Chapter 72 A thrilling contest
Jiang Zhiyu smiled slightly and said, "If you don't mind, I am willing to compete with you."
So, the two of them set up the chessboard in the hall. Jiang Zhiyu played steadily and cautiously, while Zeng Qingxing played sharply and aggressively. For a while, the situation on the chessboard between the two of them fell into a stalemate.
However, at the critical moment, Jiang Zhiyu suddenly changed his strategy and launched a massive attack. Zeng Qingxing was caught off guard and fell into a passive position. In the end, Jiang Zhiyu successfully defeated Zeng Qingxing and won the game.
Zeng Qingxing looked at the chessboard and said with a smile, "Miss Jiang, your chess skills are indeed extraordinary. I am convinced that I have lost."
Jiang Zhiyu smiled slightly and said, "Grandmaster, you are too kind. Zhiyu just won by luck."
Mr. Jiang stroked his beard gently, with a look of concern in his eyes. He and Zeng Qingxing had not seen each other for many years, and the familiarity and strangeness between them were intertwined, which seemed particularly complicated. "Brother Zeng, I haven't seen you for many years, but you are still as charming as ever. I just don't know why you suddenly came to visit me this time?" Mr. Jiang asked in confusion, revealing his concern and curiosity for his old friend.
Zeng Qingxing smiled slightly, with a trace of time flashing in his eyes. He slowly stood up, bowed to Old Master Jiang, and then slowly said: "Brother Jiang, I do have something to tell you. As you know, I am old and my body is gradually failing. I am no longer able to fulfill my duties in the East Palace. After thinking it over, I decided to return to my hometown and spend my old age in peace."
After hearing this, Mr. Jiang's eyes flashed with emotion. He understood Zeng Qingxing's hardships and difficulties. He gently patted Zeng Qingxing on the shoulder and said, "Brother Zeng, you have devoted your life to the Western Wei Dynasty. Now you choose to return to your hometown to retire, which is also right. The scenery of your hometown is beautiful, and the people are outstanding. You will definitely enjoy your old age there."
Zeng Qingxing nodded and smiled, his eyes showing his attachment and expectation for his hometown. He understood that Mr. Jiang's words were not only comfort, but also understanding and support for him.
At the signal from Mr. Jiang, Jiang Zhiyu and Zeng Qingxing sat down in turn, each with a respectful look. Mr. Jiang looked kind, and continued the previous topic, slowly speaking to Jiang Zhiyu:
"Zhi Yu, Mr. Zeng Qingxing is a treasure of our dynasty. He was extremely intelligent since childhood and was talented in his youth. He was deeply favored by the late emperor. The late emperor specially selected him to be the prince's tutor, to teach the prince full-time, in the hope that the prince would become a wise ruler in the future."
Jiang Zhiyu nodded slightly, a hint of respect flashed in his eyes, and continued to listen to what Mr. Jiang said.
"Mr. Zeng Qingxing was knowledgeable and talented. Whether it was poetry or classics, he could tell people a lot. His character was also upright and flawless. All the ministers and members of the royal family respected him. Mr. Zeng Qingxing spared no effort in educating the prince, and finally made the prince able to see the slightest details, govern the Western Wei Dynasty, and benefit the people after he ascended the throne."
Jiang Zhiyu was fascinated by what she heard, and her admiration for Zeng Qingxing grew even deeper. She bowed slightly and asked politely, "Mr. Zeng, you have served as the Prince's tutor in the palace for many years. You must have witnessed many changes in the court and experienced many little-known interesting things. Could you please teach us a thing or two to broaden our horizons?"
Mr. Jiang smiled slightly, his eyes showing satisfaction, and nodded to indicate that Jiang Zhiyu's question was appropriate. Zeng Qingxing pondered for a moment, a faint look of reminiscence appeared on his face, and he slowly spoke:
"Miss Jiang's question is very true. I have indeed experienced a lot of hardships in the palace, and witnessed many ups and downs. Let me tell you a story from the past, maybe it can give you a glimpse of it."
Zeng Qingxing's gaze seemed to penetrate the barrier of time and return to that distant era.
"That was when I first entered the palace. His Majesty the Emperor was trying to revive the culture and recruit talents from all over the world. One day, I was explaining the Book of Changes to the Crown Prince in the Imperial Study. Suddenly, I heard hurried footsteps outside the palace gate, and then a young eunuch ran in hurriedly, holding a secret letter in his hand. His Majesty the Emperor opened it and his face suddenly changed. He immediately summoned important officials to discuss the matter."
Jiang Zhiyu's eyes flashed with curiosity, and he asked, "What was that that shocked His Majesty the Emperor so much?"
Zeng Qingxing sighed and continued, "It was a secret report saying that there were foreign forces on the border, ready to invade the territory of Western Wei. His Majesty the Emperor knew that this matter was serious, so he decided to send a capable general to quell it. However, at this time, something unexpected happened in the palace."
"What's the matter?" Jiang Zhiyu asked.
"Just as the general was about to set off, his deputy was murdered at night. He was poisoned and in critical condition. Rumors spread everywhere in the court, and people were in a panic. His Majesty the Emperor was furious and ordered a thorough investigation of the matter. Since I was responsible for the education of the prince, I was also ordered by His Majesty the Emperor to assist in the investigation."
A sharp light flashed in Zeng Qingxing's eyes, as if the scene at that time was vivid in his mind.
"After some twists and turns, I discovered that this was all a conspiracy. The deputy general was killed because he discovered the conspiracy of the enemy's spies, who intended to disrupt the military deployment of the Western Wei Dynasty. And the secret letter was also sent deliberately by the spies in order to confuse the public and delay the response of the Western Wei Dynasty."
Jiang Zhiyu listened attentively and couldn't help but sigh: "What a thrilling contest."
Zeng Qingxing nodded and continued, "Yes. In the end, with the joint efforts of this old man and several ministers, we successfully exposed the conspiracy of the spies, and the deputy general received timely treatment. And the general, with his bravery and wisdom, successfully quelled the rebellion on the border."
Speaking of this, a hint of pride and relief flashed in Zeng Qingxing's eyes.
"After the crown prince came of age, he inherited the emperor's will and continued to promote civil governance, making the Western Wei increasingly powerful. I have no regrets in my life for being able to train such a wise ruler for the Western Wei."
Jiang Zhiyu listened quietly, and her respect for Zeng Qingxing grew deeper and deeper. She couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Zeng, you must have encountered many difficulties and challenges in the palace for so many years. How did you overcome them?"
Zeng Qingxing smiled slightly, his eyes full of wisdom and calmness: "Miss Jiang, difficulties and challenges are inevitable in life. The key is to have a firm heart and stick to your original intention. No matter what difficulties you encounter, as long as you have the people of Western Wei in your heart, you will find the strength to overcome difficulties."
Jiang Zhiyu's heart suddenly became clear after hearing this, and her admiration for Zeng Qingxing became even deeper. She knew that this old man's life was not only a journey of personal struggle, but also a loyalty and perseverance to the people of Western Wei.