The light of the sword is like the moon reflecting on Kyushu

Chapter 1875: The Elegance of Finger-guessing

The banks of Yuecheng Lake are brightly lit.

There was a bright moon hanging high in the sky, and the stars were dim all around. There were stars on the tops of the mountains, which were the faint lights of countless lanterns.

The breeze swept across the lake, creating ripples.

Bright moon, green mountains, lake view and fine wine.

Isn’t it beautiful? Yes, it is beautiful!

As everyone was drinking, the atmosphere became chaotic, and a war of mutual respect broke out between different tables! The "militants" began to run around with their "wine barrels", "attacking" everyone, whether they knew them or not!

When Pang Shiwu and Du Ruhui met, they immediately developed a feeling of mutual appreciation and entered the stage of "drinking a thousand cups of wine when meeting a bosom friend"! Both of them came from poor backgrounds, so it was natural for them to find common topics!

When they were drunk, they actually started playing fist-guessing games!

The heroes of Jianghu are not like those playboys who drink and look for dancing girls to cheer them up. They cheer them up in a simple and crude way, playing finger-guessing games! Whoever loses drinks. Isn't this more interesting than watching women dance?

The two of them stared at each other, their faces flushed, and their roars shook the sky, "Five leaders, six six six..." They were having a great time!

Thirty wolf soldiers surrounded the two people and kept making loud noises!

They don't mind the big deal. No matter whether it's Pang Shiwu or Du Ruhui, they are happy whoever gets drunk!

Big Wolf looked at Pang Shiwu's table and asked, "What are they doing there? They're making so much noise!"

Feng Jiuxiao said: "They are playing finger-guessing."

Big Wolf said, "Finger-guessing? Is it a game?"

Feng Jiuxiao said: "Yes, it's a drinking game. Through finger-guessing, everyone drinks happily, and they have to drink a lot!"

“Why do you have to make others drink too much?”

"Because we Chinese have always been hospitable, and wine is very precious. It is brewed from grains. How many ordinary people can afford to make wine? So wine is a rare and good thing. So when you entertain guests, you usually ask them to drink. First, it expresses your generosity. Second, drinking can liven up the atmosphere and enhance feelings. So the more the other person drinks, the more generous he is. And the more the other person drinks, the closer the relationship will be."

Big Wolf nodded. "Who invented the finger-guessing game? I really admire this guy!"

Feng Jiuxiao said, "I don't know who researched it, but it has existed since the Tang Dynasty at least. The "Shengyin Pian" records: 'Huangfu Song used his hand to make a drinking order. The five fingers and the joints of the palm have names. The five fingers together form five peaks, which shows that the game of finger-guessing has a long history.' From the end of the Tang Dynasty to the present day, it has gradually evolved into today's finger-guessing. Some places call it differently, such as 'thumb battle', 'hand-waving order', 'fighting order', etc. It is mainly a battle between two people, and the loser drinks."

Big Wolf said: "You Chinese people are really interesting. You can even come up with a game to persuade people to drink. It's really..." He wanted to say "What's wrong with your brain?", but he felt that it was discriminatory, so he didn't say it out loud.

Feng Jiuxiao smiled and said, "What do you want to say? You want to say - 'I really can't help but accept it', right?"

Big Wolf laughed immediately, "Yes, yes, yes! I just can't refuse to accept it!"

Feng Jiuxiao said with a half-smile: "Don't think that finger-guessing is a bad habit of our Chinese people. It is just a cheap way to force people to drink. In fact, it is quite the opposite. If two people are not in the right temper, it is impossible to play finger-guessing when drinking! The premise of finger-guessing is that both people sincerely want the other party to drink more, and at the same time, he is also ready to be drunk! This is the true meaning of finger-guessing! If you want to make the other party drink more, there are many ways, but finger-guessing is the most disadvantageous way to yourself!"

"Then I understand. What you mean is that General Du and Brother Fifteen are very compatible now, so they are drinking and playing finger-guessing games. If Zeng Yong went to drink with Du Ruhui, Du Ruhui might not be willing to play finger-guessing games with him, right?"

Zeng Yong rolled his eyes at him and said, "If I go, they will definitely welcome me. Do you believe it?"

Big Wolf laughed and said, "I was just making an analogy!"

Feng Jiuxiao smiled and said, "You are right!"

Yu Qingzi said at this time: "It's a pity that due to my status, I can't play finger-guessing with you, it's a bit disappointing!" He is not only a Taoist priest, but also the head of the sect. If he drinks and plays finger-guessing with others, it will not only shock others, but at least make Qingcheng Sect a laughing stock in the martial arts world! At this moment, there are many people talking, who can guarantee that today's scene will not be leaked?

