阿品伯棋社的兩條不成文規矩
在芭樂村的茶行後頭，有一間不起眼的小棋社。木門推開時會發出輕輕的吱呀聲，裡頭永遠飄著茶香和淡淡的松木氣味。
這裡流傳著兩條大家都心照不宣、卻遵守得像律法一樣的 不成文規矩：
第一條：
──只要你能贏阿平伯一盤棋，阿平伯就請你喝茶。
──但如果你輸了，你就得帶一包茶葉離開。
這條規矩讓棋社每天都熱鬧起來，從早到晚都有不同的人前來挑戰。有的人胸有成竹，有的人只是想碰碰運氣。
阿平伯總是笑著拍拍棋盤邊，像在說：
「來嘛，坐下，走一盤。」
第二條：
──不懂象棋的人不能踏進棋社。
這不是排外，而是一種尊重。
因為在芭樂村的傳統裡，象棋不是遊戲，而是一種禮節、一種修行。
懂棋的人走進來，是來交手；
不懂棋的人要先在茶館外面「學兩手」，等真的會下了，才算正式踏入棋社。
這反而讓棋社形成一種很奇妙的氣氛：
每個踏進棋社的人，都帶著準備好的心。
有人贏了，大口喝茶；
有人輸了，苦笑著帶著茶包離開，嘴裡念著「下次一定贏回來」。
而最有趣的是──
無論輸贏，大家最後都會再回來。
因為在這個小小的空間裡，不只是棋盤在說話，還有那份讓人想再次坐下的溫度。
English Version
Behind the tea shop in Guava Village sits a humble little chess club.
Push open the door and it creaks softly, filled with the fragrance of tea and warm pinewood.
The chess club has two unspoken rules—rules everyone knows, but no one ever writes down:
Rule 1:
— If you beat Uncle Ping in a game of Xiangqi, he will treat you to tea.
— If you lose, you must leave with a bag of tea.
This rule keeps the chess club lively. Challengers come and go, confident ones, curious ones, and those just hoping for luck.
Uncle Ping always smiles, tapping the edge of the board as if saying:
“Come on. Sit. Let’s play.”
Rule 2:
— Anyone who does not know how to play Xiangqi may not step into the chess club.
It isn’t meant to exclude people.
It’s a matter of respect.
In Guava Village, Xiangqi isn’t merely a pastime—it’s etiquette, a form of cultivation.
If you step into the chess club, you come prepared to play.
Beginners stay outside in the tea house, learning a few moves before they’re allowed to enter.
This creates a special feeling:
Everyone who enters walks in with intention.
Some win and enjoy a cup of hot tea.
Others lose, carrying home a bag of tea and vowing to return.
And the funny thing is—
Win or lose, people always come back.
Because inside this little chess club, it’s more than chess. It’s the warmth that makes you want to sit down again.
阿品伯棋社的十四字精神 走進阿平伯的棋社，最醒目的不是棋盤、不是茶香， 而是牆上那條泛黃的布條，上面寫著十四個字： 「起手無悔大丈夫，觀棋不語真君子。」 這是棋社的不成文規矩，也是每個人踏進來前必須記住的道理。 --- 起手無悔大丈夫 阿品伯常說： > 「手一出去，就是你的棋。 棋要負責，路要自己走。這才叫大丈夫。」 在這裡不能悔棋、不能拍桌，不能怪東怪西。 落子的一瞬間，就是你心的形狀。 能承擔自己的每一步，就是象棋最基本的修行。 --- 觀棋不語真君子 旁邊觀戰的人，也有自己的規矩。 不喊招、不提醒、不干擾。 因為真正懂棋的人，都懂得尊重對局。 阿品伯說： > 「會看的人，比會下的人更稀有。 不語的人，心最靜。」 能安安靜靜看完一盤棋的，都是君子。 這十四個字，就是棋社的魂。 來者若能記住，無論贏棋或輸棋，都會變得更穩、更靜、更坦然。 --- English Version Inside Uncle Ping’s chess club, the most striking thing is a faded cloth on the wall. On it are fourteen guiding words: “A true man makes his move without regret. A true gentleman observes in silence.” These are the unwritten rules of the club. Make your move without regret — the courage of a man Uncle Ping always says: > “Once your hand leaves the piece, the move is yours. Own it. That’s what courage is.” No taking moves back. No complaining. Every move reflects the state of your heart. Taking responsibility for your decisions — that’s the foundation of chess. --- Observe in silence — the grace of a gentleman Spectators follow their own code: No advising. No hinting. No interfering. Uncle Ping often says: > “Those who truly understand the game are quiet enough to respect it.” To watch calmly and silently — that is the mark of a true gentleman. These fourteen words form the soul of the chess club. Anyone who carries them in their heart leaves a little calmer, steadier, and wiser.
