After my inner voice was eavesdropped, I became the favorite of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 16

The next morning, the sky was blue, and the sun shone through the clouds, covering the earth with a golden veil. As usual, Emperor Taizong of Tang, wearing a dragon robe, walked steadily to the court, but found that the minister Li Qingge did not show up. It happened that Cheng Yaojin also went to Yangzhou on official business, and Taizong could not help but show a puzzled expression on his face.

"Why didn't Li Qingge come to the morning court today?" Taizong asked the ministers, with a hint of concern in his tone. The ministers looked at each other, all at a loss, not knowing what was going on. They speculated in their hearts, but did not dare to speak easily.

"Where is General Cheng now?" Taizong asked again, frowning slightly.

"I don't know. Have you seen him?" someone responded cautiously, fearing to anger the emperor.

"No, I haven't seen him either." Taizong shook his head, his doubts growing. He looked around and saw ministers either bowing their heads in deep thought or talking quietly, but none of them had any news about Li Qingge.

Taizong thought to himself: "What is this kid doing? As an important official in the court, he suddenly disappeared. This is too outrageous!" He knew Li Qingge's temperament very well. Although he was a little unruly, he always acted with propriety. Why did he lose his composure like this this time?
"Do you really not know where he went?" Taizong asked again, with a hint of urgency in his voice. The ministers shook their heads to indicate that they did not know, and some even began to discuss privately.

"Li Qingge usually does what he wants, and now he doesn't even come to the morning court. He is so arrogant!" A minister who usually has a grudge against Li Qingge muttered in a low voice.

"That's right. Relying on his own achievements, he becomes more and more presumptuous!" another person echoed.

"If this continues, I'm afraid even the emperor won't take us seriously." Someone else whispered.

These words pierced Taizong's ears like needles. He smiled bitterly and shook his head: "You people, how can you understand my thoughts. Although Li Qingge's behavior is unruly, he has no ill intentions. He just wants to live a leisurely life. Moreover, he is very talented, so this little thing is not a big mistake."

Thinking of this, Taizong felt a little better. He decided to go to Cheng Yaojin's house in person to see if he could get some clues. So he asked his ministers, "Do you have anything else to report?" Seeing Taizong's serious expression, everyone restrained their expressions and reported seriously.

After the court session, Taizong led several eunuchs to Cheng's residence. The eunuchs shouted, "The Emperor has arrived!" The sound echoed in the residence, startling Li Qingge who was sleeping soundly.

Li Qingge woke up from her dream and asked in surprise, "Why is the emperor here?" She rubbed her eyes and sat up, her long hair falling on her shoulders like a waterfall, looking a little messy.

"Xiao Cui, what time is it now?" Li Qingge asked the maid beside her, with a hint of laziness in her voice.

"It's already noon, General, please get up quickly. The Emperor has already arrived at the inner hall. I will go and prepare water for you to wash." Xiao Cui replied, and also asked Li Qingge with concern whether he was hungry and whether he wanted to prepare a meal.

Li Qingge waved her hand to indicate that it was not necessary. After the maid left, she quickly tidied her clothes and went out to greet him. Although she was a little reluctant, she had to greet the emperor since he was here. She muttered to herself, "Li Shimin is really nosy. He just overslept, why is he making such a fuss? There are so many ministers in the court, one more or one less won't make much difference. He seems to be quite free, but he has to come and ask about such a small matter in person."

When they reached the pavilion, they happened to meet Emperor Taizong walking quickly. Li Qingge bowed and saluted: "Your Majesty, I am sorry for not coming to greet you in person." Her voice was clear and pleasant, with a hint of apology.

Taizong looked at Li Qingge and asked, "Why didn't you come to the morning court today?" There was a hint of blame in his tone, but more of concern.

Li Qingge explained: "I saw that the watermelons in the garden were ripe, so I thought of studying the cooking methods so that I could present them to Your Majesty for tasting. I didn't expect that I would be so obsessed with cooking them that I missed the morning court. Please forgive me, Your Majesty." After she finished speaking, she looked aggrieved, as if she had really missed the morning court because of studying the watermelons.

Taizong listened to her explanation, and his anger subsided a little. He looked at the woman in front of him and thought to himself: "Although Li Qingge is unruly, I know her intelligence and loyalty. This time, maybe she really missed the morning court because of her research on watermelons." Thinking of this, he said: "Although you have your reasons, the morning court is a major event for the country. How can you ignore it so easily? I'm afraid the ministers have already had opinions about you."

