Chapter Forty-Six: A Startling Move on the Chessboard 1

Ruan Fang said, “Exactly. This connected-barrel gun was made with remarkable ingenuity. Inside its pipa-shaped body lies the chamber for the ammunition; once one shot is fired, a quick flick of the trigger mechanism seats the next round in the barrel path. The weapon is large and heavy, requiring a strong man to wield it, yet it can fire forty shots in succession. Set before you, it can sweep away armies a hundred paces off.”

Upon hearing this, Fang Guohuan was stunned. He had never imagined such a deadly weapon could exist in the world.

As he marveled, he looked at the gun and could not help murmuring, “How wondrous is creation, to bring forth such a weapon. If it were offered to the army for the defense of the nation, it would surely compel the barbarians to submit and spread our country’s might across the realm.”

At that, Ruan Fang’s face suddenly changed color, and his whole being seemed to tremble. Fang Guohuan, seeing this, had no idea what he had said wrong, and looked blankly toward Cai Xiaolei.

Cai Xiaolei shook his head and said, “Brother Fang, you do not know...”

Before he could finish, Ruan Fang sighed and said, “Let me speak. Seeing Brother Fang today, with his unusual bearing, I know you are no ordinary man, so there is no harm in telling you. But what I say today, Brother Fang, you must keep to yourself. Do not speak of it to outsiders, or I, Ruan, may lose my life.”

Fang Guohuan asked in surprise, “Brother Ruan, do you have some hidden difficulty?”

Ruan Fang sighed. “This is a long story. My elder brother, Ruan Zheng, was a blacksmith by trade, but possessed a marvelous mind and was skilled in mechanism. This connected-barrel gun was made by my brother; in all, only two were built. Because its power was too overwhelming, and because to use it for slaughter would destroy too much life, it was not fit to be shown to the world, so we kept it in the family. Later, Japanese pirates became rampant along the coasts of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, while the court’s coastal defenses were weak and unable to withstand their burning, killing, and plundering, and the people were plunged into misery. Out of righteous anger, my brother Ruan Zheng offered the gun to the army, hoping it might be used to slay the enemy and protect the border and the people. Perhaps that act offended Heaven, for it brought him a death sentence.

“At the time, my brother presented the gun and its mechanical drawings to a military commander named Liu Hai, hoping it would be widely adopted in the army. Who would have thought that Liu Hai was a treacherous scoundrel? Seeing the gun’s tremendous power, he wanted to present it himself to the court and claim the merit alone. So he secretly poisoned my brother with medicinal wine and killed him. Liu Hai had a military officer under him who was from the same hometown as I; secretly, that man sent word of my brother’s murder. When I heard the vile news, I bitterly regretted my brother’s offering. I lay in ambush on the road and intercepted Liu Hai, that villain, as he traveled to the capital to claim credit, and I blew him and his attendants to pieces with high explosives. Even that connected-barrel gun was destroyed.

“Afterward the authorities searched everywhere for me. I could no longer remain in my homeland, so I fled here and lived in seclusion. Though years have passed, the matter still weighs heavily on my heart and cannot be forgotten.”

Fang Guohuan and Cai Xiaolei were left wordless for a long time.

At last Fang Guohuan said with feeling, “When petty villains hold power, a wondrous weapon cannot be put to the use of the nation. That is truly a regrettable thing.”

Ruan Fang sighed. “Men of this age are full of cunning. I did not wish to repeat the same mistake, so I abandoned the idea of using gunpowder to aid the world and prevented further disaster. Firearms may be useful, but they cannot buy peace for an age. That is because their power to kill and to wage war is too great.”

Then he continued, “The human mind is able to devise marvelous things, and so strange instruments are made. In the Song dynasty, there was the Divine Arm Bow, shaped like a giant crossbow. Set it on the ground and press its mechanism with the foot, and it could pierce iron armor from three hundred paces away; it was also called the Enemy-Subduing Bow. When Song troops resisted the Jin armies, they relied heavily on it as a weapon. Military law forbade the loss of even one. If defeat made it impossible to carry away, it was better to destroy it than let the enemy obtain its gears and imitate it. When the Yuan destroyed the Song, they acquired its designs and once used it to prevail, but by the time of this dynasty, its transmission had been lost.”

Cai Xiaolei said from the side, “Perhaps in this dynasty there are Brother Ruan’s repeating gun and connected-barrel gun, so the Divine Arm Bow no longer stands out.”

Ruan Fang shook his head and sighed. “What is called a wondrous weapon is in truth a weapon for killing men. It offends the very scruples of creation. Though I keep it hidden at home, I do not know what kind of firearms may yet appear in later ages. Man can command objects, but can also turn them into calamity. When calamity reaches its extreme, heaven and earth may be destroyed, and no one can foretell it.”

The three drank together for some time, each growing pleasantly intoxicated.

