act49side

Here you are.

The same game of weiqi... one that you have lost countless times over the centuries.

You are trying to fight the whole with its parts... all well-laid plans no more than child's play in my eyes.

Drowning yourself in children's toys. A bad old habit of yours.

This challenge is simply a repetition of the thousands of defeats of the past.

...Hah.

You try to mask your fear with arrogance.

Why bother?

Anger, fear, hope... I see clearly in you the things you try to see in me.

Join the game, if you're not afraid.

This time...

You WILL lose.

I am defeated.

<p=1>Year 593</>

I did not expect this variation of the offset play.

You had a chance, if you did not continue to cede ground in the center around the hundredth move, hoping for a draw.

I did not have a clear view of the developments to come, so I picked the safe move. I see I was mistaken.

Haha. I thought my weiqi skills had improved, but it looks like I'm still far beneath you.

In this last battle, we were only able to avoid heavy casualties thanks to your strategy of conserving our strength and luring the enemy deep in.

This return to the capital is an opportunity for you to rest. But I expect it will be a long time until our next meeting.

You don't seem concerned with victory or defeat.

Why obsess over such things in a meeting between brothers?

Not just weiqi. It seems that nothing ever concerns you; you are always content to act the part of the kind benefactor.

I don't know why you'd say that...

The new Right Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War, together with officials from the Ministry of Rites, accused you in a petition to the throne two months ago.

Commanding troops to act without authorization. A serious crime.

How do you know the imperial court's business, when you've been with me on the front lines for the past six months?

I have my ways. You should worry about yourself.

If he meant our late return to camp, it was because we had to stop and wait for a Catastrophe to pass.

General Yang knew. The Ministry of War hardly has a case.

Oh, you don't need to worry about that.

The Assistant Minister was found to have accepted bribes and embezzled supplies... he is in prison now, awaiting trial.

He won't spread rumors any longer for now. As for whether he makes it out of prison alive... only Heaven knows.

You promised to stop meddling in the affairs of the court.

I would hardly call it meddling. Simply helping Yan rid itself of a corrupt official.

You know your own intentions...

You see the entire court as a game of weiqi, with human lives for stones?

Has your lust for honesty and righteousness blinded you to the evil and malice lurking in the hearts of people?

No sooner had that man taken office than he started to target you. Do you really think there is no one behind the curtain? Do you really believe we have only one enemy?

Go easy on this one, and we set ourselves up for more trouble to come.

Strange things have been happening since the birth of our youngest brother.

Fāng's patient committed suicide after getting better.

Someone has been producing 'satirical' works of falsehood in Dusk's name, imitating her touch.

Thieves have stolen treasures from Yi's garden. A long and thorough investigation by the Judicial Review Office turned up nothing more than a gang of fools.

And then, your matter.

We all know... It is not dead.

The people here have never forgotten Its terror. That is why they watch our every move, every meeting.

Do you still think your little achievements will force them to see us as anything more than alien entities, enemies to be feared?

Are Fāng and Dusk alright?

Fāng was depressed for a while. Dusk has always been how she is. But I don't suppose either would worry too much about it.

But what about the future?

You think someone is pulling the strings behind the scenes?

The Shanhaizhong, or someone else with ulterior motives?

That's what I truly fear.

If a single mastermind is behind all of this...

I cannot determine who it might be, nor do I have any inkling of their intentions.

I will confirm all that you've said with the Sui Regulator.

...I know you have good intentions.

But don't overstep the boundaries like this again.

Since when have we been worried for one another?

I simply didn't want to fall into a trap without knowing who dug it.

It's time to go.

The journey is far. Be careful on your way.

Bring the others my greetings.

...I may not see them.

*sigh*.

The proxy bids his sibling farewell and proceeds in the direction of the capital.

The journey is far, and he is in a hurry. He does not have time to stop for small noises along the way.

One wrong move...

And all is lost...

Let's begin with the name 'Yu', shall we?

Sure. Let me think...

Yu Yin Rao Liang.' The sound lingers upon the beams.

Liang. Liang...

...What idiom begins with 'Liang'?

Don't tell me you're giving up already.

O-Of course not. Just busy with the beastmeat. Give me some time.

Sure... I have many books to copy. Take your time.

Liang... I feel like I should ask Yi, but he's not here...

Heng Liang'—crossbeam. 'Fang Liang'—roof beam. 'Dong Liang'—pillar. I know! 'Dong Liang Zhi Cai,' pillar of society!

Wait, it has to start with Liang...

(Say, she has so many bamboo slips with words on them sitting next to her. Maybe if I took a peek...)

What is it?

—N-Nothing.

Why are you copying the words from the slips onto these... squares?

It's called 'paper'. A new invention.

It's lighter and easier to write on than bamboo. It also doesn't deteriorate easily, which makes it easy to preserve.

You can preserve something forever, if you write it on paper?

Yes and no.

Bamboo slips may last for decades, paper for centuries.

Be it bamboo or paper, however, there ultimately comes a day when it perishes.

No matter what we use to record something, it will only endure forever if people truly commit it to memory.

Just like how people remember your cooking when they taste it.

Hm...

He listens, but it is unclear if he understands. He scratches his head beside the stockbeast that he has just butchered, but he cannot come up with an idiom that starts with 'Liang'.

Suddenly, a small piece of bamboo falls in front of him, and he sees the words on it.

Liang Shang Jun Zi'—man on the roof beam!

Not bad. 'Zi', eh? Let me think... 'Zi Xu—'

Let's stop here. This word chain game is so hard. Why don't you play it with Ling and Dusk the next time they're here, and I'll watch from the sidelines.

Are you hungry? Do you want me to cook the meat?