[Soul of Chess] What if

Chapter 46

"These are the letters left by Mr. Shuce. There are 31 letters in total. Most of these letters are addressed to parents, and the oldest of them is this letter sent from Onomichi to Innoshima's father in Hiroshima."

The staff pointed to the row of densely packed paper filled with brushes and introduced.

Hearing the staff's words, Aguang was a little puzzled: "Isn't Onomichi very close to Innoshima? Why did you write a letter to your father?"

"This letter was written when Xiu Ce returned home for the third time in the third year of Jiayong (1850)..."

Following the staff's narration, Aguang knew the reason why Toranojiro wrote to his father specially.

In the third year of Kayong, Toranojiro set foot on the way home for the third time.

This time back home, Toranojiro and Kishimoto Saichiro agreed to hold a commemorative match in Onomichi.

Kishimoto Saichiro, born in the fifth year of Bunsei (1822), was an apprentice of Motoinbo Jowa along with Toranojiro, and was promoted to Dan at the age of 17.

In the 14th year of Tianbao (1843), after Zuo Yilang rose to the fourth dan, he didn't play much.He often went to Hiroshima to play and guide chess, and later began to serve as the head of the Honinbo Dojo.

Toranojiro and Zuoichiro are not only from the same family, but also from a very close family background, so the friendship between the two brothers is very strong.

However, two days before the commemorative match in Onomichi, Saichiro suddenly became unwell, so the match had to be postponed.

And Tiger Jiro originally agreed to meet his father in Onomichi.But Saichiro was sick and postponed the game, so Toranojiro wrote this letter to his father, informing him of the postponement of the game.

"Whether it is the result of the game or the living situation, Teacher Xiu Ce will report to his family one by one. And every time he returns to Edo from his hometown, he will immediately write a letter to his father to report his safety." The staff said Then, he walked to one of the letters, "This one is the letter he sent after arriving in Edo after finishing his third homecoming trip in October of this year."

It was a very brief letter.I saw it said:

"Safe trip, arrived in Edo on the thirteenth."

Of course, there are also longer letters.

"On May 23, I went to Shinshu with Kintaro, Yasutaro and others. The folk customs here are simple and we had a great time. This trip was invited by Sentaifu Sekiyama and received a grand welcome. The fish in Shinshu is delicious and the scenery is natural. It is very similar to Edo. My life was very different. This time I didn’t go to Nagoya, but went straight back to Edo.”

Ah~ I still remember him.That is a very interesting old gentleman~ Zuo Wei couldn't help sighing after translating for Aguang. (*^﹏^*)

Sentao Sekiyama was born in a family of hereditary warriors in Matsushiro, Shinshu.He was good at playing games since he was a child, and later he came to Edo as an apprentice of Lieyuan (the tenth Honinbo), and was promoted to Duan at the age of 16.

It's just that, because he studies the game with all his strength, the way of a warrior is naturally not as good as others.

At a samurai gathering after his promotion, someone sarcastically said: "He was born in a samurai family, but he plays chess all day long. How can he still taste like a samurai?"

Xian Taifu felt very uncomfortable after hearing this, so he gave up playing and learning martial arts.

He insisted on practicing martial arts every day, regardless of the severe cold or hot heat.After a few years of hard work, he has become proficient in bow, horse, spear and sword, and he is worthy of being listed as a first-class warrior.

Sentao Kanzan came to Edo again in the seventh year of Bunsei (1826).

He thought he already had high-level strength, so he asked someone to ask Zhang and Mingren to be promoted to fifth-level.

In fact, he does have five stages of strength.

It's just a jump from the first stage to the fifth stage, which has never been done before.Zhang He was afraid that everyone would not accept him, so he only agreed to grant him three exemptions.

But Xian Taifu refused to accept it.He said: It doesn't matter if I am in the first stage of my life. I actually have seven-stage chess skills, so what are you afraid of.

Therefore, Xian Taifu decided to be a first-dan in his life, and never rose to the second-dan.

Since Torajiro participated in Yuchengqi for the first time on November 1849th in the second year of Kayei ([-]), he has achieved good results in four games and four victories in Yongjia four years.After Sentao heard about Toranojiro's record, he wrote to invite Toranojiro to play chess.

At this time, Xian Taifu was 68 years old.

Although he is only at the beginning of the game, his actual chess strength has already surpassed the fifth dan.After all, he had let his second son win Motoinbojo and back then.

After receiving the letter, Tiger Jiro went happily.

The two played one game a day starting from June 20rd for [-] consecutive days.

