Book 59: Chapter 7: Game of Winning or Losing
Book 59: Chapter 7: Game of Winning or Losing
When Kou Zhong set foot on the Fu Ju Lou, what Sha Chenggong told him in the carriage was still lingering in his ears.
Perhaps this fellow has spent too much money, he was hard pressed for money, hence he was hoping that Sha Tiannan’s investment in Zhen Guan Bank this time, he would make some profit, he was trying so hard to become a candidate to represent Sha Tiannan to look after the income and expenditure at the bank, thereupon he asked Kou Zhong about the current situation of the bank’s development, as if he was going to report to Sha Tiannan to receive meritorious deed.
Kou Zhong happily feigned civility toward him, he even figured out from him the reason behind Sha Tiannan becoming a partner of the enterprise. Unexpectedly it came from Li Jiancheng’s instigation, and Sha Tiannan was unable to decline.
In order to brag about the influence of the Sha Family in Chang’an, Sha Chenggong told him everything about the Sha Family establishing a military weapon factory in Chang’an. From this, Kou Zhong knew the source of the Changlin Army’s weapons, bows and arrows. It was a very useful information.
It was the time when the decorated lanterns were beginning to be put on, the entire third floor of the Fu Ju Lou was filled to capacity; it was clamorous, brimming with an atmosphere of flourishing period.
The place where the banquet was being held was the VIP room on the second floor. Naturally the view could not compare to the third floor, but it had its own scope and was comparatively quieter, which was suitable for Bai Qing’er to pour her bewitching soup into them like last time.
Thinking of Bai Qing’er gave him headache; tonight would be an unbearable night. However, in order to render heavier blow to the Xiang Family’s financial foundation, a bit harder work could not be avoided. He just hoped that Xu Ziling would rush over quickly to share his pain.
The Six-Happiness Casino was crowded, the noise shook the hall.
Accompanied by Chi Shengchun, Qiao Gongshan, Er Wenhuan, and Bai Qing’er, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, who were regarded as withered sheep by them, stepped into the hall, and Xu Liuzong, the martial art master of the demonic school, whom Chi Shengchun addressed as Martial Uncle, hurried to the front to receive them.
Bai Qing’er snuggled close to Kou Zhong, half of her fragrant body was leaning against his shoulder, she spoke with enchanting smile, “I heard that Cai Daye and Kuang Daye are casino’s high-rollers, coming across any gambling, victory is assured. Tonight, Qing’er will definitely hang around for any favor from two gentlemen Daye’s good fortune.”
Kou Zhong felt her silky breasts, brimming with elasticity, rubbing gently on his shoulders, immediately the fire in his heart was burning hot; inwardly he cried, ‘Formidable!’, knowing that it was some kind of technique in titillating men of her charming skill, containing demonic school’s xinfa. Thereupon, pretending to be unable to restrain his emotions, he leaned close to her and said with a laugh, “Where exactly did Qing Guniang hear this kind of information that is exactly contrary to the facts? We, two brothers losing a lot and winning a few is more like it. However, our gambling luck has indeed improved a bit recently, I hope tonight Laotianye still hasn’t changed His kind favors on us.”
This moment Chi Shengchun came to Kou Zhong’s other side, he happily handed over a basket of gambling chips with large nominal, saying, “Here are five thousand taels of gambling chips, two Daren may seek pleasure to your heart’s content.”
Qiao Gongshan laughed and said, “By now, two gentlemen should be more familiar with the Six-Happiness than we are, shall we try that VIP room to see your hands’ luck?”
Pushing the wave and adding to the billows, Er Wenhun said, “We are all accompanying guests, the two gentlemen Daren are the real hosts.”
Of course, Kou Zhong would not be grateful in the slightest for Chi Shengchun’s big style in spending money. These five thousand taels were only used by Chi Shengchun as an advance funds, they did not need to pay it back at all. It was a trick to make them owe heavy debts quickly! He hurriedly laughed and replied, “The real host is Wentong, not Xiaodi at all. His gambling skill is superior to mine, I am just accompanying the Crown Prince studying.”
Everybody’s eyes were focused on Xu Ziling. He smiled and said, “Suddenly Xiaodi has an idea, which is to use these five thousand taels of silver to place a bet in this main hall. Whether we win or lose, we will let the subject drop tonight. Five thousand taels, the two of us brothers will barely be able to afford to pay.”
