My father, Li Shimin, requests Your Majesty to become the Retired Emperor.

The examiners on the stage, including Lao Cheng, were quite frightened.

Old Cheng hadn't seen clearly when Li Chengqian went up on stage, so he quickly asked, "Your Highness, why did you come up here? What do you think?"

"I'm fine," Li Chenggan said, forcing himself to endure the pain.

"Thank goodness you're alright!"

Just then, three women appeared like a gust of wind and stepped onto the stage: Princess Wencheng, Qu Zhili, and Jiebina.

Jiebina ran towards Li Chenggan, and Princess Wencheng came to Songtsen Gampo and asked him all sorts of questions.

Qu Zhili's almond-shaped eyes widened, her willow-leaf eyebrows stood on end, and she drew her sword, ready to fight Qibi Heli to the death.

Qu Zhili and Li Chengan have mastered the perfect sword technique.

Therefore, her swordsmanship is also quite advanced.

If she were to truly fight Qibi Heli to the death, and Qibi Heli were unarmed, the outcome would be uncertain.

Li Chengan quickly raised his right hand: "Princess, stop!"

When Qu Zhili saw that Li Chenggan had spoken, she took a few steps back: "This kid is running wild on the stage. This is not a martial arts competition, it is clearly a fight to the death. People are showing him mercy, but he is taking advantage of the situation."

"You're lucky you're wearing soft armor. What would you have done without it?"

"Both I and Songtsen Gampo are unharmed, so let's consider this matter over."

Qu Zhili, however, remained relentless.

She said to Cheng Yaojin, "You are the examiner, you must uphold justice. Qibi Heli dared to harm His Highness, he must be severely punished."

Old Cheng stroked his beard: "Princess, rest assured, we will make our own decision."

Old Cheng turned around and discussed with Li Jing, Li Ji, Li Xiaogong and others how to handle the matter.

Li Jing pondered for a moment and said, "I saw clearly during the fight just now that Qibi Heli did indeed go too far, causing Murong Shun to be seriously injured."

Therefore, I recommend disqualifying Chibi Heli from the competition.

Most examiners agreed with Li Jing's viewpoint.

However, no one expected that Li Tai would take the stage.

He first bowed to the examiners, and after he finished bowing, he said, "Examiners, may I say a few words?"

Upon hearing this, Lao Cheng knew that Li Taigou wouldn't say anything nice: "Just say what you have to say, no need to beat around the bush."

"This is how Xiao Wang sees it: Qibi Heli comes from the Western Regions, and in their land, there's little difference between martial arts competitions and going to war."

Therefore, he is not very familiar with the rules of martial arts competitions in our Tang Dynasty, that's one reason;

Secondly, injuries are inevitable in martial arts sparring; he didn't do it on purpose.

Qibi Heli just made it very clear that he only used 20% of his power and had already held back.

Qibi Heli represented not only himself, but also the Tiele tribe, and even the entire Western Regions.

My father said we should treat the people of the Western Regions with leniency and tolerance.

It would be unreasonable to disqualify Qibi Heli simply because he injured Murong Shun.

In addition, Qibi Heli has already played two games in a row.

Songtsen Gampo ascended the platform without permission, which seems to be against the rules, doesn't it?

In Xiao Wang's view, the moment Murong Shun was defeated, Qibi Heli had already won the match.

He's the victor, how can he accept punishment?

Upon hearing this, Lao Cheng thought to himself, "I must say, this Li Tai is quite the talker." He said, "Wait a moment, let me, Lao Cheng, discuss this with the other examiners."

Qu Zhili said, "I'm not convinced. I want to fight him."

Upon hearing this, Old Cheng grinned and said, "Princess, martial arts competitions here have always been a man's affair. No girls ever participate!"

"What's wrong with the young lady? Didn't you hear about Mulan taking her father's place in the army?"

If Mulan could join the army, why can't I?

I also want to seize the general's seal and become a general!

Upon hearing this, Old Cheng thought to himself that this Princess Gaochang really knew a lot, even about Hua Mulan: "This...this..."

Later, Li Chengan made the decision: "You should not make things difficult for Duke Lu. Since he has entered the arena, he should accept the consequences of his bet. I think this match can be judged as a victory for Qibi Heli."

Qibi Heli raised his hands high and howled.

however,

at this time,

A commotion broke out outside the military training ground, with shouts and neighing of horses. Nobody knew what was going on.

Li Chengan, Cheng Yaojin, Li Jing, and others came to watch from outside the arena.

Several horses arrived outside the drill ground, each carrying a person sitting atop its back. They were:

Yeon Gaesomun, Buyeo Ryu, Soga Ezo, Soga Iruka, and Inugami Mitaku.

