C42. Two Slaps.

C42. Two Slaps.

On the second day, Wu Kai and Wang Er began training the cavalry soldiers in the manner prescribed by Yuan Li.

Despite the numerous daily training activities, not a single person complained or felt tired because of the excellent provisions provided by Yuan Li.

Each soldier was allocated a warhorse and a set of clothing. Meals increased from two to three, with each meal being satisfying. A daily egg and a meat meal every three days were part of the treatment, which even mid-level military officials in the army did not enjoy.

In just a few days, the soldiers were filled with gratitude towards Yuan Li.

Some soldiers, coming from impoverished backgrounds, wanted to save the eggs to bring back to their families. However, when Yuan discovered this, he immediately ordered that each person must consume their egg on the same day and prohibited hoarding.

The eggs were provided to improve the soldiers' physical health, ensuring they received adequate protein to become stronger and more robust. Yuan Li did not want their efforts wasted by taking the eggs back home to share with others.

He decreed that anyone who repeated the same mistake three times could be expelled from his cavalry camp.

This warning immediately stopped anyone attempting to hide their eggs.

After becoming accustomed to being ready for immediate battle, Yuan Li scheduled morning training sessions and dispatched them in groups in the afternoon to nearby bandit-infested areas for practice fights.

Zhong Ji knew that this situation required patience, so he waited calmly for Yuan Li to embark on this venture.

Following the autumn harvest, tax revenues from various counties were collected and sent to Jixian due to the presence of Chu Hechao and Yuan Li in Youzhou. After recent suppression of the Baimei rebels as a deterrent, the county officials sent the taxes without any foul play.

Upon reviewing the accounts, Yuan Li was pleased with the outcome but also sighed in resignation.

Liu Jixin chuckled, "Your laughter and sighing are leaving me puzzled."

"I laughed because I am satisfied with this year's tax revenue. No one dared to conceal any report," Yuan regretfully said, blinking at him. "I sighed because they were too honest this time, making it hard for me to find a reason to dismiss them."

Liu Jixin chuckled, "You're quite narrow-minded."

As they bantered, a servant rushed in and informed, "Young Master, the General has captured a big beast and two wolves. They are currently in the training ground!"

A big beast and wolves?

Yuan Li and Liu Jixin exchanged glances and walked outside.

In the training ground, two massive iron cages were placed in the center. Chu Hechao's guards stood around the cages, while the soldiers gathered to watch.

As Yuan Li approached, the guards stepped back, allowing him to inspect the cages.

The left cage housed a brightly-patterned and robust tiger, while the right cage contained two dark-gray wolves with green eyes glowing. One of the wolves had an injured leg and was being protected by the other, hissing and threatening the tiger through the bars.

The tiger roared angrily, saliva dripping from its yellowed fangs, as it faced off against the wolves.

The tension was palpable, as if they could break out and attack one another at any moment.

Yuan Li observed them with fascination, crouching in front of the wolves' cage to examine the injured wolf's leg. Without warning, the uninjured wolf suddenly turned its head towards Yuan and let out a threatening growl, seemingly warning him not to harm its sibling.

Feigning surprise, Yuan Li played along, "You're quite fierce. Alright, I won't look at your sibling."

Stepping back, he turned to the guard and inquired, "Where did the General capture these beasts?"

The guard explained, "While patrolling with the General, we heard a tiger roar in the mountains. Concerned that the beast might come down and attack, the General led us to the mountains to catch the tiger. Upon arrival, we found the tiger locked in a fight with these two wolves."

Yuan Li asked, "And you brought them back here?"

The guard nodded.

Yuan Li chuckled, preparing to ask more questions, when Chu Hechao's entourage approached.

Recognizing Chu Hechao as their captor, the tiger and wolves became agitated as they drew closer. Instead of growling, they synchronously snarled and bared their teeth towards Chu Hechao, showing signs of aggression.

Chu Hechao stopped in front of the cages, casually glancing at the beasts and teasing Yuan, "Have you ever tasted tiger meat or wolf meat?"

Yuan Li saw through his playful demeanor and replied, "I haven't."

He found it amusing to witness someone trying to intimidate wild beasts.