After hearing what Taizong said, Li Qingge secretly regretted it. She knew that her behavior was indeed inappropriate, but when she thought of the plump watermelons and the delicious dishes that were about to be cooked, she felt a little wronged. She looked at Taizong with a hint of pleading in her eyes: "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. I will pay attention to time in the future and will not delay the morning court again. Please give me another chance."

Taizong looked at Li Qingge's pleading eyes and laughed in his heart. He knew that although this woman acted unruly, she was still loyal to the country and the monarch in her heart. He nodded and said, "Okay, I'll forgive you this time. But you must pay attention to time in the future and don't delay the morning court again."

After saying this, Taizong asked curiously, "What is watermelon? I have never heard of it before." There was a hint of curiosity and anticipation in his tone.

Li Qingge was secretly pleased with what Taizong said. She knew that Taizong was always curious about new things, and this was a good opportunity for him to experience the deliciousness of watermelon. She smiled and said, "Your Majesty, watermelon is a very delicious fruit. Its skin is green, but the inside is red, and it tastes sweet and juicy. I have thought of several cooking methods, and I will present them to Your Majesty later."

Taizong was even more curious after listening to Li Qingge's description. He decided to see this magical fruit in person. So he followed Li Qingge to the backyard. The yard was green, with vines entwined together, and it was full of round watermelons, green and attractive. Taizong saw this plant and fruit for the first time and liked it very much. He asked Li Qingge to give him a detailed introduction to the growth process and cooking methods of watermelon. Li Qingge happily agreed and took Taizong to observe carefully. While introducing the characteristics and cooking methods of watermelon, she imagined Taizong's satisfied expression after tasting the watermelon. She knew that although she had delayed the morning court this time, she would definitely be able to get Taizong's understanding and appreciation with the deliciousness of watermelon and her own talents.

"Sir Cheng, is this the watermelon you mentioned? I haven't tasted it yet." Li Shimin's face was filled with genuine joy, and his words were full of sincerity and expectation, as if a child was about to explore a whole new world.

Li Qingge thought to himself: [It's normal that I haven't seen it before. After all, this watermelon was introduced from the Western Regions during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. As an emperor, how can you know all these rural things? Only because I am here, you have the opportunity to taste it. Otherwise, you may never come across this melon in your life. Hey, I'm afraid that after you eat it, you will have to ask me how to grow this melon. If you want to grow it on a large scale, that will be troublesome. If it wasn't to please you, why would I take it out so easily? I grow so many fruits and vegetables. You may not have seen any of them.] Although he thought so in his heart, Li Qingge's smile was as warm as spring, as if it could melt all the ice.

"Your Majesty, this is the watermelon. Cut it with a knife. The red flesh inside is sweet and juicy. Please taste it." Li Qingge's words were calm and respectful. After a while, the servant had picked the watermelon, cut it into pieces carefully, and placed it on the ice. The crystal clear ice and the bright red watermelon pieces set off each other, which made people's appetite increase.

Li Qingge felt that it was not thoughtful enough, so he quietly told the servant a few words. The servant ran away and came back soon with a few exquisite bamboo sticks on the watermelon. This detail undoubtedly made the already tempting watermelon even easier to taste.

"Your Majesty, please enjoy your meal." Li Qingge invited again, with a barely perceptible tenderness in his tone.

However, Li Shimin's mind did not seem to be entirely on the watermelon. His eyes occasionally wandered, as if he was thinking about something important.

[Country man? This guy always likes to beat around the bush when he speaks. It's uncomfortable to listen to him. Forget it. The court and Princess Changle's affairs have given me enough headaches. I'm too lazy to bother with you. ] These thoughts flashed through Li Shimin's mind, and then he withdrew his mind and focused on the watermelon in front of him.

When he looked, he saw red-fleshed watermelon cubes neatly arranged on the ice in a transparent bowl. The color was as bright as gems, making him salivate.

"Is this a watermelon?" Li Shimin asked seriously, with curiosity gleaming in his eyes.

"Yes, Your Majesty, please enjoy it." Li Qingge rarely showed a gentle smile, which was a little cunning, as if he knew what would happen next. The servant immediately brought the bowl between the two of them, and the air was filled with the sweet aroma of watermelon.

"What are these little sticks used for?" Li Shimin had never seen this new thing before, and asked again with a bit of childish innocence in his tone.

"Your Majesty, this is for eating watermelon. I'll show you how." Li Qingge saw that Li Shimin's mind was not entirely here, so he kindly replied with a little flattery. He picked up the bamboo stick, stabbed it into the red flesh elegantly, took a bite gently, and demonstrated to Li Shimin.

