Chapter 374 Seal of the King of Han-Wo Nu
Li Shimin calmly sipped his tea while seated on the dragon throne.
A bunch of petty scoundrels, they can't even out-argue Xiao Wei, yet they dare to come to the Tang Dynasty and cause trouble?
My Wei Duidui hasn't even made his appearance yet, and you've already fallen.
They can't stand criticism, not a single one of them can stand criticism!
"What do you envoys think of what Minister Wei has said?" Li Shimin asked calmly.
The delegations from various countries remained silent.
What can you say when you encounter a terrible teammate like Buyeo Uija?
"Your Majesty, I misspoke."
Buyeo Uija immediately begged for mercy, saying, "Baekje is completely convinced that the Tang Dynasty has cancelled the return gift to us."
"Um."
Li Shimin responded, "It's never too late to admit your mistakes and correct them."
"I hope that Crown Prince Yici will be careful with his words and actions in the future, and never say such things again."
"Otherwise, even if I forgive you, the millions of soldiers of the Tang Dynasty will not tolerate it."
Buyeo Uija broke out in a cold sweat.
He no longer expects anything in return.
He only hoped that the Tang Dynasty would not retaliate because of this, otherwise he would be a sinner against Baekje.
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Tang Emperor!"
Just then, the Japanese envoy finally stepped forward.
"Who are you……"
Li Shimin was stunned for a moment.
The Japanese envoys looked and dressed much like those of the Tang Dynasty.
Li Shimin didn't recognize him at first.
"Your Majesty the Tang Emperor..."
The Japanese envoy replied, "I am an envoy from Japan to Tang China. Emperor Jomei sent me to pay homage to Your Majesty and to witness the splendor and prosperity of the Tang Dynasty!"
"Yeah?"
Li Shimin smiled slightly: "So what does the Japanese envoy think of our Great Tang?"
"The Tang Dynasty was the most prosperous country I have ever seen!"
The Japanese envoy solemnly replied, "The scene of everyone turning out in Hu County is something I have never seen before in my life!"
"I am ashamed to say that even if my Japan were to experience another three hundred years, it would still not reach the prosperity of Hu County."
"Ha ha……"
Emperor Taizong was overjoyed. He loved hearing flattery, especially from foreigners.
"The Japanese envoy need not be so modest. If you follow in the footsteps of the Great Tang, your Japan can do the same."
Li Shimin laughed heartily.
Xiao Wei not only brought him honor in the imperial court, but the development of the Ministry of Commerce also greatly enhanced the prestige of the Tang Dynasty.
"Your Majesty the Emperor of Tang..."
The Japanese envoy bowed respectfully: "May we visit the Ministry of Commerce and learn how it developed?"
These words immediately attracted the attention of the other countries.
The development of the Ministry of Commerce is indeed attractive.
If this policy were introduced, would their country's economy improve?
"Is that all..."
Li Shimin was overjoyed, but he also loved to show off.
Just as he was about to readily agree to take on the task, Wei Shuyu stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, you mustn't."
Wei Shuyu bowed and said, "The Great Tang Dynasty allows any country to visit, but Japan is absolutely not allowed!"
Um?
Everyone was surprised by these words.
"May I ask, Doctor Wei, what is the reason for this?" the Japanese envoy asked, frowning.
"If my information is correct..."
Wei Shuyu glanced at the other party sideways: "This time, the various countries have united to speak up for Baekje. Was it your Japan that instigated this?"
The Japanese envoy's pupils suddenly contracted.
He quickly put on a fawning smile...
"What are you saying, Physician Wei?"
“Baekje is adjacent to my country, Japan. I am only helping out a little out of neighborly relations.”
"Just like the Tang Dynasty..."
"If the Great Tang Dynasty has any use for our Japan, our Japan will certainly do its utmost to help."
The Japanese envoy was quite cunning, and what he said made perfect sense.
Even Li Shimin nodded, seemingly unsure whether to agree or disagree.
"So you're admitting it?" Wei Shuyu said calmly.
"Dr. Wei, I just said..."
“Baekje is adjacent to our Wa (Japan), and this is merely an act of neighborly assistance.”
"If there has been any offense, my country, Japan, is willing to make compensation!"
The Japanese envoy's attitude was more sincere.
Modern Japan doesn't even have its own writing system; everything it does is imitated and learned from the Tang Dynasty!
He could not, and dared not, make excuses.
The consequences of offending the Tang Dynasty were far beyond what he could bear.
"It's good to admit it."
Wei Shuyu bowed to Li Shimin and said, "Your Majesty, the Japanese have plotted against and schemed against the Tang Dynasty, showing disrespect to the Tang. I humbly request Your Majesty to demote them to barbarians!"
Um?
The envoys from various countries were shocked.
For such a small matter, Japan was willing to apologize and admit its mistake, but Wei Shuyu still wouldn't let it go.
Wei Shuyu had been arrogant in his previous attitude, but he never launched an attack.
But at this moment, they suddenly launched an attack on Japan...
"Wei Shuyu".