Li Chengan recognized them all as old acquaintances and asked with a smile, "Gentlemen, where are you all from?"

Everyone got off their horses.

Soga no Emishi approached Li Chengqian and laughed heartily: "Your Highness, it's been a while since we last met. You seem to have grown taller."

"Is there?"

Li Chengan knew that this Soga no Emishi was a very important figure in the Wa (Japanese) country.

Soga no Emishi once had a woman he liked named Chili Pepper, but she was taken by Inukami Odenkuchi.

Soga no Emishit felt increasingly humiliated and burst into tears, seeking help from Li Chenggan to vent his anger.

Li Chenggan broke the leg of the dog, Gotoku Mitako.

Soga no Emishi supported King Somei, and his son Soga no Iruka was also a ruthless character. He once pursued and nearly killed King Yamashiro Ōe.

As for Yeon Gaesomun, needless to say, he had led his army to numerous victories against the Sui army.

After his father's death, he inherited his father's title and official position.

He held a high position in Goguryeo and even disregarded Go Geon-mu.

If we compare Gao Jianwu to Emperor Xian of Han and Yeon Gaesomun to Cao Cao, they do bear some resemblance.

Yeon Gaesomun, hands on his hips and a wide grin, said, "Lee Seung-gan, how have you been?"

"I'm alright." Li Chenggan stared at him blankly.

"I heard you're holding a martial arts exam in Chang'an during the Lantern Festival, and people from other countries are welcome to participate."

"So, may I participate?"

At this moment, Li Chenggan pulled Lao Cheng aside, first introducing Yeon Gaesomun to him in a low voice, and then asking in a low voice, "Does Yeon Gaesomun meet the requirements for participating?"

Old Cheng knew Yeon Gaesomun, and knew that he was a powerful minister and fierce general of Goguryeo.

Old Cheng was also taken aback, because he had already learned that the allied forces of Goguryeo and Baekje were preparing to attack Silla, and he did not expect that Yeon Gaesomun would dare to come to Chang'an.

The examiners gathered together to discuss the matter; some agreed, while others disagreed.

Li Jing pondered for a moment: "Now, Goguryeo and Baekje have joined forces and are leading their armies to attack Silla."

And Silla is our loyal vassal state, so doesn't that mean Goguryeo and Baekje are our enemies?

The Wa people also colluded with Yanqi, making them enemies of our Great Tang.

Therefore, I feel that they should not be allowed to participate in the martial arts examination.

They should all be arrested immediately to prevent future trouble.

Old Cheng, however, disagreed: "General, you're right. These people are up to no good. Good people don't come here; there aren't many good guys among them."

However, precisely because they dared to come, we should give them a chance to prove themselves.

We must completely defeat them and make them submit from the bottom of their hearts, otherwise they will become arrogant and ignorant.

There are only five of them, while we have so many men. Do you think they can turn the world upside down?

"However, these people are not ordinary. They are highly skilled in martial arts. Who can be their match?"

If we can't beat them, wouldn't we make a fool of ourselves in their presence?

Old Cheng thumped his chest loudly: "With me, Old Cheng, here, what are you afraid of?"

If none of our people can match him, then I, Old Cheng, will personally step in and have a go at him.

Everyone was speechless upon hearing this, because they all knew that Old Cheng only knew those three and a half axe blows, which were good for bluffing, but probably wouldn't be effective on the battlefield.

Li Chengan crossed his arms and said, "I think that since they've come, let them give it a try."

Martial arts have no borders. As for their affairs with Silla, let's talk about that later.

Both Li Xiaogong and Lao Cheng agreed with Li Chengqian's viewpoint.

that's it,

Su Gui then let these people in.

Inugami Mitaku said to Li Chenggan, "Your Highness, this is not my first time in Chang'an. Returning to this familiar place brings many emotions. I have a letter here; please take a look."

"A letter? Where did this letter come from?" Li Chenggan was quite surprised.

"Yes, you'll see when you see it."

As Inugami Mitaku finished speaking, he indeed took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to Li Chenggan.

After reading it, Li Chengan was speechless, wondering if Princess Tianyan had gone mad.

She is clearly King Shuming's woman, how could she have designs on him?

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Li Chengqian's face before he put the letter away.

Inugami Odenkuya glanced at Li Chenggan and deliberately asked, "What did the letter say?"

"Oh, it's nothing, just sending my greetings," Li Chenggan said casually.

"It seems Princess Tianyan and you get along very well."

Li Chenggan's face darkened, and he whispered in his ear, "Inugami Mitasuki, don't talk nonsense. I have no relationship with her. On the contrary, you and your queen seem to be quite close."

"Uh—," Inuue Odenkuwa choked, turning to the crowd and saying,

"How about I go first?"