Li Shimin followed suit and took a bite. The sweet melon juice overflowed, refreshing his mouth and even his stomach. It was an unprecedented wonderful taste that made him exclaim in praise.

"It's so delicious! I have never eaten anything so delicious in my life!" Li Shimin exclaimed sincerely, his eyes full of gratitude and admiration for Li Qingge.

"Sir Cheng, where did this watermelon come from? Why is it so delicious?" Li Shimin asked while eating, his face full of anticipation, like a child eager to explore the unknown world.

"Your Majesty, I bought this from a merchant when I was traveling around." Li Qingge told the truth, but he was muttering in his heart, foreseeing the trouble that was to come.

[I knew that once Li Shimin knew about this, he would definitely ask for the truth. It's so annoying! Just eat it yourself. I'll teach your subordinates and you can eat it often. If you really care about the people, you can spread the method of growing it, but don't bother me again! The last sweet potato issue was enough to keep me busy. I don't want to waste time this time. Alas! How can a king of a country have so many things to do! ]

Despite the constant complaints in his heart, Li Qingge still maintained a decent smile on his face.

Li Shimin heard his criticism, but he didn't take it to heart. He had long been accustomed to Li Qingge's laziness and straightforwardness, which was one of the reasons why he valued Li Qingge so much.

However, for the future of the royal family and the well-being of the people, he had to make some decisions.

Li Shimin thought of this and smiled playfully. He knew what Li Qingge was thinking and understood that he did not want to take on the task of promoting watermelons. But Li Shimin also had his own considerations.

Who is the most suitable person to do this? The answer is self-evident. It is naturally Li Qingge, who was the first to discover watermelons and has superb planting skills. He didn't want to trouble Li Qingge, but planting this kind of thing can only be done with half the effort if it is handed over to experienced people.

"Cheng Qing, you still need to be responsible for the promotion of watermelons. I will send people to assist you. When the people can grow them, I will definitely reward them generously." Li Shimin finished speaking with a smile on his face. He was secretly proud of himself, thinking that he had finally won this time.

However, when Li Qingge heard this, his heart was in turmoil.

[Fuck! Last time when it came to the sweet potato thing, Li Shimin was still polite to me, but this time he just gave orders directly! He has no humility at all, as if this is a matter of course! I am so pissed! ]

Li Qingge cursed inwardly and glanced at Li Shimin, with a hint of helplessness and dissatisfaction in his eyes.

[This emperor is getting more and more outrageous. There are more and more things to do. I am so fed up! I just wanted to be a salted fish. Who knew it would be so difficult! ]

Although his heart was in turmoil, Li Qingge barely managed to hold back the urge to protest. The other party was the emperor, and even if he was not afraid, he had to give him enough face.

"I obey your order. However, the farmers have never seen this thing, so please give me more time." Li Qingge reluctantly agreed, but he had already started thinking about how to deal with the troubles that would come. He knew that this would be a long and arduous road to promotion, but he also understood that for the benefit of the people, he had to do his part.

Li Qingge looked quite calm on the surface, and she answered Taizong's questions very smoothly. She lowered her eyes slightly, with a faint smile on the corner of her mouth, as if everything was under control. In fact, what she was thinking in her heart was that growing watermelons was very simple, just like growing sweet potatoes, they were all farm work, and she was familiar with it. She just wanted to be free and easy, and didn't want to live like she was fighting a war, so she used growing watermelons as an excuse, and she could also push Taizong's arrangements. Taizong saw through her little thoughts at a glance, but didn't say anything. He agreed with a smile and didn't blame her at all.

"Okay, let's do as Minister Cheng said, but you have to work hard and set a good example for everyone!" Taizong said, still holding a piece of watermelon in his hand and chewing it non-stop. Red juice flowed down the corners of his mouth, making him look quite embarrassed, but he didn't care at all and looked like he was enjoying it.

Li Qingge accepted the order, but she was actually a little unhappy in her heart. She muttered secretly: "Alas, when will this forced business end? I could have been a leisurely person comfortably, why would Li Shimin not let me go? Think about the days when I was like a salted fish in the past, how carefree it was, but now I have to get up early and go to bed late every day, and I am as tired as a dog!"

"From now on, I can no longer casually show off my precious things, otherwise Li Shimin will ask me to promote them all over the world, and this life will never end. I must become an agricultural expert." Li Qingge kept complaining in his heart, but on the surface he was still respectful, looking like a loyal minister and a good general.

……

Seeing Li Qingge's hypocritical expression, Taizong didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and he didn't bother to argue with her about these trivial matters. He had bigger worries in his mind, and his brows were furrowed as if he could pinch a fly to death.