Kou Zhong called, ‘Wonderful!’ inwardly. One bet to determine the victory or defeat. It would both inflict heavy losses to Chi Shengchun, and give them reason to go back to bed early. One move, two gains. Fancy that Xu Ziling came up with this method.
Qiao Gongshan, Er Wenhuan, Xu Liuzong, and Bai Qinger were all startled; they looked at Chi Shengchun.
Chi Shengchun’s expression remained unchanged, a smile brimming with devious overtone escaped from the corner of his mouth, he nodded and said, “Kuang Daren’s heroic spirit soars to the heaven, five thousand taels in one bet is a new record for our Six-Happiness. I wonder which game of chance Kuang Daren would choose?”
Xu Ziling calmly said, “I am most familiar with treasured dice [Sic Bo]; let’s choose that one!”
Chi Shengchun turned to Xu Liuzong and said with a laugh, “Distinguished guests are honoring us with their presence, naturally Xu Laoshi [teacher] will personally be the host.”
Xu Liuzong happily left. Looking at his expression, it was obvious that he had hundred percent confidence to make the two boys lose their family fortune. Even if the two could bear to lose the five thousand taels, but because of the gamblers’ nature that they were always eager to win back their money, as long as Chi Shengchun was willing to keep lending money, he could guarantee that the two would not be able leave the gambling table even for half a step.
Beaming from ear to ear, Chi Shengchun said, “Everyone, please follow me over here.”
The host of the gambling table was replaced by Xu Liuzong. The big man overseeing the Six-Happiness Casino used both carrot and stick to ask the people gathered around the gambling table to give up two empty seats, to let Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, upright and unafraid, to take their seats. Qiao, Er, and the others, four people stood behind the two boys’ chairs to watch.
When the other gamblers saw that Xu Liuzong was personally in charge to shake the dice cup, they also saw that Chi Shengchun was waiting upon them on the side, coupled with Bai Qing’er’s beauty, and Qiao and Er, two official authorities, they all felt something unusual was happening. One after another they all came to enjoy watching the excitement.
Xu Liuzong first showed them the inside of the cup, also took out a tray with more than ten sets of dice for the two to choose, to show that they were not playing ghost. At this time, the crowd standing around to watch had reached about a hundred, everyone was talking in low voices, creating a buzzing noise, heightening the intense atmosphere.
Chi Shengchun laughed and said, “Will Kuang Daren play big or small, or counting the dots?”
Xu Ziling’s hands left the gambling table, because he already ascertained that the gambling table had no mechanism, Xu Liuzong would win this game purely by relying on technique. He spoke indifferently, “Naturally it’s counting the total dots of the three dice.”
Chi Shengchun and the others were stunned, the onlookers all looked at him as if they were looking at an idiot.
Only Kou Zhong had full confidence in him; he laughed and said, “This time you must take Xiongdi [brother] along, ha!”
It should be noted that Sic Bo had a variety of betting methods. The most popular was to bet on big and small, two gates. The second was to bet on different sixteen gates, or to bet on the number of dots of each dice. The odds and payout were different for each method, and the chance of all other betting methods was higher than betting on the total number of three dice.
Kou Zhong was not an expert on Sic Bo at all, so he casually asked, “What is the payout for betting on the total number of dots?”
Hearing the question, carrying an air of a Dulin [lit. gambling forest] master, Xu Liuzong spoke indifferently, “One pays sixteen.”
Kou Zhong was speechless. Although he did not know how the payout rate was determined, he knew that the chance of payout was minimal, otherwise the Six-Happiness would close down the business for good and put the best face on it [idiom] early on. If one paid sixteen, five thousand taels would pay 80,000 taels Tongbao [see Book 31 Chapter 6]; it was equivalent to nearly three thousand taels of gold, an astonishingly large amount.
Bai Qing’er could not help leaning over to Xu Ziling’s ear, her breath smelled like orchid, she spoke softly, “Kuang Daren indeed has enough heroic spirit, but five thousand taels is not a small amount, it is enough to redeem Qing’er. Kuang Daren must think three times before going.”
Xu Ziling knew that she wanted to distract him, so he smiled and said, “Only this way is exciting enough!”
