LFHYB -Chapter 57 Finding a Way to Switch Envoys

Li Xuanba was stunned for a long while. Only during their formal introductions did he dig through the recesses of his memory to recall historical records about these Japanese envoys.

The leader of the Japanese envoys was called Ono no Imoko.

In 607 AD, the third year of the Daye era, Japan sent an envoy to the Great Sui, led by Ono no Imoko, arriving in the Eastern Capital, Luoyang, at the end of the year.

Li Xuanba had been observing mourning in Daxing the previous year. Since the Sui court received many foreign envoys annually, this small matter naturally wouldn’t have reached Daxing.

He tried to recall and quickly organized this piece of history in his mind.

Ono no Imoko’s mission group included many students who had studied in China for decades, witnessed the transition from Sui to Tang, and learned a vast amount of advanced knowledge.

Upon returning to Japan, these students promoted the Taika Reform in 645 AD, modernizing Japan by learning from Tang’s advanced systems, transitioning from a slave society to a feudal one, and formally renaming the country “Nihon” (Japan).

Thus, Japan as a nation was born.

The Taika Reform and the Meiji Restoration were the two most important social transformations in Japanese history. Li Xuanba, although not usually interested in world history, understood that the dispatch of envoys and students to Tang had contributed to Japan’s progress—one of the “blemishes” on Tang Taizong’s record. Naturally, he delved into the details of the Taika Reform.

From a professional perspective, Li Xuanba did not consider Tang Taizong as “helping the enemy.”

First, later generations cannot fault their predecessors for not having foreknowledge of the future.

When Japan obediently followed Tang, it was as docile as it later became under the Americans. Tang Taizong was kind to such obedient foreign nations.

Furthermore, most of the Japanese reformers promoting the Taika Reform were the seasoned students who had come to China in the third year of the Daye era.

Going further back, Japan had had economic and cultural exchanges with China since the Han dynasty.

A strong country naturally attracts neighboring countries seeking knowledge.

A powerful nation would open itself to foreign cultures rather than isolate itself. With communication comes the transmission of advanced culture.

At that time, Tang culture had a broad influence—not just on Japan. Tang Taizong both exported Tang’s advanced culture and institutions and sent students abroad to learn advanced technologies, such as sugar-making.

Indeed, in early and high Tang periods, the dynasty loved teaching foreign students advanced knowledge and experiences while sending its own students abroad to acquire technology.

From his limited understanding, Li Xuanba felt that Tang had done quite well.

In the third year of Daye, the Japanese envoy arrived; in the fourth year, Emperor Yang sent Pei Shiqing to Japan with Ono no Imoko accompanying him; in September, the Japanese emperor sent Ono no Imoko back to the Great Sui with Pei Shiqing.

This marked the first high point of official Sino-Japanese exchange.

The period was brief, and Li Xuanba only recalled the history roughly in his mind.

He quickly regained focus, gave a disdainful glance at the Japanese envoys, and then told Yang Guang, “By Your Majesty’s order, I must comply. But as for this teacher-disciple arrangement, perhaps we should let that slide. I still prefer to select my disciples based on status.”

Yang Guang chuckled: “That was my slip of the tongue. You only need to teach them a little in your spare time—there’s no formal master-disciple relationship. How could I let you take barbarians as disciples? Barbarians don’t have the qualification to be taught.”

Li Xuanba said, “Your Majesty is wise!”

When Yang Guang directed his harsh words toward the people of Wa, Li Xuanba found them unusually pleasing to the ear.

Yang Guang kept calling them “barbarians.” The people of Wa were already unhappy that the Emperor of Sui would have them study under a mere child, and now they were even more dissatisfied.

But no matter their resentment, they dared not show disrespect to the Emperor of Sui.

They still had to bow and smile at Li Xuanba, piling on politeness, asking him to teach them more.

The people of Wa were always particularly meticulous in their manners, especially when they were asking a favor.

Li Xuanba felt disgusted in his heart and wanted to refuse.

Yet he forced himself to endure the discomfort and agreed to Yang Guang’s request.

Sui and Wa had already sent envoys to each other; exchanges between the two countries were inevitable. If he refused, the Wa people would simply find another teacher.

Moreover, even if he agreed to teach the Wa envoys, they would still pay other Sui scholars for knowledge—they wouldn’t rely on him alone. He couldn’t stop Wa from learning from abroad, nor could he halt Wa’s historical process of “Great Transformation.”

Even if it were the Sui dynasty now, Li Xuanba couldn’t control Yang Guang’s choices. And even in the future Tang dynasty, he couldn’t drag his elder brother into a war to subdue Wa.