Feng Jiuxiao laughed and said, "Master, what are you talking about? Qingcheng Mountain is a place for cultivating the mind and nurturing the nature. Fifteen and his men have disturbed the tranquility of your sect and the cultivation of the masters. We are already ashamed of ourselves, how dare they have such unreasonable thoughts? Master, please don't embarrass us!"

Yu Qingzi laughed and said, "Drink, drink!"

Big Wolf asked, "Are there any rules for finger-guessing?" Seeing Pang Shiwu playing the game enthusiastically, he also became interested and wanted to get to the bottom of it.

Feng Jiuxiao said: "As for the rules, they are different in different places, but they all lead to the same goal. Basically, they can be divided into two ways of playing: big fist and small fist. For example, small fist only uses fingers to compare the size, without making any sound. For example, three fingers are bigger than two fingers, and five fingers are bigger than four fingers. And so on, whoever has the bigger fingers wins. Of course, some places are simpler, with different fingers representing different numbers, such as the thumb represents five, the index finger represents four, the middle finger represents three, the ring finger represents four, and the little finger represents one. For example, when I use my index finger, it means that I have used four. If you use your middle finger, I win!"

Big Wolf stretched out his hand and gestured, "Well, this is pretty simple and straightforward, similar to scissors, rock, and paper, right?"

Feng Jiuxiao's eyes lit up and he gave a thumbs up, "You understood it immediately, amazing!"

Big Wolf: "What about the Big Punch?"

"Big fist is relatively complicated. Both players have to call out numbers, and whoever calls out a number that is exactly equal to the sum of the numbers they both put up wins. For example, if you call out three, the number you put up is one, and the number I put up is two, and the total number of our numbers add up to three, then you win."

For example, Wolf: "What if we both yell three?"

Feng Jiuxiao said: "This situation is called a tie punch, there is no winner or loser, just keep punching!"

"What if I call out five, and you still play two, and you still play one, then the total of our hands is still three, which is not the five I called out. How do we calculate it?"

"That means neither of us won, so it can be considered a draw. But in some places, I might have to be considered the loser, because you were the one who called out, and you took the initiative. If I called out, then you would have lost!"

"Oh, I see. What do those two people shouting about five hands and six six six mean?"

"That's what I said just now. Finger-guessing is not just a simple game. There is a lot of knowledge in it! Why do we shout six, six, six? Because the normal number shouting is too boring. You shout one, two, three, and I shout four, five, six. How monotonous! So our ancestors added a lot of seasoning to it. Who made our ancestors so cultured?"

Big Wolf smiled awkwardly and said, "You are implying that our ancestors were uneducated!"

Feng Jiuxiao raised his eyebrows and smiled: "Don't talk nonsense, I don't admit it! I just praised our ancestors for being cultured, but I didn't belittle your ancestors for being uncultured. If you think too much, that's your business!"

Big Wolf smiled bitterly and said, "You are being contradictory. No matter what I say, it's my fault!"

Everyone laughed.

Chili chewed a fish ball and interrupted, "Master, you haven't said what the Five Kui Hands are yet!"

Feng Jiuxiao smiled and said: "La Jiao is very righteous. He knows how to help Brother Wolf out of trouble!"

Chili took a sip of the bamboo wine, "Hey, tell me now." Yuan Zishan looked at a bamboo tube under Chili's feet, and couldn't help but smile, and whispered: "This is the second tube Chili, you should take it easy!" Chili narrowed her charming eyes at Yuan Zishan, and smiled with two dimples: "It's okay, Miss, this wine is sweet!" Yuan Zishan smiled, "You will get drunk if you drink more." Chili smiled, "Miss, I'm happy that Shiwu and the others returned safely, so I want to drink some." Yuan Zishan was startled, and immediately smiled, "Okay, it's okay, you drink, and I drink too." She also opened a tube and poured it into a small porcelain cup, "Come on, let's have a drink together!" She clinked the bamboo tube with Chili's and drank the wine in the cup in one gulp. Chili drank a big gulp!

Yuan Zishan didn't say anything else, but just looked at Feng Jiuxiao with a smile on her face. She had a lot of thoughts in her mind. Lajiao's words just now hurt her!

I'm back safely on the 15th, and I want to drink!

Chili has grown up and is no longer the carefree little girl she used to be! She has concerns and worries! But she still pretends to be heartless in front of outsiders!

When Shiwu and Zeng Yong left, everyone noticed Erni's concern for Zeng Yong, but no one noticed Lajiao's reluctance to leave Shiwu! She acted so indifferent at the time, and was so confident that Shiwu would return triumphantly. Now she realized that she had probably prepared for the worst at that time!

All her calmness was just for herself and Jiuxiao to see!

She didn't want to affect her and Jiuxiao's mood!