Seeing that it was already late, Fang Guohuan said to Ruan Fang and Cai Xiaolei, “Today I have been fortunate enough to make the acquaintance of you two brothers, to receive such generous hospitality, and to hear Brother Ruan’s extraordinary tale. It will surely remain unforgettable for the rest of my life. My journey has not been in vain. Since evening is approaching, I must take my leave. If there is a chance in future, I shall come back to visit you both.”

Hearing this, Ruan Fang hurriedly tried to retain him. “Today the three of us have drunk and spoken together, and it has been most joyful. It is truly rare to meet someone so well matched to our temperament. Brother Fang should stay here tonight. We can light the lamp and drink into the night, continuing our pleasure.”

Cai Xiaolei also urged, “Though Brother Fang and the two of us met only by chance, we feel as though we have long known one another as old friends. Please stay a few more days. We have plenty of agarwood wine here; it would be good to drink ourselves to peace for a few more days.”

Fang Guohuan said gratefully, “Many thanks to both brothers for your sincerity. Today I have already indulged one round in the boldness of life, but there are matters awaiting me, and it is not convenient to linger. I beg your understanding.”

Ruan Fang asked, “What matter requires Brother Fang to labor so hard and hurry on his way?”

Fang Guohuan sighed. “I am searching across the world for one person, but sadly I have not heard a trace of him for a long time.”

Ruan Fang said, “So that is it. The person Brother Fang seeks—are they a close relative or a dear friend whom you have not seen in many years?”

Fang Guohuan shook his head. “The person I seek is an enemy.”

Ruan Fang was startled. “I would never have guessed that Brother Fang, so young, should also bear a blood feud!”

Cai Xiaolei said in surprise, “Brother Fang is refined and polite, with no strength to truss a chicken. Yesterday he nearly had that precious chess book tricked away by a villain. If you truly find your enemy, how will you take revenge? Would you not simply throw away your own life in vain?”

Fang Guohuan said slowly, “If I can find this man, I can only meet him over the chessboard and try my skill against his.”

When Ruan Fang and Cai Xiaolei heard this, they looked at each other, each bewildered.

After a moment, Ruan Fang asked in astonishment, “Brother Fang seeks revenge through chess? I’m afraid I do not quite understand.”

Fang Guohuan sighed. “This matter is rather strange and hard to believe, but it is true. In this world there is a man who has practiced on the chessboard until he has made a kind of ghostly killing game. When he sits opposite a master player, he can inflict an invisible force of death through the game, so that his opponent suddenly dies beside the board without knowing why. I am unworthy, but I too love chess. My honored teacher and an old friend both died on this man’s board. To uncover the cause of these chessboard killings, and also to demand justice through the game itself, I have searched for this man throughout the world, hoping to confront him over the board. If I am fortunate enough to win, then I can stop him from killing through chess, for more than thirty of the world’s leading masters have already been slain by him for no reason.”

Ruan Fang and Cai Xiaolei sat stunned by these words.

After quite a while, Ruan Fang finally sighed and said, “Good heavens! There is such a strange thing in the world? People can even be killed on a chessboard. This murderous ghost game Brother Fang speaks of must be even fiercer than muskets and gunpowder, able to kill without leaving a trace. Unthinkable! Unthinkable!” He shook his head repeatedly.

Cai Xiaolei seemed to understand at last and said, “No wonder Brother Fang carries that priceless chess manual on his person. So he is a master of the game.” Then he said in confusion, “Since many masters have died under that man’s ghostly moves, it shows that this fellow has something devilish about his chess skill. Brother Fang seeks him out to duel on the board—does that mean you have some even higher chess skill to subdue him?”

Fang Guohuan sighed. “Things have their opposites, and so does the way of chess. I have attained only a little success in the game, but I am willing to fight this ghost chess. If I lose, so be it. But if I defeat him, then no more players in the world will perish under this elegant art, and the proper, upright spirit of chess may be restored.”

Ruan Fang and Cai Xiaolei were greatly impressed when they heard this.

Ruan Fang praised him, “Brother Fang is willing to disregard his own life and risk himself in battle with ghost chess, all in order to rescue others. Truly a heroic and righteous man! Admirable indeed.”

Fang Guohuan said, “Brother Ruan flatters me. Since I am a man of chess, and since this misfortune has arisen from chess, I ought to do all I can as one of the chess fraternity.”

Cai Xiaolei said, “It is a pity that Brother Ruan and I are outsiders to the game. We do not understand its profound principles, nor do we know that there is such a realm beyond chess, or even a distinction between the vile and the upright. Still, I hope Brother Fang will find that chess demon soon, defeat him, and from then on destroy this murderous art.”

Ruan Fang said, “Exactly, exactly. If Brother Fang can turn the tables and kill him on the board, that would be best. If not, then in the future I, Ruan, will finish him off with a shot.”

Fang Guohuan said gratefully, “I thank both brothers for your kindness.”

The three then drank their final bowl of agarwood wine. Ruan Fang and Cai Xiaolei insisted on escorting Fang Guohuan back to the inn in town, but Fang Guohuan saw that they were already drunk and feared it would be inconvenient on the road, so he politely declined.

