My hotel is full of emperors throughout history.

"A silver mine?!"

Fang Xuanling and Changsun Wuji were both moved.

Gold and silver are vital national assets, the foundation of currency, and the lifeline of finance!

If there really is a huge silver mine...

"Exactly."

Li Shimin affirmed.

"This is also indicated by the heavens. I already have some knowledge of the distribution of its silver mines."

"If we can acquire it, it will bring countless benefits and no harm to the finances of our Great Tang! It will not only replenish the national treasury but also reform the currency system, benefiting all the people!"

Even Wei Zheng fell silent.

Eliminating potential future risks is a long-term concern, and may even be somewhat unrealistic.

But the huge silver mine is a real and tangible source of enormous profits that are right at hand!

This... it would really be inappropriate not to fight!

Changsun Wuji's eyes flashed with a sharp light as he quickly weighed the pros and cons.

"Your Majesty's intentions are clear to me. It is to feign vigilance outwardly while exerting pressure inwardly, thus luring the Japanese envoy to reveal his weaknesses, while simultaneously probing their domestic situation, especially the location of their silver mines. Once we have 'evidence' in our hands, we can then justifiably launch a campaign to bring them to justice, both to eliminate future threats and to benefit the nation."

Indeed.

Li Shimin nodded in satisfaction.

"Wuji knows my heart well. This matter must be carried out in secrecy; the three of you only need to know. As for how to exert pressure, how to guide, and how to 'discover' the problem, Xuanling and Wuji, you two, together with the Court of State Ceremonial and the prefectures and counties along the way, will carefully plan it out, striving to make it natural and leave no trace. Wei Zheng,"

He looked at Wei Zheng, who remained silent.

"If there are any discussions in the court, especially criticisms of my policy of strengthening coastal defense, you will be needed to mediate and guide the discussion on the grounds of 'prevention is better than cure' and 'demonstrating national power.' If necessary, you may 'oppose' my measures to demonstrate the impartiality of the court's deliberations."

Wei Zheng opened his mouth, but ultimately let out a heavy sigh and bowed.

"I... obey your order."

"Naval preparations and coastal defense deployments are concrete actions that cannot be neglected."

Li Shimin gave his final instructions.

"Li Jing and Hou Junji have not yet returned from their expedition. The Naval Command and the coastal prefectures need to select capable generals to take charge. Once the 'reason' is obtained, the army will cross the sea to the east. We must act swiftly and decisively! Crossing the sea for war is difficult to supply, and we cannot afford to delay."

"We understand!"

"besides……"

Before the words were finished,

"Report—!!!"

A hurried shout suddenly came from outside the hall.

A eunuch dressed in purple robes practically tumbled and crawled in.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Urgent report from Da'an Palace! The Emperor Emeritus... the Emperor Emeritus... he has suddenly fainted, his breathing is weak, the Imperial Physician has rushed there, and says... says his condition is critical, please Your Majesty move the palace immediately!"

"What?!"

Li Shimin stood up on the spot.

"Quickly! Prepare to rush to Da'an Palace!"

"Your Majesty, regarding the Japanese delegation..."

Fang Xuanling hurriedly stepped forward and whispered a reminder.

Li Shimin paused, but did not turn his head.

"Everything as usual, under close surveillance, no mistakes allowed. Specific details will be discussed later!"

Having said that, he strode out of the palace gate.

Inside the carriage, Li Shimin leaned back on the cushions, closed his eyes, and unconsciously rubbed his brow with his fingers.

Li Yuan is critically ill...

At this critical juncture.

His feelings for Li Yuan were extremely complex.

There is reverence, resentment, guilt, and also the estrangement and cautious maintenance of the facade of filial piety after being forced to do so.

If Li Yuan had died at this time...

The nation is in mourning, which will inevitably affect both the government and the public.

Therefore, his series of actions to find a pretext for war must be suspended, or at least greatly postponed.

During a period of national mourning, launching military campaigns against foreign powers is against propriety and is highly likely to invite criticism.

The political situation in the court may also undergo subtle changes due to the national mourning, especially for certain forces that still cherish the old feelings of the "retired emperor".

Countless thoughts flashed through Li Shimin's mind.

The imperial carriage stopped in front of the Da'an Palace.

The atmosphere inside and outside the palace gates was tense and chaotic. Imperial physicians and eunuchs hurried back and forth, their faces filled with fear.

Upon seeing the emperor's arrival, they all knelt down.

Li Shimin disregarded all of this and hurried straight inside.

The moment I stepped into Li Yuan's bedchamber, a strong smell of medicine and an atmosphere of decay hit me.

The founding emperor of the Tang Dynasty lay on the large dragon bed, his eyes closed, his face ashen, and his breathing so weak that it was almost imperceptible.

Several imperial physicians were gathered around the bed, discussing in hushed tones, their foreheads covered in sweat.

Empress Zhangsun had arrived earlier and was sitting by the bed, holding Li Yuan's withered hand with tears in her eyes. When she saw Li Shimin enter, she quickly got up.

"His Majesty……"

"How is the situation?"

Li Shimin's voice was low, his eyes fixed on his father on the bed.

The imperial physician stepped forward with trepidation.

"Your Majesty, the Emperor Emeritus is advanced in years, and this sudden illness has come on fiercely. His heart is failing, and he is suffering from phlegm obstruction and shortness of breath... We have already administered acupuncture and medicine, but... whether he can turn the tide is still uncertain."

"Did you use the medicine I brought back from the Celestial Realm?"

"It was used, but... the situation is still not optimistic."

Li Shimin fell silent, walked to the bedside, and looked at his father's aged face.

Once upon a time, it was he who led his brothers to conquer the Central Plains and establish the foundation of the Tang Dynasty.

There was a time when father and son became estranged, turned to arms, and blood stained the palace gates...

He slowly reached out his hand, as if to touch his father's hand, but stopped in mid-air and finally just gently clenched it into a fist.

After a long silence, a resolute glint flashed in his eyes.

"Guanyinbi, you stay here for now. I will take Father Emperor there."

With that, Li Shimin picked up Li Yuan in his arms.

……