My hotel is full of emperors throughout history.

The Four Directions Pavilion was the residence of the Japanese diplomatic mission.

The night was as dark as ink, enveloping the city of Chang'an.

The oil lamp in the four-sided hall flickered, casting distorted and dancing shadows on the walls, much like Inugami Mitasuki's chaotic thoughts at this moment.

The banquet at the Linde Hall during the day replayed in his mind like a nightmare.

The mighty and imposing Tang army, the emperor's seemingly gentle yet unfathomable gaze, and his own flustered and panicked explanations...

With each thought, the chill in his heart deepened.

Tribute was questioned, studies were put on hold, audiences were delayed; restrictions were imposed everywhere, and every step was fraught with difficulty.

The Tang state made almost no attempt to conceal its wariness and alienation towards them.

"Pharmacist-kun,"

Inu no Mitasuki's voice was hoarse, filled with deep confusion.

"Where exactly did we go wrong? Why is the Tang Kingdom being so...harsh this time?"

The pharmacist, Hui Ri, sat cross-legged opposite him, her brows furrowed, trying to calm herself down.

He understood the Central Plains better than Inugami Mitasuki, and was also more aware of the strangeness and danger of the current situation.

"My lord, it's probably not that we've done anything wrong."

The pharmacist, Hui Ri, spoke slowly, his voice low and deep.

"But rather, the Tang Dynasty... or rather, His Majesty the Tang Emperor, has different views and plans regarding our Wa (Japan) itself."

"Different opinions?"

Inu no Mita no Hijiri was puzzled.

"For generations we have admired China, sending envoys to learn from us with utmost respect. Why then does Your Majesty the Tang Emperor…?"

"Does Your Excellency still recall that during the Sui Dynasty, our Japanese letter contained the phrase 'The Emperor of the Land of the Rising Sun sends a letter to the Emperor of the Land of the Setting Sun,' which displeased the Sui Emperor?"

Pharmacist Hui Ri reminded her.

"Although envoys were later sent to apologize, the Central Plains dynasties always harbored resentment towards Japan for not being willing to accept the title of 'subject'."

"His Majesty the Tang Emperor's sudden change in attitude this time, perhaps... he feels that although our Japan appears respectful on the surface, it actually... harbors treacherous intentions?"

"But we have no intention of disloyalty!"

Quan Shang Santian said anxiously.

"We only want to learn from advanced civilizations so that our Japanese nation can escape ignorance..."

"Your Majesty,"

The pharmacist, Hui Ri, interrupted him.

"In the eyes of the Tang Emperor, was a vassal state that actively learned its techniques and imitated its systems, yet remained isolated overseas and difficult to control, a student, or... a potential rival?"

Inugami Mitasuki was struck dumb, standing there frozen in shock.

They have always taken pride in learning from the Tang Dynasty and regarded it as a stepping stone to progress, but they have never considered whether the teacher would be wary of the students working too hard, or even that the students might surpass the teacher in the future.

Have it?

I dare not have it now!

But how could Japan, a tiny island nation, compare to the vast Tang Dynasty?

Let alone now, even if we really become stronger.

Does that mean the Tang Dynasty will never become stronger?

The Tang Dynasty will only become stronger!!!

With such a vast territory and abundant resources, even if their entire nation fought with all its might, they could never compare to the Tang Dynasty!

"and,"

The pharmacist, Eri, lowered her voice even further.

"From my observations along the way, the Tang Kingdom's thorough inspection of my delegation, the frequent mention of coastal defense... and even the display of military might at today's banquet, all these signs suggest that it is not just fear, but more like... some kind of preparation."

"Prepare? What preparation?"

An ominous premonition rose in Inugami Mitasuki's heart.

Pharmacist Eri did not answer directly, but instead looked out at the dark night sky.

"The Tang Dynasty is the strongest nation in the world today. Wherever its military might points, other nations submit. If it harbors any doubts or even... ill intentions towards our Japanese nation, it is not something that we can easily resolve with humble words and generous gifts."

"Then... what should we do?"

Inugami Mitaru couldn't help but ask.

After a long silence, Pharmacist Eri finally gritted her teeth.

"There are only two options now."

"Firstly, we should be more humble, even... humiliatingly obedient to all of Tang's demands, offering everything we can, including... perhaps hinting that our country is willing to serve as Tang's eastern outer defense, assisting in exploring sea routes and islands further east, and even... mentioning certain mineral resources within our territory, to show that we have no ulterior motives, in exchange for some trust and reassurance from Tang."

Inugami Mitasuki gasped.

"Give up mineral information? This... this is a top-secret national secret!"

"If a nation is on the verge of collapse, what use are secret treasures?"

