The emperor would rather have a

Chapter 107 Hero or Bear?

"That's it? And it's none of my business if you leave?"

Thinking this in his heart, Li Yi remained silent and just drank tea... The main reason was that he didn't know how to respond. If Li Er Niang came up and played tricks on him, Li Yi naturally would not tolerate her.

But the other party said goodbye to him right away, which made Li Yi confused.

Li Erniang didn't care about Li Yi's attitude and continued, "It's a coincidence. When I first arrived in Tokyo last year, General Li was just a small-time officer with little reputation. It was said that he even accidentally killed someone."

"But in just one year, General Li's fame has spread throughout the world, and now he's even a high-ranking general in the Zhou Kingdom's Imperial Guards. His rapid promotion is truly astonishing."

"I heard that General Li is going to marry the King of Wei's daughter. I think his position in the Zhou Kingdom will be very important in the future."

Having said that, she covered her mouth and chuckled, her eyes subconsciously sweeping across Li Yi's face with a bit of curiosity.

"Although I have limited knowledge, I have read some history books. Figures like General Li are rare since ancient times."

After hearing what Li Erniang said, Li Yi knew that she must have inquired about his background, but some things are not secrets if someone is willing to find out.

Besides, there is a group of "Li Tang veterans" standing behind Li Erniang. They have been operating secretly for so many years, and they must have some channels to get information privately.

But Li Yi didn’t quite understand why the other party suddenly started praising him for no apparent reason.

And just praise me if you want, but why do you praise me in such a disgusting way, to the extent that it has been done since ancient times... How come I don’t know that I am so bad?
Li Yi picked up the teacup and brought it to his mouth, but found that the tea had been finished, so he had to put the teacup down again.

He casually replied, "Mrs. Li Er, you are too kind. I am just lucky."

Unexpectedly, Li Erniang shook her head after hearing this: "General Li said the same thing the last time we met. Why are you still using it to fool me?"

"I've inquired about General Li's background, and it doesn't seem very high... I don't understand military operations, but I do know that killing an enemy general in battle and repelling the Liao army isn't something that can be achieved by sheer luck."

Her words were quite tactful. To be honest, Li Yi's father was a groom and his mother was a wet nurse in a wealthy family. It was not an exaggeration to say that he was the son of a family slave.

After a pause, Li Erniang continued, "I know a little about General Li's work on the Great Zhou Emperor's restructuring of the Imperial Guards, as well as his insightful remarks on Buddhism... Forgive my rude words, but given General Li's background, he shouldn't have such insights."

In fact, she initially paid attention to Li Yi only because he had made two great contributions in the battles led by the Emperor of Zhou, and his reputation was very famous for a while.

Before this, she had no idea that there was such a person in the Zhou Kingdom's imperial army. After all, it was difficult for an ordinary and unknown lieutenant to attract attention.

However, after getting to know Li Yi's background in depth, Li Erniang was shocked to find... this person was too weird!

That’s right, it’s bizarre, so bizarre that it seems to have appeared out of nowhere.

Logically speaking, there is always a traceable path to a person's success.

But before this Zhou Kingdom's hottest new general rose to prominence, no one had ever imagined he would possess such great abilities. Being brave in battle was understandable; in troubled times, there were many warriors who rose to prominence through military exploits, and it was not uncommon for them to rise step by step from the bottom.

But those strategies for reforming the imperial guards, those proposals for regulating Buddhism... could that be the knowledge that the son of a house slave should have?

And why has someone with such insight never been well-known?

The more she spoke, the more curious she became. Li Erniang's face was filled with a thirst for knowledge. "When I was young and ignorant, people around me often told me that there is a difference between being born high and being born low. Some people are born to be kings, princes, generals, and ministers, while others are destined to be mediocre for the rest of their lives."

"But the heroes and great men I've read about in history books aren't always like that. Now that I've left home and traveled far, I've seen the vast world outside. I've even met a figure like General Li. Although he came from a humble background, he's achieved things at the age of coming of age that others couldn't achieve in their entire lives."

"So, please forgive me for daring to ask, General Li, what do you think are the right and wrong principles in this world?"

Faced with Li Erniang's question, Li Yi actually didn't know how to answer. If he hadn't accidentally killed Zhao Da's cousin, he would probably still be holding the mentality of winning without doing anything, wanting to follow the future Song Taizu and gain the merit of following the dragon.

Sometimes people only realize their potential when they are pushed hard enough... If it were Li Yi a year ago, he would never have thought that he would be where he is today.

...Huh? That's not right!

I'm not here to be your teacher. If you ask me, who should I ask?
Li Yi coughed lightly and could only reply ambiguously: "Not everything in this world has an answer."

This answer was obviously perfunctory, and Li Erniang could naturally hear it.

She was silent for a moment, then sighed softly, "I've been in Tokyo for over a year now, and I feel much more at ease here than at home. But now I hear the Emperor of Zhou is planning to invade Shu, and my family is urging me to return... I'm afraid I'll rarely have the chance to come to Tokyo again in this lifetime."

"However, it is worthwhile for me to have met a hero like General Li in Tokyo."

Li Erniang's expression did not seem fake when she said this, and it seemed to be speaking from the bottom of her heart. It is said that sincerity is the killer skill, not to mention that she is a beautiful girl, saying these words in a soft voice, which is indeed quite lethal to a grown man.

Although Li Yi wasn't a sex-crazed person, he couldn't help but feel a little soft-hearted. After a moment's deliberation, he said, "It's a thousand miles to Shu, and I'm afraid the journey won't be peaceful... If there's anything I can help with, Madam Li, please let me know. I'm willing to do my best."

Li Erniang smiled and said, "I knew General Li was not a heartless man. Although he acted fiercely when we met last time, he did not embarrass me afterwards."

Her mood seemed to suddenly become very good, and the smile on her face was as beautiful as a blooming flower.

She shook her head again and said, "I appreciate General Li's kindness... To be honest, General Li, my family has a caravan that travels between Tokyo and Shu, round trip every six months. I came here with the caravan last time, and I'll be going back the same way this time. You don't have to worry about your safety on the road."

Li Yi nodded slightly: "That's fine."

As he spoke, he was hesitant in his heart about how to start talking about the betrothal gift.

Under this circumstance, if I rashly bring up the matter of money, I will always seem like a profit-seeking person... After all, Li Erniang had just praised me as a hero.

If you ask for money in the blink of an eye, won’t you immediately become a bear?
(End of this chapter)