80. The art of weiqi (go/baduk) war (碁#4) ☵

It is said that the way of bushido is found in death. I never believed this statement until... During one Weiqi game played years ago... A certain stone was placed upon the board. Placed upon the board with the traditional two finger placement, it went clunk! And I knew that The Rubicon had finally been crossed. And with that, the dragon that had placed the stone on the Weiqi board quietly sipped their cup of tea. Before returning back into their posture of contemplation. The dragon in opposition sat in discomfort but with the possibility that their divine grace could be saved. Sadly though, while it couldn't see it clearly, those observing the game, could see the power of balance shift against it. It is tempting to record here, play for play, of what actually happened so that the listener (or reader) here can savour every moment for themselves like some television drama. But a true master of the game has already taken the title of Imperator in accordance with the game. Death has come to the weaker dragon in retreat and every play from that moment of when the river was crossed is a brushstroke upon its death poem. It was only one stone in time that nobody could foresee unless played. In the art of war, we learn, practice and strategize. We get good at what we do. And then with all opposition collapsed, we find ourselves entering Rome as if all that went before it had been just a very, very bad dream ⚔️圍棋戰聖