Wa only had a few valuable mines, which could be acquired without war. Waging a national campaign against Wa would bring Tang no benefit.

Even if Wa were conquered now, with the current level of technology, a distant island nation could not be properly governed, and Wa would eventually regain independence.

If Li Xuanba could cause Mount Fuji to erupt by jumping into its crater, even he, who valued his life, would do it.

But sacrificing Tang soldiers in Wa just to resolve matters of the future—that he could not do.

He knew that even if his second brother knew the future, he would not send troops against Wa. For him, the lives of Tang’s people in the present were more important than a distant future.

The future should be solved by future people; as Emperor of Tang, his second brother would focus on the present.

Li Xuanba repeatedly told himself to “stay calm,” suppressing his emotions and making a rational decision.

Although he couldn’t stop the course of history, by participating he could perhaps secure more benefits for Tang.

For example, the island of Kyushu, drawn into Tang’s map because it was so close to the mainland.

All Chinese aristocrats were proud in dealings with foreigners. Li Xuanba’s arrogance toward the Wa envoys was perfectly normal.

Yang Guang was not angry at Li Xuanba for showing disdain; in fact, he admired it.

Yang Guang was about to send Pei Shiqing as an envoy to Wa. Before dispatching him, Yang Guang deliberately summoned Li Xuanba—using the young boy to humiliate the Wa envoys.

“Our Sui dynasty has a mere child who is so capable—Wa, you’d better bow down!”

After dismissing the Wa envoys, Yang Guang revealed his real plan to Li Xuanba: to use the excuse of teaching to humiliate them before “Su Yingao” left Sui.

Su Yingao was the name of Ono no Imoko in Sui.

Li Xuanba readily agreed.

Yang Guang gritted his teeth: “A tiny group of barbarians, yet they dare call themselves emperors. If it weren’t for Goguryeo and the Turks at my side, I would have sent troops to destroy Wa myself!”

Yang Guang was historically known for favoring foreign peoples. For Wa to anger such a man, they truly must have some skill.

When Yang Guang said this, Li Xuanba recalled a related historical record.

When Ono no Imoko visited Sui, the letter she presented to Emperor Yang was titled: “The Son of the Sun sends greetings to the Son of the Setting Sun,” which greatly angered the emperor.

Since the Han dynasty, China had always been the dominant power in East Asia; smaller states were required to pay tribute. Within this system, only the Chinese emperor could call himself “Son of Heaven.”

Wa had been a vassal of Han China. Now the king of Wa not only called himself “Son of the Sun” but also belittled the emperor as “Son of the Setting Sun.” His intentions were obvious.

Emperor Yang was so furious that he commanded: “Barbarian letters that are disrespectful, do not present them again.” Yet he valued foreign nations highly; the less they respected him, the more he valued them. So the following year, he still sent an envoy to Wa.

In the fifth year of the Daye era, when Ono no Imoko visited Sui again, Wa changed the letter’s heading to: “Eastern Emperor respectfully greets Western Emperor,” calling themselves “Tenno” instead of “Son of Heaven.” Emperor Yang, surprisingly, was satisfied and formally established relations.

Li Xuanba recalled this and was utterly puzzled.

“‘Eastern Emperor respectfully greets Western Emperor’—wasn’t that extremely disrespectful to Emperor Yang? He was so proud, yet he swallowed his anger and treated Wa with great courtesy, even taking many Wa students to Sui to learn advanced Chinese culture.

“During the Han dynasty, Emperor Guangwu of Han had merely granted Wa the gold seal of ‘Wanu Kingdom’; Wa was just a subordinate state. Now the king of Wa calls himself ‘Tenno’ and calls you ‘Western Emperor,’ and you’re satisfied? You treat them politely? Have you no shame?!”

Li Xuanba, still perplexed, returned home and—unusually—took out his small bow to vent on straw dummies at the practice field.

When Li Yuan returned home, he found Li Xuanba practicing archery and was so alarmed that he quickly checked his forehead and called for a physician.

Li Xuanba said helplessly: “Father, I am not sick.”

Li Yuan asked: “Did someone anger you? You just returned from the palace. Did His Majesty insult our Duke Tang Mansion again?”

Li Xuanba had not wanted to discuss official matters with his father. But then he thought: as a noble of this era, his father’s perspective might resolve his doubts. So he answered:

“Today His Majesty had me teach the Wa envoys Sui poetry and literature. I heard that Wa was originally a vassal of Han, named ‘Wanu Kingdom’ by Han. Now the king of Wa calls Your Majesty the ‘Son of the Setting Sun’ while claiming himself as the ‘Son of the Sun.’ Yet His Majesty is willing to establish relations with Wa. I cannot understand this.”