He casually picked out a set of dice and handed it to Xu Liuzong. The latter held the dice high for everyone to see clearly, then dropped the dice into the cup, sealed it, and lay it on the table upside down.
The atmosphere became more tense.
Xu Ziling knew that Xu Liuzong was about to shake the cup, hastily he calmed himself down, his spirit entered the exquisite-like-a-deity realm, he sensed the situation of each dice inside the cup. Although he did not possess the great magical power enough to know the current points the dice were showing, but when the dice shook and collided, he could tell from the noise the light or heavy, without the slightest amount of inaccuracy.
Xu Liuzong fixed his gaze at Xu Ziling, the tone of his voice was brimming with challenge, he said, “Kuang Daren must be an expert in listening to the dice, Xiaoren is showing his ugliness!”
Both hands reaching out, he held up the dice cup, his technique was skillful and dexterous, the onlookers cheered in unison, attracting more people to the table, so that the crowd was several layers thick, so crowded that not one drop can trickle through.
For the first time Kou Zhong was worried for Xu Ziling. This Xu Liuzong must be an expert in shaking the dice cups, who had the ability to fool people who knew how to listen to the dice. And Xu Ziling was indeed a challenge. Besides, the ability to listen to the dice had a limit, plus he had to have the number of dots on all three dice completely within his grasp.
Xu Ziling shrugged his shoulders in a relaxed manner, he said, “Xu Laoshi, please!”
Bai Qing’er spoke in astonishment, “Kuang Daren looked at the gambling table and suddenly became another person.”
Inwardly, Kou Zhong shivered greatly, realizing that he and Xu Ziling would indeed revert to their true appearance under certain circumstances, showing some flaws.
Xu Ziling exchanged glances with him, his heart and spirit without the slightest bit of chaos, he casually replied, “This is called the true nature of a gambler; it’s the reason why I enjoy doing and never get tired of it even more. Only here I can find my true self.”
‘Ding! Ding! Dong! Dong!’
Xu Liuzong shook the dice cup, in term of timing, he was showing the style of a Dulin master. If Xu Ziling was distracted by talking, he would fix him well.
Xu Ziling’s heart and spirit was fully focused on the three dice leaping, jumping and bumping against each other endlessly inside the cup like crazy, the real image could almost appear in his mind, he was not confused by Xu Liuzong’s suddenly light, suddenly heavy, fast and slow indeterminately – shaking-the-cup technique the least bit.
Right this moment, he sensed that the finger of Bai Qing’er’s right hand was moving to pierce the vital acupoint on his flank, but the qi power was restrained and was not released. If it was not a martial art master of his caliber, he could forget about even sensing it. By the time the fingertip reached his body, the sudden true qi would have enough power to shake and sever his heart meridians, and even with his skill, it would still be difficult to escape death.
As his thoughts were turning at the speed of lightning, he realized that both he and Kou Zhong had made the same mistake, which was they did not take Bai Qing’er to heart, while the fact was that she was a new generation of martial art master of the demonic school close to Wanwan’s level, her ability and wisdom could not possibly be lacking too much.
Could it be that she had seen through that he was Xu Ziling?
Unlikely.
She was just testing him. He suddenly made up his mind to deal with this bet openly, while dealing with another bet in secret at the same time.
Just before it touched the body, the finger retracted, as if it had never happened.
‘Bang!’
The dice cup left the hand and was put back on the table.
Xu Ziling cried, ‘Bad!’ inwardly. Because of Bai Qing’er’s distraction, although his guess was correct, that is, Bai Qing’er was merely groping his foundation and not really wanted to kill him, but it made him miss hearing the most important moment when the dice ‘landed’.
With ample confidence, Xu Liuzong shouted, “Gentlemen, please put down your bet, fast hands will have it, slow hands will miss it!”
One after another everyone put down their bet, no one cared which number of dot Xu Ziling would place his bet, because they all thought that he would definitely lose. As for Xu Ziling, one would know his own family’s affair, he already lost this game.
Kou Zhong sensed the same thing; being quick-witted, he laughed involuntarily and said, “There are always winners and losers in gambling. Losing this time does not mean that you will lose the next time. Xiongdi! Put down your bet!”
