Reputation

The art of Go has nine levels of mastery: first, entering a state of transcendence; second, the ability of seated illumination; third, concrete form; fourth, penetrating the subtle; fifth, employing intelligence; sixth, delicate finesse; seventh, forceful contest; eighth, feigned simplicity; and ninth, embracing clumsiness.

Yuan Xi learned Go from his grandfather Yuan Wei and was considered one of the top talents among the young literati in the capital. For example, Yang Xiu was strong, and Yuan Xi was also formidable, though perhaps just a little less so. Of course, Zhou Yu was a different matter altogether—an extraordinary prodigy.

Strictly speaking, Zhou Yu was not really part of the literati faction, though he did come from an official family. Yet, Zhou Yu looked upon Yuan Xi with disdain. Their personalities were incompatible; they simply could not get along. Among the younger generation in the capital, the only one who could best Yuan Xi was likely Zhou Yu himself.

In the game of Go, Yuan Xi could not outmaneuver him; in contests of wit, Yuan Xi was no match; and in musical skill, Yuan Xi was utterly overshadowed. The saying "A single flawed note and Zhou Lang turns his head" was not exaggeration—it once nearly drove Yuan Xi into despair.

Later, when Yuan Xi clashed with Sun Ce in a decisive battle, Zhou Yu sacrificed himself to cover the retreat of Eastern Wu’s main forces. Captured by Yuan’s army, he played one final game of Go before meeting his heroic end.

On one particular day, Yuan Xi planned to visit Xu Shao in the western part of the city, hoping to receive some critique. After all, the monthly evaluations were quite fashionable. Nearby, Xu Chu scratched his head, grinning foolishly. “Young master, why bring me along? I don’t understand your scholarly ways.”

“I want you to come with me, just in case it proves useful,” Yuan Xi replied with a joke, uncertain whether the plan would succeed. He knew well that when Cao Cao sought evaluation from Xu Shao, he had to employ certain tactics; otherwise, Xu Shao might have refused to comment. If Xu Shao refused him this time as well, Yuan Xi might have to follow Cao Cao’s example and resort to some special means.

Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at Xu Shao’s residence in western Luoyang.

“Sorry to disturb you,” Yuan Xi said into the air as he approached the door.

Almost immediately, someone inside came out to greet them. Of course—when the second son of the Yuan family appeared in person, any lack of response would have been problematic. Xu Shao’s servants were not mere ornaments; they were quick-witted.

“May I ask, young master Yuan, what brings you to our doorstep?” a lean middle-aged man asked as he slowly stepped forward.

“Are you Mr. Xu Shao?” Yuan Xi bowed respectfully.

“That I am,” the man nodded.

“I am Yuan Xi. I humbly request your evaluation,” Yuan Xi said, cutting straight to the point without pretense.

“Ha, and what sort of evaluation do you seek?” Xu Shao sneered.

Clearly, he was angered by Yuan Xi’s impudence. Everyone knew the monthly evaluations were not casually given. This was not the time for leniency, and just because Yuan Xi was from the Yuan family, he shouldn’t expect special treatment. If Xu Shao acquiesced now, how could he maintain his reputation in Luoyang?

“You mustn’t speak so rigidly. Every matter has two sides; we can’t always look at things so inflexibly,” Yuan Xi retorted promptly.

“Sir, why waste words on such a person? Just send him away,” a young man nearby interjected.

This youth was none other than Wang Ling, styled Yanyun, an acquaintance of Yuan Xi’s. Today, Wang Ling was visiting Xu Shao on behalf of Wang Yun. Wang Ling, nephew of Wang Yun, was skilled in both civil and military affairs. However, he and Yuan Xi often clashed, each trying to undermine the other.

“Ah?” Xu Shao raised a hand to stop Wang Ling. “Let him finish speaking. We don’t want to seem unreasonable.”

Hearing this, Yuan Xi’s eyes gleamed as he pressed on.

“Tell me, Mr. Xu, how do you think I compare to Liu Bang and Xiang Yu?”

“Ha! Such arrogance!” Xu Shao laughed coldly. The Yuan family’s ambition was indeed boundless, daring to equate themselves with the founding emperor and the hegemon king.