Li Yuan frowned, thinking for a long while before he finally remembered what “Wa Kingdom” and “Wa Nu Kingdom” referred to.

He said, “The Wa Kingdom lies across the water from Goguryeo. His Majesty has intentions to attack Goguryeo, and perhaps wants to ally with the Wa Kingdom to do so. As for the Wa Kingdom’s disrespect, we can deal with it after subduing Goguryeo.”

In Sui and Tang records, “Goryeo” refers to Goguryeo.

“Goryeo” is simply an abbreviation of “Goguryeo,” though the formal state name was always Goguryeo. Yet, when the Chinese dynasties interacted with Goguryeo, they often used the short form “Goryeo” in official documents.

• Goguryeo: Our full name is Goguryeo.
• Rulers of the Northern and Southern Dynasties: Alright, Goryeo.
• Goguryeo: Please respect our proper name; the official name of our country is Goguryeo!
• Emperor Wen of Sui: Goryeo.
• Emperor Yang of Sui: Goryeo.
• Emperor Taizong of Tang: Goryeo.
• Emperor Gaozong of Tang: Goryeo.

Thus, during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, “Goguryeo” and “Goryeo” were used interchangeably; by the Sui and Tang dynasties, all historical records referred to Goguryeo simply as “Goryeo.” Goguryeo people themselves began calling their country Goryeo.

Now, Goguryeo no longer exists—only Goryeo remains.

When the Joseon Wang dynasty was established, they chose the name “Goryeo” for reasons widely known to all. Wang Goryeo had no connection with the Goryeo of the Sui-Tang period, which is why later historians distinguish Sui-Tang Goryeo as Goguryeo.

The fallen Goguryeo feels wronged. They were the true Goryeo—the earlier country forced to give way to the later one.

Goryeo was founded by Jumong, a member of the Buyeo people, taking advantage of the decline of the Western Han Dynasty. During the chaotic Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, Goryeo seized a lot of territory from the Central Plains dynasties, acting as a separatist power on Chinese lands.

Once China was unified, it was inevitable that the Central Plains would reclaim their old territory and eliminate separatist powers. Therefore, a war between Sui and Goryeo was certain.

Emperor Wen of Sui once campaigned against Goryeo but had to withdraw due to weather. After Yang Guang ascended the throne, everyone at court knew that the Sui dynasty would complete the unfinished work of Emperor Wen—destroying the separatist power of Goryeo.

If Yang Guang weren’t busy building the Eastern Capital, the Grand Canal, the Great Wall, and countless palaces, Sui would have already gone to war with Goryeo.

Li Yuan clearly understood the emperor’s sharp intentions toward Goryeo and easily guessed his thoughts.

Li Yuan said to Li Xuanba, “The Wa Kingdom is rude, but it is nothing more than a tiny barbarian state. His Majesty doesn’t bother to argue with them. After Goryeo is taken care of, if they remain disrespectful, it won’t be too late to deal with them.”

Seeing Li Yuan’s calm expression, Li Xuanba understood why Yang Guang could tolerate this slight.

The Sui dynasty looked down on the Wa Kingdom, thinking it natural that barbarians did not understand etiquette; quarreling with them would only lower one’s own status.

Not only Yang Guang, but everyone in the Chinese court believed that it was better to focus on practical benefits than to quarrel over etiquette that barbarians could never understand.

Currently, the Wa Kingdom’s benefit to Sui was their ability to assist Sui in attacking Goryeo.

Li Xuanba said to Li Yuan, “The Wa Kingdom won’t send troops.”

Li Yuan replied, “It doesn’t matter if they don’t. Just don’t cause trouble. What His Majesty is doing is ‘allying with distant states while attacking nearby ones.’”

He sneered, “Though His Majesty is overly harsh and stingy toward his ministers, he still knows the basic rules of being a ruler.”

Li Xuanba remained silent. Until Goryeo was defeated, Yang Guang would tolerate the Wa Kingdom.

But by the time Goryeo fell, the Sui dynasty itself would have already been destroyed for many years—tsk.

It seemed there wasn’t much he could do to the Wa Kingdom before Sui fell. Emperor Yang truly was useless.

Li Xuanba asked, “But given His Majesty’s temperament, he probably won’t tolerate this quietly. Father, will the imperial edict sent to the Wa king reprimand him?”

Li Yuan said, “Of course. With His Majesty’s personality, he would harshly ridicule the Wa king in the edict. If the Wa king sees the edict and still sends an envoy, it means he knows he was disrespectful and is apologizing. Only then would His Majesty consider establishing relations with the Wa Kingdom. The edict sent to the Wa king is a test by Sui.”

