Chapter 124: A Cut Above (Second Update, Requesting Votes)

The next moment, Li Yi turned directly toward Zhang Yuxuan and said with a smile of sudden realization, "I was just saying, Envoy Zhang, how could there possibly be refugees within the borders of our Tang Empire?"

"Yue'er, that brat, has really been getting out of hand lately!"

"Once I return to the manor, I must properly discipline that girl. It is simply improper behavior!"

As he spoke, Li Yi nodded solemnly. His expression was so earnest that he seemed to be telling everyone around him that once he returned, he would absolutely not be soft-hearted and would surely give her a good lesson.

"..." Zhang Yuxuan and the others were left speechless. They thought to themselves, "Doctor Li, do you not know the meaning of shame at all?"

"Even if others cannot see it, do you really think we would not know?"

"The things you and your maidservant just said were clearly intentional!"

"Do you really take us for fools?"

However, the "pointing at the mulberry to curse the locust" approach taken by Li Yi and his comments actually provided a great sense of satisfaction for Zhang Yuxuan and the other Tang officials. They had long been dissatisfied with Inugami no Mitasuki and his delegation, who believed that as foreign envoys to the Tang Empire, they were entitled to special treatment. If not for the Emperor's decree, they would never have come to receive these Japanese people.

Zhang Yuxuan and the other officials could barely hold back their laughter, but because the Japanese envoys were still present, they managed to "forcefully" suppress the urge. Since such a golden opportunity had presented itself to humble these Japanese intruders, Zhang Yuxuan was certainly not going to let it slip by.

"Doctor Li is absolutely right!" Zhang Yuxuan gave a thumbs-up, nodded, and said with a look of deep agreement, "We really cannot be too lenient with our servants."

"Sometimes, they are just begging for discipline!"

"If we don't teach them a proper lesson, I fear things will descend into chaos..."

Seeing Zhang Yuxuan speak this way, Li Yi blinked as if only half-understanding. He took a small step forward and asked with feigned surprise, "Could it be... that you have such servants in your household as well, Envoy Zhang?"

"Alas... it is embarrassing to even mention it to you, Doctor Li, so let us not dwell on it." Zhang Yuxuan shook his head with a bitter sigh, then continued with a helpless look, "I, too, am like you, Doctor Li; I have always been gentle and polite to the servants in my home."

"It seems that after I return, I can no longer be so lenient. Otherwise, it will be too late for regrets!"

Zhang Yuxuan wore a pained expression, letting out a series of sighs. Seeing this, Li Yi pondered for a moment before nodding with a solemn expression. "Envoy Zhang, your words are reasonable. It seems I truly should tidy up my household affairs once I return to the manor!"

"I share the exact same sentiment..." Zhang Yuxuan sighed again.

Li Yi and Zhang Yuxuan chatted about domestic trivialities, using the opportunity to "point at the mulberry to curse the locust" regarding the Japanese delegation, and they made no effort to lower their voices, ensuring the foreigners could hear every word. The other Tang officials nearby secretly marveled at Li Yi's sharp tongue.

"Without lifting a finger, just by using his words, he managed to deflate the arrogance of these Japanese people. He is truly worthy of being the son of the brilliant strategist Li Jing," they thought.

However, the Japanese envoys felt their lips twitch uncontrollably as they listened to the conversation. Their bodies stiffened repeatedly, and anger rose within them like a blazing fire. Nearly all of them were grinding their teeth, glaring at Li Yi and Zhang Yuxuan with eyes full of rage, as if they wanted to devour them alive. But since Ambassador Inugami had not spoken, they had to remain silent and dared not act rashly.

Inugami no Mitasuki, in particular, had a face as dark as iron. Having studied Eastern languages since childhood and serving as an official in Japan, how could he fail to understand the hidden meaning behind the words of the two men? Even though Li Yi and Zhang Yuxuan did not explicitly state that they were talking about the Japanese delegation, no matter how angry or enraged the delegation felt, they had no excuse to retort.

Yet, Inugami knew very well that he could not allow them to continue this veiled mocking and intimidation.

"No, I cannot just sit here and wait to be humiliated. I must find an opportunity to strike back appropriately!"

After a moment of contemplation, Inugami suddenly remembered something.

"Envoy Zhang, you have yet to answer the question I asked you earlier!" Inugami interrupted their conversation, glaring at Zhang Yuxuan with gritted teeth and a furrowed brow. Regardless of what Li Yi and Zhang Yuxuan were discussing, he had to vent the frustration he had suffered today. This now concerned the dignity and face of the Japanese people. He could not let this go. He refused to believe that with the Tang Emperor's decree, these Tang officials would dare to treat their delegation with such negligence.

Hearing Inugami bring it up again, Zhang Yuxuan, who had been busy trading barbs with Li Yi, frowned slightly before turning his attention back to Inugami.

"Ambassador Inugami," Zhang Yuxuan rolled his eyes and said with a smile, "I cannot make the decision on this matter. I am afraid... you will have to seek an audience with His Majesty yourself."

With Li Yi by his side, Zhang Yuxuan's confidence had grown significantly. No matter what was lost, the dignity of the Tang people must not be!

However, upon hearing this, Inugami paused for a moment of thought, then looked at Zhang Yuxuan and asked with a smile, "Envoy Zhang, there is an old saying in the East. I wonder if you have heard it?"

"What old saying?" Zhang Yuxuan felt a sense of foreboding, but he maintained his smile.

Inugami glanced at Li Yi before returning his gaze to Zhang Yuxuan. "'Is it not a joy to have friends come from afar?' Could it be... that this is your way of treating guests?"

Inugami stared at Zhang Yuxuan with a smile, though no matter how one looked at it, there was a tone of sarcasm in his expression. For a moment, Zhang Yuxuan was stumped. He pondered for a long time but could not find a way to retort. The meaning of the quote was clear, and it fit the current situation of Inugami and his group perfectly. Unable to come up with a response, Zhang Yuxuan looked toward Li Yi, hoping for him to save the situation.

Seeing this, Li Yi smiled thinly, walked forward slowly, and bowed slightly to Inugami with a polite smile. "Ambassador Inugami, you truly have a profound understanding of our Eastern culture. I am deeply impressed."

As he spoke, Li Yi bowed to him with a very solemn gesture. Inugami felt a sneer forming in his heart, but his face remained humble.

"You flatter me. I have only studied it a little; it is not very profound," Inugami replied with a gentle smile. Yet, as he said this, he felt a sense of victory, as if he had "outmatched" his opponent.