One afternoon in early November 91, in the capital of China, the interior of the Chinese Chess Academy, which had just been put into use.

With a bang, Li Xiaoqiang, who had just returned from South Korea, was still holding the luggage in his hand, and he pushed open a special training room for the national junior team, and greeted him with a full breath:

"I, Hu Hansan, are back again."

Li Xiaoqiang was greeted by 5 middle fingers drawn from all corners of the training room. From the standard degree of these middle finger comparisons, it can be seen that almost all of the good children of the national junior team have been damaged by Li Xiaoqiang. After Li Xiaoqiang glanced at it, he smiled happily:

"Damn, what's going on today? The sun is coming out of the west, why are there only these few people? ”

The training room of the national junior team has always had a characteristic, in normal training hours, there will always be people in it, but there will never be everyone. However, it is rare for only these few people to be the case today.

Ding Wei and Wang Sanshi were sitting on opposite sides of a chess table, looking at them like the two youngest members of the national junior team were playing a training game. There was also a Luo Shen Pig standing next to them, who was watching the duel between the two junior brothers with great interest.

In another corner of the training room, Chang Rensheng and Zhou Dayang seemed to be studying a certain chess game. Li Xiaoqiang scanned the situation on the chessboard with his eyes and found that what the two of them were studying should be the just-concluded game of Li Shifo VS Mr. Lin Haifeng.

After these people saw Li Xiaoqiang come in, everyone put down what they were doing and greeted their "boss" in various ways. Luo Shenzhu, who has the most divergent thinking ability, even pretended to force a military salute to Li Xiao:

"The Boss is back, welcome back in triumph...... But where is the celebration tonight? Please instruct! I'm going to arrange ......."

Chang Rensheng, who has always been the most reliable, also stopped his research, he greeted Li Xiaoqiang with a smile, and answered Li Xiaoqiang's question at the same time:

"The others were there, but in the next room...... By the way, your high school classmate Zhao Dabao also came over today, and he seems to be discussing something with Wei Gang and them, so Liu Qing and the others are all in the next room......"

"There is no reason, there is no reason. I said, Chubby, why is your luck so good? Isn't this a clear show that you have been drawn into the top 4 again...... Well, it is said that the last time you were in the top 4, it was still with the help of people. I didn't think that your own character was not bad, and you could actually draw into the top 4. No, no, it's for the sake of such good luck that I can't let you go today, and the place for tonight's "celebration" must be decided by me. ”

The one who can say this kind of thing is naturally Li Xiaoqiang's sworn friend Zhao Dabao. Li Xiaoqiang heard his babbling voice from afar. Hearing the news with him, there were also Liu Qing, Liu Er, and other members of the national junior team. Among the people who just came in, Li Xiaoqiang even saw Yukari Umezawa.

To say that she is in the "Fujitsu Cup" that ended not long ago. The one who helped Li Xiaoqiang "draw into the top 4". That happened in April this year, and it's been more than half a year. And Li Xiaoqiang didn't tell anyone about it, and reporter Zhang Da didn't report this "tidbit" in China. But now, it is not clear how Zhao Dabao knew this "secret".

Li Xiaoqiang just returned to China today after attending the lottery ceremony of the "Toyo Securities Cup" yesterday. However, for the next top 8 matchups, China should be able to learn about the specific matchups through the sports news of the imperial court.

In the draw ceremony held yesterday, Li Xiaoqiang drew South Korea's Seo Bong-so 9 dan. Nie Whirlwind drew Mr. Masao Kato. The other two sets were Li Shifo vs. Kobayashi Koji and Cao Yanzi vs. Zhao Zhixun.

Wait for the results of such a lottery to come out. It is generally believed that although the number of Chinese teams in the top 8 is the smallest, this signing is still very good.

To be able to enter the top 8 of the World Series, it should be said that there is no opponent to deal with. Especially in this "Toyo Securities Cup" competition, China, Japan and South Korea have sent their strongest lineups. In the round of 16, there were many close confrontations. I want to make it to the top 8. Not only does it require absolute strength, but it also depends on the state of competition at the time. It can be said that those who were able to enter the top 8 in this competition are all in good shape at present. None of them are good stubble.

