"Yes."
Then Liu Cheng meticulously recounted the story of Old Jia and Yan Bugui coming to him for a game of chess.
At this, everyone understood.
They all looked at Old Jia and Yan Bugui with amusement.
The news of Liu Cheng receiving a thousand yuan in compensation had already spread throughout the surrounding Siheyuan Courtyards.
Previously, it was harmless to trick him into giving you some candy, but as soon as he got rich, you changed the stakes to money, clearly intending to swindle him.
For a moment, everyone looked at Yan Bugui with disdain.
Yan Bugui was originally a bit embarrassed, but when he saw the colorful banknotes in front of Liu Cheng, he forgot everything else.
Things like propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame were all less real than banknotes.
He quickly fumbled in his pocket and pulled out a stack of loose change.
Liu Cheng chuckled to himself, then pretended to be displeased and said, "Oh, Third Uncle, your stakes aren't enough! No, you must have as much money as me. Otherwise, I won't play."
Yan Bugui quickly tugged at Old Jia, who, however, didn't mind and quickly pulled out banknotes, counting ten five-yuan bills.
Yan Bugui smiled and said, "Is this enough now?"
Liu Cheng nodded and said, "Hmm, that should be about right. Everyone here will be our witness. Ten yuan per game, and we'll settle up immediately after. Cheaters are puppies. Teacher Yan, you are an elder, I'll let you go first."
Yan Bugui almost burst out laughing. Did he get arrogant just because he had more money?
He had originally wanted to let Liu Cheng have a handicap out of politeness, but since he was so stubborn, he couldn't be blamed.
Without another word, Yan Bugui moved his cannon to the center.
The Central Cannon opening is an aggressive opening strategy that can quickly launch an offensive, but its defense is relatively weak, making it suitable for offensive players.
However, for someone like Liu Cheng, who had intellectual problems, it was no problem at all.
At this moment, he was very excited, eager to win Liu Cheng's money.
Liu Cheng smiled, then pushed a pawn forward.
Seeing this, Yan Bugui was stunned.
This kid had never moved like this before.
If he set up a Central Cannon, Liu Cheng would also set up a Central Cannon.
This time, he had surprisingly pushed a pawn forward.
Pawn Opening?
Was he going to use the Screen Horse tactic next?
The debate between the horse and cannon had been going on for many years, and there was still no conclusion.
The cannon referred to the Central Cannon, and the horse referred to the Screen Horse.
Was the Central Cannon's preemptive strike more powerful, or was the Screen Horse's defensive counterattack more aggressive?
However, the Screen Horse had become the most common opening to deal with the Central Cannon.
Yan Bugui loved Xiangqi, so he was naturally familiar with these routines.
Soon, he shook his head.
No, it's impossible. This kid is an imbecile. That pawn move just now was probably a momentary impulse.
Thinking of this, Yan Bugui didn't rush to make his move but smiled and said, "Xiao Cheng, why are you moving a pawn? This is a waste of an opening move. I'll allow you to take back one move."
Liu Cheng smiled: "No need. This is a move I learned last time watching masters play chess at Shichahai. They said it's most effective against the Central Cannon."
His sudden increase in chess skill also needed an explanation to avoid suspicion, as in everyone's eyes, he was still a brain-damaged, intellectually disabled child.
Oh, you're even trying to play the Pawn Opening like the others. With your brain, you've probably only learned the basics. I'll defeat you quickly.
Thinking of this, Yan Bugui smiled and made a move.
The Pawn Opening is also called 'Immortal Points the Way'.
Its characteristic is to give the first move to the opponent, clear the way for the horse, and also probe the opponent's moves while preserving one's own.
Especially against Yan Bugui's Central Cannon setup, the Screen Horse could easily break it.
Liu Cheng also unhesitatingly moved his horse up.
The two of them went back and forth like this.
In just a few moves, Liu Cheng's two horses crossed the river, forming a 'Mandarin Duck Horse'.