"Alas!" Taizong sighed again. After entering the mansion, he never stopped sighing. He sat on the stone bench in the pavilion, staring blankly into the distance, as if thinking about some major life problem.

Li Qingge was puzzled when she saw Taizong's sad face. She thought, "What happened to Li Shimin today? He has never smiled since he entered the palace. He must be in big trouble."

She thought about what had happened recently, and suddenly it dawned on her: "I heard that Princess Gaoyang was imprisoned yesterday. Could it be that the little affair between her and Monk Bianji was exposed?"

Looking at Taizong's worried face, Li Qingge became more certain of her guess. She thought, "It's probably this. Li Shimin dotes on Gao Yang so much, he wouldn't easily imprison her unless it was a big deal. This must have been exposed."

Seeing that Li Qingge had guessed his thoughts so quickly, Taizong secretly admired him. He thought: "This kid is really smart. I just imprisoned Gao Yang, but he was able to guess the hidden truth. It would be great if he could use this intelligence on national affairs!"

Taizong sighed again, but this time Li Qingge couldn't guess why he sighed. She thought to herself, "What's there to worry about with their little thing? Since it has already happened, there is no point in worrying about it."

"Gao Yang has been imprisoned, and Monk Bian Ji can't escape either. Who made him so bold to have a secret meeting with the princess?" Li Qingge silently complained in his heart, "It's a pity for Bian Ji. This matter concerns the face of the royal family, so it can only be handled in secret. In this way, Gao Yang's reputation may still be preserved."

"This matter is actually not a big deal. Why do you sigh all day long? No wonder he lived so short. He died in the 23rd year of Zhenguan." Li Qingge silently evaluated Taizong's life span in his heart.

When Taizong heard what Li Qingge said, he agreed with the first half, but when he heard his own life span, he felt bad. He remembered that Li Qingge had said before that he would not live to the 23rd year of Zhenguan, but he did not take it seriously at that time. Now, when he heard this, his heart was filled with ripples.

"I am only thirty-one years old, in the prime of my life. I thought I could live for several more decades, but I didn't expect that I only have twenty-one years left." Taizong calculated his lifespan silently in his mind and could not help but feel a sense of fear. Twenty-one years sounds quite long, but when he thought that he would eventually leave this world, he felt a sense of fear.

But Taizong quickly adjusted his mindset. He thought: "Whether this prophecy is true or not, I have to work harder from now on and make the most of the remaining time."

Taizong was cheering himself up, while Li Qingge began to ponder Taizong's life. She thought to herself: "Although Taizong was sometimes indecisive, it is undeniable that he was indeed a powerful emperor. He created the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty in just 20 years and made so many countries come to pay homage to him. This is not something that ordinary people can do."

"What a pity! In his later years, he became a little absurd and even believed in elixirs, hoping to achieve immortality. What was the result? He died early because of this absurd reason." Li Qingge silently evaluated Taizong's later life in his heart, "Destiny is really unpredictable. No matter how great human power is, it cannot change it."

Taizong was also stunned when he heard Li Qingge's evaluation of him. He didn't expect that she could see through all the absurd things he did in his later years, and she said it so bluntly. But on second thought, his merits and demerits in this life were indeed like this! He smiled bitterly and said to Li Qingge: "You are right, fate is indeed unpredictable. But I still want to try my best to change it, even if it is just a little bit."

Li Qingge looked at Taizong's determined eyes, and she couldn't help but feel admiration in her heart. She thought to herself: "Yes, although fate is unpredictable, as long as we try our best to fight and struggle, we will definitely be able to create a brilliant life of our own!" Li Shimin stared at Li Qingge bathing with wide eyes, amazed at her erudition, but secretly ashamed in his heart. The morning sun shone through the gauze curtains and sprinkled on Li Qingge's wet long hair, as if it was coated with a layer of golden light, making her skin look like snow, pure and elegant.

"No, no, now that I know this in advance, I must not repeat the same mistakes and let my body decay when I get old." Li Shimin thought to himself, frowning slightly, with a trace of worry in his eyes. Everyone is afraid of death, let alone the emperor? Knowing that fate is hard to defy but still trying to fight it, this is not a wise move.

"Oh!" Unconsciously, Li Shimin sighed again. The sound was low and long, as if carrying endless troubles.

"I hope I can be more sober in the future and not walk to the end of my life in a muddle." He muttered silently in his heart, and because of distraction, he sighed again, and there was a hint of helplessness and confusion in his breath.