A faint smile appeared on Li Xuanba’s face. “Father, do you think the Wa envoy might lose the edict?”

Li Yuan said, “His Majesty sent his own envoy, didn’t he? The edict should be in the hands of Sui’s envoy. How could it be lost?”

Li Xuanba smiled. “What if it did happen?”

Li Yuan thought for a moment. “If that really happened, it could only be because the Wa envoy bribed Sui’s envoy. Why would you think that? The Sui envoy would certainly prioritize Sui’s interests.”

Li Xuanba said, “I’m only imagining the worst of the Wa Kingdom. I’ve heard they are all form, no substance—since the Han, they have always done things to deceive themselves and others. Perhaps they would deliberately ‘lose’ the edict from Sui, then establish relations, shamelessly claiming that the Sui emperor recognized the Wa king as a ‘son of heaven’ too.”

Li Yuan chuckled. “Dade, you really dislike the Wa Kingdom, don’t you?”

Li Xuanba said, “The Wa Nu Kingdom dares to call themselves the emperor of the land where the sun rises, while belittling His Majesty as emperor of the land where the sun sets. How could I not loathe them? They are not only insulting His Majesty, but the entire Middle Kingdom.”

Hearing this, Li Yuan, though thinking that it was normal for a small barbarian state not to understand etiquette, also felt annoyed.

He comforted Li Xuanba: “Many barbarians don’t understand etiquette. If you get angry, you could be angry forever. But your concern is reasonable. Who is the envoy to the Wa Kingdom this time? I’ll talk to him and make sure he brings the edict.”

Li Xuanba said, “Pei Shiqing.”

Li Yuan fell silent.

After a while, he held his forehead and said, “Pei Shiqing is extremely greedy. Hearing you speak like this, I also worry that he might really take a bribe from the Wa envoy and carelessly lose the edict.”

Li Xuanba thought to himself, just as expected.

In history, Ono no Imoko indeed “lost” the edict from Emperor Yang of Sui to the Wa king.

Historians speculate that Emperor Yang was not of a good temper; his edict to the Wa king probably contained strong words. Ono no Imoko may have feared that the Wa king would take offense and thus voluntarily discarded it, or perhaps he privately showed the edict to the Wa king first, and the king instructed him to “lose” it, which is why such a serious incident did not result in punishment.

But the imperial letter should have been delivered to the King of Wa by the envoy of the Sui dynasty—how could it have been lost by Ono no Imoko?

Moreover, judging from Emperor Yang of Sui’s later attitude toward Wa, he seemed to assume that Wa had already submitted to him. Otherwise, even if he wanted to “ally with distant states and attack nearby ones,” it would be highly unusual for someone with Emperor Yang’s temper to treat a Wa kingdom that angered him with such courtesy.

It’s very likely that Emperor Yang didn’t know the imperial letter was lost and simply thought Wa had yielded.

So in the incident of the “lost imperial letter,” the Sui envoy Pei Shiqing would certainly not be free of blame.

But what if this time Emperor Yang’s letter was read aloud publicly by the Sui envoy? How would the King of Wa react? Would he still shamelessly pretend he hadn’t heard anything and continue diplomatic relations with Sui?

Li Xuanba was very curious.

He said, “Father, though the chance is small, Wa insulted our Sui Emperor first. This slight must be avenged! Do you have a way to have His Majesty send a more upright envoy?”

Li Yuan had never before seen his third son make a request of him.

He immediately patted Li Xuanba on the head and confidently promised, “Leave this small matter to your father!”

Li Xuanba forced a look of admiration. “Father is truly amazing!”

Flattered by his son’s praise, Li Yuan early the next morning submitted a request to meet the emperor.

“Your Majesty! I have heard that the small barbarian state of Wa has been rude to the Emperor of Sui! If Your Majesty can tolerate this, I cannot! I request to be sent as an envoy to Wa!”

Yang Guang: “……”

He was speechless. Even though he feared Li Yuan, Li Yuan was the dignified Duke of Tang, his own cousin—how could he be insulted, much less sent as envoy to Wa? Wa was not worthy.

Under Li Yuan’s relentless insistence, and to prevent the Duke of Tang from going himself, Yang Guang replaced the envoy team with the group most skilled at scolding, instructing them to make sure they harshly reprimanded the King of Wa.

Pei Shiqing, having lost this lucrative opportunity, was dissatisfied with Li Yuan.

At the Duke of Tang’s residence:

Li Yuan proudly said, “Dede, isn’t your father amazing?”

Li Xuanba praised, “Father is incredible!”

This time, Li Xuanba’s praise was genuine.