After dinner, Zhao Yao took the initiative to invite Zheng Qian to another game of chess.
Zhao Yao was showing courtesy to Zheng Qian. His reason was that in the previous game, Zheng Qian had shown him mercy, which was why he lost to him.
In Zheng Qian’s entire life, the words "humility," "modesty," or "courtesy" never existed. No matter who he played chess with or competed against, he never showed mercy, let alone went easy, and would win mercilessly.
Zheng Rang and Zheng Cheng didn’t know whether to be happy for their younger brother or to sympathize with him when they saw Zhao Yao showing him such courtesy.
Although in the game before dinner, Zheng Qian told Zhao Yao he lost graciously, he was actually quite unwilling inside. Because he underestimated his opponent from the start, but being competitive, he felt that a loss was a loss, and he felt ashamed to ask Zhao Yao for another game. Unexpectedly, Zhao Yao actually invited him for another game, which suited his desire perfectly.
Zheng Qian believed that if he played another game with Zhao Yao, he definitely wouldn’t lose.
After dinner, Zhao Yao still went to Zheng Qian’s study to play chess with him.
Zheng Rang and Zheng Cheng, the two brothers, sat by the side, watching the game attentively.
In this game, Zheng Qian put in his utmost effort. At the beginning, he had the upper hand, but it wasn’t long before he gradually fell behind.
Zheng Qian originally thought that through the previous game, he had figured out Zhao Yao’s playing style, but he hadn’t. In this game, Zhao Yao’s strategy was completely different from the previous one.
In the last game, Zhao Yao’s strategy was insidious. In this game, it was treacherous.
By the mid-game, Zheng Qian couldn’t figure out Zhao Yao’s strategy at all, making it impossible for him to guard against it. Zheng Qian felt like a child being played around by Zhao Yao.
Zheng Qian’s white pieces were completely surrounded by black pieces, leaving him without a single escape route. He racked his brains but couldn’t think of a way out.
Zheng Rang’s skill at chess was much better than Zheng Cheng’s, and he could fully understand the game between Zhao Yao and his younger brother.
Before, when Zheng Qian was playing chess with Prime Minister He and the others, Zheng Rang had already sensed Zhao Yao’s cunning and dangerous strategies, but today he found them even more sinister and perilous.
Just sitting by and watching, he felt cold sweat dripping down his back.
Ruthless, truly ruthless, not leaving even a single escape!
The Tenth Prince’s chess style was completely different from his temperament.
What happened over the past two days to make the Tenth Prince’s strategies become so... chilling?
Zhao Yao patiently waited for Zheng Qian to make his move, but he thought Zheng Qian would soon admit defeat because he had no way out.
The military strategy used in this game was something he learned from his uncle just this afternoon. Apart from him and his uncle, no one could escape from this deadlock.
Sure enough, Zhao Yao was right.
After a short while, Zheng Qian put down the black piece in his hand, stood up, and bowed to Zhao Yao.
"I admit defeat; my chess skills are inferior to yours, Your Highness." He added, "I am wholeheartedly willing to accept this defeat this time." This time he wasn’t unwilling at all. Inferior skills are just inferior skills, and there’s no need to find excuses for oneself.
Zhao Yao smiled politely, "Thank you for letting me win."
To be honest, he somewhat cheated, as he used the military strategy taught by his uncle. After all, his uncle’s strategies were invincible.
"Young Master Zheng, I can tell you know a bit about military strategy, but you aren’t proficient." From these two games, Zhao Yao had thoroughly understood Zheng Qian’s playing style. "You saw me using military strategy in the game, so you tried to counter me with strategy as well, but you didn’t expect my strategy to be more advanced than yours."
"Yes, I didn’t expect that." Zheng Qian said honestly, "Your Highness, my strategy is not as good as yours."
"You’ve probably read quite a few military books, right?" Zhao Yao inquired.
"I’ve read all the military books at home." Zheng Qian considered his own strategies to be decent, but through these two games, he realized his methods were like a pile of waste paper in front of Zhao Yao.
"Young Master Zheng..."
Zhao Yao started to speak, but was interrupted by Zheng Qian.
"Your Highness, just call me by my name, no need to address me as Young Master Zheng."
Zhao Yao compliantly called, "Zheng Qian."
Zheng Qian’s demeanor turned very respectful, "Your Highness, please speak."
"You don’t think that just by reading a lot of military books you’ll understand military strategy, do you?"
Zheng Qian was unsure why Zhao Yao asked so, but he still answered candidly, "Indeed, I thought my strategies were good."
Zhao Yao hadn’t expected Zheng Qian to truly believe this, and he was momentarily stunned before bursting into hearty laughter.
Zheng Qian saw Zhao Yao suddenly laugh and showed a puzzled expression, not understanding why Zhao Yao laughed suddenly, as he hadn’t said anything amusing.