Slightly amused, Chu Hechao drawled, "Today could be your chance. Tiger and wolf meat, when roasted, have a unique flavor. As the weather gets colder, the tiger and wolf pelts can be kept for capes. What do you think, eh?"

Politely, Yuan Li replied, "Perhaps they might not understand your threat."

Chu Hechao's smile faltered as he turned to the beasts. The tiger and both wolves had positioned themselves at the cage, claws extended, trying to grab at Chu Hechao.

The growls emanating from their throats, the saliva dripping onto their necks.

The expression on their faces made it seem like they wanted nothing more than to attack Chu Hechao from behind.

"Animals that don't understand human language," Chu Hechao mocked them, then turned to the guard and instructed, "Go get a few pieces of meat and bones."

Yuan Li asked, "Does the General like wild animals?"

Coincidentally, he also liked them, and he could interact with them quite well. Yuan Li eagerly pointed to the two cages, "Do you prefer this wolf or the big beast?"

However, when he pointed at the tiger, an unexpected incident occurred. His hand got too close to the cage, and the tiger suddenly lunged towards the gap in the iron bars, clamping its jaws around Yuan's hand!

In a hair-raising moment, Yuan Li reacted quickly, pulling his hand back into his sleeve at the very last second, and the tiger bit down on the empty fabric.

The onlookers, including Lin Tian, were shocked and rushed over, exclaiming, "Lord!"

Chu Hechao's face suddenly changed, he grabbed Yuan Li and forcefully pulled him backward as the tiger's bite tore through the sleeve, causing Yuan Li to stagger back a few steps, almost falling but saved by Chu Hechao's grip.

Yuan Li's heart pounded as he stared blankly at the tiger, which coldly chewed on the torn fabric in its mouth.

Thinking Yuan Li was scared, Chu Hechao's face turned pale as he held Yuan Li and took a few steps back, tapping Yuan's face repeatedly, "Yuan Li? Yuan Li?"

Yuan Li's eyes gradually sparkled as he mumbled, "Exciting..."

Hearing what Yuan Li said, Chu Hechao almost thought his ears were playing tricks on him, then his face darkened as he grabbed Yuan's chin with his gloved hand, turning his face towards the tiger, "What did you say? Exciting?"

His voice grew more intense with each word.

Yuan Li finally realized what he had said, his face flushing with embarrassment. He had always maintained a mature and composed image, and now it was on the verge of collapsing.

Yuan Li attempted to remain calm, "I misspoke."

Chu Hechao released his grip on Yuan Li's face, still visibly unsettled, the intensity of his inner turmoil hidden from view.

He did not believe a word of Yuan Li's explanation. Chu Hechao himself had passed the age of eighteen or nineteen, naturally understanding how mischievous and daring boys of that age could be.

Yuan Li, despite his composure, was only eighteen. Almost getting his hand bitten off by a tiger and calling it "exciting," he had not realized the gravity of the situation.

Chu Hechao ordered his men to restrain the tiger, while he instructed Lin Tian to bring his cloak. He then dragged Yuan Li in front of the tiger.

The tiger, struggling and roaring, was subdued by three men pressing it down with all their might.

Taking advantage of the tiger's open mouth, Chu Hechao forcefully shoved a piece of wood inside, muffling its roar. While the tiger's mouth was forced open, Chu Hechao pulled Yuan Li's hand to touch the tiger's sharp teeth.

As he leaned in, Yuan Li could clearly smell the tiger's foul breath and see the raw meat stuck between its teeth. Holding his breath, he subconsciously pulled his hand back.

"Don't move!" Chu Hechao scolded, then coldly mocked, "Found it exciting, right? Why are you hiding now?"

With Yuan Li encircled in Chu Hechao's arms, he felt like he was leaning against a man's firm chest. Feeling overwhelmed by the tiger's breath, he struggled to breathe.

Nevertheless, Yuan Li had never touched a tiger's teeth in his life, and he was secretly looking forward to it.

Watching from the side, Wu Kai and his companions were on the verge of a panic.

Wu Kai wanted to intervene but was stopped by Liu Jixin, who stared intensely at Chu Hechao and Yuan, his voice trembling as he said, "The General knows best."