"Your Majesty seems to be worried?" Li Qingge heard his sigh and greeted him kindly, but she couldn't help but want to complain in her heart. She tilted her head slightly, her hair sticking to her cheek, looking a little playful. [Sighing, is Li Shimin a special person for sighing? How strange! Even if it's for Princess Gaoyang's matter, it shouldn't be like this, sacrificing the small to save the big, this is the truth since ancient times. Why is your majesty's mind so fragile? He seems to be very aggrieved sitting on the throne. I suspect that he didn't have any problems with the magic pill he took, but was worried to death. ]

Li Shimin's face darkened slightly. Although he was gentle, he couldn't stand others always bringing up such taboo topics as life and death. As for life and death, everyone avoided it. Li Qingge's words were really annoying.

"There were indeed a few difficult issues at the morning court this morning." Li Shimin thought about it and decided to tell Li Qingge, hoping that her erudition could help him. There was a hint of fatigue in his words, as if he was really overwhelmed by those things.

"If my words can help ease your majesty's worries, I am willing to listen." Li Qingge answered politely, but did not directly promise to help solve the problem. She just wanted Li Shimin to confide his feelings. Her words were gentle and firm, like a warm current, slowly flowing into Li Shimin's heart.

Li Shimin was stunned for a moment, but finally told the truth. "I read the memorial yesterday and learned that the Japanese envoys to the Tang Dynasty were doing atrocities in our Tang Dynasty. The reports submitted by Jingzhao Yin and local officials all described their evil deeds in detail." At this point, he sighed again, and the breath was full of helplessness and anger.

"They say that the Japanese oppress the people, occupy decent women, beat others at every turn, and do not pay for meals, causing public resentment. This kind of behavior has been going on for a long time, but the Jingzhao Yin waited until today to report this matter of life and death to me." Li Shimin was already angry when he said this, and his voice rose slightly, obviously he was extremely dissatisfied with this matter.

Hearing this, Li Qingge's face darkened. She clenched her fists, and a trace of anger flashed in her eyes. As a modern person, she had a very bad impression of Japan. She had personally experienced their history of oppression of her country, and the pain was still deeply engraved in her mind.

[Pooh! Li Shimin seems so strong, but he actually allows other countries to bully the people of our Tang Dynasty. It is easy for small countries to submit to us, but why are we so helpless against Japan? The Tang Dynasty is in its heyday and the country is strong, but you, Li Shimin, as one of the most powerful monarchs in history, are willing to endure the insults of Japanese pirates. It is really disappointing! The Japanese are just here to learn and communicate. What virtues and abilities do they have to deserve your favoritism? You ignore the suffering of the people, how sad! ]

Although Li Qingge was furious, she suppressed her emotions, saluted and said, "This matter still requires your Majesty's judgment, but it concerns the dignity of the country. I hope your Majesty will think twice before acting." Her voice was firm and powerful, like a sharp sword, pointing directly to the core of the problem.

Even without hearing Li Qingge's inner voice, Li Shimin could feel her anger. After hearing her words, Li Shimin felt even more guilty. He lowered his head and was silent for a while, then slowly raised his head with a hint of determination in his eyes.

When he first became emperor, he vowed to bring peace to the people and prosperity to the country, and to attract all nations to pay tribute. But the current situation is contrary to his wishes, which makes him very sad. He secretly vowed to no longer act rashly, and must handle this matter fairly and not let foreign nations laugh at him.

"I have a general understanding of the situation." He said to Li Qingge as if talking to himself, and then signaled the eunuch to return to the palace. His mind was in a mess and he needed to sort out his thoughts. He walked in the long corridor, his steps heavy and firm, as if every step was stepping on the pulse of history.

For the first time in her life, Li Qingge lost her composure. As for the affairs of Japan, even someone as carefree as her wanted to know the final outcome. She stood outside the court, staring firmly at the tightly closed door, as if she wanted to focus all her worries and expectations on that point.

The next morning, Li Qingge arrived early. She did not come to inquire about the news, but to see with her own eyes how Li Shimin would handle the matter. She sat on one side of the court, looking at Li Shimin with bright eyes, as if to convey her expectations and trust with her eyes.

In order to try the case, Li Shimin specially summoned Jingzhao Yin. "I, your humble servant Wang Shouzhi, kowtow to the emperor. Long live the emperor!" Jingzhao Yin Wang Shouzhi knelt down in fear when he first entered the court. According to his rank, he should not have attended such an important occasion, but Li Shimin specially summoned him to show his importance to the case.

