In my dream of returning to the Tang Dynasty, I snatched Wu Zetian from my lap.

Only then did Li Yuanchang get a clear look at the girl's face.

As her name suggests, she is a chick.

This can no longer be described as young; at most thirteen or fourteen years old, with an extremely fair and youthful appearance, as tender as a fledgling bird.

"Yes, it's me."

"Why are you still singing and playing instruments here so late?" Li Yuanchang completely let his guard down. This was a human being, not a vengeful spirit.

From a distance, she looks a bit like a female ghost, but up close she's alright. It's just that this kind of white powder face covering and eerie makeup is popular in Japan.

"I've come to pay my respects to my loved ones," Hinako said, a hint of sorrow in her eyes.

Li Yuanchang raised an eyebrow: "I see. That explains why the folk song sounded slightly sad."

My condolences, Miss.

Chu Zi nodded in gratitude, then couldn't help but look up at Li Yuanchang with the same curious gaze a foreigner would have.

"Sir, may I know your name?"

Li Yuanchang smiled and said, "Of course, my name is Li Yuanchang, and I come from the Great Tang Dynasty in the East."

Chuko nodded and asked, "Is the Great Tang Dynasty in the East very large?"

"Very big."

How big is it?

"About... several dozen Japanese countries."

Hinako was shocked, her eyes widening involuntarily. She had typical almond-shaped eyes, somewhat resembling the future top actress "Satomi Ishihara", except that Hinako was younger.

For any type of woman, youth is the ultimate limit.

"Is the Tang Dynasty that big?"

"No wonder, no wonder the family keeps sending young members there to study. It must be a beautiful place."

Li Yuanchang nodded.

Because we're not familiar with each other, I don't know what to say.

But Hinako acted as if she hadn't spoken to anyone in a long time, and kept talking to Li Yuanchang.

"Japan is also very beautiful. It's a pity that you came in winter and didn't get to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom."

"If adults wait until spring, they will surely be able to see it."

Li Yuanchang smiled and said, "I'm just passing through; I'll be leaving soon."

Hearing this, Hinako looked slightly disappointed.

"By the way, your Mandarin is quite good." Li Yuanchang realized that she was speaking Mandarin.

"Thank you for the compliment, sir. I learned this from my teacher. Two years ago, my family wanted me to marry a Han merchant, so I studied it in advance."

"But then that Han merchant died, so the matter came to an end," Chuko said.

Li Yuanchang was surprised. Two years ago?

That's not even that big!

However, this was the fate of noblewomen in ancient times; they were mostly used as bargaining chips.

"I see, then it really is a blessing in disguise."

"Huh?" Hinako didn't hear clearly.

"Oh, no, it's nothing."

"I mean, I should go back," Li Yuanchang said.

Hinako was somewhat reluctant to leave, but after glancing at the sky, she decided not to try to stop her.

"Yes, Hinako respectfully sees you off, sir."

"If you need anything while you are here, please let Hinako know. Hinako will do everything she can to help you."

"Anything you need is fine?" Li Yuanchang joked.

"Hi." Hinako nodded.

Upon hearing this Japanese phrase, Li Yuanchang couldn't help but laugh.

Thank you.

"Then I shall return. Miss, you should also return early; it's windy tonight."

Hinako nodded again: "Hi."

When she looked up, she only saw a dark shadow flash by, and Li Yuanchang had already flipped back over the wall, as fast as a cat.

Her large eyes widened in surprise for a moment, then she stared blankly at the towering wall before her, looking lost and for a long time before finally looking away, disappearing from the spot like a ghost.

"..."

For the next two days, Li Yuanchang rested and stayed in the courtyard, waiting for Cisaburo's reply.

Although time was of the essence, he remained calm and did not press the matter again and again.

If you appear too hasty, the other party will back down.

On the third day, Li Yuanchang, who was feeding the fish, suddenly heard a series of footsteps outside the courtyard and looked up.

Then, Jisaburo arrived in person with his clansmen.

"Haha, Your Highness, how have you been lately?"

He was beaming with joy and had a big smile on his face.

Upon seeing this, Li Yuanchang knew that it was a done deal; at the very least, the other party definitely wanted to cooperate.

After he finished scattering the feed, the fish scrambled to grab it.

"Thanks to your esteemed hospitality, I am very comfortable here."

Jisaburo quickly approached and, mimicking the Tang etiquette, said, "It's a pity, a pity. I'm ashamed to say that after Your Highness arrived, I left you here alone for so long."

"The maidservants sent over fine wine, but His Highness has never touched it."

"I thought Your Highness was displeased."

Li Yuanchang laughed and said, "That's not true. It's just that I've been living a rough life lately and haven't been feeling well."

"I see. Is Your Highness feeling better now?"

Jisaburo exchanged pleasantries, but never got down to business.

Li Yuanchang wasn't in a hurry. Since the other party had come, he would naturally start talking, so he just chatted with him for a while.

Finally, Jisaburo couldn't hold back any longer and changed the subject, speaking up on his own initiative.

"Your Highness, would you mind if we spoke alone?"

Li Yuanchang glanced at the people from the Otomo clan. A large number of high-ranking officials, led by Yamazaki, were present, indicating that the other party was serious.

"it is good."

He waved his hand, and the guards retreated.

Only two people remained by the pond.

"Your Highness, we've discussed it, and this matter..." he drawled, then his eyes turned solemn: "It's feasible!"

Li Yuanchang remained calm, seemingly unsurprised.

"Then, patriarch, what are your terms?"

Jisaburo laughed and said, "As expected, nothing can be hidden from His Highness the Prince of Han."

"Dealing with the Nakatomi clan is by no means easy; for the entire Ōtomo clan, it is a matter of life and death."

"Therefore, we value the reliability of our allies and their ability to provide strong support more than gold and silver."

Li Yuanchang raised an eyebrow.

"So, what does your esteemed ministry need me to do?"

"An official promise?"

Jisaburo shook his head, gripping his katana in his right hand and stroking his beard with his left, and paced back and forth, saying, "We hope that Your Highness's forces will be the first to engage in battle, and then the Ōtomo clan will come out in full force to assist you."

Li Yuanchang frowned.

"Why don't we act together?"

"Speed ​​is of the essence in war. My forces are insufficient to defeat them. If we want to deal with them, the Ōtomo clan's army will probably have to set off ahead of time."

Cisaburo said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, it's fine to set off early, but we cannot make the first move."

"At the very least, His Highness's men must first demonstrate their sincerity before we dare to follow!"

"What if His Highness's men escape halfway through the battle? His Highness can return to the Tang Dynasty, where no one will dare to disturb him, but our entire family is still in Japan."

"This is a very important matter, and we hope to see Your Highness's determination."

"Otherwise, the family would not dare to gamble with His Highness the Prince of Han."

"I hope Your Highness can understand."

He bent down and bowed his head, his attitude quite sincere.

Li Yuanchang remained silent.

The Ōtomo family's concerns were not without merit; to put it simply, they were afraid of becoming cannon fodder! This kind of thinking is normal.