That being said, Chi Shengchun and the others immediately knew that this Kuang Wentong’s listening-to-the-dice skill was not working properly, his skill was somewhat lacking, he lost and was muddled and completely collapsing.
Xu Ziling understood what Kou Zhong meant; they already knew Xiang Gui’s hiding place, and tonight, they would return in a vicious victory. It was just adding flowers to brocade [idiom: icing on the cake], so what if he lost? What’s the big deal? Five thousand taels, naturally they could afford to pay.
Thinking to this point, his heart was relieved, his spirit immediately rose to enter the bright, pure and limpid realm.
Xu Liuzong urged him, “Kuang Daren! You are the only one left!”
The table was full of gambling chips of various nominal values, big and small, Xu Ziling became the target of multitude of arrows of everybody’s eyes.
Xu Ziling suddenly thought of another new question. If he lost this game, would Bai Qing’er, who was already suspicious, suspect that he was so brilliant that he knew she had carried out a secret attack, so that under the distraction he could not hear the dots where the dice had landed? Of course, if his bet was spot on, Bai Qing’er would have no reason to suspect him.
Chi Shengchun’s disgusting voice rang out next to his ear, “Kuang Daren can wait for the next game to place your bet.”
Right at this tense moment when victory or defeat were separated by a thin line, Xu Ziling’s mind clearly and unmistakably showed the number of dots of the three dice.
He had no time to care; in fact, perhaps he would never understand clearly whether under the one-heart-two-uses [idiom: doing two things at once] situation he could still grasp the dice shaking and moving, or that he could foresee the about-to-happen future. Pushing the entire basket of gambling chips on the table, he laughed and said, “Twelve dots! I bet five thousand taels Tongbao!”
It was only then did all the gamblers realize that he was a staking-all-on-one-throw big-hand high-roller, immediately a burst of uproar ensued.
Xu Liuzong shouted, “Open treasure!”
Both hands reached out to grab the inverted dice bowl. Everyone, including Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, held their breath, so that in the first moment, they would be able to see the three dice after the dice cup was lifted.
Chi Shengchun’s manner was relaxed, he had one-hundred percent of confidence in Xu Liuzong’s skill. One of Xu Liuzong’s unique skills was that when the dice landed, they would make another roll without making any noise. This action could make any master of listening to the dice to have his ship overturned in the gutter and suffer big pent-up unspoken grievances. Chi Shengchun himself was a person with profound comprehension to listen to the dice; upon self-introspection, he still could not hear through Xu Liuzong’s technique, therefore, he was not one bit afraid that Xu Ziling would not be fooled.
‘Hua!’
It was also only this moment that Xu Liuzong find out the real number of dots, his countenance changed abruptly.
The three dice showed two five dots and one two dots, respectively. The total number of dots was exactly twelve. Xu Ziling hit it all with one bet.
Kou Zhong climbed on the couch to go to sleep, the image of Chi Shengchun and the others’ disappointed and helpless expression was still floating in his heart. Wanwan, like an apparition, appeared in the room, there was not the slightest bit of omen.
Kou Zhong hurriedly lifted the quilt with one hand, while his other hand, in an exaggerate action, pressed on his chest, he said, “You want to scare people to death, huh? Can you knock on the door next time?”
Full of smile, Wanwan sat down on the edge of the bed. She leaned over and planted a soft kiss on his cheek; she spoke tenderly and softly, “Wan’er is not clear yet! What ghost are you actually doing? Unexpectedly you razed the East Palace’s Ju Bao Dian to the ground? You are not afraid to expose your track?”
Kou Zhong did not conceal anything, he giggled happily and said, “Indeed it was our doing, no need to go round the curves and skirt the corners [idiom: to speak in a roundabout way] to sound us out. His Niang’s! It should be me who ask you what you are doing; in the depth of the night coming here to throw yourself in my arms … oh!”
Unexpectedly, Wanwan really threw herself into his arms and hugged his waist, her soft, tender breathing quickened, she said, “You want me to throw myself into your arms, then I just throw myself into your arms. What you need to do next, you don’t need me to teach you, right?”
Feeling the soft jade and the warm fragrance in his bosom, Kou Zhong only sensed the frightening one-after-another crisis in his heart; he sighed and said, “Wan Dajie, please don’t tease me, Xiaodi surrenders! Please Dajie sit back first, Xiaodi still has gargantuan important things to report [to a superior].”