But then again, in the next top 8 battles, the biggest attraction is actually the "Japan-South Korea showdown". by the top two players currently ranked by Japan. Against the top two players in South Korea. Comparatively speaking, the two Chinese chess players did draw good draws.

Among them, especially the opponent drawn by Li Xiaoqiang, it makes people feel that it is a "good sign". Because compared to Nie Whirlwind's opponents. Although Mr. Kato does not currently have a title in his hands, his fame is there. Because he has played many times in the Sino-Japanese Go tournament, he is currently the Japanese coach of the 6th tournament. Chinese chess fans are familiar with him, and the "executioner Kato" is also famous in China.

But what about Lee Xiaoqiang's opponent, Mr. Seo Bong-so? Although he has been the "No. 2 person" in Korean Go for more than 10 years, he and Cao Yanzi seem to be obviously not at the same level. This is something that the Korean chess community itself admits. And in the past international arena, he did not have any outstanding results.

In this way, since the current Korean Go is not strong, no matter in terms of fame and strength, Mr. Seo Bong-so seems to be the weakest one in the top 8. Therefore, a person like Zhao Dabao will shout about "drawing into the top 4".

Of course, only "outsiders" like Zhao Dabao can say such things. For example, people like Chang Rensheng, they may think the same thing in their hearts, but they can't say it.

"Xiao Hei, why do you have time to run the chess academy today? Don't you have to go to class today. ”

"You're having a stupid time, don't forget that it's Sunday, and I'm here to greet you...... Don't interrupt me now, just say a word now, where are we going to celebrate in the evening? ”

"Since you have said that you will choose the place, can I not give you face? Go, go, it's up to you where you want to eat at night. You can go wherever you want. ”

At this time, Li Xiaoqiang was bold, he waved his big hand, and the matter of rubbing at night was settled. In fact, in the national junior team, everyone's age increases. There are also more and more such "celebrations of victories". This has almost become the practice of the national junior team.

It's not just Li Xiaoqiang, even if Chang Rensheng won the championship of a "restricted" competition, and even defeated an adult national player in a certain competition. A personal breakthrough was formed. Everyone will find an excuse to "celebrate".

Of course, such a "celebration" must be Li Xiaoqiang's most times. The others don't add up as much as he does. Li Xiaoqiang not only has a lot of times, but also is more upscale. Because compared with others, Li Xiaoqiang can be regarded as a "rich man" no matter how he looks at it.

Let's not talk about the big prize money that Li Xiaoqiang earned. For example, the prize money for the "Fujitsu Cup" champion, Li Xiaoqiang has not got it now. Li Xiaoqiang knows that this is due to the fact that the Chinese Chess Academy has just been established. The domestic prize distribution plan is not yet fully formulated.

However, Li Xiaoqiang knew in his heart that if he followed the situation in his previous life, the chess player would probably be able to get about 28% of the championship prize. In other words, although the prize money for the winner of the "Fujitsu Cup" is 15 million yen. It is also because of the existence of the Plaza Accord, which is very pitiful for Japan. The yen has also been appreciating, but not at the moment. The current 15 million yen. That's about $100,000. What Li Xiaoqiang can get his hands on is about 30,000 US dollars, which is converted into RMB. There are only more than 200,000.

If such a little money is placed in the future generations, it will definitely not be enough. But if it is placed in this era, it is still a "huge amount of money" for ordinary people. The watershed in the country still has to start from next year, and wait until a few months later, when the old man goes to the south to take a turn. The pace of change is really accelerating.

And in the current era, let alone Chang Ren Sheng, even if it is Nie Whirlwind them. This year's "annual income" is not as high as Li Xiaoqiang. To know. In the past few years, although Nie Whirlwind won the runner-up of the "Ying's Cup", the prize money for this runner-up is also 100,000 US dollars. But how many of Nie Whirlwinds have them? It's only $10,000.

