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

This isn't the first time Li Yuanchang has been "on a business trip."

These governors meant no harm, but he was well aware of what they wanted to do.

Once you arrive, you'll be treated to delicacies, and then beauties will be offered to your bed. In the aristocratic circles of the Tang Dynasty, escorting concubines was a common practice.

Li Yuanchang had encountered this more than once.

They weren't even concubines, but wives; some people would even offer themselves up to climb the social ladder.

Therefore, the more high-end the circle, the dirtier and more chaotic it may be!

"No need, I am already tired, I will rest here."

"Thank you for your trouble, Governor Zhuo."

Upon hearing this, Zhuo Xi knew better than to continue, and replied, "Yes, Your Highness."

"Then I will not disturb Your Highness's rest any longer. I will leave some people behind to serve the Prince of Han. If anything happens, please inform me at any time."

Li Yuanchang nodded, and Zhuo Xi then led his men away, thus exchanging greetings.

Then, the post station gradually quieted down.

The rain was pouring down, and Li Yuanchang slept until night before waking up.

At this moment, the heavy rain in Minnesota has basically stopped.

Li Yuanchang pushed open the door and went out.

Guo Chao and Huang Tu bowed and said, "Your Highness, you're awake."

"Why are you all here?" Li Yuanchang asked in surprise.

"Your Highness, the Prefect of Mingzhou just sent someone to deliver some local specialties, saying that Your Highness will definitely come to see them in person once you wake up."

Li Yuanchang raised an eyebrow: "Local specialties?"

Guo Chao waved from outside.

The guards immediately let them through, and four beautiful young women carrying oil-paper umbrellas and holding wooden boxes entered through the inner door. It was unclear what was inside.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

"What's inside the box?" Li Yuanchang asked.

"Your Highness, it's some deer antler, ginseng, and other tonics. The governor said Your Highness has had a long journey and needs to replenish your energy."

A young woman said nervously in a low voice.

Li Yuanchang knew exactly what the other party meant. The deer antlers and ginseng were just a smokescreen; the real local specialty was these four beautiful young women.

Otherwise, why would they send several girls to deliver things?

He wasn't saying that the person was a saint, but that he was indebted to those who ate his food, and besides, how would he settle things after the favor?

"Go back and tell Governor Zhuo that I appreciate his kindness, but I don't need the gifts."

"Guo Chao, give each of the four of them some reward money."

Upon hearing this, the four girls' expressions changed slightly.

She immediately looked up and said, "Your Highness, we servants are ready to take care of your daily needs."

The word "close" is an implication.

Li Yuanchang said, "No need. I will be leaving in two days. You may all go back."

"If Governor Zhuo asks, just say that I forced him to do it."

The four girls looked slightly disappointed, but dared not speak again: "Yes!"

And so, four delicate young women were dismissed.

If you randomly pick one of them and take her back to a high school in the future, she would be the class beauty, someone else's youth.

"If it doesn't rain again tomorrow morning, notify the governor of Mingzhou to go to the dock. I need to check the ships first."

"yes!"

After giving his instructions, Li Yuanchang prepared to return to his room.

But just as he stepped over the threshold, he heard a voice coming from the west courtyard of the post station.

"Tonight, the handle of the Big Dipper hangs low, and the salty, damp air rises to the ninth heaven."

"The Dragon King's prayer mat has been overturned."

Li Yuanchang turned his head and saw a monk standing on the roof railing, his robes fluttering in the night wind, looking up at the stars, his hands clasped together and gently twirling prayer beads, looking mysterious and unfathomable.

"Go and invite that monk over."

"Yes!" Guo Chao glanced at it and immediately led his men over.

After about half a cup of tea's time, the monk was brought to Li Yuanchang's room.

"Amitabha Buddha." He put his palms together and chanted the Buddha's name.

Li Yuanchang looked the monk up and down. The monk was dressed in a black kasaya, with kind eyes and fair skin, and he looked somewhat like a highly accomplished monk.

However, he was only in his thirties, and the style of his robe and accessories did not resemble those of people from the Tang Dynasty.

"Monk, what did you mean when you said the Dragon King's prayer mat was overturned?"

The monk smiled and said, "Benefactor, you must be someone who goes beachcombing."

"You can't leave for the time being."

Li Yuanchang asked suspiciously, "How did you know we were going to go beachcombing?"

"Why can't we leave again?"

The monk said, "I see that you all came and went in a hurry, so you must be just passing through."

"I heard that this humble monk observed the celestial phenomena last night and discussed the weather. Since you invited me here, I can conclude that you all intend to go beachcombing."

"As for not being able to leave..."

"Benefactor, look at the stars. The seas are likely to be turbulent these next few days. There will be strong winds and torrential rains. Those who go out to sea without authorization may perish at sea."

Li Yuanchang glanced at it but couldn't see even a feather.

However, this monk did have some discernment and didn't seem like a con artist.

He tentatively asked again, "How long will the storm last?"

The monk frowned and shook his head: "It's hard to say."

"But this humble monk advises you and your party to wait until May before setting sail."

"May?" Li Yuanchang frowned.

Guo Chao and the others also changed color; they would have to wait six months!

"That's right, it's May. From May to September, the sea is calmest in the depths of the East China Sea."

"April and October are still acceptable."

"In addition, a fierce wind is raging, and the Dragon King is enraged!"

Guo Chao shouted, "You wicked monk, how dare you spread heresies and mislead the public!"

"Everyone knows that the winds and waves are strongest in summer, yet you do the opposite. What are your intentions?"

Faced with the reprimand, the monk in the black robe remained extremely calm, clasping his hands together and saying, "Amitabha."

"The saying that the wind blows in summer is just a saying among the Tang people along the coast, but most of them have never been to the actual East China Sea, so they don't understand the weather there."

"I advise you all: do not contend with the heavens, nor fight against the sea. It is not too late to set sail when spring arrives next year."

"If you insist on going to sea immediately, you are gambling with your life on the waves, and nine out of ten times you will lose."

"This is all I have to say."

After saying this, he devoutly chanted a Buddhist prayer, then turned and left.

Guo Chao and the others frowned, unsure of what to do, and looked at Li Yuanchang.

"Stop!" Li Yuanchang said.

The monk paused, then turned to look.

Li Yuanchang slowly stepped forward, a slight smile on his face: "The high monk just said that most of them haven't been to the real East Sea, so that means you, high monk, have been there?"

The monk nodded: "I've been there."

"Why did you, a monk, go so far away instead of spreading Buddhism in the Central Plains? And how dare you?" Li Yuanchang questioned, noting that the East China Sea was nothing in later generations.

In ancient times, however, that was a place full of danger and unknowns. Although the Tang Dynasty's shipbuilding industry was advanced, it was only possible to reach the end of the East China Sea with the help of the state apparatus.

An ordinary person simply cannot get there.

"Amitabha, benefactor, this humble monk is not a Tang Chinese, but a Japanese monk. I traveled to the Great Tang Dynasty in the East to study Buddhist scriptures and teachings, and have made several trips back and forth over the years."