Folk tale: The tiger god saves the husband and wife

In the small town of Jingxi, the names of Zhang San and Li Si are household names. Although Zhang San's family is poor, he has a kind heart and a full stomach. His wife, beautiful and virtuous, was a well-known beauty in town. And Li Si, who has a lot of money, has a secret trick in his heart because of his thoughts about Zhang San's wife. One day, Li Si found Zhang San and suggested that he go south to become an official, which could not only display his talents, but also improve his family situation. Zhang San was grateful, but he didn't know the sinister behind it.

Li Si carefully planned, he rented a boat, prepared plenty of food and necessities, ostensibly to help his friend, but in fact set a trap. Zhang San and his wife embark on a journey full of hope, unbeknownst to them, that it will be a journey full of unknowns and dangers. The boat slowly sailed away from the familiar waters, Zhang San's wife snuggled up to him, the two were full of longing for the future, but they did not know Li Si's true intentions.

As the ship moved south, Li Si began his plan. He told Mr. Zhang that the officials' residences were in the mountains and that they needed to walk for some distance. Zhang San didn't doubt it, but felt a little strange why Li Si didn't take the boatman and led the way himself. They disembarked and set out on the path that led to the mountains. Li Si deliberately chose a remote and difficult path, and Zhang San's wife stayed on the boat, feeling a little uneasy, but she could only wait silently.

Zhang San followed Li Si and went deep into the mountains and forests step by step. Li Si looked back from time to time, his eyes flashing with an unknown light, while Zhang San was still immersed in the fantasy of a better life in the future, unaware of the impending crisis.

As they descend into the mountains, the sunlight is gradually obscured by the dense foliage, leaving only dappled light and shadow. Zhang San felt a little uneasy, but Li Si's lively conversation and laughter made him relax his vigilance. Li Si seemed to know the mountains and forests well, sometimes pointing to the distant mountains and telling the legends there, and sometimes crouching down and pointing to the plants on the ground to explain their medicinal properties.

"Look, it's a herb unique to Jingxi, which can cure bruises. Li Si said, picked a few leaves and handed them to Zhang San, "When you go out, this knowledge can come in handy." ＂

Zhang San nodded gratefully, and the admiration for Li Si in his heart added a few points. They continued to walk, but the road became more and more difficult, thorns were overgrown, Zhang San's clothes were torn, and blood marks were left on his skin.

"Oh, this road is really difficult, Brother Li, are you sure this is the way to the official's house? Zhang San couldn't help but ask, with a hint of doubt in his voice.

"Of course, it's a shortcut, it's hard, but it saves a lot of time. Li Si replied easily, but a hint of cunning flashed in his eyes.

Finally, they came to the edge of a steep cliff. Li Si stopped and looked around, as if looking for something. Zhang San was so tired and out of breath that he sat on a stone to rest and examine his wounds.

"Brother Zhang, you rest for a while, and I'll go ahead to explore the way. Li Si said, pretending to leave, but quietly took out a sharp small axe from his arms.

Zhang San leaned against the stone unsuspectingly and closed his eyes. At this moment, Li Si turned around suddenly, a fierce light flashed in his eyes, and he raised his axe and slashed at Zhang San. Zhang San suddenly felt a sharp pain, and when he opened his eyes, he saw Li Si's face hideous, and the axe in his hand was already stained with blood.

"Brother Li, what are you doing here?! Zhang San shouted in horror, but Li Si didn't answer, just sneered and continued to wield the axe. Zhang San tried to resist, but was unable and eventually collapsed in despair.

Li Si stood next to Zhang San's corpse, panting for breath with a smug smile on his face. He quickly hid Zhang San's body in a nearby bush, and then ran down the hill pretending to be panicked, ready to lie to Zhang San's wife.

The mountain wind howled, as if telling of this tragedy. Zhang San's wife waited anxiously on the boat, unaware that her husband had been murdered and Li Si's conspiracy had just begun.

Li Si took Zhang San's wife to embark on the steep mountain road again. He was secretly proud in his heart, planning how to take Zhang San's wife for himself. However, when they walked into a deep glade, Li Si's face suddenly became hideous. He turned around suddenly, revealed his true face, and threw himself at Zhang San's wife.

"Sister-in-law, don't be afraid, I will take good care of you. There was a lewd smile in Li Si's voice, and he reached out and tried to grab Zhang San's wife's arm.

Zhang San's wife screamed in horror and struggled desperately, trying to escape from Li Si's clutches. "Let go of me! You beast! Her voice echoed through the mountains and forests, but no one answered.

At that moment, a deafening tiger roar cut through the silence. A colorful tiger rushed out from the depths of the woods, its eyes flashing with anger, staring straight at Li Si. Li Si was so frightened by this sudden change that he turned around and wanted to escape, but it was too late.

The tiger leapt to its feet and threw Li Si to the ground, its sharp claws and fangs killing him in an instant. Zhang San's wife looked at this scene in horror, but she also felt a sense of relief in her heart. She knows that this is a manifestation of heaven's principles, and evil will be rewarded.

The tiger didn't hurt Zhang San's wife, it just stood there quietly, as if guarding her. Zhang San's wife plucked up her courage and bowed deeply to the tiger, "Thank you, Tiger God." Her voice trembled, but full of gratitude.

The tiger turned around and slowly walked into the depths of the mountain forest, disappearing into the shadows of the trees. Zhang San's wife stood alone in the open space, her heart full of mixed emotions. She didn't know what to do next, only that she had to get out of here and find her way home.

She began to walk down the mountain road, but soon found herself lost. Just when she felt desperate, a gentle voice sounded in her ears: "Don't be afraid, I will take you down the mountain." Zhang San's wife turned her head and saw a vague figure guiding her in front of her.

She followed the figure, through the trees, across the streams, and finally to the bottom of the mountain. When she turned around again to thank the good Samaritan, she found that the man was gone. She looked up at the top of the hill and saw the figure of a colorful tiger fading away in the afterglow of the setting sun.

Zhang San's wife was full of doubts and gratitude. She didn't know why the tiger had appeared three times or why it had helped her. But she knew that all this was not accidental, but providential. She knelt by the river, kowtowed three times to the top of the mountain, and then stood up, ready to find her way home.

Zhang San's wife stood by the river, her eyes blurred with tears. She heard the cry behind her, and when she turned around, it was Zhang San staggering over. "Husband! Exclaimed, she rushed forward and hugged him tightly.

"Lady, is it really you? I thought I'd never see you again. Zhang San's voice trembled, and he couldn't believe his eyes.

"It's me, it's me! Zhang San's wife choked, "Li Si, that wicked man, he... He wanted to harm us, but the Tiger God saved us! ＂

The two hugged each other and cried, and Zhang San told how he was betrayed by Li Si and how he was mysteriously rescued by the tiger. Zhang San's wife also told how she was guided by the tiger and escaped from life.

"It's the tiger god, it must be the tiger god who is blessing us. Zhang San's wife had tears in her eyes, but with a hint of firmness.

"We have to thank it so much. Zhang San held his wife's hand, and the two knelt by the river together, kowtowing to the depths of the mountains and forests to thank them.

"Tiger God, your great kindness, we will never forget. Zhang San's voice echoed across the river.

They stood up and walked hand in hand to the boat moored by the river. Although the future is unknown, the hearts of the two are full of hope and gratitude. They know that no matter what the future holds, nothing is impossible as long as they are together.

"Go home, lady. Zhang San said softly, "Our home still has a long way to go. ＂

"Well, husband, no matter the wind or rain, I am willing to walk with you. Zhang San's wife snuggled up to him, and the two set out on their way home.

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