The atmosphere in the court was solemn. Li Shimin sat on the dragon throne, looking majestically at the ministers below. He spoke slowly, his voice low and powerful: "Wang Shouzhi, as the prefect of Jingzhao, why did you delay reporting such evil deeds? Do you know that this concerns the dignity of our Tang Dynasty and the safety of the people?"

Wang Shouzhi trembled all over, and cold sweat dripped down his forehead. His lips trembled, and he wanted to explain, but found that he was speechless. He knew that he had really angered the emperor this time, angering this wise ruler who was always known for his benevolent rule.

Li Shimin looked at Wang Shouzhi's embarrassment and was filled with anger. He slapped the armrest of the dragon throne and said angrily: "Come here! Take Wang Shouzhi to the prison. I will deal with him after I find out the truth!" His voice resounded throughout the court, shocking the ministers. They knew that the emperor was really angry this time.

Li Qingge watched this scene, and an inexplicable emotion surged in her heart. She was impressed by Li Shimin's decisiveness and majesty, and felt sad for the suffering people. She knew that this storm had just begun, and the result would affect the fate of the Tang Dynasty and the safety of the people. She clenched her fists, and a gleam of determination flashed in her eyes, as if she was ready to face all challenges.

"Wang Shouzhi, have you carefully checked the envoys sent by Japan to our Tang Dynasty?" Li Shimin sat firmly on the dragon throne, his eyes as sharp as an eagle, sweeping over His Highness and his ministers, finally fixing on Wang Shouzhi, with an unquestionable majesty.

When Wang Shouzhi heard this, he shivered all over as if he was blown by a cold wind. He quickly knelt on the ground, his voice trembling: "Your Majesty, the Japanese envoys have been with us for more than a year. They do make some small moves, but I thought they were all trivial matters, so I didn't investigate further. I thought I could just let it go."

When Li Shimin heard this, he became even more angry, and his brows were furious, as if he could pinch a fly to death. He thought, these Japanese envoys dared to oppress the people in our Tang territory, but in the eyes of you, Jingzhao Yin, how come it becomes a trivial matter that is not worth mentioning? Don't you know that the people's will is the foundation of the country, how can you despise it?

Wang Shouzhi didn't notice Li Shimin's anger, and continued aggrievedly: "This report is because the Tang envoy accidentally killed a young man. This is a matter of life and death, so it must be reported."

When Li Qingge, who was standing nearby, heard this, the fire in her heart began to rise, like dry wood being ignited, burning fiercely. She bit her lower lip tightly, her eyes were like torches, and she thought to herself:

[How could this be an accidental killing? This was clearly a premeditated and arrogant act! ]

[You don’t know that in the later years, the cruelty that foreigners inflicted on our Tang Dynasty was so vicious that it is simply unimaginable. They not only plundered our wealth, but also wantonly trampled on our culture, as if we were lambs to be slaughtered.]

[These envoys to the Tang Dynasty are nominally students who come to learn the culture of our Tang Dynasty, but after they finish their studies, they turn around to strengthen their own countries and eventually attack us. How can the people of our Tang Dynasty tolerate such behavior of repaying kindness with enmity? ]

[You guys are simply running dogs of foreign countries. You don't protect your own people, but instead favor those thugs. If you continue like this, it will only chill the hearts of the people of our Tang Dynasty! Don't you know that water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it? ]

Li Qingge thought so in her heart, and an angry expression appeared on her face, like an enraged lion, ready to pounce on the enemy at any time. There was a firm light flashing in her eyes, which was a kind of persistence in justice and loyalty to the country.

She knew that from the beginning of the seventh century to the end of the ninth century, Japan sent more than a dozen envoys to learn about the culture of the Tang Dynasty. These envoys came frequently, on a large scale, for a long time, and learned a lot, making a significant contribution to the spread of our Tang culture. Their arrival undoubtedly built a bridge for cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Especially since Emperor Jomei sent his first envoy in 630 AD, envoys to Tang Dynasty have come to Tang Dynasty in an endless stream to learn the essence of our culture. They absorbed the wisdom of Tang Dynasty eagerly, like a sponge greedily absorbing water. Tang Dynasty also treated them with courtesy, showing the demeanor of a great country, hoping that all countries would come to pay homage and share this cultural feast together.

During these 260 years, the culture of Japan has been enriched by learning from the Tang Dynasty. Especially in the Nara and Heian periods, the Japanese court sent envoys to the Tang Dynasty 19 times. They set foot on this land full of wisdom with a thirst for knowledge and a vision for the future. Among them, the eighth trip accompanied by Abe no Nakamaro was the most famous, and his talent and knowledge were widely praised in the Tang Dynasty.