As a strategist, Liu Jixin could not condone Yuan Li being put in danger. However, the sight was too terrifying, and he also faintly heard Yuan Li's words.

As family, General Chu would never harm Yuan Li, who was younger by seven or eight years, making it best for him to advise Yuan Li.

Chu Hechao forcefully pushed Yuan Li's hand against the tiger's fangs.

Feeling sticky and wet with saliva, Yuan Li felt the opportunity was rare and hurriedly touched the tiger's teeth a few more times, estimating their length to be about eight or nine centimeters.

Impressive.

Yuan Li was awestruck by the tiger's teeth, realizing they could easily pierce through his wrist if they were all together.

Chu Hechao did not anticipate Yuan Li's boldness, evident in the bulging veins on his forehead.

As Yuan Li reached out tentatively once more, Chu Hechao abruptly pulled his hand back, and in the next moment, the tiger's teeth crushed the wood, spitting out a mouthful of splinters, sprinkling Yuan Li's face with sawdust.

Yuan Li closed his eyes in embarrassment.

Chu Hechao sneered in his ear, his voice resounding in his mind, "Is this excitement entertaining?"

Yuan Li's face turned pale, "No."

Chu Hechao made him stand up, and Lin Tian brought the cloak. Chu Hechao draped it over Yuan Li, concealing his torn sleeve.

The cloak looked familiar; Yuan Li kept staring at it, prompting Chu Hechao to sarcastically ask, "Cold? You don't want to wear my cloak even though your clothes are torn?"

In truth, Chu Hechao's current appearance was somewhat frightening, on the brink of anger. Yuan Li couldn't fathom why the outburst.

He voiced his confusion, "General, I am unharmed. Why are you so angry?"

"Angry?" Chu Hechao laughed sarcastically, his face a mix of cold mockery, "Who said I am angry? Am I supposed to be angry at you?"

Yuanli said, "You are angry now."

Chu Hechao took a deep breath and replied coldly, "No."

However, his next sentence was, "What do you mean you are not injured, Yuanli? Do you want to make me furious?!" Yuanli felt a little guilty and did not argue.

He didn't really take the recent incident to heart, even though he had almost lost his hand.

Yuan Li finally understood what he had said, his expression filled with embarrassment. He had rarely experienced fear, as the concept of being "scared" was alien to him.

Facing imminent danger the first time in his life, was a testament to Yuan Li's resilience and unwavering resolution.

Chu Hechao took advantage of this, scolding Yuan Li relentlessly until the last streak of golden sunset lingered in the western sky, leaving Yuan Li's ears ringing and head pounding.

Only after finishing dinner did Chu Hechao stop, gruffly saying, "Eat."

Yuan Li breathed a sigh of relief, wondering if he had reprimanded Chu Hechao too harshly in the past, prompting Chu Hechao to seek retribution.

But he didn't dare voice his thoughts, knowing his words had indeed stirred anger.

Seated on opposite ends of the table, the sound of clinking bowls and chopsticks resonated in the room.

During the peak of autumn, dinner was served with a fish dish. Despite its appealing appearance, the fish tasted unpleasantly fishy. Yuan Li disliked eating fish, often getting pricked by fish bones, and always kept a distance from such food.

The fish soup, thick and creamy-looking, was ladled into his bowl—it seemed alright, but the taste turned out to be disgustingly fishy. Yuan Li hastily spat out the soup, attempting to mask the taste by quickly eating other dishes only to accidentally bite his tongue due to his haste.

His expression contorted in pain as he tasted blood.

Chu Hechao noticed his discomfort, setting down his chopsticks and walking over, "What's wrong?"

It took Yuan a while to recover before mumbling, "It's nothing, bit my tongue."

Frowning, Chu Hechao questioned, "Let me see."

Yuan Li suspected the cut was minor but extended his tongue for Chu Hechao to examine.

Traces of blood twined around his swollen tongue, with a small cut oozing blood. Chu Hechao, taken aback, recalled the sight of red flowers by the river, their bright colors seeping into the grass when caressed by the wind and rain.

His throat constricted, gruffly scolding, "Can't you be more careful?"