The reason for this is of course because of the distribution system within the system. At that time, the National Sports Commission issued a rule: the maximum number of individual bonuses for athletes can be 10,000 US dollars. It is no wonder that some people in later generations will jokingly say: Lao Nie did not win the championship of the first "Ying's Cup". It's probably because of this rule. Because whether he wins the championship or the second place, in fact, the prize money he gets is the same.

Therefore, from another point of view, wait until the establishment of the Chinese Chess Academy, and wait until the Chinese Go tries to take the road of professionalism. Li Xiaoqiang can also be regarded as "catching up with a good era". At least something as small as a treat. That still didn't bother him.

Because there are benefits within the system as well. For example, the current Li Xiaoqiang, he is actually enjoying the benefits of the two sides now. His eating, drinking, and Lazar were all the responsibility of the state. I don't have to pay a penny. Not only that, but because Li Xiaoqiang is now also a seventh-stage. And because he won the title of World Champion. He actually has a higher salary and subsidies now. He could have enjoyed better treatment. For example, he currently lives in the dormitory of the Chinese Chess Academy. Chang Rensheng and they all need a few people to be crammed into a dormitory, and Li Xiaoqiang, he can enjoy a single room.

Not to mention anything else, just talking about the free article, this may make the future generations of Chong Duan teenagers envious.

After the "celebration" was implemented, the conversation shifted to other places. In everyone's chat, the topic of "Top 8 Match" naturally became the focus. Analyze the characteristics of each player and make predictions for each game.

Since they are all teammates of the national junior team, Li Xiaoqiang seems very relaxed. He even made a joke with Yukari Umezawa:

"Yukari, has this training been effective? Do you feel your progress? You know, your master will be coming here soon. If he comes to this place and finds that you have not made any real progress. That's bad, then we people also have no face, right? ”

"Hey, please rest assured about this. I had a great time studying here and everyone was very nice to me. Through this period of study, I feel that I have gained a lot. I guess my level should have improved a little bit, right? ”

"Hehe, that's good, that's good...... So be it, before your master arrives. I'm going to find a time to test your level for myself and see if you've gained anything during this time. ”

"Hey! Please give me a lot of advice......"

According to the schedule of the "Toyo Securities Cup", the next 8 and 4 matches will be played in the newly completed China Chess Academy. It was in early December. And when it comes to the finals, I will return to South Korea. The final of this tournament is a five-way game and the semi-final is a three-way game. The finals are scheduled to start at the beginning of '92 and will be divided into two phases. Until the end of the Lunar New Year. Since Mr. Kato is about to come to China to participate in the competition, Li Xiaoqiang will joke with Yukari Umezawa about it.

After everyone made a joke about Yukari Umezawa, everyone's chat seemed to go back to the topic of "drawing into the top 4". When everyone talked about the next quarterfinals, they talked about Li Xiaoqiang's opponent Mr. Seo Bong-so. Li Xiaoqiang couldn't laugh anymore. At this moment, Li Xiaoqiang even frowned, and he tried to sketch the image of his opponent in his memory.

However, Li Xiaoqiang regretted that no matter how Li Xiaoqiang recalled, he didn't seem to be able to tell the characteristics of his opponent. Li Xiaoqiang even believes that he is a super chess player who has left a name in the world chess arena for decades. Seo Bong-so may be the most inscrutable one.

For example, in the current chess world, Seo Bong-so's chess is called "Damiso Go". In the evaluation of the Koreans themselves, "Because his chess skills are pure Korean specialties that come out of the streets." Seo Bong-so's "Miso Go" really can't find a warm and honest local flavor, and its main tone is more like a miserable scream in the middle of the night. Bloody pounced, rolled, tore and bitten, and was forced into a dead corner like a trapped beast and then bit off the opponent's throat with a desperate blow......"

Of course, just piling up such adjectives doesn't really explain anything. In Li Xiaoqiang's opinion, Xu Bong-su is too extreme. In the world chess world, it is difficult to have a person like Xu Bongsu who only relies on actual battles. If you want Li Xiaoqiang to evaluate, Xu Bong-so is "the most amateur professional chess player". His chess is super capable of actual combat. But when it comes to reviewing, it may not stand up to scrutiny at all, and he can provide everyone with countless materials for "winning the review". may be because of this characteristic that the world chess world has not rated him highly.

