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

Another group consisted of the imperial guards, who took the opportunity to sail around the sea and reach Dayuan Port to carry out the rescue.

After the mission is accomplished, the two treasure ships and all their crew members will be evacuated from the sea to a port under the rule of the Ōtomo clan, which will be safer.

But the story doesn't end here.

For long-term strategic considerations, Li Yuanchang decided to eliminate any potential threats and defeat the Nakatomi clan in one fell swoop, so that the Ōtomo clan, led by Tanaka Chishima, could become the absolute hegemon of southern Japan.

Twelve hours later.

The entire plan has been finalized!

The large group lined up in Wushe consisted of Huang Tu, Cui He, and their trusted generals from the Thousand Islands.

"I have already made the plan very clear: the hostage rescue will be led by Huang Tu, and the battle of Qingmu City and the ambush will be commanded by Guo Chao."

"I will wait for the crew at the port of Linzhi and oversee the rear."

"Any objections?" Li Yuanchang scanned everyone.

"No!" Everyone clasped their hands in a fist salute.

Tanaka Chishima then spoke up at the opportune moment: "You lot must act according to His Highness's wishes and obey the arrangements of the Tang generals; otherwise, you will be punished according to family law!"

"Hi!!"

All the Japanese generals knelt down.

"Now that there are no problems, let's get started."

"Depart immediately!" Li Yuanchang was ruthless and decisive.

"yes!"

The generals, each holding their own route map, withdrew and quickly began their operations.

The entire Ōtomo Shogunate was mobilized, with large numbers of samurai leaving the shogunate fully armed and disappearing into the desolate rainforest.

Wherever he went, the islanders gave way and talked amongst themselves.

Is the war, which has been quelled for many years, about to reignite?

At this moment, Zhongchenye, hundreds of miles away, probably never dreamed that what he was waiting for was not Li Yuanchang's handover of people, but a thunderous blow!

He could never have imagined that Ōtomo would dare to lay a hand on him!

"..."

The deployment of a large number of samurai quickly triggered a chain reaction.

About four days later.

Minister of Ryosai stationed in southern Japan, Ishihara Satoka, received news of the coup d'état by the Ōtomo clan and the subsequent mobilization of troops.

Upon learning of the intervention of the Tang Dynasty forces, he immediately led an army of about a thousand men into the Ōtomo Shogunate.

This is also the main reason why Li Yuanchang did not personally participate in the rescue operation.

On the eve of the operation, Tanaka Chishima had explicitly mentioned the threat posed by this person.

The so-called Minister of Ryosai is an administrative minister appointed by the Emperor of Japan. The purpose of this position was to prevent family conflicts, mediate and buffer, and monitor and assist.

Normally, they have no control over the four major families, but now that the scales have been tipped over and Li Yuanchang is still around, this has directly activated Japan's "emergency response mechanism."

Li Yuanchang remained in the Ōtomo Shogunate to deal with the Japanese official Ryōse Minister.

With half of their main force deployed and the high-ranking officials purged, the Ōtomo clan was finding it increasingly difficult to fight against the official army.

In a natural bathtub where steam rises, bubbles and mist gurgle.

This is a natural hot spring located in the back mountains of Wushe.

Li Yuanchang was lying inside, resting with his eyes closed.

Wow!

Suddenly, the hot spring water splashed.

Li Yuanchang opened his eyes and saw Tanaka Chishima. She was barefoot on the steps, her belt loosened, and her long skirt slipped down to her ankles, revealing her graceful and sexy figure.

The hidden area was only covered by a layer of cypress gauze, and the purple strapless top on her chest was alluring, becoming faintly visible when it got wet.

She slowly crossed the stream, her breath sweet and fragrant: "Your Highness, Ishihara Satoka has led his army to Osaka Castle, fifty miles outside the shogunate."

"He sent a letter requesting entry into the shogunate."

Li Yuanchang asked calmly, "What do you think?"

"Chishima will obey Your Highness's will." Tanaka Chishima raised her hand to rub Li Yuanchang's arm.

Li Yuanchang raised an eyebrow: "Want to go all in?"

"Big?" Chishima raised an eyebrow, exuding charm.

"Yes, from then on, the Ōtomo clan divided the south into autonomous regions and stopped listening to the Emperor," Li Yuanchang blurted out.

The Thousand Islands are in shock!

Her beautiful face nearly changed color; even she had never dared to think of such a thing.

"Your Highness, this..."

Li Yuanchang's gaze was deep. In fact, he hadn't thought of doing this at first, but plans can't keep up with changes. A series of events after arriving in Japan almost pushed him to do this.

He wasn't afraid to make a big fuss, since it was the Zhongchen clan who seized the Tang treasure ship and its personnel first, and no one could say a word against him once they returned to Chang'an.

At worst, he could just follow Wang Xuance's example and destroy a country single-handedly.

Moreover, it is also a good thing for his personal development, since Ōtomo is loyal to him, Li Yuanchang, and can control the situation through the Thousand Islands.

"Once the Ōtomo clan defeats the Nakatomi clan and takes over the port, territory, and population, it will inevitably provoke the Emperor's wrath."

"If I hadn't been involved, things would have been fine, but now that they know, they certainly won't tolerate it."

"In any case, the Ōtomo clan will be the enemy of the entire country of Japan, and may even be labeled as traitors."

"Since there's only one path left to take, why not strike first?"

Ishino Senshima bit his lip, frowned, and fell into thought.

Although I think it's risky, it does make sense.

Her long eyelashes fluttered as she tentatively asked, "Then what does Your Highness mean?"

Li Yuanchang is cold and his serious demeanor is extremely intimidating.

"Let's go all the way and eliminate this corrupt minister, then incorporate his army into our ranks!"

Shi Zhongqiandao's beautiful face was startled, and then she began to feel excited from the bottom of her heart, looking at Li Yuanchang with admiration.

"Your Highness is incredibly powerful; I admire you greatly."

"But doing so would immediately invite an attack from the Emperor's army. If His Highness leaves then, how will we resist?"

Li Yuanchang looked at her.

"I have written a letter, and someone will provide the Ōtomo clan with money, provisions, and weapons, which will be transported by sea directly to the shogunate to help you arm more troops and fight a protracted war against Japan."

"Furthermore, I will send my trusted confidants to train your army and command your troops in battle."

"The Ōtomo Shogunate may face difficulties in the short term, but it is by no means going to be destroyed by the Emperor."

He already had a rough understanding of the fighting capabilities and military structure of the Japanese side, so he was very confident in its feasibility.

As long as the weapons from Liangzhou arrive, maintaining the city will definitely not be a problem.

It felt as if I had been hit by a giant pie, and my heart started racing.

Her beautiful eyes flickered with a mixture of unease, apprehension, and excitement, before she finally bit her lip and said, "Okay!"

"Since there is no other choice, Chishima is willing to follow Your Highness's command!"

"However, this matter should only be known to you and me. The source of the provisions and weapons must not be revealed, understand?" Li Yuanchang said solemnly.

He is not afraid of Japan; he can sweep across the entire country by deploying his forces.

What he feared was that Li Shimin would find out. This matter was too taboo. Putting aside everything else, the source of the weapons would be a capital offense. If Changsun Wuji found out, he would not survive.

Ishikatsu Senshima nodded, his eyes clear and firm: "Your Highness, rest assured, Senshima understands."

"Now, Chishima is not only His Highness's person, but also has a relationship of mutual destruction with the Ōtomo clan and the King of Han. Even if Chishima is stupid, he wouldn't dare to cause trouble for His Highness."