Silly girl, what a silly girl!

Yuan Zishan looked at La Jiao with eyes full of pity!

Feng Jiuxiao is almost always keeping an eye on Yuan Zishan, so how could this scene escape his eyes!

Feng Jiuxiao looked at La Jiao, and his voice seemed to become much gentler: "When everyone is playing finger-guessing, just shouting one, two, and three is really monotonous and boring, so our clever ancestors added some cultural nutrition. For example, when shouting one, you can say 'one heart respect' or 'one dragon', and when shouting two, you can shout 'good brothers'. Of course, if I want to liven up the atmosphere, I can also shout 'Hello, Brother Wolf' when I play finger-guessing with Brother Wolf, which means I am shouting two!" La Jiao laughed, "Good Brother Wolf means two? Haha, Brother Wolf is two? Haha!"

Big Wolf was startled, but before he could react, everyone laughed. Yuan Zishan also burst out laughing! Second, sometimes it implies that a person is stupid!

Bigwof felt it was even more strange, "What are you laughing at?" His eyes were exceptionally clear and his expression was exceptionally innocent!

Everyone burst into laughter instantly!

They didn't expect that Big Wolf would actually perform what a real idiot is in public at this time!

I can't say that the acting is similar, it's absolutely true!

Feng Jiuxiao blinked his eyes and said, "When shouting three, you can shout 'Three Stars Shining High', 'March 3rd', or of course 'Peach Garden Oath of Brotherhood'. These are allusions."

Yu Qingzi said: "The Peach Garden Oath refers to the oath of brotherhood between Liu, Guan, and Zhang, so it is extended to three, right?"

Feng Jiuxiao said, "Yes! The rest are in order of four joys and fortune, the best warrior, six six great luck, seven clever plum blossoms, eight horses... By the way, when you shout eight, you can also shout 'crab claws', because crabs have eight claws! Then there are nine zero nine or good wine, forever and ever, and ten is 'full up' or 'all come'. Of course, there are two words and three words. The fifteenth one they are shouting now is the three words, which means shouting three words every time, from one to ten, one heart respect, good brothers, three stars, four joys and fortune, five best warriors, six six six, seven clever, eight horses, nine nine nine, full house!"

Big Wolf said, "That's right. I heard them shouting, something like Five Leaders and Six Six Six! What's the specific name? What does Five Leaders mean?"

Feng Jiuxiao smiled and said, "There is a lot of knowledge here. Let me tell you about the Five Kuishou first. The word Kui in the Five Kuishou originally refers to the first star in the Big Dipper - Tianshu. You should know the Big Dipper."

"I know. Doesn't the Tianxing Gate in Liancheng have a Seven Star Formation?"

"Okay, let's continue. Kui means first or champion! In our Central Plains imperial examination, Kui specifically refers to the top five in the provincial examination, that is, the 'Five Classics Champions'! What are the Five Classics? The Book of Songs, the Book of History, the Book of Rites, the Book of Changes, and the Spring and Autumn Annals! The top scorers in each subject of the Five Classics are collectively called the 'Five Champions'."

Big Wolf held up five fingers. "The champion refers to the first place in each subject exam, so there are five people in five subjects, so we are called the Five Champions, right?"

Feng Jiuxiao said: "That's right! It's five people, not one! So 'Five Champions' is used in finger-guessing games to pay tribute to knowledge and learning, and to express everyone's yearning for fame. Later, it simply means to win the championship and soar to the sky!"

Big Wolf said, "Soaring into the sky? I understand. It means you want to be a high-ranking official! What about respecting with all your heart? Does this have an allusion as well?"

"Of course, 'all in all' comes from Du Fu's poem 'The Story of the Horse of the Protector General Gao' in the Tang Dynasty, which means 'to achieve great success with one's heart', and it expresses the meaning of a sincere toast!"

"How are you two, brothers?"

"Don't you understand? This shows how close these two are!"

"What about the three-star photo?"

"It means blessing, prosperity and longevity are shining brightly!"

"The three stars of fortune, prosperity and longevity? Three stars shining brightly? What does this mean?"

"These are not three stars, but three gods. One can make you always have good luck and encounter good things; one can make you always make a fortune and never worry about money; and one can make you live a long life. Do you understand?"

"Oh, there are three gods. Each god can fulfill a different wish of mine, right?"

"Yes! That's right!"

Everyone laughed, because Big Wolf's eyes were still clear!

Big Wolf was unaware and continued to ask, "Where is Sijicai?"

Feng Jiuxiao: "It means you will be rich all year round!"

Big Wolf said, "Just now there was a deity who was responsible for making me rich. Isn't this a bit repetitive? What a waste! We should try something else!"

