Players contested stones; speakers contested hearts.
The game was a pretense; the words were real.
"Zi'an, what refined leisure."
The stone fell, the game was set, and no path remained.
Xie Lin could only lift his robe and sit opposite the board.
"You've just arrived in Suzhou, yet instead of inspecting the accounts, you've come to play me first."
Wei Nisheng lifted the cup a servant had brought him and sipped, his smile undiminished.
"Zihou will inspect the accounts."
"As for me, hehe..."
Wei Nisheng set down his cup, his gaze settling on the white stone on the board.
"Today, I only wish to play a game with Dao'an and reminisce."
Xie Lin looked at him, silent for a moment.
"In that case, I'll join you in a conversation of stones, Zi'an."
With that, Xie Lin opened the Go Stone Bowls and picked up a black stone.
"Placing your white stone at tengen is rather unusual, Zi'an.
Tengen occupies the center and commands the four directions-the bearing of a sovereign."
"Only..."
Xie Lin raised his eyes, unruffled, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
"Whoever occupies tengen must also be surrounded on all four sides.
Aren't you afraid of facing enemies everywhere, Zi'an?"
Wei Nisheng smiled at that.
"I've never feared being surrounded."
"I only fear..."
Wei Nisheng lifted his gaze and met Xie Lin's eyes.
"That no one will come to surround me."
In the rear hall, charcoal burned brightly and wisps of steam curled from the tea.
The two sat facing each other, one with white, one with black, one moving first, the other following.
Ages rose and fell upon the board; stones lay within the game.
With the game underway, Xie Lin took black and moved first.
"Upper right, komoku."
The stone fell with his