Tang Dynasty: Saving Lives and Helping Others, Li Lizhi Falls for Him

The carriage rumbled along the official road of Chang'an.

Li Shimin leaned against the carriage wall, his eyes slightly closed, but his fingers tapped lightly on his knees, a habit he only had when he was thinking.

Shen Chang'an's words still echoed in his ears—

"Those Japanese people appear respectful on the surface, but in reality they harbor wolfish ambitions."

"In the centuries to come, they will repeatedly raid the coastal areas of China and slaughter our people."

"A thousand years from now, that tiny place will dare to swallow up half of China and slaughter 20 million of my compatriots."

These words, each one like a needle, pierced his heart.

He was the ruler of a country, the Son of Heaven of the Tang Dynasty.

If Shen Chang'an's words are true, then that island nation to the east will be a scourge to China for a thousand years.

However, these are just one person's opinions. He cannot take action against the Japanese delegation based solely on Shen Chang'an's "calculations." That would chill the hearts of all the vassal states and cause the Tang Dynasty to lose its dignity as a nation of etiquette.

However, the necessary investigations cannot be omitted. If even one of Shen Chang'an's statements is verified, then Japan absolutely cannot be allowed to remain.

Moreover, he also wants to pass on Shen Chang'an's reminder to the next generation, so that they will remember it and be on guard.

Another thing that worried him was those three questions.

Three questions... What are they?

Ask about the fate of the Tang Dynasty? Ask about the wars on the frontier? Ask about future generations?

Or should we ask him...?

Li Shimin took a deep breath, opened his eyes, and the sunlight shining through the gap in the carriage curtain was somewhat dazzling.

"His Majesty."

Just then, the voice of the personal eunuch came from outside the carriage.

"What is it?"

"The Court of State Ceremonial urgently reports that the Japanese envoy to Tang China, Inu no Mita Sugi, has submitted his resignation, saying that he wants to return to Japan ahead of schedule."

Li Shimin's hand suddenly stopped, somewhat incredulous.

"Returning to China early?"

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a sharp edge. "When were they originally scheduled to leave?"

"Your Majesty, it was originally scheduled for next month, but this morning, Inugami Mitasuki wrote to the Court of State Ceremonies, saying that his study period was over and he wanted to return to his country immediately. The Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies did not dare to act on his own and came to ask Your Majesty for instructions."

The personal eunuch replied in a low voice.

Li Shimin was silent for a moment: "Anything else unusual?"

"The messenger said... one person is missing from the Japanese delegation."

"One person is missing?" Li Shimin frowned deeply.

"Yes, the people from the Court of State Ceremonial have taken a count. Inugami Mitasuki originally brought seven followers, but now only six remain. When asked, Inugami Mitasuki only said that the man suffered from acclimatization problems and went out of the city last night to seek medical help, but his whereabouts are unknown."

Li Shimin did not ask any more questions, and the carriage curtain was lowered, blocking out the outside light.

One person is missing... They went out of town last night to seek medical help... Their whereabouts are unknown...

These words might fool the minor official of the Court of State Ceremonial, but they couldn't fool him.

He recalled that morning at Jishiju, Shen Chang'an sat calmly in the pavilion, just as usual.

If the incident happened last night, why did the Japanese only submit their resignations today? Why didn't they wait for that person to return? Unless—they knew that person wouldn't be coming back.

"Could it be that Shen Chang'an made a move?" Li Shimin muttered to himself.

But that's not right. This morning, Shen Chang'an went out to provide free medical consultations on time. He and Lizhi then went to Jishiju. Shen Chang'an never left.

If the Japanese were missing even one person, they could only have made their move last night.

But Shen Chang'an was in his own courtyard last night. If the Japanese had gotten into trouble elsewhere, what would it have to do with Shen Chang'an?

Li Shimin couldn't understand it, but he knew one thing—

Shen Chang'an was very unhappy with those Japanese, and coincidentally, one of them was missing today, and he also submitted his resignation to leave early.

Following the updates on Cola Novels has never been so enjoyable.

The fact that these three things happened together is definitely not a coincidence.

"This Shen Chang'an..."

Li Shimin's lips curled slightly, revealing a meaningful smile.

He doesn't intend to delve into it further, at least not now.

He had long wanted to see what Shen Chang'an was capable of.

This man was indifferent to fame and fortune, unmoved by official rank and title. Even when the emperor bestowed a marriage upon him, he simply said, "I have no objection."

If such a person could reveal some flaws or hidden cards through the matter of the Japanese, it would be beneficial for him to understand Shen Chang'an and explore the answers to those three questions.

In the future, some things can be avoided.

"Someone, deliver the decree." Thinking of this, Li Shimin said in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty, please give your orders."

"The Japanese delegation's resignation has been approved, and they are to leave the capital immediately. The Court of State Ceremonial is ordered to send officials to escort them, to fulfill the duty of our Great Tang, a nation of etiquette. All prefectures and counties along the way are to allow them to pass without obstruction."

"Yes."

"in addition--"

Li Shimin paused, then lowered his voice, "Send a team of secret guards, have them change into civilian clothes, and follow them from a distance. Report their daily movements to me by carrier pigeon."

The personal eunuch paused slightly, then whispered, "Your Majesty is wise. I wonder... if a copy of this report could be sent to Physician Shen?"

Li Shimin glanced at him but did not answer directly: "Just go and do it."

"This servant understands."

The carriage continued forward, and sunlight streamed through the curtains onto his knees, flickering in and out.

Li Shimin leaned back against the carriage wall and closed his eyes again. He didn't intend to tell Shen Chang'an that he had already sent people to keep an eye on the Japanese envoy.

If Shen Chang'an wants to take action, that's his ability; if he doesn't, that's his choice.

What he wanted to see was Shen Chang'an's attitude and methods in this matter.

And those three questions—

Li Shimin's fingers began to tap again.

Shen Chang'an said he only had three chances, and he couldn't waste them.

……

Meanwhile, Ji Shi lived outside.

When Li Shimin left, Li Lizhi stood at the courtyard gate and watched him go for a moment before turning back into the courtyard.

Her personal maid, Cuizhu, followed behind, carrying a food box filled with snacks brought from the palace, which she hadn't yet opened.

"Cuizhu, put away the tea set."

Li Lizhi instructed, "Go boil another pot of water; Mr. Shen will be drinking tea tonight."

"Yes, Princess."

Cuizhu responded and quickly tidied up the teacups in the pavilion.

Li Lizhi did not rush back to the main room, but walked to Shen Chang'an's bookshelf, picked up a book at random, and sat down by the window.

She turned the pages of the book, but her gaze wasn't on the words; her peripheral vision was fixed on the figure pacing in the courtyard.

Shen Chang'an did not enter the meditation room to cultivate, nor did he go to the pharmacy to refine pills. Instead, he paced back and forth in the courtyard a few times, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he was thinking about something.

Li Lizhi noticed that his gaze would occasionally sweep towards the eastern horizon, the direction in which the Japanese had left earlier.

She secretly memorized this detail.

Cuizhu came out of the kitchen carrying a kettle. Seeing the princess reading, she didn't dare to disturb her. She quietly placed the kettle on the stove and then stepped back to stand on the veranda.

The courtyard quieted down, with only cicadas chirping in the distant locust trees.

Shen Chang'an walked around a few times, then suddenly stopped, looked up at the sky, and turned to walk towards the main room.

As he entered, his gaze fell directly on the book in Li Lizhi's hands.

"What book is the princess reading?"

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