Chapter Twenty-Two: Ghostly Chess (Part One)

At this moment, Fang Guohuan spoke, “Now that things have reached this point, we must seek another way. There is one matter in which we still require your assistance, Master Liu. Perhaps we may uncover something through it.” Liu Baixi replied, “Young Master Fang, you have just displayed the ingenious move ‘One Piece Traps Two Dragons,’ which proves your exceptional skill. Since there are strange happenings in chess, though I am not worthy, I am willing to join you in uncovering the truth and hope our efforts will benefit the matter.”

Fang Guohuan nodded, “You are a true master of chess, and I thank you. It seems that Li Wusan’s skill became extraordinarily mysterious only after entering the imperial palace. His act of mutilating himself to become a eunuch is especially suspicious and may be connected to his sudden murderous power in chess. If you could discreetly inquire among your acquaintances in the palace about any unusual behavior Li Wusan showed there, perhaps we could discover something.”

Liu Baixi nodded at this, “You are indeed more astute than most, and your words are sound. I do have some private connections with a few stewards and eunuchs in the palace. Leave this matter to me.”

Fang Guohuan said, “Should you require funds to smooth the way, speak freely. Brother Bu and I have silver at our disposal.” Liu Baixi replied, “You are truly generous, Young Master Fang, but this matter is no longer merely your personal concern. As people of the chess world, it is our duty to do our utmost.” Fang Guohuan said admiringly, “In that case, I leave everything to you, Master Liu.”

As evening approached, Fang Guohuan and Bu Yuan were invited by Liu Baixi to stay at the Baixi Chess Hall. The disciples of the chess hall, knowing Fang Guohuan’s reputation as a chess master, treated him with great respect. That night, Liu Baixi invited Fang Guohuan to his study to discuss chess. Fang Guohuan’s insights amazed Liu Baixi.

At dawn the following day, Liu Baixi went to seek news from his contacts in the palace, leaving instructions for his disciple Liu Xing to accompany Fang Guohuan and Bu Yuan on a stroll through the city. The two followed Liu Xing to various famous sites, but with the chess matter weighing on his mind, Fang Guohuan found little pleasure in sightseeing; Bu Yuan, on the other hand, enjoyed himself. On their way back, they passed an inn and suddenly heard laughter and tears within. Moments later, Qu Liangyi, in a fit of madness, ran out, chased by several inn attendants who dragged him back inside. Fang Guohuan watched with a pang of sorrow.

Bu Yuan shook his head and sighed, “That grand master has fallen to such a state—truly pitiful!” Liu Xing remarked, “Since Master Qu’s mind became disturbed and he went mad, the people of the capital regard the Royal Chess Academy of Anguo Mansion as an unclean place and avoid it as if it were plague-ridden. Now, except for a few academy scholars with nowhere else to go, everyone has left. Once bustling with visitors, it is now deserted; the Royal Chess Academy is but a name.”

Liu Xing continued, “Master Qu once won the capital’s championship, defeated all challengers, and paraded the streets, riding horseback and wearing flowers—what glory! Everyone hoped their sons would emulate him. He was the model for all, but his luck was too short, and the petty-minded are now glad of his misfortune. Such is the coldness of the world—what can one do?” Fang Guohuan sighed, “Master Qu’s misfortune is truly tragic. Since we pass by today, we ought to visit him.” Bu Yuan said, “You are right, brother. Master Qu was once leader of our chess community; we cannot ignore him now.”

Liu Xing then accompanied Fang Guohuan and Bu Yuan into the inn. An attendant, thinking they wished to stay, hurried forward to greet them. Bu Yuan handed him two coins of silver and asked, “Young fellow, where does the chess master Qu lodge?” The attendant started in surprise, “What? Someone still comes to see him? He’s nothing like his past glory. Now he’s in the woodshed in the backyard; you may see for yourselves. He’s mad all day long and ruins business. The manager has been thinking of throwing him and his servant out.”

Fang Guohuan felt a pang of sorrow and, together with Bu Yuan and Liu Xing, went to the woodshed. There, Qu Liangyi lay atop a pile of straw, his eyes vacant and mumbling to himself, while the young servant sat nearby, wiping tears. The scene made Fang Guohuan’s heart ache, nearly to tears—who would have thought the famed chess champion would fall so low? Liu Xing, indignant, said, “How could the innkeeper be so heartless, lodging Master Qu here? I’ll speak to them.” He turned and left.

