"Hello, Master!"

When Lin Fan and Feng Xiaoxiao walked into the master's house carrying fruit, the master was already waiting there.

"Come on in, your master has been preparing the chessboard since early morning. He insists on having a good game with you."

"Alright, I'll play chess with Master, and you can help Master."

Lin Fan smiled and walked into the study, where Gu Mantang was already sitting in front of the chessboard, holding a thermos cup and smiling at Lin Fan: "You finally came, kid."

"Master, over the years, you've certainly kept me in the dark."

Lin Fan sat opposite Gu Mantang.

Who would have thought that as a university political science teacher, he was actually a special advisor for the National Security Bureau.

With just one word, he could make the eldest daughter of the Wei Family travel thousands of miles to deliver something, yet he lived in such an old, small two-bedroom apartment, unimaginable.

"Some things are not hidden, but rather not wanting the world to see a glimpse of hell."

Gu Mantang adjusted his reading glasses: "Let's not talk about other things, the outcome will be determined on the chessboard. Let me see how much you've improved these days."

"Alright."

Lin Fan reached for the white pieces. According to the rule of black going first, it was naturally Gu Mantang's move. This was his way of respecting his master.

"Losing the initiative means you must learn to endure."

Gu Mantang took the lead without hesitation, making a decisive move.

"Accumulating strength silently is also a form of power."

Lin Fan held a piece between his two fingers, placed it on the board, and the two began their strategic exchange, slowly unfolding the game.

"I've heard about the situation in Red Flag County. After dealing with the weeds, there's no root to be found, so you came to the Provincial City to dig deeper, right?"

Gu Mantang hit the nail on the head, and one couldn't help but admire his insight.

"Master is truly impressive, sitting at home yet knowing what's happening miles away."

Lin Fan couldn't help but marvel, wasn't this just the talent of a strategic commander?

"It's just intelligence gathering, and estimating human nature, as it should be. After all, life is like this game of chess; it's just that the players are different. Once you know your opponent's preferences, you can naturally devise strategies in advance."

Gu Mantang's chess style shifted, blocking Lin Fan's killing move, and simultaneously countering, making his offensive instantly collapse.

"So, Master, shouldn't you guide me in the right direction?"

Lin Fan switched from offense to defense, engaging in a back-and-forth match.

"Have you ever heard of 'Emperor Skill'?"

Gu Mantang smiled faintly, his gaze still observing the chessboard.

"I've heard of it, but I haven't studied it. Why did Master suddenly bring it up?"

Lin Fan curiously asked.

"This Emperor Skill is a kind of psychological warfare and a way to understand the mindset of those in power. Knowing Emperor Skill means being able to address heaven above and earth below. Take the death of Yue Fei as the best example."

While playing chess, Gu Mantang spoke eloquently.

"Back then, when Yue Fei marched north to bring back the two emperors, it was a national duty. However, it would definitely impact the position of those who benefited from the current situation, and the biggest affected party would naturally be Song Gaozong Zhao Gou. But he couldn't just announce that he didn't want to bring back his father and brother, as that would be disloyal and unfilial, unethical even. But if they did return, his throne would be at risk. It was a dilemma."

"In such a situation, a scapegoat was needed. Thus, Qin Gui was the perfect scapegoat. Sending twelve imperial orders, Yue Fei was called back, persecuted to death, after which no one dared to demand the return of the two emperors. With Qin Gui carrying the blame, we now have the kneeling statue of Qin Gui at Yuewang Temple. But doesn't everyone know that life and death, sparing or killing, was all within the hands of Song Gaozong Zhao Gou, yet the infamy need not be borne by him."

"Master... I understand what you're saying, yet it seems I don't!"

Lin Fan furrowed his brows, looking puzzled at Gu Mantang.

The words obviously implied something else, but he couldn't grasp it at the moment.

"You don't understand because you see good and evil too clearly. Instinctively, you categorize Qin Gui as the villain and Yue Fei as the hero, so you didn't understand. But if you put aside national duty and personal emotions, they are just two opposing groups. Song Gaozong Zhao Gou is the high-standing controller. How he maneuvers and balances these interest groups determines whether he can remain unshakable."

Gu Mantang's words made Lin Fan suddenly freeze.

The hand holding the chess piece hung in mid-air, long without placing it down.

Experiences from the past months in Red Flag County flashed through his mind like a movie.

The faces of everyone also appeared in his mind.

Gradually, the thread of events re-emerged in another form, and at that moment, he had the feeling of clouds clearing to see the sky.

"So that's how it is... I think I understand now."

At last, as Lin Fan showed a relieved smile, the chess piece in his hand settled onto the board.

"Do you really understand?"

Gu Mantang looked at Lin Fan with satisfaction. Indeed, his most proud pupil could discern the main thread with just a few words.

"Thank you for the guidance, Master. I think I've got it this time."

Lin Fan eagerly pulled a cigarette from his pocket and clamped it in his mouth; this was part of his way of thinking.

After taking a deep drag on the cigarette, he slowly exhaled, looking intensely at Gu Mantang: "So, I've become Qin Gui!"

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