Buyeo Yi-ja chimed in, "The Japanese envoy has already admitted his mistake. Isn't it a bit much for you to keep harping on it like this?"
Wei Shuyu didn't take it seriously at all.
"As the Han dynasty said: Those who offend our mighty Han, though far away, shall be punished!"
Wei Shuyu said coldly, "Do you know when you said that?"
I know nothing.
I'm not a person from your Tang Dynasty.
Despite his thoughts, Fuyu Yici still clasped his hands in a fist salute to Wei Shuyu and said, "I humbly request your guidance, Physician Wei."
"He said that after he had finished killing everyone!"
Wei Shuyu's eyes narrowed: "Our Great Tang Dynasty has already shown mercy by not exterminating the Japanese!"
They ignored Buyeo Ui-ja.
Wei Shuyu turned to the Japanese envoy and asked, "I will only ask you one question: Is it true that you have instigated other countries to speak on behalf of Baekje?"
"have!"
The Japanese envoy gritted his teeth and replied.
"good……"
Wei Shuyu nodded: "So, do you accept the punishment imposed on Japan by the Tang Dynasty?"
"Our Japanese nation is willing to make compensation!" the Japanese envoy declared again.
"compensation?"
Wei Shuyu sneered: "Does my great Tang Dynasty need those three inferior Japanese fruits?"
Japan does indeed have many silver mines.
But it hasn't been discovered yet.
"Then what do you say?"
The Japanese envoy did not regret standing up for Baekje, as it concerned the interests of all nations.
What he regrets is that he married such a fool as Buyeo Ui-ja.
How dare they say such things in the Tang Dynasty!
"I heard that Emperor Guangwu once bestowed the seal of the King of Hanwa on the Japanese?" Wei Shuyu suddenly asked.
"What's wrong?"
The Japanese envoy felt a chill run down his spine, a bad premonition creeping over him.
"Then please return the seal of the King of Han-Wonu..."
What?
The Japanese envoy's expression changed drastically.
Taking back the royal seal is tantamount to abolishing the Tang Dynasty's recognition.
Strictly speaking, this is equivalent to losing the protection of the Tang Dynasty.
If that's the case, neighboring countries will definitely devour them completely.
"The seal of the King of Wa of Han was bestowed by Emperor Guangwu..."
The Japanese envoy hurriedly explained, "This represents the legitimacy of my Japanese nation; how could we possibly hand it over so easily?"
"This is the Tang Dynasty!"
Wei Shuyu pressed on, saying, "I now order you to hand over the seal of the King of Han-Wonu!"
They have been targeted repeatedly.
The Japanese envoy also lost his temper.
No matter how small his country may be, he represents Japan.
"As you said yourself, this is the Tang Dynasty, while the Han-Wa King's Seal of my Japan was obtained during the Han Dynasty!"
"So that's already our Japanese property!"
The envoys from various countries remained silent; having observed for so long, they had roughly understood what was happening...
The Tang Dynasty is making an example of someone!
That's right.
Wei Shuyu changed his mind at the last minute.
He originally intended to target Baekje!
But since you, Japan, have jumped out on your own, who else should we target if not you?
"So, Japan is unwilling to hand over its royal seal?" Wei Shuyu's voice grew increasingly cold.
The Japanese envoy's eyes flickered.
We absolutely cannot confront the Tang Dynasty head-on.
Since we can't handle Wei Shuyu, then we can only...
"Your Majesty the Emperor of Tang..."
The Japanese envoy bowed to Li Shimin and said, "Our country, Japan, reveres the Tang Dynasty and takes pride in the culture of the Han and Tang dynasties..."
"Emperor Guangwu acknowledged and granted the seal of the King of Han Wa Nu!"
"The whole country is learning about Han and Tang culture."
"If the Tang Dynasty were to reclaim the seal of the Han-Wo Nu King, it would be tantamount to stripping the faith of our Wa Kingdom!"
"What will become of the millions of people in my country now?"
"Your Majesty the Tang Emperor is merciful, please have mercy on the people of my Japan..."
The Japanese envoy spoke with great emotion, his words carrying a pleading tone.
Li Shimin was also moved upon hearing this...
At least from his perspective, Japan is indeed quite pitiful.
"Shuyu, about the matter of Japan..."
Li Shimin wanted to say a few words on behalf of Japan.
However, before he could finish speaking, Wei Shuyu interrupted him.
This time, Wei Shuyu's expression was more serious than ever before!
"His Majesty!"
"The Japanese envoy himself said it..."
"The Japanese admire our Tang Dynasty culture so much that the entire nation studies it!"
"But Your Majesty, please consider his actions..."
"To collude with other countries to plot against the Tang Dynasty is disrespectful to the Tang Dynasty."
"May I ask a question..."
"Is our Great Tang Dynasty helping a weak country, or has it nurtured an ingrate?"
As he spoke, Wei Shuyu bowed solemnly to Li Shimin...
"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you reclaim the seal of the Han-Japanese King and demote him to a barbarian!"
"Never again shall he set foot on the borders of the Tang Dynasty!"
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