear them thin; to fight head-on would be falling into Zhu Yijun’s trap.”

Sun Qi said, “The matter is urgent! We must act with caution and speed. Let us return and confer with Donggu’s bow master on a plan to repel the enemy.” He then instructed Zhao Sishuo, Hong Jinshan, and others, “Zhang Weicheng has received secret imperial orders, refusing Six Harmonies Hall entry beyond the border. Do not mention this to our brothers or the Green Forest heroes from the east, lest morale suffer. Say only that the border troops fear the Jurchens may seize the opportunity to attack, so they refuse us entry until the pursuers are repelled.” Hong Jinshan, Zhao Sishuo, and the others agreed.

Upon rejoining the main force, Sun Qi explained to Gong Changjiu and the others that the border closure was to prevent Jurchens from slipping in, and only by defeating the approaching Jurchen army would the threat be lifted and the gates opened. The assembly was astounded. The secret imperial order regarding Six Harmonies Hall was not explained in detail to Gong Changjiu due to its sensitive nature.

Gong Changjiu, shocked, bowed to Lian Qiying, saying, “I never thought this escort mission would entangle Six Harmonies Hall outside the border. I am willing to lead the Green Forest brothers to cover the rear, confronting the Jurchen army. The Jurchens target us, not the heroes of Six Harmonies Hall. I beg you to take my daughter, the families of Green Forest, and the heroes of Six Harmonies Hall through a detour into the pass, avoiding disaster.”

Lian Qiying, admiring Gong Changjiu’s valor, quickly stepped forward to support him, saying, “Bow master, there is no need for such words. Six Harmonies Hall and the Green Forest heroes are now one family, sharing the same fate. Though we are in peril, we must find a way together. If we leave the Green Forest heroes to cover our escape alone, where is our alliance’s sincerity? Would we not be scorned for betraying loyalty?” Her words deeply moved Gong Changjiu and the Green Forest heroes; Gu Sicen and Fang Guohuan nodded in silent approval.

Just then, a scout arrived with urgent news: the two hundred thousand strong Jurchen army had camped forty li away, seemingly aware that the heroes were trapped outside the border. As night approached, they would not fight until morning, likely launching their assault at dawn. The assembly was greatly alarmed. Sun Qi said, “Continue scouting, keep close watch on their movements, and ascertain their attack time.” The scouts departed.

Sun Qi, calm in crisis, immediately ordered the troops to camp at a defensible position. He sent Han Mengchao, Zhu Weiyuan, and Bu Yuan to guard the left flank with two thousand men; Lü Zhufeng, Zhao Qingyang, and Luo Kun to guard the right with two thousand; Zhao Sishuo with five hundred to monitor the direction of Dushikou Pass; the rest stood ready for action. Then, Lian Qiying, Sun Qi, Gong Changjiu, and Gu Sicen gathered in the tent to discuss strategies for repelling the enemy.

Meanwhile, Fang Guohuan, distressed that in just a day outside the border the heroes were trapped in dire straits, wandered alone to the mountain’s summit. The setting sun cast a bloody hue over the dusk, the wild mountains shrouded in bleak mist, the vast landscape steeped in sorrow, foretelling a brutal battle soon to come. Fang Guohuan stood in a daze, his thoughts surging: “By dawn at the latest, the Jurchen army will attack. Two hundred thousand against ten thousand—it’s hopeless, like eggs against stone. Though Master Sun Qi knows the art of war, he lacks enough troops. The Six Harmonies Hall and Green Forest heroes able to fight number only a few thousand; even if all are valiant, they cannot withstand the Jurchen cavalry. A desperate fight will end in disaster. From today’s battle, Master Sun Qi’s formations proved pivotal…”

Suddenly, a thought struck Fang Guohuan, bringing him joy: “Yes, if these few thousand could be arrayed into various powerful formations and then combined into one grand setup, just like a Go board! At Tianyuan Temple, Master Kuyu once arranged stones outside the board to form a ‘forest’ of pieces, creating a marvelous formation that could trap man and beast. Yes, yes! Independent formations may kill, but over time they’ll be worn down. If distributed across the battlefield as one grand array, they can support each other. The whole formation, operating as one, could allow a small force to wear down the Jurchen army…” Elated by this realization, he rushed back to camp, confident he had found a way to repel the enemy.