The young servant, seeing strangers enter, grew timid. Fang Guohuan approached gently, “Little brother, don’t be afraid. Has your master improved?” The servant dared not answer, only shook his head, unsure of the visitors’ intentions.

Just then, voices came from outside. Someone said loudly, “What can I do? I can’t keep giving endlessly, or my own family will starve. What chess champion? He’s nothing like the days when he rode and wore flowers.” Liu Xing entered with a short, stout man who seemed to be the innkeeper, followed by several attendants. Fang Guohuan saw that words would be useless, so he took a ten-tael silver ingot from his pocket and handed it to the innkeeper. “We are friends of Master Qu. Please arrange a better room for him—will this silver suffice?” The innkeeper quickly accepted the silver, his face breaking into a smile. “You are truly generous, coming to help at such a time. I am impressed. This silver covers all the debts for board and meals. Since you are so noble, I’ll do my part and not let the chess champion’s stay here go to waste.” He happily put away the silver and commanded his attendants, “Quick, move Master Qu to a proper room—there’s funds now.” The attendants came forward to help Qu Liangyi.

The young servant, now realizing Fang Guohuan was helping them, knelt with a thud and wept. Fang Guohuan’s own tears fell as he helped the boy up, “Little brother, it must be hard for you with Master Qu like this. Don’t grieve too much—we will help you.” Bu Yuan shook his head, sighing, “Truly pitiful!” He comforted the boy, “Don’t cry, don’t cry. Your master’s luck is better than that monk from Maple Forest Cottage.”

The innkeeper, fawning, led Fang Guohuan and his companions to the room prepared for Qu Liangyi. Qu Liangyi, now placed on a bed, seemed to find it more comfortable than the straw in the woodshed and soon fell into a deep, drowsy sleep. The innkeeper offered a few more flattering words before withdrawing with his attendants. The young servant, seeing his master peacefully sleeping in a proper bed, was cheered.

Fang Guohuan asked, “Little brother, what is your name? Where is your home?” The boy replied, “Master, my name is Qu Ning’er. My master and I are from Qujia Village in Huaiyin, Jiangsu. Half a year ago, I came to the capital with him for the chess examination. He took first place and settled at the Royal Chess Academy. We hoped to bring our family from Jiangsu to share our fortune, but then my master became ill and mad for no reason—everything is ruined.” As he spoke, Qu Ning’er could not help but sob. Fang Guohuan and Bu Yuan comforted him.

Fang Guohuan then asked, “I heard your master fell ill after playing a game with someone. Do you know the details?” Qu Ning’er replied, “I do. That night, Eunuch Li from the palace and Lord Yu from the Imperial Guards came to the academy to play chess with my master. Eunuch Li’s skill was very high, nearly equal to my master. I heard my master say to him, if not for Eunuch Li’s loyalty to the Emperor and self-mutilation, the chess champion title and the Royal Chess Academy would have belonged to him. Eunuch Li laughed hoarsely, unpleasantly, and said that even if he had ten chess champion titles, he wouldn’t care. He claimed he had gained great power in chess and had come specially to learn from my master.”

Fang Guohuan was stirred by this and asked, “Do you recall anything about their game?” Qu Ning’er said, “I brought tea and waited by their side. Eunuch Li said he liked quiet when playing and didn’t want others watching. My master said I didn’t understand chess, so Eunuch Li ignored me. When setting up, Eunuch Li pushed aside the black pieces on the table and said he had brought his own.” Fang Guohuan was startled, “What kind of pieces?” Qu Ning’er answered, “Eunuch Li’s black pieces looked like ordinary ones, but they gave off a ghostly glow—very unsettling to look at.” “A ghostly glow?” Fang Guohuan wondered, “Could this be connected to those black pieces?”

Qu Ning’er continued, “My master asked why Eunuch Li used such strange pieces. Eunuch Li replied he was used to them and only brought them out to play with a worthy opponent. My master didn’t mind and began the game.” Fang Guohuan asked, “During the game, did you notice anything unusual in their behavior?” Qu Ning’er said, “At first, nothing unusual—they were calm. Later, as the board filled, my master remarked, ‘Eunuch Li, your chess style has changed a lot.’ Eunuch Li sneered and said he was playing ghost chess, and asked my master if he was afraid.” “Ghost chess?” Fang Guohuan, Bu Yuan, and Liu Xing were all shocked. Bu Yuan exclaimed, “So there really is something strange in chess!”