This was also the first time Emperor Zhou had heard of this game.
Seeing how the Great Zhou people were defeated consecutively, he was already somewhat impatient. At this moment, Su Wen’s novel rule gave Emperor Zhou some hope!
‘Brat, you better show some tact. Don’t lose again!’
Seeing Cao Jin agree, Su Wen smiled and said, “Lord Cao, please!”
Cao Jin answered, “One!”
“Two, three!”
There were many versions of the Snatching Thirty game, but overall, it was not difficult. However, once someone mastered the trick to this game, it could no longer continue.
Because this game was rigged such that only one side could win!
To put it simply, Su Wen’s rule was to snatch the multiples of three!
This was because as long as one could get three times the number, they would definitely call out the number thirty in the end. In other words, whoever said the number first would definitely lose if the latter knew how to play!
“Four, five!”
“Six!”
“Seven!”
“Eight, nine!”
As the count continued, Cao Jin furrowed his brows. He discovered that he had lost the initiative!
Finally, as Su Wen called out 30, Great Zhou finally won a round.
“I lost…” Cao Jin shook his head.
However, he did not look depressed. In his opinion, this was just a small trick by Su Wen.
And he had already won a lot tonight!
However, the Great Zhou people cheered!
Someone from their side had finally won.
Emperor Zhou’s expression eased a little. If Su Wen had used this game to win in the beginning, he would have disapproved of it. However, after losing consecutively, this victory was extremely rare.
The envoys of the Yan Country drank a cup of wine each.
Cao Jin looked at Su Wen and smiled. “Another round?”
“Alright, Lord Cao, please!”
“Lord Su, please go first.”
“Lord Cao is a guest, so you should go first!”
“I’ll go first. How can I go first this time? Lord Su, please go first.”
Su Wen looked at Cao Jin and laughed. “Haha, it looks like we won’t be able to play this game anymore.”
Cao Jin laughed, “Does Lord Su have any other areas for me to seek guidance from? Our delegation hasn’t had enough yet!”
“Then let’s play chess.”
Su Wen sighed.
“Alright!”
“But I don’t know how to play Go, so why don’t we play a game of Gomoku (Five in a row) instead?”
“Gomoku?”
Cao Jin was at a loss while Su Wen explained the rules of the game.
After a moment of pondering, Cao Jin said, “Lord Su, I’ve never played games like this before. It’ll be hard to win against you. Why don’t we choose something we’re familiar with?”
This fellow was very smart. After being tricked once, he no longer wanted to play games that he had never played before.
Su Wen smiled and said, “Then why don’t we compare music!”
Cao Jin was no longer afraid. He smiled and said, “How do we compete?”
Su Wen said leisurely, “There are many people who play the zither in this world, but there are few folk songs that have been passed down through the generations. Why don’t we compete in composing and playing a song in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn? It can’t be any song that is known in this world. What do you think?”
The moment he spoke, everyone was shocked!
Everyone from Great Zhou especially looked at Su Wen.
This kid was a little too arrogant. Composing and performing within the time it took an incense stick to burn?
This guy had such talent?
How would they know that after Su Wen transmigrated, he specially trained his musical instruments to pick up girls. However, he later realized that the rich second-generation heirs did not need those things at all, so he rarely used them.
As for composing? Su Wen had already practiced those famous songs in his previous life!
Cao Jin looked at Su Wen. He knew that this person in front of him might have done something that he had never done before, but he did not care.
Cao Jin immediately agreed. “Okay!”
Su Wen asked, “How much alcohol can be wagered for?”
“How about 20 cups?”
“Alright!”
Both of them took their seats.
At this time, someone from the Yan Country couldn’t help but say, “Haha, does he not know Lord Cao Jin’s background?”
“That’s right, Lord Cao Jin was a playboy when he was young. With a single note from his zither, he has charmed countless women. He was one of the Four Young Masters of our Yan Country in yesteryear, yet this Su Wen dares to compare notes with him?”
“Looks like I can’t drink the wine again.”
“I just tried a cup just now. It’s really good wine, but why can’t I drink it?”
Did Su Wen know that Cao Jin was good at music?
Of course he knew, but so what?
