Go: Is the portable old man the nine-time champion?

Chapter 220 Who in the world doesn’t recognize you?

"AlphaGo has been holding these seminars far too frequently lately; I know of at least several."

Yi Zheng walked into the private teahouse where the seminar was being held, and couldn't help but complain when he saw the banner hanging on the wall of the teahouse lobby.

AlphaGo has really become a hot topic lately, and it's a nationwide phenomenon. From top professionals to casual observers who don't know much about Go, everyone knows about this legendary figure.

If everyone previously felt that AlphaGo was truly invincible and probably the best in the world, then AlphaGo was the best.

This time, by defeating all the top-ranked players, he completely won over most people.

This is no ordinary number one in the world. The number one in the world has never been this terrifying before. Even if everyone else were tied together, you couldn't beat him alone.

The main reason is that everyone generally agrees that AlphaGo is a reclusive master who likes to hide in the corner, and no one thinks of it as artificial intelligence or anything like that. This has led to a high level of acceptance of AlphaGo among many traditional professions.

In the age of artificial intelligence, many elderly people cannot accept new moves. Besides the fact that some of these moves are indeed unconventional and seem unbelievable, another reason is that they cannot accept that computers have surpassed humans in Go.

In their view, it was simply unacceptable that such an elegant art as Go could be cracked by a computer.

Impossible, absolutely impossible!
But things are a little better now. Not to mention that few people think of Professor Ke in the direction of artificial intelligence, because the current artificial intelligence is basically similar to artificial stupidity. Go software in various countries is considered excellent if it reaches the amateur 5 level, but none of them have reached the professional level.

Moreover, if that were the case, someone would have come forward to claim it long ago.

Not to mention that many people say AlphaGo is a person with a very wicked sense of humor, and that it always plays differently against different players, deliberately trying to annoy its opponents.

For example, in a recent interview, Teruto Kuroki said that he really hopes to have the opportunity to meet AlphaGo in person, and he really wants to thank him for his guidance. He said that everyone must meet him, and he really wants to see him!
Some people say that when Teruto Kuroki said this, his hands were behind his back and his fists were clenched. If AlphaGo were standing in front of him right now, he probably would have already punched it.

Kuroki Teruto: You bastard! Every time we play shogi, you pull those disgusting and ridiculous moves, and you even force me to beat you up! Are you even human?!

Yi Zheng, Miao Jun, and Shi Yuhan were recognized by the teahouse owner who was greeting them at the door as soon as they arrived.

Upon seeing the visitors, the teahouse owner was incredibly welcoming, quickly stepping forward: "Teacher Yi Zheng, 7th Dan Miao Jun, you two are here! What rare guests! We are truly honored to have you here. Could you please sign autographs and take a photo with us later?"

Today, Mr. Ma is giving us the main explanation. There should still be seats available in the front row of the private rooms. I'll go check and let the shop staff serve you a pot of good tea.

"Xiao Wang, bring over that Dayi Canghai Pu'er tea and brew a pot."

Yi Zheng has now risen to prominence. There's no way around it; Yi Zheng's performance this year has been truly outstanding, so outstanding that anyone who follows Go cannot ignore him.

The Rookie King Championship, the Chinese Agon Cup, and the nine-game winning streak in the first and second stages of the World Go Tournament for Juniors—any one of these achievements would be enough to make a young person a super rising star, let alone the fact that all three happened in the same year to the same person.

At least in the Chinese Go community, it's not an exaggeration to say that Yi Zheng is known to everyone.

However, Yi Zheng is still only a first-dan. In this world, only the champions and runners-up of the Nine Major Tournaments have a chance to directly advance to the first dan. Since Yi Zheng doesn't participate in the promotion tournament, he is in an awkward situation where he is still a first-dan.

Others found this situation rather awkward, because most people would add a rank or skill level to their address, but Yi Zheng's "First Rank" was strange, so many people started calling him "Teacher Yi Zheng." The title "Teacher" has become quite versatile; you can call almost anyone "Teacher," including later in the entertainment industry where people used to call others "Teacher XX."

Upon hearing this, Yi Zheng waved his hand, clearly not wanting to sit in the front: "No need, if there are still seats in the back, we can just sit there. Where are the private rooms?"

"I'll take you there."

The owner was quite enthusiastic. As he led the group over, he started introducing his business and said that they could contact him if they needed anything related to tea.

Although none of the three seemed to drink tea much, the owner was still happy to promote it.

After all, as men reach a certain age, they often inexplicably develop a liking for tea and fishing; these two seem to be inevitable stages in the evolution of most men.

Many older men are regular customers of this shop and are also the main consumers of tea.

So the boss was quite enthusiastic about these potential future clients.

Led by the owner, the three of them passed through the covered walkway next to the door and arrived at a private room at the back. As soon as they arrived at the door, Yi Zheng could already hear the sounds coming from inside.

To be precise, it was the sound of arguing.

However, Yi Zheng was already used to it. Different professions have different opinions on AlphaGo's moves, and each profession is very confident in its own judgment. Many people believe that they are right!
When both people believe they are right, arguments are inevitable.

There were only a dozen or so people attending this seminar, and more than half of them were retired professionals.

A large Go board was placed in the center, with several tables and chairs around it, each set with tea utensils. People drank tea and discussed the game while looking at the board.

Today we're still discussing the game between AlphaGo and Jiang Mobai.

As soon as Yi Zheng entered, he saw two elderly people arguing passionately. Both of them had gray hair, but neither was willing to give in.

In some ways, these elderly people are quite leisurely and comfortable. Although Chinese Go players don't receive a lifetime salary like in Japan, the money they saved when they were young, plus the savings they accumulated after retiring from the professional stage to become teachers, is enough for them to live a happy old age.

No longer needing to engage in the frenzied competition of youth, Go has become purely a hobby. In some ways, this might be the best state for Go.

The door to the private room wasn't actually closed. Yi Zheng sneaked in and found a table and chair in a corner, then sat down and started playing dead.

Yi Zheng wasn't really interested in this kind of seminar, but Mr. Ma said he had something for him and that he had to come.

PS: Please give me your monthly votes, brothers!

(End of this chapter)