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

A month passed between the two trips, and by the time Xiao Li returned to report, it was already December.

Chubu Prefecture.

Heavy snow in the dead of winter covered the entire city.

In previous years, this place would have been a desolate wasteland, with many people and livestock freezing to death. But in the two years under Li Yuanchang's rule, life has flourished both inside and outside the city.

With no one freezing to death on the roads and ample food and clothing, the Far East has an absolute foundation that acts as a pillar of stability.

"Did she really say that?"

"Your Highness, that's exactly what I said." Xiao Li was travel-worn, with cracks on his face from the cold.

"I feel that Queen Zhende's attitude towards you is extremely hostile, and ordinary diplomacy is probably ineffective."

"Even offering benefits won't work."

"Everything we had to bring back this time was forced to be moved again, and half of it is still stuck on the road."

At this point, Xiao Li said with remorse, "Your Highness, I have failed in my duties. Please punish me!"

"Hey, it's not your fault." Li Yuanchang waved his hand, appearing very optimistic.

"Queen Zhende's attitude is normal. I sent you there because I wanted a definite answer, or at least a friendly procedure."

"Huh?" Xiao Li and the others were taken aback, thinking that Li Yuanchang would be angry, or at least annoyed.

Li Yuanchang reached out and caught the snowflakes drifting in from outside, saying, "This Queen Jindeok is the queen who has been closest to Chang'an for generations of Silla people."

"Upon assuming power, she promoted comprehensive Tang-style modernization and maintained close ties with Chang'an. This process had begun during the reign of Emperor Taizong and had always relied on the protection of the Tang Dynasty."

"The entire Silla Kingdom also paid homage to the Tang Dynasty, and the personality cult of Emperor Taizong reached the level of faith and godhood."

"The relationship between me and Chang'an is delicate, both intimate and distant; we are ruler and subject, and also mortal enemies."

"As loyal followers of Emperor Taizong and the new emperor, they naturally reject me."

"Of course, this is not just about emotional beliefs, but also about huge practical benefits. Every year, Silla receives a large amount of grain, cloth, iron and so on from the Tang Dynasty. They can naturally recognize such a source of sustenance."

Su Gui frowned and said, "Your Highness is right."

"Silla has always been a loyal vassal state of the Tang Dynasty. When Silla was almost destroyed, it was Emperor Taizong who issued an edict to warn the foreign states, which saved it from destruction."

"From this perspective, it's understandable that Silla doesn't like us."

"Speaking of which, this queen is more righteous than that two-faced King Yici."

"Lord Su, you can't say that. The Queen of Silla is being so disrespectful to His Highness because of her own interests. Since she won't be a friend, then she's an enemy!"

"To put it bluntly, if the court listens to the slander of treacherous officials again and attacks the Far East once more, Silla might even send troops!" someone objected.

"That's true. Respect is one thing, but if we become opponents, we can't be soft on each other," Su Gui said.

"Lord Su is right. This woman's refusal of me has actually made me feel favorably towards her. But favor is one thing, and other things are another," Li Yuanchang said.

"So what should we do now?"

"Queen Jinde refuses to engage in relations, and the matter of the ranch is out of the question. Now, isn't Silla a thorn in the side of the peninsula?"

At this moment, Xiao Li also said, "In my opinion, conventional methods are no longer effective."

"Wealth cannot sway his heart, courting cannot shake his resolve, and he has the backing of the imperial court. Unless Baekje comes to him of its own accord, I'm afraid..."

Everyone looked to Li Yuanchang for advice.

Silla may seem like a small country, but its relationship with the imperial court made things complicated.

Li Yuanchang paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, lost in thought for a long time.

"The conventional methods are indeed no longer effective."

"However, extreme measures are also not an option, as they would damage relations with the court and could even lead to a civil war. Moreover, Silla is not an easy opponent."

"If the name is not correct, then the words will not be proper."

"Furthermore, war means death, which is not the best strategy. Subduing the enemy without fighting is the right way."

"How can we subdue the enemy without fighting?" some wondered.

Li Yuanchang stopped in his tracks, a sudden smile spreading across his face: "I've got it!"

"Pass down the order to station troops in the Far East, Japan, Tsushima Island, and other locations to combat piracy, implement a maritime blockade against Silla, and prohibit all goods from entering Silla for trade."

"Once discovered, they will be prosecuted for piracy."

Upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback, then pondered it carefully, their smiles gradually becoming ambiguous.

"wonderful!"

"How wonderful!"

"Your Highness's plan is brilliant!"

"Silla's annual grain production was insufficient, so it relied mainly on trade with the Tang Dynasty. It also depended on purchasing copper, iron, and coarse salt."

"If we block their way, won't they come knocking on our door themselves, begging Your Highness for mercy?"

"Besides, even if the imperial court finds out about the blockade against pirates, it won't matter, since we haven't taken any action against them!"

"Haha, yeah, yeah!"

Everyone immediately started discussing it. Although the method was a bit cunning, it would definitely work.

Su Gui was so impressed that she slapped the table in admiration.

"Hahaha!" Li Yuanchang laughed loudly. The "economic sanctions" of the 21st century are still more effective. It's disgusting to boil a frog in lukewarm water.

"That's settled then. Let Wan Jun take charge of this matter. The message must be sent to all major ports. No merchant ship should be allowed to approach Silla."

"yes!"

"Also, inform my father-in-law and have him unite with the major merchant guilds to secretly cancel all dealings with Silla merchants, especially the Silla royal family and officials."

"yes!"

"..."

After the person left, Li Yuanchang quickly wrote another letter and had the Black Ice Guard send it all the way to Chang'an to deliver it to Meiniang.

Ask them to help sow discord and sever ties between Silla and the court.

With this two-pronged approach, the proud and arrogant Queen Silla should have a headache.

Li Yuanchang refused to believe that he couldn't deal with Queen Kim Seung-man of Silla!

In just seven days, the highest order from the Far East Royal Palace was issued, and the first thing to be done was to completely prohibit merchants and travelers from entering Silla through land checkpoints and post roads.

At first, no one realized the seriousness of the problem, including Silla. They really thought it was about suppressing bandits and eliminating rebellious forces.

However, it wasn't until half a month later that ships began to appear on the sea, taking turns patrolling, and many merchants who wanted to enter Silla for trade were persuaded to turn back or go elsewhere.

Only then did Silla officials begin to realize that something was wrong!

They began to investigate, probe, and send ships to escort them.

However, they were all intercepted, and when asked, they were told that the Far East King was suppressing bandits.

About a month.

What truly made Silla uneasy was that all the businesses they had previously cooperated with had suddenly disappeared and severed all ties!

There was no other way at this point, and the message began to be passed down layer by layer to Queen Zhen De.