On the day Tiger Jiro returned to Edo, Sentaifu gave him 20 taels of silver.Usually it is ten taels of silver, but Xian Taifu gave twice the amount.

Tiger Jiro thought the gift was too expensive and refused to accept it.But Xian Taifu said: "This sum of money was accumulated little by little from saving living expenses many years ago, so it will never affect the livelihood. I want to entertain you, please don't refuse."

Toranojiro finally had to accept it.

The old man died in the third year of Anzheng (1856).

Before his death, he changed his name to Yunshui and traveled around.

Thinking about it, his life is like clouds and water, he is very free and easy...

So, you must have won all twenty rounds, right?Ah Guang said without doubt.

No, actually, I lost one eye when I got the white piece at the end.There was a slight smile on Zuo Wei's lips.

What--?lost?what happened? (⊙o⊙) Ah Guang was very surprised when he heard it.

In this regard, Zuowei just smiled and said nothing.

Cut~ so mysterious.It's fine if you don't say anything~ㄟ(▔,▔)ㄏ Aguang didn't ask any more after seeing this.

"This time I will not go to Nagoya, but go straight back to Edo." What does this sentence mean?Does Toranojiro often go to Nagoya?Aang asked a little confused.

Yes.Zuowei explained slowly:

Since Toranojiro played many games with Kato Takawa in October of the 15th year of Tenpo (1844), at the invitation of Takawa, he often came to Nagoya to guide his apprentices for Takawa.It is said that there are more than 20 chess players trained by Longhe.

And "Chess" was published by him and Xiuhe together.

However, Longhe passed away in the seventh year of Ansei (1860).At the age of 61.

There are many letters from Toranojiro.If it is true, as Zuowei said before, Toranojiro has reported all his experiences to his family one by one.

For example, after the Great East China Sea Earthquake occurred on November 1854th in the seventh year of Jiayong (also known as the first year of Anzheng, [-]), there is a paragraph in the letter he wrote to his father:

"The Great Tokai Earthquake caused a lot of damage to houses in the Edo area. Please don't worry. Many houses collapsed near Tokaido and Nakasendo, and many people died. The worst disaster was Shimoda, Zushu. The tsunami after the earthquake was terrible."

……

In the second year of Ansei (1855), the second year after Admiral Perry's fleet arrived in Uraga:

"Recently, American ships, French ships, and Dutch ships came to Shimoda Port in spring, and I am very worried about the future of the country."

……

In September of the fourth year of Ansei (1857), Toranojiro was on his way back to Edo after returning home for the fourth time:

"On the way home, I rested in Kyoto for a few days, and went to Gion to play. I went with a friend named Matsui, and he invited me as a guest."

……

On May 1862th in the second year of Wenjiu ([-]):

"The ten games I played with Xiufu were very enjoyable, and the content was also good. The weather has been fine recently, which is the best season for playing chess."

……

Wenjiu two years (1862) August [-]nd:

"After the local measles epidemic at the end of May, there was an epidemic of food poisoning. There was also an epidemic two years ago. Many people died. There were also many patients at the Honinbo Dojo, but most of them have recovered."

And this is the last letter that Toranojiro wrote to his father.

According to the staff's explanation, it turned out that Torajiro suddenly fell ill the day after the letter was sent.A few days later, he unfortunately passed away.

"Then what is this letter?" Hearing this, Ah Guang felt a little stuffy and depressed.He pointed to the longest letter in the showcase and asked the staff on the side.

"That letter is the death notice written by No. 14 Honinbo Hidekazu to Mr. Xiu Ce's father after Mr. Xiu Ce's death, to the effect that..."

"...Xiu Ce has been a vegetarian since his mother's death. He ate more shiitake mushrooms. He also suffered from sores on his head and eye diseases, but they were not serious. They gradually recovered in June. Later, measles became popular. None of the disciples were spared, but all recovered. Please rest assured."

again:

"Xiu Ce suffered from vomiting and diarrhea on August [-]th. He sought medical attention, but unfortunately passed away on the afternoon of the [-]th..."

"Xiu Ce's mother died?" Ah Guang couldn't help exclaiming.

"Yes. On December [-], the first year of Wenjiu, Teacher Xiu Ce's mother passed away." The staff member's expression became much more serious.

Toranojiro's mother passed away on December [-]th of the first year of Bunkyo, and Toranojiro passed away on August [-]th of the second year of Bunkyo. The interval between them was less than eight months!

I think Toranojiro was very sad after his mother passed away.

For such a long time, he only ate vegetarian food, and his health was not good, but he went to the epidemic area to visit and take care of the sick disciples when the plague was prevalent, and then...

