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

Li Yuanchang did indeed find a gold seal about half the size of a fist in the hand bones of the remains. This was an identity mark from the Qin Dynasty, which was based on the seal, not the person, and there was no possibility of it being counterfeited.

Made of pure gold, although it has turned black due to the erosion of time and the craftsmanship, the two characters "Xu Fu" can still be faintly seen.

"It really is him," Li Yuanchang murmured, his gaze complex.

Unexpectedly, the legendary figure who has been the subject of much discussion and debate for over a thousand years actually died here.

Many people believe that Xu Fu's mysterious disappearance at sea meant that he stayed in Japan, where he lived and worked in peace and prosperity, and built a new world with three thousand boys and girls.

Who could have imagined Xu Fu's experiences and hardships?

He went abroad and died without ever being able to return to his homeland.

Stripped of its legendary veneer and the halo of unwavering loyalty, this is, in reality, a tragedy that could not have been avoided.

Li Yuanchang couldn't help but think of himself. Both of them had gone to sea in search of the elixir of immortality, but their experiences were completely different.

If, if I hadn't escaped that storm, if I hadn't been lucky enough to avoid contracting some incurable diseases and viruses, if I hadn't turned the tide in Japan.

Perhaps, Li Yuanchang's fate won't be much better.

In ancient times, crossing the ocean was not like in later times, where you could just take a vacation and go back. Any small accident could leave someone stranded there forever.

"Your Highness, this man is a minister of Qin Shi Huang and is also helping to find the elixir. He is afraid of being executed if he fails to find the elixir. What if we go back..." someone worried.

Li Yuanchang shook his head: "It's not that dangerous. The First Emperor is the First Emperor, and Your Majesty is Your Majesty."

"We really did our best."

"Carve this inscribed stone wall off; I want to take it back to Chang'an."

"And gather all these skeletal remains you've found and take them down the mountain. Since we're here, let's lend them a hand and let their souls return home."

"yes!"

"Your Highness is benevolent!" The crowd clasped their hands in greeting.

Not long after, Li Yuanchang emerged from the cave, without excessively searching for the elixir of immortality.

Xu Fu's autobiography can be considered the most powerful elixir of immortality.

This exposes the emperors' obsession with and greed for immortality that has lasted for thousands of years, revealing the bloody reality.

Only by accepting the natural laws of birth, aging, illness, and death can people truly dispel their fear of death.

Conversely, if greed is too strong and obsession is too deep, then it is a curse!

A curse of short life!

That night, everyone made it down the mountain safely.

A large number of skeletons and an entire stone wall were brought out; no one expected that searching for elixirs would lead to these things.

Early the next morning.

The soldiers bitten by the venomous snakes awoke one after another and regained consciousness.

Li Yuanchang immediately ordered the return journey.

After hundreds of people had been on the high seas for almost a year, enduring countless hardships, they finally arrived at the so-called Penglai Island, only to be delayed for a single day.

This was solely due to Li Shimin's curiosity and desire for immortality.

When people get old, especially those who stand at the pinnacle of power, they really don't want to let go.

Fortunately, Li Shimin remained rational and did not make any pledges or say anything about what would happen if the elixir of immortality could not be found.

……

The first stop on the return journey was still Dayuan Port, where supplies were replenished.

Although everything went very smoothly, due to seasonal changes and ocean currents, the time it would take for the entire division to return to the Tang Dynasty would increase several times over.

The journey from Penglai Island back to Dayuan Port took nearly a month. Without the support of monsoon winds, the treasure ship's voyage was extremely slow and arduous.

Keep in mind that this was made possible by a cutting-edge invention like a compass, which allowed Li Yuanchang to correct his course at any time and prevent him from going astray. Without it, the voyage would have been hellish!

Even the slightest deviation in direction could mean months of drifting!

Xu Fu was like that back then.

After landing at the port, Li Yuanchang made a brief stop.

During his absence, Japan not only did not experience any large-scale wars, but instead entered a period of eerie calm.

"Your Highness, the Emperor has issued an edict, suddenly recognizing the Ōtomo clan's occupation of the Nakatomi clan and bestowing titles and rewards upon many members of the Ōtomo clan. He wishes to summon me for a talk," Chishima said while pouring sake.

Li Yuanchang scoffed.

Don't go.

"This is something the Central Plains dynasties have already done: first offer amnesty, then dismantle them."

Chishima exclaimed, "Chishima also feels that the Emperor has ill intentions, but if we refuse directly, it will probably lead to another war."

"In the past six months, many people have died and much farmland has been abandoned. The Thousand Islands do not want to continue fighting."

Li Yuanchang nodded.

"Just outwardly obey the Japanese Emperor, but heed his orders but not his pronouncements, and just wait it out with them."

"As long as the bottom line isn't crossed, even if the Emperor suffers a great loss, he certainly won't completely break off relations and fight to the death."

"The two Soga families each have their own agendas, and they won't go all out against you, since that would only benefit others."

"As long as you don't make any mistakes on your end, there shouldn't be any major problems in the south."

"Hi." Chishima nodded, exuding a strong Japanese flair.

"Your Highness, are you going back?" She suddenly leaned closer, resting her chin on Li Yuanchang's shoulder.

"After a few days of rest, I will return to port," Li Yuanchang said.

"Your Highness, when will we be able to meet again?" A hint of reluctance appeared in Ishino Chishima's beautiful eyes.

Li Yuanchang stroked her thigh, and it was truly a sight to behold.

"That's hard to say."

Ishikatsu Chishima stood up, hugged her from behind, and suddenly said, "Your Highness, please grant Chishima a child?"

Li Yuanchang hesitated slightly. His relationship with Qiandao was more like mutual value, coupled with lust at first sight. So, on so many occasions, he had taken certain measures to avoid pregnancy.

Once he has a child, he cannot leave the child in Japan, as that would mean a lack of love. Under the long-term oppressive rule of the shogunate, the child might end up being a replica of Li Chengqian.

But if we bring the Kuril Islands back to Chang'an, who will manage such a large area in southern Japan?

Chishima is undoubtedly the most suitable person. Considering both his abilities and relationships, it can only be him. People like Ishihara Sato and Sei-an are not suitable.

"Let's wait until the situation in Japan stabilizes a bit. If you're pregnant, I'm afraid you won't be able to control the situation."

Although Ishikatsu Chishima was not yet willing to step down, she was still slightly disappointed and could only say, "Chishima will obey Your Highness."

Li Yuanchang pulled the person into his arms and lay down on his side.

A hand slipped under her skirt, just about to kiss her.

"Your Highness!"

"Miss Akari requests an audience."

Li Yuanchang was taken aback.

Shi Zhongqiandao straightened her skirt and was about to get up.

Li Yuanchang pressed down on her with one hand: "Let Mingli come in too."

"Come in too?" Ishikatsu Chishima's beautiful eyes changed slightly, a hint of embarrassment in her voice; she understood the unspoken meaning.

"Your Highness, this..."

"Hmm?" Li Yuanchang raised an eyebrow.

Despite her awkward expression, the beautiful face of Ishikatsu Senjima ultimately acquiesced.