Every time the Japanese envoys came to Tang Dynasty, there were hundreds of them, sometimes even more than a hundred. They learned a lot from our Tang Dynasty, including laws, culture, technology, customs, etc. It can be said that the culture of Japan was greatly influenced by our Tang Dynasty. Their writing, architecture, art and other aspects have absorbed the essence of Tang Dynasty and formed their own unique style.

However, Japan eventually betrayed its loyalty and invaded our Central Plains. This act of repaying kindness with enmity made Li Qingge, a person from the later generations, feel very angry. She seemed to be able to travel through time and space, seeing those innocent people struggling in the flames of war and those beautiful cities destroyed in the smoke of gunpowder. Her heart was filled with grief and anger, and she was heartbroken for the lost lives and broken homes.

Although Li Shimin did not know what happened in later generations, as a monarch of a country, he had a strong sense of national justice. He knew the importance of people's hearts and understood that the dignity of a country should not be violated. How could he sit idly by when he saw his people being bullied? There was a firm light flashing in his eyes, which was a persistence in justice and loyalty to the country.

"Humph! Wang Shouzhi, tell me the truth, did the Tang envoy really make a mistake?" Li Shimin's eyes were as sharp as a knife, so majestic that people dared not look directly at him. His voice was full of majesty and power, as if it could penetrate people's hearts.

Wang Shouzhi knew he could no longer hide it, so he had to tell the truth: "Your Majesty, there is actually a hidden story. The Tang envoys went to the Donglai Ke tavern and saw a beautiful girl, and they had evil thoughts. The four of them wanted to get close to her as usual, and they didn't do anything excessive. But the girl's brother was a hot-blooded young man, and when he saw his sister being bullied, he went up to argue with them. As a result, they accidentally lost control and the four of them killed the girl's brother by mistake."

After Wang Shouzhi finished speaking, he was also wondering: Your Majesty never asked about the Tang envoys before, why is he so strict today? And seeing that his face was so ugly, this is not a good thing. He was filled with anxiety and uneasiness, like a lamb about to be slaughtered.

Li Shimin sneered after hearing this, his voice was filled with endless chill and mockery: "What a 'careless'! My people of the Tang Dynasty lost their lives just like that; the women of the Tang Dynasty were almost humiliated! I will never let this happen lightly!" His voice was full of anger and determination, like an enraged lion ready to pounce on its enemy. His eyes flashed with a firm light, which was a kind of persistence in justice and loyalty to the country. He would never let such a thing happen again, and would never let the dignity of the Tang Dynasty be violated!
Li Shimin roared angrily, the rage in his chest seemed to burst out, his voice echoed in the empty hall, shaking the candlelight in the hall slightly. "Why didn't you report the whole story at the beginning? The evil deeds of the Tang envoys have piled up like a mountain, but you have been hiding it!" His eyes were like burning flames, staring at Jingzhao Yin Wang Shouzhi who was kneeling below.

Li Qingge listened to the conversation between the two quietly, her eyes were deep, as if she could see through people's hearts. She couldn't help but sneer in her heart, full of disdain for this so-called parent official.

[Li Shimin, are these the officials you selected? They don't care about the suffering of the people, and only care about their own positions and salaries. Because of your words, they want all nations to come to the court, they ignore the lives of the people, and only think about how to make the Tang envoys happy. Such officials are a shame to the Tang Dynasty! ]

[As the people of the Tang Dynasty and the parents of the people, they should set an example and protect their own people, instead of favoring foreign envoys and forgetting their roots. This is really disheartening! ]

[Those envoys to the Tang Dynasty were just foreigners who came to study. They were neither royal relatives nor descendants of meritorious officials. Why did they enjoy such protection from the Tang Dynasty?]

[Even if they are royal relatives or descendants of meritorious officials, if the emperor breaks the law, he will be punished the same as the common people. What special privileges do they have? ]

Li Shimin noticed the dissatisfaction and ridicule in Li Qingge's heart, and his anger became even stronger. Because what Li Qingge said was also what he thought in his heart. He glanced coldly at Jingzhao Yin, his eyes full of anger and disappointment.

Jingzhao Yin felt the majesty of Li Shimin and avoided his gaze in fear. He lowered his head and said in a trembling voice: "Your Majesty, when the Japanese envoys arrived, you said in person that you would treat them well in order to spread culture and show the virtues of our Tang Dynasty."

After hearing this, Li Shimin was so angry that he almost vomited blood. He slapped the armrest of the dragon throne and shouted angrily: "Jingzhao Yin, how dare you misinterpret my meaning like this!"