“How shameless! To compare oneself with the founding emperor and the hegemon!” Wang Ling was first stunned, then scornful, chiming in from the side.

“And your opinion?” Yuan Xi pressed further.

Now it was the year 189. He no longer felt the need to be cautious.

“Do you truly want me to be frank?” Xu Shao narrowed his eyes.

Yuan Xi made a gesture inviting him to speak.

“Very well, young master Yuan, your courage is commendable. If I were to say, you are neither the founding emperor nor the hegemon!” Xu Shao said steadily.

The moment those words fell, Yuan Xi was taken aback. He knew full well how harsh that judgment was. Yet, he quickly turned the situation around.

Suddenly, he laughed heartily, obviously pleased with a clever idea. “Ha! Many thanks for your evaluation, sir. I shall take my leave.”

“Second young master Yuan, are you mad?” Wang Ling whispered anxiously.

Xu Shao was momentarily puzzled by Yuan Xi’s antics.

“Zhongkang, let us go. Read out loud the evaluation Xu Shao has given me,” Yuan Xi said, glancing back at Xu Shao before waving his hand and turning away.

“Right away, young master,” Xu Chu answered readily, though he did not quite understand but showed no surprise.

“Neither Liu Bang, nor Xiang Yu, but Yuan Xi!” Yuan Xi thought for a moment.

“Neither Liu Bang, nor Xiang Yu, but Yuan Xi!” Xu Chu repeated loudly.

“Hmm? Neither Liu Bang, nor Xiang Yu, but Yuan Xi? What?” Wang Ling was dumbfounded, utterly shocked. Yuan Xi was clearly twisting words and shifting meanings, though quite cleverly.

“‘Neither Liu Bang, nor Xiang Yu’ obviously implies that Yuan Xi lacks their talents—a definite insult. But by adding ‘but Yuan Xi’ at the end, it places Yuan Xi alongside Liu Bang and Xiang Yu for comparison.”

Not only was the praise and criticism ambivalent, but the entire level of stature was completely transformed.

There was even the suggestion that Yuan Xi disdained being anyone else.

He was simply himself, the unique Yuan Xi!

What a strategy, what cunning, what spirit, what style.

“Well done, young man!” Xu Shao, breaking his earlier stern demeanor, stroked his beard and smiled. “Yuan Benchu has indeed begotten a fine son. The Yuan family has a promising future!”

“Sir! How could he say such things? That’s not what you meant!” Wang Ling couldn’t help but protest.

“Haha, how do you know it’s not what I meant?” Xu Shao laughed. “Yanyun, you still have much to learn. If you can become as sharp as this Yuan Xi, I will be satisfied. Moreover, the second young master of the Yuan family is someone worthy of your trust. Remember that.”

“I have noted it,” Wang Ling replied reluctantly.

Unbeknownst to him, Xu Shao murmured gravely under his breath:

“The great structure collapses, the deer hides in the forest, and the hunter of deer carries the spirit of a king.”

Wang Ling frowned defiantly. “Yuan Xi, huh? I’ll remember you!” As contemporaries, they both harbored ambitions to outdo one another.

Years later, Wang Ling would indeed follow Yuan Xi and distinguish himself in battle, succeeding Gao Rou as governor of Bingzhou.

...

Xu Huang, styled Gongming, rose to the rank of Left General.

Favored by Emperor Xuanwu, he joined Yuan Xi’s banner when the warlords united to oppose Dong Zhuo.

He taught Yuan Xi archery, followed him into Chang’an, assassinated Dong Zhuo, fought fiercely against Lü Bu in the streets, and later led his own troops to conquer Qingzhou under Yuan Xi’s command.

Stationed in Qingxu, Xu Huang’s reputation struck fear across the eastern lands. During the unification wars, he attacked Yanzhou from the eastern wing, engaged Cao Ren, coordinated reinforcements at Guandu, and opened a second front.

Later, he guarded Nanyang and Wancheng, exerting pressure on Liu Biao.

As one of the Four Great Commanders, Yuan Xi hailed him as the reincarnation of Zhou Yafu.

When an old wound flared up, Xu Huang passed away due to illness and was enshrined in the Lingxiao Pavilion.

After Guan Yu’s death, Xu Huang requested Yuan Xi’s permission to take his body home to Hedong for burial.