Inside the tent, Lian Qiying, Sun Qi, Gong Changjiu, and Gu Sicen were still wrestling with plans. Scouts reported no movement from the Jurchen army, estimating an attack at dawn. Only one night remained. Sun Qi had devised five or six strategies, but found none satisfactory. Gu Sicen suggested the main force relocate north overnight, seeking another pass for entry. Gong Changjiu worried that other checkpoints were guarded; a sudden arrival of a large force would be treated as hostile and refused entry. Furthermore, a five or six day detour might not suffice, and the swift Jurchen cavalry would soon catch up. This was why the Jurchens were in no hurry to fight at night; outside the border, the land belonged to them. A bloody battle was unavoidable. The four deliberated, but no solution emerged.

At that moment, Fang Guohuan burst in, excitedly declaring, “Sister Lian, Master Sun, I have a way to repel the enemy!” The four were surprised; Lian Qiying shook her head with a smile, saying, “Guohuan, you need not trouble yourself; repelling the enemy is not a simple matter. I have already decided: Master Gu Sicen will escort you, Ying’er, the Green Forest families, and the Six Harmonies Hall heroes, disguised as refugees, through a detour into the pass. There should be no trouble. As for me and Bow Master Gong, we can only fight the Jurchen army to the death.” Gu Sicen was startled, “Chief, please reconsider. Send others. I am willing to stand with the heroes and fight.”

Lian Qiying shook her head, “Master Gu and Guohuan are outsiders; they should not be dragged into this.” Gong Changjiu rose and bowed, “Chief, please leave with Young Master Fang and the others. I am content to have met you and the heroes of Six Harmonies Hall; I have no regrets, even in death. I will join the heroes in a final stand, covering your escape.” Lian Qiying only shook her head, refusing; Gong Changjiu grew desperate.

Fang Guohuan said, “I think no one should leave. I have a method to repel the enemy.” Sun Qi was stirred, quickly asking, “Young Master Fang, what is your plan?”

Fang Guohuan replied, “I possess no other skills but a deep understanding of Go. Why not engage the Jurchens in a real-life match?” Lian Qiying, Gong Changjiu, and Gu Sicen were baffled, exchanging confused glances. Sun Qi, suddenly delighted, said, “Young Master Fang, come explain.” He spread a silk cloth painted with a Go board on the ground, bringing out his own pieces used for arranging formations.

Fang Guohuan stepped forward, pointed at the board, and illustrated with the pieces, “First, we must choose a favorable terrain for the battlefield. Master Sun should array the troops according to Sun Wu’s formation diagrams, then arrange them as a grand Go board, forming a Tianyuan Formation. At each of the nine star points, place a flexible, powerful formation, leaving the Tianyuan (center point) for a high platform to command the entire setup. The upper three stars are the vanguard, the lower three, the final defense, with the left and right stars as the wings. In the center, surrounding Tianyuan, lay out the Heavenly Dragon Formation, comprising fifteen stars—visible under the night sky on a full moon. Each star is represented by fifteen formations. Master Sun and I will command from the Tianyuan platform, adjusting the formations as the Jurchen attack intensifies. The front three-star formation will blunt their cavalry’s momentum, but the main task is for the central Heavenly Dragon Formation to consume their strength. The lower three will block their breakthroughs and secure the rear. This Tianyuan Formation is designed to use the few against the many, aiming to wear down the Jurchens within the setup. With the entire array coordinated from the Tianyuan, formations can reinforce one another, helping in moments of crisis. As long as we can entangle the Jurchen army and exhaust their strength through the formation, we may have a chance to repel them.” His words left Lian Qiying and the others utterly astonished.