Pharmacist Hui Ri smiled wryly, glanced around, and lowered her voice.

"Secondly, we should secretly try to contact forces that may be dissatisfied with the Tang court, or befriend certain important officials, in an attempt to indirectly influence the Tang emperor's decisions, or even..."

"No!!! Pharmacist, please be careful what you say!!!"

Inugami Mitasuki immediately denied it.

Pharmacist Eri sighed.

"In short, we must report the situation here back home as soon as possible! So that the King can make preparations!"

The two kept their voices very low, and with other people watching them, they weren't worried about it being overheard.

Little did they know, a tiny thing was hidden somewhere.

This thing clearly transmitted their conversation to somewhere.

……

A few days later,

Officials of the Court of State Ceremonial discovered several scrolls of finely painted silk paintings hidden in the inner layers of a batch of lacquerware purchased by Japanese envoys from the Tang Dynasty and intended to be taken back to Japan.

The above are not landscapes or figures, but rather simplified schematic diagrams of the city defenses, ports, and water fortresses of coastal prefectures such as Dengzhou and Laizhou during the Tang Dynasty, as well as some sketches of ship structures.

Meanwhile, it was also revealed that the Japanese deputy envoy, Yakushi Eri, had attempted to bribe a low-ranking official of the Court of State Ceremonial to inquire about the location and borrowing procedures of certain classics on military strategy, weaponry, and water conservancy projects in the Imperial Academy's library.

Li Shimin immediately issued an instruction.

Increase the "protection" of the Shihōkan (a type of Japanese residence), restrict the movement of Japanese envoys, and intensify the surveillance of Yakushi Eri.

At the same time, officials from the Court of State Ceremonial "inadvertently" revealed to Inugami Mitasuki that the Tang Kingdom had discovered some "inappropriate" things.

His Majesty the Emperor was very displeased and was considering whether to summon them and give them a severe reprimand.

They even...are considering reducing or even canceling this year's "gifts".

The pressure has escalated once again.

The atmosphere inside the Sifang Pavilion was on the verge of collapse.

Regarding the matter of the hidden map on the lacquerware, Inugami Mitasuki insisted that he had no knowledge of it at all, and that it must have been a frame-up or something done privately by his attendants.

When asked about books, Yakushi Eiji explained that he was simply eager to learn.

But the cold attitude and increasingly stringent restrictions imposed by Tang officials made them realize that explanations were futile.

When Inugami Mitasuki heard that the Tang emperor might be furious and reduce or even cancel the return gifts, he finally panicked.

The return gift was not only a huge economic benefit, but also a symbol of Tang's recognition of Japan's "submission".

If the cancellation is cancelled, how will he explain it when he returns to China?

How will the king view his mission?

"Your Excellency, the Tang Kingdom is framing us!"

A young Japanese entourage member said indignantly.

"They never intended for us to complete the mission properly! They're forcing us!"

"What are you forcing us to do?"

Inugami Mita asked blankly.

"Either endure the humiliation and offer them everything they want, perhaps including mineral maps and maritime secrets; or..."

A ruthless glint flashed in the attendant's eyes.

"We'll turn the tables! We'll say that the Tang Kingdom deliberately made things difficult for us, insulted our envoys, and bullied our vassals! Anyway, they don't have any real evidence! We'll find a way to leave Chang'an immediately and reveal the 'true face' of the Tang Kingdom to the world!"

Inugami Mita:? ? ? ? ? ?

Pharmacist Megumi: ? ? ? ? ? ?

"No!!!"

Inugami Mitasuki turned pale with fright and quickly covered the mouth of the attendant.

Something he wouldn't even dare to dream of!

Do you dare to say it?

Just saying it is enough?

Why are you still shouting so loudly?

Are they worried that they won't die fast enough?

"This is a path to certain death! Enraging the Tang Dynasty will plunge our Japan into imminent destruction!"

The pharmacist, Hui Ri, also sternly stopped him.

"What should we do then? Are we really going to hand over this national treasure to others?"

The attendants disagreed.

Inugami Mitasuki fell silent, clutching his head in anguish.

yield?

Or a hardline stance?

No matter which path you choose, they all seem to lead to the abyss.

Just as the Japanese delegation was embroiled in infighting and filled with unease.

Another piece of news arrived at Sifangguan like a thunderclap—the governor of Dengzhou reported that the Tang army's naval patrol fleet was "provoked" and "attempted to obstruct" by unidentified vessels in the waters west of Tsushima Island.

A minor collision occurred between the two sides, and a Tang soldier was captured by the other side!

This threw the entire delegation into a panic, and they frantically requested an audience with Li Shimin.

And Li Shimin gave them this opportunity.