Yuan Li pursed his lips, averting his gaze.

Chu Hechao raised an eyebrow, a touch of rugged charm in his enunciation, "What, are you angry at being scolded?"

"No," Yuan Li turned away, "My mouth hurts."

Chu Hechao handed him a cup of water to rinse his mouth, and after two cups, the fishy taste dissipated. Chu Hechao prepared to call the physician, but Yuan interjected, "Who hasn't bitten their tongue before? I don't need to call a physician for this minor injury."

Chu Hechao, having faced numerous injuries himself, didn't think much of the minor injury. Upon hearing Yuan Li's response, he relented. After finishing dinner, he had Yuan Li check his wound.

Having dinner, Yuan Li returned to his room to rest.

In the evening, a servant informed Chu Hechao that a pool of water had been heated inside the mansion for a bath.

The mansion's bathing room had a large pool, extravagantly built but rarely used due to the wastage of firewood required to heat it during the autumn and winter months. Upon hearing this, Chu Hechao questioned, "Where did the firewood come from?"

The servant replied, "The young lord sent his men to collect firewood from the bandits in the mountains."

Chu Hechao pondered for a moment, then inquired, "Has he gone ahead to bathe?"

Understanding who the "he" was, the servant replied, "The young lord said he hasn't, as he has already bathed."

Chu Hechao's interest was piqued, but he didn't want to waste the firewood and headed to the bathing room, instructing the servant to call for Yang Zhongfa and a few subordinates to join him.

Yang Zhongfa, Hanjin, and Helang quickly arrived, and without hesitation, they undressed and plunged into the pool, exclaiming at how comfortable it felt. Yang Zhongfa remarked, "General, you should use this pool more often. You, a prominent figure of the Chu family, should not live so frugally. Look at this full pool of water, isn't it so relaxing?"

Chu Hechao didn't bother to acknowledge their comments.

Suddenly, Yang Zhongfa pinched his nose and plunged into the water, only to be choked by the water and hurriedly resurface, coughing several times.

He Lang laughed heartily, "Yang ge, are you thirsty or something? Don't drink our bathwater."

Yang Zhongfa glared at him, "I'm just trying what the young lord mentioned about floating like a duck."

He then recited the words Yuan Li had spoken to them, conveying his message. After listening, the two men found the advice reasonable and followed suit, attempting to float like a duck.

Watching them splashing around, Chu Hechao advised from above the pool, "Bring your legs together, lift them up, separate and thrust them out, palms facing outward while paddling."

Impressed, Yang Zhongfa remarked, "General, you can swim?"

Not knowing how to swim but having been taught by Yuan Li all night, Chu Hechao nodded nonchalantly, "Hmm."

The three men quickly complimented Chu Hechao and continued their swimming practice, eventually transitioning to more lewd conversations.

Unable to resist himself, Helang addressed Chu Hechao, "I heard the young lord gave you two female attendants, but you didn't like them?"

Chu Hechao nodded indifferently.

He Lang continued, "I met those two women at the mansion the other day. They were incredibly beautiful, soft-spoken and charming. If you don't like them, what kind of person are you looking for?"

Caught off guard, Chu Hechao's expression betrayed a tinge of admiration, "Are you interested?"

Blushing, He Lang bluntly admitted, "I wish to marry one of the elder sister as my wife and seek your approval, General."

Chu Hechao was about to agree but then recollected Yuan Li's words and gestured dismissively, "I have already discussed this with Young Lord. He will handle these two women, approach him if you want them."

Disappointed, He Lang sighed, "Alright."

Yang Zhongfa slyly nudged He Lang, grinning, "You're quite ambitious, thinking of getting married after only two years in the service. Unlike our General, who probably hasn't even experienced the taste of a woman."

His words were a veiled accusation, prodding Chu Hechao to move forward with this significant aspect of life. Then Yang Zhongfa turned to Chu Hechao and asked directly, "General, have you never...?"

Chu Hechao paused, his mind flashing with images of red lips and a bleeding tongue. Realizing his train of thought, his expression darkened, and he abruptly slapped himself twice before donning his clothes and leaving the bathing room in large strides.

The three men left behind in the pool exchanged puzzled glances.