We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

Chapter 1043 Small Pine Sculpture

This set of radio calisthenics has been practiced since elementary school. It may be good for physical fitness, but it probably does not have any effect on health maintenance.

Thinking of Xu Jiezi on Yunmeng Mountain, who was still vigorous at the age of one hundred, Li Che couldn't help but feel a sense of longing.

That set of health-preserving and guiding techniques inherited from Yunmeng Mountain may be a method to strengthen the body's foundation, nourish vital energy, and delay aging; at least it seems to have some real substance.

I need to find an opportunity to learn from that old gentleman... I should also learn this valuable knowledge myself.

Just then, a deliberately light footstep sound came from behind.

Li Che looked up and saw Wayne leading a white man in.

This white man was tall, blond, and blue-eyed, with a sharply defined face, but his hair was styled like that of a Daqing native.

Most notably, the man's left hand was severed at the wrist, but was fitted with a simple copper hook.

Alvaro stopped when he was still more than ten paces away from Li Che, and bowed respectfully: "This humble general Alvaro pays his respects to Your Majesty! May Your Majesty's glory be as eternal as the sun!"

Although his Daqing dialect sounded strange, it was quite fluent, indicating that he had put in the effort.

Li Che stopped what he was doing, picked up a towel from the stone bench next to him and wiped his forehead, his gaze calmly sweeping over Alvaro.

This man was initially unruly when he was captured, but after being imprisoned and tempered for half a year, he finally came to his senses and tearfully expressed his submission.

Li Che used him for two reasons. First, the Western Camp really needed a leader who could keep things under control.

Secondly, it also served the purpose of saving a fortune to buy a horse's bones.

As for whether this submission was genuine or feigned, Li Che didn't care much.

With overwhelming power, a foreign general from a distant land cannot cause any significant trouble.

Back in the day, didn't Li Shimin also have a group of barbarian generals like Ashina She'er and Qibi Heli who fought to the death for him?

"Be flat."

Li Che's voice revealed neither joy nor anger. He had never been lenient with these foreigners; they feared power but not virtue.

"Alvaro, do you have anyone under your command who is skilled in sculpting?"

"What I mean is the skill of creating a sculpture that is one-to-one with the real person's appearance."

Alvaro looked surprised, clearly not expecting the emperor to suddenly ask about this, and even less expecting that His Majesty would know about sculpture.

He quickly composed himself and replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, the art of sculpture has a long history in Europe, but I wonder what Your Majesty wishes to sculpt?"

"If it were to forge an immortal statue for His Majesty... please forgive my bluntness, but I'm afraid we are incapable of doing so."

Li Che asked curiously, "Why?"

Alvaro said solemnly, "Your Majesty is divinely blessed and radiant. Mortal skills can hardly describe even a fraction of it. No one dares to attempt it lightly, lest they desecrate the imperial countenance."

Li Che almost laughed at this flattery.

Alvaro speaks Daqing Mandarin fluently, and he's even more adept at official flattery without a teacher. It seems he's studied it quite a bit and really learned something useful.

“Not for my portrait.” Li Che waved his hand. “I wish to commission life-size statues of my deceased meritorious officials as a lasting memorial and to serve as an example for future generations.”

Upon hearing this, Alvaro's eyes visibly brightened.

He straightened his back a bit, and his tone became more confident: "I see! Your Majesty, if it is to commemorate the statues of great warriors and sages, this humble general may be able to help you with this!"

"Oh?" Li Che looked at him scrutinizingly. "You? I remember you were the Admiral of the Portuguese Navy, and you also know how to make this sculpture?"

Alvaro's face showed a nostalgic expression: "Your Majesty is wise. In my youth, I was indeed fascinated by the art of sculpture and studied in Florence for several years."

"My father thought this was a waste of time and forcibly recalled me, forcing me to take over the family naval business."

"My skills have indeed been rusty for a long time, but if Your Majesty grants me some time to pick up my tools again, I am confident that I can sculpt a statue worthy of Your Majesty's honor for your meritorious officials!"

Seeing the sincerity in his words, it didn't seem like he was faking it.

However, this matter is of great importance, and Li Che cannot entrust it to him based solely on his word.

"This matter concerns the national dignity and cannot be compromised. I need to see your abilities for myself."

Alvaro did not back down at all, but was eager to try: "Your Majesty is absolutely right! Please name anyone at will, and I will sculpt a small statue of him on the spot. Your Majesty can judge him by observing his appearance and spirit."

Li Che pondered for a moment. The ordinary palace maids had an ordinary demeanor, and it was difficult to discern their true skills.

He then glanced at Huai En beside him.

Huai En had followed him for a long time and had developed a special aura.

Upon seeing this, Huai En immediately bowed slightly, intending to recommend himself.

Li Che shook his head: "No, the sculpture will take too long. You need to be by my side at all times, and we can't afford to delay it."

His gaze swept across the garden, and suddenly an idea struck him, a smile playing on his lips.

“Ordinary palace servants may not be able to display your skills,” Li Che said slowly, his gaze turning to the depths of the Imperial Garden. “How about this… you sculpt a statue of it and let me see your abilities.”

Before Alvaro could react, Li Che put two fingers in his mouth and whistled.

Whistles echoed through the garden.

Alvaro was puzzled at first, then he heard an unusual sound coming from deep in the woods in the distance.

That was the rustling sound of a heavy body sweeping through the grass, followed by a faint, deep, and resonant animalistic growl!

Alvaro's pupils suddenly contracted, his azure eyes fixed on the source of the sound, and his intact right hand instinctively reached for his waist, only to find nothing.

The palace guards would never allow a Portuguese man to come to see His Majesty with weapons.

If the copper hook on his left hand hadn't been welded in place, it would have been removed as well.

The next second, the grass and trees parted, and a huge, yellow and black figure with smooth lines slowly emerged from the shadows.

Sunlight fell on its smooth fur, reflecting a dazzling array of colors.

A pair of amber vertical pupils swept over him calmly, sending chills down Alvaro's spine.

Finally, it landed on Li Che, and a low, affectionate sound came from his throat.

Alvaro gasped, recognizing the tiger before him.

When Li Che took Xiao Song to Luzon, this ferocious beast swept through dozens of his warriors.

Li Che simply waved his hand casually, and the tiger quickened its pace and trotted over.

Its enormous head nuzzled Li Che's hand affectionately, then it obediently lay down at Li Che's feet, its tail swaying leisurely.

However, his tiger-like eyes still held a scrutinizing gaze, occasionally glancing at the dumbfounded Alvaro.

"How is it?" Li Che patted the tiger's head and looked at Alvaro, whose face had turned pale. "Sculpt a statue in its likeness and let me see if your skills can capture its spirit."

Alvaro stared at the tiger, his Adam's apple bobbing.

Finally, suppressing his fear, he nodded: "I will obey Your Majesty's command and will do my utmost!"