Behind the memorial hall is Xiu Ce's restored former residence.

The area of ​​the former residence is about [-] square meters.The layout of the rooms is very simple: four Japanese rooms, one each for the Taisho, Doma, and Yuden. The interior furnishings are all in the most traditional style.

In front of the building there is a forest with only bare branches visible.The staff said that this is actually a plum blossom forest.

Plum blossoms represent "new life".Not only is it humble, it is also dignified, soothing to the soul and possessing a beauty unmatched by other flowers.

Every winter, the branches of this forest will bloom with plum blossoms as white as snowflakes.They are in clusters, one by one, covering the branches, blooming in the clear sky, and exuding a faint fragrance, just like a fairyland on earth.

After leaving the memorial hall, walk for about 10 minutes, and you will come to the tombstone of Honinbo Shusaku in Jizoin Temple.

According to the staff, Xiu Ce's remains did not return to his hometown, but were buried in the Honmyoji Temple in Sugamo, Tokyo - the tomb forest of the Honinbo family for generations, so the tombstone is actually empty.

Even so, looking at this stele, Ah Guang still felt that there seemed to be various emotions emerging in his heart, but there seemed to be nothing.

He couldn't help thinking back to a day during spring break after elementary school.

That day he was playing chess with Zuo Wei, thinking of the gap between himself and Taya, while feeling frustrated, he couldn't help but think, compared to himself, Zuo Wei should probably hope to meet someone like Shuce or Taya Bar.

Then, he asked hesitantly: "That...Sawei. If you met someone like Taya...what would it be like?"

Hearing his own inquiry, Zuowei was a little puzzled: "I... met Taya Ryo?"

"Just like Xiu Ce. It might be better if you are all chess players." When he said this, Aguang only felt sore and uncomfortable in his heart.

Unexpectedly, the guy Zuowei actually echoed with a look of longing: "That's true. Maybe now he has really taken back the title of Honinbo."

It is too much! (▼ヘ▼#)

Yes, when I heard this sentence, I was frustrated and also had an inexplicable anger.

It's like...abandoned...

Although Zuo Wei later said in a soft voice: "However, I think it's great to meet Aguang. I like Aguang's Go very much—going forward bravely and shining brightly."

Those words really made my heart feel as if it was filled all of a sudden, and it was no longer so empty.

However, thinking about it now, it would be better for Zuo Wei to meet those people instead of meeting himself.Just like the encounter between Zuowei and Toranojiro.

This visit to Xiu Ce's hometown convinced him that Tiger Jiro had willingly given up all the games to Zuo Wei, and was sincerely happy for Zuo Wei's improvement in strength. For the sake of thinking, so full of joy for Zuowei, he is constantly looking for opportunities to play against masters...

No complaints, no confusion.Tiger Ciro really has no complaints or regrets like this.

Torajiro's chess skills are so superb, but he is still willing to let himself be shrouded in Sao's light.He is not like himself, who obviously has no strength but still wants to play chess by himself...

No wonder Zuoi disappeared in the end...

It must be that he realized that he could no longer play chess, so he disappeared in disappointment...

In other words, if I still insist on playing chess by myself, Zuo Wei will disappear in the end...

Although not being able to play chess by myself is very painful...

but……

If Zuowei disappeared, I might feel even more sad...

Then, just leave all the games to Zuo Wei.Just like Torajiro.

If that's the case, Zuowei won't disappear.

Taya would be very happy too.

Hmm... I really don't understand why I have struggled with such a simple thing for such a long time.

Big idiot ah me. :)

On the other side, Zuo Wei looked at the tomb in front of him in a daze.

The bits and pieces of getting along with Torajiro seemed to be clearly in front of my eyes yesterday, but I didn't expect it to be like this now.

I still remember that Torajiro said to himself on the sick bed at that time:

"I'm sorry, Zoe."

"I can no longer let you play chess..."

"I'm sorry, Zoe."

"I don't want to be separated from you, although we don't want to be separated from each other, but..."

The past time cannot be undone.I, who has been wandering in the world for thousands of years, can't stop the passage of time.

This is something that cannot be violated.

Now, I am with Aguang...

140 years ago, I was with Torjiro.

Before that, I played shogi in an imperial palace in the Heian period.

Thousands of years have passed since then...

I'm still at the front of the board.

How long will God allow me to be self-willed?

Looking at A Guang with a calm face beside him, Zuo Wei felt a little dazed.

The author has something to say:

The trip is finally over.Phew...(ー_ー)!!

The next chapter will return to campus~