Besides. Seo Bong-so actually has another characteristic, a very funny characteristic. In his previous life, a South Korean reporter summed up this characteristic of him very vividly:

"Seo Bong-so has always placed himself at some point in the food chain. He faces different opponents, and confidence and fear can be at two extremes. When Seo Bong-so has the confidence to win. When he sees his opponent as the lower end of the food chain, his Go will give off the smell of "field commander" toughness. If Seo Bong-so is afraid, his chess is like an antelope fleeing in terror. I can't find the shadow of Seo Bong-so's "wild leopard" at all......"

“…… Seo Bong-so is a very different kind of chess player, he thinks that Li Shifo is too strong with some "wishful thinking", and then loses to him without any fighting spirit. On the other hand, Seo Bong-so unreasonably thinks that Chinese chess players are not strong, and then remains undefeated against Chinese chess players for a long time......"

Li Xiaoqiang thinks about it now, and he finds that this is really the case. For example, in the history of his previous life, Seo Bong-so had an absurdly high winning rate against Chinese players, especially in his prime. His winning rate against Chinese chess players even surpassed that of Li Shifo.

Even in this life, Li Xiaoqiang also found that Xu Fengzhu has not played many Chinese chess players at present. So far, he is really undefeated against Chinese players. For example, he won Nie Whirlwind in the "Fujitsu Cup" and eliminated Liu Dazhui in the round of 16 just past. And in the international competitions in the previous years, he also won against Ma Xiaofei and Cao Dafang.

When he played against Chinese chess players, he really didn't lose a single game! It's an incredible thing.

What is the reason for this? Why is it that Seo Bong-so, who is not very well seen by Chinese chess players, and Seo Bong-so, who is considered to be of average level, has been able to maintain a complete victory over Chinese chess players so far......"

Just when Li Xiaoqiang was thinking nonsense, Chang Rensheng on the opposite side suddenly said:

"I said boss, what are you staring at me like this, I'm all stared at by you."

"Hehe, it's nothing, because I just remembered something, so I'm a little distracted......"

Regarding Li Xiaoqiang's "habitual distraction", in fact, everyone present knows it. Not only Zhao Dabao knows, but even Yukari Umezawa also knows. Of course, the members of the national junior team who have been with Li Xiaoqiang day and night for so many years know better. Therefore, everyone was accustomed to it, so they did not continue to ask.

But what they didn't know was that what Li Xiaoqiang remembered just now seemed to be really related to Chang Rensheng. What Li Xiaoqiang remembered was a game of chess between Xu Bongzhu and Chang Rensheng in his previous life, a game of chess to "kill Houbi"!

In later generations, it seems that a new "Go term" has appeared, that is, the legendary "killing thick walls". For example, 5 years ago, when Li Xiaoqiang played against the Japanese amateur 4 heavenly king. In a game of chess, he used a similar technique to kill a "thick wall" of the Imamura civilization.

What many people don't know is that in the professional Go world, Seo Bong-su is the real original creator of "Killing Thick Walls". And the background of that game of chess is actually the poor Chang Rensheng. It was because of that game of chess that the Go world coined the term "killing thick walls". Of course, in that game of chess, Chang Rensheng's "thick wall" was not really killed. He was just attacked miserably by Seo Bong-so, and he can only be described as "life is better than death".

Li Xiaoqiang believes that perhaps it is Xu Bongzhu's crazy characteristics that are the reason why he specifically "restrains" Chinese chess players.

"Hehe, I don't know when the Chinese Go world has my Li Xiaoqiang. Do you Xu Bong-so dare to think that you are better than Chinese chess players from the bottom of your heart like you did in your previous life. Therefore, from this point of view, the next round is not considered to be a "draw into the top 4". I must also do everything in my power to make this statement a reality......"

Thinking of this, Li Xiaoqiang was arrogant, and he waved his hand very imposingly:

"Let's go, now everyone drinks and goes to ......" (to be continued......)

PS: This chapter is yesterday, and I'll try to code it today. Thank you all for your support!