Soga no Iruka reached out and stopped him: "General, your injuries have not yet healed. Let me handle this matter. I'll go on stage first."

"Alright, then I'll have to trouble you, Young General."

In reality, the relationship between Inugami Odenkuchi and the Soga family was superficially harmonious but inwardly hostile, with both sides vying for fame and profit and engaging in open and covert struggles.

At this moment, Inugami Mita Kuchi also saw Yakushi Eri and thought to himself that Yakushi Eri was a traitor to their Wa-nu Kingdom, protecting Li Chenggan at every turn.

Soga Irishaka stepped onto the ring.

There's a saying that goes, "A newborn calf is not afraid of a tiger." Soga no Iruka, relying on his father being a powerful minister in the Japanese kingdom, doesn't take anyone seriously.

Dressed in the attire of a ronin, with a long Japanese sword at his waist, he strutted around the arena with an arrogant and domineering air: "Gentlemen, you may not recognize me."

Let me first introduce myself. My name is Soga no Iruka, and I come from the land of Wa, the land of the rising sun, while your Tang Dynasty is the land of the setting sun.

These words caused an uproar both on and off the stage.

"According to the etiquette of our Wa (Japanese) country, Li Shimin should have gone to pay homage to our King Shuming."

Ironically, Li Shimin didn't come to us personally; instead, he sent an envoy named Gao Biaoren.

On that occasion, Gao Biaoren came to our Wa-nu Kingdom, but demanded that our king kneel facing north to receive the imperial edict. Wasn't that just being unreasonable?

Logically, we should have killed Gao Biaoren, but our king is kind and forgiving, and did not hold it against him. He simply locked him up in prison to let him suffer a little.

However, Gao Biaoren is stubborn, oblivious to the times, and unrepentant. Today, I have come to Chang'an to make those ignorant fools understand that our Wa (Japanese) Kingdom is the truly powerful nation.

"Our martial arts are the best in the world!"

Someone in the audience shouted, "Who do you think you are? Get off the stage!"

"Back then, Xu Fu led 3000 young boys and girls, along with many craftsmen, on a large ship to the East Sea to search for immortals, but they never returned. So they settled there."

Later, it gradually evolved into the Wa (Japanese) Kingdom. You are descendants of Xu Fu, but you have all forgotten your ancestors.

"This kid is too arrogant!"

How dare they call their Wa (Japanese) country the land of sunrise and our Tang Dynasty the land of sunset! It's utterly outrageous!

"Everyone, attack together and beat him to a pulp."

The crowd below the stage was furious and shouted in protest.

Some ordinary citizens are even going on stage.

At this moment, seeing that the situation was not good, the pharmacist Hui Ri quickly went up on the stage.

He first addressed the angry crowd, saying, "Please be quiet. I will handle this matter."

Many people in the audience recognized Pharmacist Eri and knew he was a decent person, which gradually calmed everyone down.

Yakushi Ehime stared at Soga Iruka and asked, "What nonsense are you spouting? How dare you call the Heavenly Khan's name like that?"

Do you even know basic manners?

Isn't that just arrogance and ignorance?

"Yakushi Eri, it was you all along."

Who is Yelang? Is he related to me?

Upon hearing this, Pharmacist Hui Ri thought to himself that he couldn't communicate with him at all; this kid actually asked such a stupid question.

"Soga no Iruka, you're new to Chang'an and don't know the situation here. There are many experts here. I advise you to step down and stop fooling around."

Yakushi Ehime meant well when he said those words, but Soga Irikachi did not see it that way.

He glared at him: "You plopped down in Li Chengqian's lap, always protecting him. Are you going to become a traitor to our Japanese nation?"

"What did you say?"

I was sent on a mission to the Tang Dynasty, how did I become a traitor?

Do you think that stirring up antagonism between Japan and the Tang Dynasty is a sign of patriotism?

Let me tell you, you're completely wrong!

Moreover, we should be thanking the Tang Dynasty.

Two years ago, Inugami Odenkuchi and I were ordered to come to Chang'an. The Heavenly Khan treated us very well, providing us with good food and drink.

Moreover, they imparted to us many agricultural techniques and legal codes without reservation. Because of this, we learned a great deal, which we brought back to Wa (Japan) and used to benefit the people of Wa.

Could we have done this without the Tang Dynasty?

Don't forget, our Wa (Japanese) Kingdom was also a vassal state of the Tang Dynasty, and we should act like a vassal state.

Since Gao Biaoren has come to our Wa-nu Kingdom with the imperial edict of the Heavenly Khan, why doesn't he kneel down to receive it?

And what did you just say?

What do you mean by "the land of sunrise" and "the land of sunset"? Isn't that nonsense?

I advise you to step down immediately, return to Nambazu, and properly learn etiquette.