Feng Jiuxiao smiled and said, "We Chinese are not afraid of repetition or having too much money. The more money, the better!"

Everyone laughed non-stop. The six little fortunes of the Tang Clan covered their mouths when they laughed, for fear that if they laughed too much, they would be accused of being heartless! Tang Shan laughed so hard that tears came out! She never expected that the world-famous Feng Jiuxiao, Pang Shiwu, Big Wolf, Zeng Yong and others would be so... real and cute!

Big Wolf was not disturbed and asked seriously, "What about 666?"

Feng Jiuxiao said: "Six six six refers to six good fortunes. Many people like to say six six great fortunes, but they may not know where this saying comes from. The Zuo Zhuan says: King's righteousness, minister's conduct, father's kindness, son's filial piety, brother's love, younger brother's respect, these are the so-called six good fortunes. The most holy teacher also said 'at sixty, one's ears are obedient', so six six six means everything goes well!"

Yu Qingzi couldn't help but sighed: "I've learned a lot! I always thought these finger-guessing games were just rhymes made up by alcoholics, but I didn't expect there are so many stories hidden behind them. The cultural heritage is very rich!"

Feng Jiuxiao said: "It's not surprising that the Taoist priest has such a judgment! The things created by our ancestors were originally good, but they were ruined by later generations. Some people can't control their emotions after drinking, and they get excited and lose their composure, sometimes turning good and elegant things into vulgar. It's obviously an elegant thing to recite poems and drink, but in the end it turned into red faces and thick necks, and seeing who has the loudest voice. No wonder the Taoist priest misunderstood!"

La Jiao was immediately unhappy, "Master, who are you talking about? Are you saying that Fifteen can't control himself when drinking?"

Feng Jiuxiao immediately laughed and said, "I didn't say anything about him! Do you know how to protect your own shortcomings now?"

Chili was a little tipsy, and she tilted her neck and said, "Of course!" Her eyes were wide open, and she looked at Feng Jiuxiao without fear, and at this moment, she had the spirit of a heroine! But looking at her bulging cheeks, it was clear that she still had something in her mouth that she hadn't finished chewing, which made people laugh!

Yuan Zishan wanted to laugh the most, but she didn’t!

She knew best that La Jiao was not standing up for Pang Shiwu at all, she was clearly "defending" herself!

Because La Jiao had just drunk two cans of Qingcheng Mountain Spring homemade wine without realizing it!

The little girl was actually already drunk, otherwise how could she be so brave?

Feng Jiuxiao chuckled and said, "You can tell from the first glance that she drank...she drank to her heart's content!"

Yu Qingzi then asked, "Sir, where are the seven Qiaos?" He naturally noticed that La Jiao was a little drunk. Drinking was originally a happy thing for everyone, and he was afraid that after getting drunk, La Jiao would lose control and make a joke in public, which would be counterproductive and would have a bad impact on everyone and on her personally, so he quickly changed the subject!

Feng Jiuxiao, of course, hurried to get off the ladder: "'Seven Qiao' means 'begging for cleverness'. The seventh day of the seventh month, also known as the Qixi Festival, is the day when the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl meet on the Magpie Bridge on both sides of the Milky Way in the sky. Legend has it that women on earth can thread a needle facing the stars on this night and pray silently to the heavens for cleverness. Of course, there are also names such as the Seven Fairies, the Seven Steps Talents, and the Seven Stars of the Big Dipper."

"What about the eight horses?"

"Legend has it that King Mu of Zhou once rode eight horses - Juedi, Fanyu, Benxiao, Chaoying, Yuhui, Chaoguang, Tengwu and Jiayi - to Kunlun Mountain Yaochi to meet the Queen Mother of the West, where they drank wine and exchanged poems. Li Shangyin of the Tang Dynasty wrote in his poem Yaochi: 'Eight horses travel 30,000 miles a day, why doesn't King Mu come back?' Shouting 'eight horses' in finger-guessing games means immediate success and a bright future!"

"What about nine-nine-nine?"

"Nine nine nine, long and wine are homophones, people drink wine often, the earth will last forever. The "Historical Records" records: to establish a long-term peace and stability, to achieve long-term governance."

"What about Mantanghong?"

"Mantanghong is also called Mantangcai, which actually means perfect. Usually people don't say it, because saying this sometimes means it's time to end the banquet! Because ten is full, and full means overflowing, and full means loss. Some things reach their peak when they reach nine, and they can't be full, and they need to leave room for improvement."

Chili then said loudly: "Right! We don't want a full house now! We don't want the show to end!"

Yu Qingzi said: "Yes! We don't want a full house, it's not time for us to leave yet!"

No one noticed that a white crane flew over from the sky!

Thank you Yudong for your strong support and encouragement!