Ruan Fang then said, “Then tomorrow the two of us will come to the inn to find you, and afterward we can see Brother Fang on his way. How does that sound?”

Fang Guohuan nodded and thanked them.

Ruan Fang and Cai Xiaolei escorted Fang Guohuan out of the courtyard gate, and Fang Guohuan sent them back. Ruan Fang waved him on, swaying a little with drink. “Just go, little brother. We’ll stay here and see you off from afar.”

Fang Guohuan could only smile, clasped his hands in farewell, and turned away. After he had gone a long distance, he looked back and saw Ruan Fang and Cai Xiaolei still standing side by side, waving after him.

Fang Guohuan had also drunk quite a lot of the agarwood wine and was somewhat unable to bear the liquor, but fortunately the wine was strange in that it did not rise to the head, so he still managed to return to the inn.

As soon as he entered the front door, a servant came forward to support him and said, “Sir has been out all day, yet you are drunk to this state. What fine wine did you come across?”

The servant helped Fang Guohuan back to his room and settled him on the bed before turning and leaving.

Fang Guohuan slept in a daze for an unknown length of time. When he awoke thirsty, he found the room and the world beyond completely dark, so he groped for a pot of cold tea on the table and drank it. He then felt somewhat better and returned to bed to sleep again.

No one knew how long Fang Guohuan slept. He was suddenly awakened from his sound sleep by a clamorous noise outside. Opening his eyes, he saw that day had already broken. The uproar outside grew louder still. He heard one man say, “You servant are being unreasonable. We are looking for a friend—why are you blocking us?”

The servant answered, “You said you had an urgent matter and came in shouting for someone as soon as you crossed the threshold. Would that not disturb the other guests in the inn?”

Then another voice said, “Little brother, we truly are in a hurry, so we may be a little abrupt. It would be best to let us in.”

Fang Guohuan found the voices somewhat familiar. He rose and opened his door. It turned out to be Ruan Fang and Cai Xiaolei.

Delighted, and grateful that they had come to see him off, he quickly went forward and said, “So it is the two brothers. Please, come in.”

Seeing that the inn indeed had guests acquainted with Ruan Fang and Cai Xiaolei, the servant said no more and withdrew.

Ruan Fang, upon seeing Fang Guohuan, stepped forward and seized his arm. “Brother Fang, what a coincidence! The chessboard enemy you mentioned yesterday has been found. Gather your things and let’s go.”

Fang Guohuan was greatly startled at this news. He had no time to ask more and hurried back to his room to collect his bundle. When he came out and went to settle the bill, Cai Xiaolei had already rushed ahead and paid. Fang Guohuan thanked him and left the inn with the two men.

Once they reached the street, Fang Guohuan asked anxiously, “What news have the two brothers found? Where is the chess enemy I am seeking now?”

Ruan Fang said, “Do not be anxious, Brother Fang. We’ll speak as we walk.”

At that moment, Cai Xiaolei called out to a coachman on a carriage ahead, “Uncle Zhao, heading into the city again? Could you give us a ride?”

The coachman looked back and saw Cai Xiaolei. He stopped the carriage and said, “So it’s Nephew Cai. Since you’re going to the county city, get on.”

Cai Xiaolei was delighted and thanked him. He called Ruan Fang and Fang Guohuan onto the carriage, where they sat, and the carriage set off toward the county city. Fang Guohuan did not know why all this was happening, so he simply followed the two men.

Once they were seated securely in the carriage, Ruan Fang said to Fang Guohuan, “Early this morning, Brother Cai and I had agreed to come send Brother Fang off together. At the street corner, we ran into an acquaintance and chatted casually for a few moments. From him, we learned that there had been a strange murder in the city yesterday.”

Fang Guohuan was immediately shocked. “Could it be that another master player has died on the board?”

Ruan Fang said, “Exactly. That acquaintance said there was a scholar in the city who loved chess. Yesterday he played a game with someone, and before anyone knew how, he suddenly died. The scholar’s opponent on the chessboard, the murderer, had not managed to escape in time. He was captured, reported to the authorities, and thrown into prison.”

“Ah!” Fang Guohuan was astonished. “Li Ruchuan has actually been captured? Truly the net of heaven is wide; though its mesh is loose, nothing slips through! But...”

Then he grew puzzled again. “Li Ruchuan has Yu Ruxu protecting him. After every chessboard killing, he has always been able to retreat unharmed. Why was he seized this time? Ah, a wise man thinks a thousand times, yet there is still one oversight. Perhaps Yu Ruxu was occupied with something else and was not at his side. Li Ruchuan, driven by bloodlust, went off alone to find someone to duel at chess, and after the killing was exposed he could not escape, so he was taken.”

At this thought, Fang Guohuan gave a long sigh, and much of the anxiety in his heart vanished.

Ruan Fang then said, “As soon as I heard of this matter, I naturally thought of the chessboard enemy Brother Fang has been seeking. It seems this man has committed too many evils at last and has received his due.”

Cai Xiaolei said, “Today we must see what this person looks like, to think he can actually kill people on a chessboard.”

The book was first published.

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