The offensive power of the Mandarin Duck Horse was extremely strong, which quickly made Yan Bugui feel the pressure.
He couldn't believe that Liu Cheng could play such a brilliant game.
He was clearly the attacking side, yet he soon couldn't attack anymore, because if he continued to attack, his 'home' would be stolen.
Reluctantly, Yan Bugui had no choice but to retreat and defend.
However, it was already too late. Liu Cheng's momentum was unstoppable. With the Flying Elephant formation behind and the Mandarin Duck Horse in front, Yan Bugui continuously lost pieces and was quickly defeated.
Even when he was checkmated, Yan Bugui hadn't recovered.
The people around also watched in astonishment.
Liu Cheng's moves just now were not superfluous at all; he pressed on relentlessly and played with ease.
How was this a brain-damaged person? This was clearly a Xiangqi master!
"Third Uncle, pay up."
It wasn't until Liu Cheng stretched out his hand in front of Yan Bugui that he came back to his senses.
He had actually lost.
He had lost to Liu Cheng, this imbecile.
They had played against each other not five hundred times, but at least three hundred times. He knew Liu Cheng's routines by heart.
This way of playing today, he had absolutely never done before.
That's right, it must have been good luck that he managed to play this way today.
Didn't he watch some masters play chess at Shichahai? He accidentally learned the Screen Horse.
Next time, I'll also play the Screen Horse, and we'll see how you respond.
Thinking of this, Yan Bugui reluctantly pulled out two five-yuan bills and handed them to Liu Cheng.
Liu Cheng took the money and chuckled, "Ah, ah, ah, I finally won! If I remember correctly, this is my first time winning against Third Uncle. Third Uncle, shall we play again?"
Yan Bugui awkwardly smiled and said, "Of course, this is just the beginning. I was just letting you win earlier."
The cooked duck with a hard beak.
Liu Cheng was too lazy to waste words with him, and soon the pieces were reset.
"Third Uncle, you are an elder, so you go first again this time."
This time, Yan Bugui was no longer polite and directly moved his horse.
This is called the Horse Two Advance Three opening.
This move can quickly occupy advantageous positions and pose a threat to the opponent.
Yan Bugui thought fiercely to himself, 'You're still playing the Mandarin Duck Horse with me? This time, let me show you Third Uncle's Mandarin Duck Horse.'
Liu Cheng smiled and moved his cannon to the middle.
If the Screen Horse is the nemesis of the Central Cannon, then how is the Central Cannon not the nemesis of the Screen Horse?
Yan Bugui secretly rejoiced, 'As expected, he's run out of tricks and is starting to copy my routines again.'
Yan Bugui ignored Liu Cheng and pushed another pawn, making it easier for the horse to advance in the next step.
Liu Cheng, on the other side, also pushed a pawn forward, which could restrict the horse from coming up on the other side.
This way, it would be difficult to form a Mandarin Duck Horse formation.
Seeing Liu Cheng make this move, Yan Bugui was also a little surprised.
This kid's chess moves today were really not simple!
However, he didn't care and continued to play.
Liu Cheng directly moved his other cannon next to the Central Cannon. This is called the Five-Six Cannon, specifically used to counter the leaping horse tactic. It's a steady and solid opening that can effectively limit the enemy horse's attack.
With the cooperation of his horse and chariot, Old Man Yan soon found his attack blocked.
Liu Cheng's positions were mutually restraining, showing no flaws. Unable to find a way to break the deadlock for a while, Third Uncle began to scratch his ears and cheeks.
Liu Cheng smiled and said, "Third Uncle, I'm going to start attacking now."
After stabilizing the center line, he began to use the power of his two cannons, continuously attacking with his chariots and taking pieces. Soon, Third Uncle was defeated again.
"Hahaha, Third Uncle, I won again! Money, money!"
Seeing that he had lost money again, Third Uncle started to feel the pain, shaking his head and saying, "It doesn't count, this game doesn't count."
Liu Cheng sneered, "Third Uncle, why doesn't it count?"