Su Wen was confident that he would not lose to anyone else with the glorious legacy of Earth’s civilization behind him!
Even Emperor Zhou was a little hesitant when he heard the words of these people from Yan Country. However, he thought about it and realized that he had already lost the whole night. So what if Su Wen lost again? They had at least won once, and it was also Su Wen that provided the win.
Cao Jin looked at Emperor Zhou and said, “Your Majesty, please allow me to use the zither!”
“Alright!” Emperor Zhou looked at Su Wen and smiled. “Then what instrument will you use?”
Su Wen was almost half lying in his seat. It was obvious that he was drunk and his posture was a little rude. However, Emperor Zhou did not care.
Su Wen wore an unbridled smile on his face and said, “This subject will use the transverse flute[1]. Although I prefer to use the flute, today’s occasion is not suitable.”
Most importantly, Su Wen felt that he would look more handsome if he were to use the transverse flute.
At first, it was Emperor Zhou, then it was Cao Jin. Each and every one of them were all feeling refreshed after showing off.
Su Wen had a stomach full of strong alcohol and his blood was boiling. He was itching to show off as well!
A servant sent over the instruments that the two of them had requested.
Soon, an incense stick of time passed.
Cao Jin smiled and said, “This subject has been inspired today. I have composed a tune regarding tonight’s banquet, please enjoy it, Your Majesty!”
Following which, the sound of the zither rang out. The tempo was fast, and the music made the entire banquet hall relax.
One had to admit that Cao Jin was quite capable.
He could actually think of such a song in such a short time.
Not long after, the zither music ended.
“Alright!”
The envoys of Yan Country naturally had to support their own countrymen.
Su Wen also clapped his hands with a smile. “Not bad, not bad. You have reached about 30% of my realm!”
As the sound of his voice faded, Cao Jin’s expression sank. The path of music was something he was proficient in.
How could he be happy with Su Wen’s words? He sneered, “I want to hear your tune then!”
Su Wen stood up and picked up his flute.
He took a deep breath to calm himself down!
The next second, the melodious sound of the flute exploded into the surroundings.
A Laugh amidst the Vast Ocean![2]
That’s right. Among all the famous Chinese songs, Su Wen chose this song.
This song was the passion of so many males back in his world!
Especially under the playing of the flute, that kind of unrestrained vibe that disdained the world was clearly visible.
Among all the instruments, this song was most suitable to be played with a flute.
Everyone widened their eyes in shock. No one could have imagined that Su Wen would be able to play such a grand and majestic song.
It was stunning!
Even Emperor Zhou couldn’t help but listen attentively. This was the most primitive and simple charm of music. Unlike the special methods used by Xie Dajia to ensnare people into her music, Su Wen’s music was more touching to Emperor Zhou.
This was the true power of music itself, able to move the hearts of many with just a tune!
In the banquet hall, Su Wen’s clothes were gently fluttered by the wind blowing in from outside the hall. The flute was placed under his lips, and his eyes were tightly shut as he played.
Everyone was attracted by the sound of the flute.
Finally, the song ended…
Emperor Zhou asked softly, “What’s the name of this tune?”
“A Laugh amidst the Vast Ocean!”
Su Wen said, “This subject is a little drunk. Forgive me for my lack of manners, I’ll take my leave now!”
Emperor Zhou smiled in satisfaction. “You may leave!”
Su Wen turned around and left. As he walked out of the palace hall, everyone was still immersed in the music and quietly reminiscing.
Suddenly, a heroic voice sounded from outside the door.
/A laugh amidst the vast ocean
The torrential waves strike the two shores
The ebb and flow of the waves
Drown all but the present/
/The heavens laugh
As they look upon the affairs of the mortals
Only the Heavens know
Who will rise and who will fall/
/The rivers and mountains laugh
As the torrential rain lashes against it…
As the voice faded into the distance, the words could no longer be heard clearly.
[1] There are two different types of flutes typically used in Chinese music, the ‘笛子’ or transverse (horizontal) flute, and the ‘箫’ which is the normal vertical flute that more are familiar with
[2] This is the theme song of the famed martial arts novel from Jin Yong, “The Smiling, Proud Wanderer”
