In my dream of returning to the Tang Dynasty, I snatched Wu Zetian from my lap.

Li Yuanchang mobilized a team of fifty men and set off again towards the tiger's den, with Li Yi among them.

There should be no adult tigers there, but Li Yuanchang speculates that there may be a large number of cubs.

In the eyes of the Virgin Mary, those infants were innocent.

But Li Yuanchang knew very well that if they didn't eliminate the problem at its root, these tigers would become sub-adults in a few years and continue to wreak havoc on the area, eating people and livestock. So he directly issued the order to slaughter them!

A day later.

The sky has completely cleared up, and the muddy roads are gradually improving.

Under the glaring sunlight, there were thirty-one complete tiger skins. Although they had some holes, their flaws did not detract from their beauty. They could still be repaired and then sold for exorbitant prices.

"Your Highness, everything is ready."

"Tiger bones, tiger gall, tiger blood, and other valuable items have also been loaded onto the truck," Yuan Tongdao said.

Li Yuanchang nodded and glanced at the mountain of "goods," which consisted entirely of simple trailers made of planks and ropes, since there were no horse-drawn carriages.

But this batch of goods is more valuable than gold.

These things were completely banned in later generations, but in the Tang Dynasty, they could circulate and were extremely rare.

"After we finish this meal, we'll head back."

"yes!"

Immediately afterwards, Li Yuanchang came to Li Yi's side.

He returned with the team early in the morning and killed nineteen tiger cubs, completely eradicating the tiger threat.

"Greetings, Your Highness!"

Li Yi was filled with trepidation.

Li Yuanchang laughed and said, "You already know my identity?"

Li Yi dared not raise his head, and said with great respect, "Your Highness, I actually knew about the ambush the day before yesterday. I heard them calling you the Prince of Han."

"Two months ago, I also heard at the market that the King of Han was coming to Liangzhou to serve as governor."

"I just never expected to run into him."

Li Yuanchang smiled and said, "Life is unpredictable; it's all about fate."

"How are you? How are your injuries?"

He sat directly on a fallen tree, which was very down-to-earth.

"Your Highness, it's alright, the medicine has already been applied."

Li Yuanchang asked again, "Who else is in your family?"

A hint of melancholy flickered in Li Yi's young eyes: "It's gone. Before, it was just my mother and me, relying on each other for survival, but..."

A man doesn't easily shed tears, unless he's truly heartbroken; Li Yi almost choked up.

Li Yuanchang patted him on the shoulder: "Your time has come to an end, but life is long."

"You've avenged your mother; now it's time to move on."

Li Yi nodded, his gaunt face beneath his disheveled hair seemingly devoid of direction and joy.

Li Yuanchang then said, "You have passed my test."

"Would you like to follow me, leave this rural area, and go to Liangzhou, or even a bigger stage?"

Li Yi was stunned for a moment.

"I?"

"Your Highness, but I am just a country bumpkin, I know nothing."

"Hey!" Li Yuanchang interrupted, "As the saying goes, heroes come from all walks of life."

"I only need to look at you!"

Li Yi looked up and met Li Yuanchang's clear and deep gaze.

At that moment, it was as if a benefactor, a god, had descended upon him, gently whispering, "You can do it."

"Alright, as long as Your Highness doesn't mind, I'm willing to follow you and serve as your vanguard!" he said emphatically.

Li Yuanchang smiled with satisfaction and stood up.

"Using you as a pawn would be a huge waste of your talent."

"What does Your Highness want me to do?"

"Don't ask, you'll know when we get back to Liangzhou."

"Catch up with the group in a bit. I'll give you another half hour to say goodbye properly. From now on, you will be Li Yi of the Prince of Han's Mansion."

With that, Li Yuanchang left.

Li Yi kowtowed in gratitude, feeling extremely thankful.

Some people are ungrateful wretches who can never be tamed, but others will repay a single meal with their lives.

……

January 26th.

Li Yuanchang has finally returned after more than half a month.

The original plan was to finish the matter in seven or eight days, but there were too many unexpected situations, far exceeding expectations.

Upon entering the city, the sheer number of tiger skins caused a sensation throughout the city.

"That's the tiger's skin!"

"one two three……"

"More than thirty!" someone exclaimed in shock.

"And there's the black bear!"

"Have you heard? His Highness has rid the tiger menace of trouble!"

"The King of Han killed three tigers with a single arrow!"

"As expected of His Majesty's brother!"

"..."

Public opinion exploded instantly, with restaurants and teahouses buzzing with discussion.

The story of Lee Won-chang shooting the mountain king has been widely circulated, with all sorts of rumors circulating.

The Tang Dynasty was a renowned period for poetry, but it was also an era that valued martial prowess.

The story of Wu Song fighting the tiger has been passed down for over a thousand years.

The fact that Li Yuanchang shot and killed three tigers is enough to imagine the uproar and discussion that would ensue among the people.

From rescuing the people and fighting off the tigers to shooting down the mountain lord, this series of events has gradually increased Li Yuanchang's prestige throughout Liangzhou.

While public opinion was in an uproar, Li Yuanchang had already returned to the Prince's Palace immediately.

As the saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Inside the bedchamber, steam rose. One should have gone home to take a bath and wash away the stench.

But before it even started, Li Yuanchang couldn't help but kiss him.

Situ Lan thought it would just be a quick kiss, but as the kiss progressed, it gradually got out of control and turned into a passionate kiss.

From his lips to his snow-white neck, Li Yuanchang was still removing Situ Lan's elegant palace attire.

Situ Lan blushed deeply, feeling utterly humiliated.

She tried to stop him, but Li Yuanchang's touch made her weak all over. The scriptures and etiquette were severely damaged and were eventually completely overwhelmed by Li Yuanchang's passionate love.

In the hazy light and shadow, the image of Situ Lan leaning on a chair is breathtaking.

Half an hour later.

After bathing and changing into a new robe, Li Yuanchang regained his heroic and noble air, and stood facing the bronze mirror.

Situ Lan is combing his hair.

It was clearly visible to the naked eye that the redness around Situ Lan's eyebrows and eyes had not yet faded, and there were some bruises on her wrists. The bruises on her pale skin looked very conspicuous.

That was left by Li Yuanchang grabbing both wrists with one hand; those who know, know.

"Your Highness, what happened to your chest?"

Situ Lan suddenly asked with concern, because she hadn't even had a chance to ask before Li Yuanchang's hand reached under her skirt.

"Oh, it's nothing serious, just a minor scratch." Li Yuanchang touched it; apart from a slight pain, the bruise had mostly subsided.

He didn't want to say too much and worry Situ Lan.

"All right."

"Your Highness, that's enough. It's time to go out for dinner."

"etc."

"I have a gift for you," Li Yuanchang grinned.

"A gift?" Situ Lan's beautiful eyes lit up, and her red lips curled up.

Although she said she didn't want it, Li Yuanchang actually prepared it, and she was happier than anyone else.

As far as I can remember, this is the first time I've given a gift.

Li Yuanchang then magically produced two bear pelts from the box, and a foul, fishy smell immediately wafted out.

Although we did some processing after bringing it back, it's still not enough. If we really want to use it to make fur coats and bedding, it will have to go through many more processes.

Situ Lan couldn't help but cover her nose, her delicate brows furrowing slightly: "Your Highness, what is this?"

"Black bear skin," Li Yuanchang blurted out.

Situ Lan's gentle, mature face was instantly shocked.