Wanwan shook her head and said, “Do you think I am a woman who comes on impulse and calls and then leaves? I don’t care, tonight, you must feel tenderness toward Wan’er properly.”
Sniffing her youthful and healthy body scent, feeling her touching body abundant with elasticity and vitality, listening to her warm and tender voice brimming with hidden provocation, he would be lying if he said that his heart was not moved. Only he regretted it, and knew even more, that a single slip might cause an everlasting sorrow [idiom]; without any choice, he forcefully suppressed the ‘fire of desire’ burning fiercely in his heart, and said with bitter smile, “Wan Dajie is still calling on the wrong room. The so-called thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, Xiaodi will never do things that will let my Xiongdi down.”
‘Pfft!’ Wanwan giggled and said, “You talk rubbish! Is nujia Ziling’s wife? Gutless ghost!”
But finally she left his embrace and sat her tender body upright.
Kou Zhong looked at her. In the gentle and soft dim light of the night, Wanwan was raising her pair of delicate and beautiful jade hands to tidy up her slightly messy, long, hanging down like a waterfall, cloud-like beautiful hair. Her movements were graceful and languid, yet it emphasized her charming curves; it was alluring to the extreme point, compared to throwing herself into his arms just now, it particularly moved his heart even more.
He spoke dejectedly, “A gentleman will not take advantage of a dark room. I am not a gentleman at all, naturally I could take big advantage, a special advantage. It’s just that this is not a dark room, I guarantee that Ling Shao is using his little ears to monitor Xiaodi’s each and every move, to see whether Xiaodi is flouting the law or not.”
Wanwan cast him a thousand-tender-hundred-charm sidelong glance, she cursed him fiercely, “Gutless ghost is a gutless ghost, no need to make many excuses. Ziling’s room is empty. Your so-called gargantuan important thing, does it have anything to do with Shi Feixuan?”
Shocked, Kou Zhong said, “You are so well-informed that it is hard to believe. How do you know that Shi Feixuan is in Chang’an?”
Wanwan said with a sneer, “You are called rarely seen, very strange [idiom: to express amazement due to lack of experience]. Shi Feixuan is not like you at all, sneaking in from the underground; rather, she entered the city using her original identity, displaying strength and discipline [idiom: upright and frank]. How could Wan’er not know?”
Kou Zhong started blankly at her for half a say; knitting his brows, he said, “What are you going to do?”
Wanwan slightly shrugged her shoulders, she spoke nonchalantly, “She is her, I am me. What are you talking about what I am going to do or not to do?”
Greatly wondering, Kou Zhong said, “Aren’t you two cannot exist together, and must decide victory or defeat?”
Laughing sweetly, Wanwan said, “Fighting and killing, there won’t be any benefit for anybody, plus it will make things difficult for you guys. Wan’er is not interested at all. Oh! Let me tell you one thing first, your old close [or intimate] friend is here!”
Stunned, Kou Zhong repeated, “My old close friend?”
Wanwan stretched out her jade hand, extended her finger to lightly scratch his cheek twice; she laughed and said, “Isn’t Ling Longjiao your old close friend? Currently she is visiting Dong Shuni, and is staying in the Imperial Palace. Would you like me to arrange the time and place for your lovers’ rendezvous? Hee …! Wan’er is just joking, how could I give another woman a convenience?”
Hearing that, Kou Zhong could only stare blankly.
Wanwan continued, “I heard that Dong Shuni and Yang Xuyan had a big quarrel over the murder of Wang Shichong’s entire family. Dong yatou [girl/servant girl] may be a wonder move that can be used to deal with Yang Xuyan, it’s up to you on how to use it.”
Kou Zhong sighed and said, “How could you know what happened in the palace like the back of your hand like this?”
Wanwan said, “This is my secret, even more so, xianshi’s [late master] most formidable move. Sooner or later you guys will know what it is.”
Kou Zhong smiled wryly but remained silent. Up to this moment, they still did not have the slightest idea about the big plan in Wanwan’s heart; even thinking about it scared them.
Wanwan said, “Now it’s Shaoshuai‘s turn to tell a good story!”