He asked coldly, looking at Wang Shouzhi kneeling on the ground and trembling, the anger in his chest erupting like a volcano, he wanted to step down from the throne and kick him.

"The preferential treatment I mentioned is that you should treat them with courtesy and demonstrate the etiquette of our Tang Dynasty. It does not mean that you should indulge them in doing whatever they want!" Li Shimin's voice resounded throughout the hall, shocking the ministers.

After saying this, he angrily stepped down from the dragon throne, walked up to Wang Shouzhi, pointed at his nose and rebuked him: "I repeat again, the meaning of preferential treatment is etiquette, not indulgence! As a parent official, what is your responsibility? If you condone evil and oppress the people, where is the law and order?"

When Li Shimin said this, his body trembled slightly and his breathing became rapid. His eyes pierced Wang Shouzhi like a sharp sword, as if he wanted to see through him.

"You! Jingzhao Yin, as the parent official of the people, what have you done? You disregarded the lives of the people and instead helped outsiders oppress your own people. Your crimes are unforgivable!" Li Shimin's voice was like thunder, shaking the entire hall.

Jingzhao Yin was so frightened that he quickly said, "Your Majesty, I should have reported it earlier. This is my fault." However, he did not realize the seriousness of the problem. This kind of thing has become an unspoken rule. It has been like this for a long time and has never been strictly controlled. The emperor's anger today was really beyond his expectation.

Seeing that he was still making excuses and didn't know where his mistake was, Li Shimin became even angrier. He grabbed Wang Shouzhi by the collar and lifted him up.

"What a Jingzhao Yin! It's not that you can't report it, but that you don't want to report it! You take it for granted that the Tang envoys oppress the people, forgetting that you are also a citizen of the Tang Dynasty, and instead become a running dog of outsiders! They are just students from Japan, how dare they oppress the people of my Tang Dynasty?" Li Shimin's voice was like a roaring wind, full of anger and dissatisfaction.

After saying that, he kicked Wang Shouzhi angrily. "If there were no casualties, I'm afraid you would never ask about this matter!" He kicked him a few more times, still indignant.

Li Qingge looked at Li Shimin's actions, and the knot in her heart was slightly relieved. She nodded secretly, agreeing with Li Shimin's anger.

【Li Shimin, you finally did something human. 】

[The emperor of the Tang Dynasty should be so domineering! Jingzhao Yin is a scum who is willing to be a running dog of Japan and humiliates the face of the Tang Dynasty. What's the point of keeping him? ]

Li Shimin seemed to have heard Li Qingge's voice and nodded in agreement. Jingzhao Yin's behavior did make him disappointed and angry. As the parent official of the people, he did not care about the people. Such an official would only be a disaster if he stayed.

Li Shimin was furious and kicked Wang Shouzhi several times. His anger was like a burning flame that could not be extinguished.

"Jingzhao Yin, you are really good at doing things! You make me so mad! You are so embarrassed, I really don't understand why you have become like this!" Li Shimin's voice was like thunder, shaking the whole hall as if it was trembling.

"Since you are an official, you should shoulder the responsibility of speaking for the people. Since you can't fulfill your duties and are unworthy of being an official, what's the point of keeping you?" After Li Shimin said this, his eyes were full of disappointment and anger.

Wang Shouzhi was so frightened that he quickly crawled to Li Shimin's feet, hugged his legs and begged for mercy: "Your Majesty, this is really not what I want. It is really forced by the current situation. I am also saddened by the suffering of the people, but there is nothing I can do. I hope Your Majesty will understand!"

Li Shimin shook off his hand in disgust, sat back on the dragon throne and sneered: "Okay! Today I will hear what your secret is. How dare you say that you can do nothing without caring about the lives of the people!" His voice was full of sarcasm and dissatisfaction.

Jingzhao Yin knelt on the ground and explained in a trembling voice: "Your Majesty, this is really not my intention. It is difficult to disobey the order from above. Your Majesty likes the grand occasion of thousands of courts coming to congratulate, and orders us to treat foreign countries well to attract envoys. I really have no choice but to do this, I hope Your Majesty can understand!" His words were full of pleading and helplessness.

Li Shimin listened to his explanation, his face became even gloomier. He looked at Jingzhao Yin coldly and said, "An order from above? Aren't my orders orders? As an official of the Tang Dynasty, you should put the interests of the Tang Dynasty and the interests of the people first! Instead of ignoring the people just to please me!"

His voice was as cold as ice, which made Jingzhao Yin feel even more terrified and desperate. He knew that his crime could no longer be covered up, nor could he be forgiven by the emperor.

(End of this chapter)