My hotel is full of emperors throughout history.

Soon, they arrived at the side hall of the Liangyi Hall.

Fang Xuanling, Changsun Wuji, and Wei Zheng were already waiting here as ordered.

Inside the hall, invigorating incense burned, dispelling some of the chill.

The three men had different expressions, as if they were discussing something.

Upon seeing Li Shimin enter, the three of them quickly bowed.

"Rise, sit."

Li Shimin went straight to the main seat and sat down, dismissing all the attendants, leaving only his most trusted old eunuch, Chang Tu, to guard outside the palace gate.

The palace doors slowly closed, separating the inside from the outside.

"I have summoned my three beloved ministers here because of matters concerning Japan."

Li Shimin got straight to the point, without any pleasantries.

His gaze swept over the three men, lingering briefly on Wei Zheng's slightly tense face.

"At today's court assembly, I ordered the strengthening of coastal defenses and the preparation of the navy. You must have some questions in your minds."

Fang Xuanling and Changsun Wuji exchanged a glance, and the more composed Fang Xuanling spoke first.

"Your Majesty is wise. Although there may have been shortcomings in etiquette or questionable behavior of some of the envoys from Japan, their country is located overseas, is weak and powerless, and has always been respectful. We are truly puzzled by Your Majesty's sudden increase in vigilance."

Fang Xuanling's eyes flickered as he thought of the future.

"Could it be... that His Majesty has received some news?"

Wei Zheng was much more direct.

"Your Majesty, no matter how many faults the Japanese envoys may have, they are still an envoy who came to pay tribute and seek knowledge."

"Our Celestial Empire should demonstrate magnanimity and education; how can we throw the baby out with the bathwater and treat it as if facing a formidable enemy?"

"Strengthening coastal defenses would require a great deal of manpower and resources, and would likely arouse suspicion and fear among the surrounding foreign vassal states, who might think that our Great Tang lacks tolerance and has failed in its virtue of 'pacifying distant peoples.'"

"In my opinion, this action is inappropriate!"

Changsun Wuji did not immediately express his opinion.

He was a relative of the emperor and one of Li Shimin's most trusted advisors, and he was also adept at understanding the emperor's intentions.

He could sense that Li Shimin's attitude towards Japan was different from his attitude towards any other vassal state in the past.

Li Shimin listened without showing any expression on his face.

"Xuanling's prediction is correct; I do indeed have new considerations. The Duke of Zheng's suggestion to appease distant peoples is also reasonable. However, times have changed."

He paused, his gaze becoming deep and unfathomable.

"Recently, I glimpsed the secrets of heaven from the celestial realm and foresaw future changes."

Upon hearing this, Changsun Wuji and the other two were all shocked.

Ignoring their astonishment, Li Shimin continued.

"I know that Japan is not as submissive and compliant as it appears on the surface. Its ruler and ministers are shameless and corrupt, fearing power but not virtue, admiring the strong and bullying the weak. They are cunning and fickle, outwardly humble and eager to learn, but inwardly harboring ambitions of conquest and a plundering nature!"

He raised his voice slightly.

"What is even more worrying is that although their country is small, their ambitions are not! In the next few hundred years, they will surely become a major threat to China! The evils they have committed against my descendants are countless and arouse the wrath of both gods and men! This is the will of Heaven, and I have no choice but to believe it and take precautions!"

"His Majesty,"

Changsun Wuji asked cautiously.

"Even if... even if there are potential problems in the future, they are currently weak, and their envoys have come to pay homage with a submissive attitude. If our dynasty were to suddenly condemn them today based on the 'possibility' of the future and launch a military campaign, I fear... it would be difficult to convince the people, and it might also set a bad precedent of 'punishment for speaking out.' If the surrounding barbarians heard of this, wouldn't they all feel insecure?"

We can't just send troops to destroy a country now because "I foresee that you will do evil in the future," can we?

Li Shimin seemed to have anticipated this question, and a cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

"Naturally, we cannot wage war solely based on 'future threats'."

"Therefore, what I want is a reason 'now'. A reason they themselves have handed to me, a reason that will leave the world speechless."

"And that is why I called you here."

His gaze swept over the three of them.

"Today's court assembly, I ordered heightened security and the application of pressure, precisely to see how the Japanese delegation would react under such pressure. Would they become even more humble and submissive, seeking leniency? Or would they... resort to desperate measures, doing something irrational that could give others ammunition against them?"

Fang Xuanling suddenly realized.

"Does Your Majesty intend to... lure the enemy out of their hiding place? To force them into disarray?"

"good."

Li Shimin nodded.

"The Court of State Ceremonial will treat this carelessly, display military might along the way, conduct 'extraordinarily' strict checks, and delay and cool off the audience..."

"I want them to feel the chill and invisible pressure of the Tang Dynasty, to fill them with fear and suspicion, and to make them reveal their true colors in despair or resentment!"

"Whether it was the envoy's inappropriate words or actions, problems with the tribute, or some secret misconduct that was 'discovered'... even,"

A cold glint flashed in his eyes, and his voice was low and expectant.

"If, under excessive pressure, they take desperate measures and do something more drastic—such as...disrespecting me, or even plotting treason—that would be for the best!"

Wei Zheng gasped.

"Your Majesty! This is...this is..."

Before he could finish speaking, Li Shimin shut him up with a look.

"Duke of Zheng,"

Li Shimin looked at Wei Zheng, his tone softening.

"I know your concerns. However, extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. The future harm to Japan will far exceed our imagination."

"I would rather bear the criticism for now than let this root of disaster be eradicated for the sake of future generations!"

"Moreover, I am not accusing them without cause; I am merely applying pressure and observing, waiting to see how things develop. If they are indeed obedient and compliant, I will not rashly resort to force. But if they themselves misbehave..."

He didn't finish speaking, but his meaning was clear.

"besides,"

Li Shimin then changed the subject.

"As far as I know, Japan possesses extremely rich silver mines! Their reserves are so vast that they likely far exceed the known mineral deposits in the Central Plains! Combined, they amount to more silver than the entire Tang Dynasty!"

"Hiss!!!"