The family enjoyed a harmonious lunch, after which Bai Xiang and others were invited to the study for a game of chess.
With nothing else to do until their return, and with everyone present today, it was a perfect opportunity for a six-player military chess game.
Six-player military chess was a style of play that originated in the armies of the Great Jin Dynasty. Each player fought independently, yet they were grouped into threes, forming and breaking alliances until the other five factions were annihilated. The last one remaining was naturally the victor.
Everyone present was a seasoned strategist, except for Feng Jinlin, who, with the momentum of a breaking bamboo, launched an attack that caught the opponent off guard.
Grandpa Bai chuckled, "Youngsters are always impatient. To jump out so quickly, truly unable to hold back."
With a counter-move, he sent Feng Jinlin a "great gift," and several of his pawns were instantly wiped out.
Feng Jinlin raised his eyebrows high, looking at Grandpa Bai, and blurted out, "Uncle, that's not fair! How could you attack your nephew's flank?"
"Heh heh, all's fair in war," Grandpa Bai replied.
Muttering a few words, Feng Jinlin's arrogance was somewhat deflated. Feng Jinxu immediately stepped in, surrounding Fourth Uncle Bai's pieces and immobilizing him for a short period.
If the other two factions came to his rescue, they would be exposed to opportunities for attack. If they didn't, Fourth Uncle Bai's position would be a dead end.
Fourth Brother Bai smiled wryly. He was never good at this game, and being outmaneuvered by his own nephew left him defenseless. He had to admit, his eldest nephew was as meticulous in his thinking as his father.
Prime Minister Bai, ignoring the battle concerning Fourth Brother Bai, launched a fierce assault on Feng Hai, directly targeting his main camp. Feng Jinxu and Feng Jinlin were forced to retreat to defend, thus resolving Fourth Brother Bai's predicament.
A brilliant tactic of "Besieging Wei to Rescue Zhao." Feng Jinlin's admiration for his maternal grandfather grew even more.
Feng Hai held the chess piece in his hand, pondered for a long time, and then made a slight move. Fourth Brother Bai looked at it, wondering, "What kind of move is this?"
"Brother-in-law, you've made a mistake. Wouldn't this be walking into a death trap?"
Even someone like him, who wasn't skilled at military chess, knew that moving there would lead to certain doom. However, to his surprise, Feng Jinxu immediately flipped over the dead pieces in that area. Feng Jinlin, without hesitation, pulled along the pieces of First Brother Bai in a mutual destruction.
The battlefield changed in an instant, and so did the chessboard.
Fourth Brother Bai, First Brother Bai, and Feng Jinlin were eliminated, leaving only Prime Minister Bai to battle the Feng father and son, yet he showed no signs of weakening.
Feng Hai and his son Feng Jinxu, one attacking and the other defending, cooperated perfectly. However, their opponent was the seasoned Prime Minister Bai, and the father and son gained no advantage.
After a few cups of tea, the battle was still fierce.
First Brother Bai took a sip of tea. Though he said nothing, his eyes on Feng Jinxu held a newfound admiration and envy.
Such a fine child. If only he were his own, the Bai family would have a promising future.
It was a pity. Though he bore the Feng surname, he would have to shoulder the responsibilities in the future.
With this thought, he began to ponder. If Qingzhou was out of the question, what position could be arranged for him in the capital?
Although he was merely a Hanlin scholar, his father's influence was immense, and his words carried weight in the Ministry of Personnel.
After another half an incense stick's time, the chess game finally concluded.
Feng Hai was eliminated first. Feng Jinxu held on for a long time but was ultimately outplayed by Prime Minister Bai, losing by a single move. However, he had few pieces left on the board, so it was a narrow victory.
"Grandfather, you are truly skilled. Your grandson admits defeat."
Prime Minister Bai stroked his white beard and looked at Feng Hai and his two sons with great affection.
There was a strategist to command the center, a vanguard to charge into battle, and a rear guard that remembered to leave a contingency. These three from the Feng family were truly remarkable.
His son-in-law had not misjudged; not only was he good to his daughter, but he also raised his children exceptionally well.
Recalling his own three sons, Prime Minister Bai felt a pang of disappointment.
What was the point of his current power and influence if, in the future, the Feng family would rise while the Bai family declined?
Feng Hai, being as astute as he was, naturally understood his father-in-law's thoughts and said sincerely, "Father-in-law, rest assured, we will always be one family."
Prime Minister Bai smiled, his aged eyes filled with relief and emotion.
He patted Feng Hai's shoulder and said, "You are more capable than I am."
Then, he looked at his two grandsons standing before him, his affection growing.
The chess game in the study came to a temporary halt. In the front hall, Madam Feng sent someone to summon Feng Hai for a discussion. Feng Hai excused himself.
As he reached the corridor, he encountered a masked assailant in black. Without a word, the attacker lunged, striking with extreme ferocity.
If Feng Hai hadn't possessed some martial arts skills, he would have been a dead man by now.
Feng Jinlin, with his sharp hearing, immediately heard the sounds of fighting. His previously smiling face turned grim, and he rushed outside.
Those present were bewildered. Fourth Uncle Bai asked, "What's wrong?"
Then, Feng Jinlin shouted, "What villain dares to attempt assassination at my Feng family's residence!"
With that, he lunged at the attacker. Feng Hai's martial arts were rudimentary, but Feng Jinlin was different; his techniques and strength were astonishing.
Watching his son engage in combat with the assailant, Feng Hai was stunned. How did he not know his son's martial arts were so good!
The assailant wielded a sharp blade, while Feng Jinlin fought bare-handed. The more they fought, the more Feng Jinlin felt something was amiss. Why did this person's fighting style seem so familiar? Could it be someone he knew?
Feng Er's earlier exclamation had attracted the attention of those inside. Feng Jinxu, who couldn't fight, now stood before the three elders, blocking the attacker with his own body.
Hearing the sound of approaching footsteps from afar, the black-clothed assailant realized he was outnumbered. He had no desire to continue fighting Feng Jinlin. Seizing an opportunity, he lunged to stab Feng Hai in the chest.
Feng Er couldn't react in time. The sharp blade pierced Feng Hai's body, and a mouthful of blood spurted out.
Feng Jinlin's eyes widened in fury. "Father!"
The servants who rushed to the scene were about to surround the area completely. Seeing the unfavorable situation, the assailant leaped away and fled the scene.
Feng Jinlin wanted to pursue, but Feng Jinxu stopped him with a shout, "Let's save Father first."
He held back Feng Jinlin's attempt to leave and quickly knelt to embrace Feng Hai, running towards the main courtyard. Seeing this, Feng Jinlin left with a shout, "I'll go find Divine Doctor Zhang by climbing the wall," and departed.
Prime Minister Bai remained calm and immediately issued orders. "Eldest, go to Ying Tian Prefecture and report this to the authorities. State that someone has attempted to assassinate a high-ranking official, and have the Prefect issue a wanted poster. Ensure the culprit is apprehended. Fourth, go home and retrieve that mountain ginseng and the hemostatic powder bestowed by His Majesty, in case it is needed."
Although his two sons had never faced such a situation before, they only panicked for a moment before calming down under their father's command and carrying out his orders.
In the front hall, the women who had been chatting merrily were suddenly struck by the news of Feng Hai's stabbing and cried out in alarm.
Madam Feng, overcome with anger, fainted. Fortunately, Princess Wenyi, standing behind her, quickly caught her as she fell.