It was the first time that someone had come to interrogate Takahashi after being held in custody for so many days, and these days, she had been reading Li You's poems every day, unconsciously developing an indescribable liking for him, and sometimes a desire to meet him. M. In her dreams, she dreamed many times that she and Li You spent time discussing poetry under the moon, and it was a very beautiful picture.

However, today she finally saw Li You, but it was such a terrible situation, and her eyes couldn't help but be in a trance.

When Zhang Guigui said, "Takahashi Kumiko, hey, that female pirate, wake up." At that time, Takahashi Kumiko regained her senses, and she looked coldly at the people in front of her.

Zhang Guigui said: "You pirates, you are so bold that you dare to come to my Datang realm to make trouble, my Datang is not easy to bully." Let me tell you, not only the pirates of your Japanese slave kingdom have been beaten away, but even the Baekje people who participated in the piracy have paid the price.

Not long ago, the fleet of Baekje was wiped out by us, hundreds of warships and tens of thousands of Baekje people were captured by us, and even their naval commander and the king's brother-in-law, Yan Changhan, was also captured by us. ”

Zhang Guigui said a word, and the interpreter next to him translated a sentence.

Takahashi Kumiko was indifferent to this, and she did not doubt the power of the Tang Dynasty's warships at all.

Seeing that Takahashi Kumiko didn't react, Zhang Guigui also felt that it was not interesting, and he said, "Brother You, let's talk about it." ”

Li You also doesn't like to talk to Takahashi Kumiko in this way, and he can negotiate with Takahashi Kumiko in private. But after all, Takahashi Kumiko is an important figure in the enemy country, he represents the Tang Dynasty, and when negotiating on issues involving national interests, the conversation between them must have witnesses present and an official record. There are many rights and wrongs in the court, and he can't leave himself with the hidden danger of being attacked by others.

Li You said: "Takahashi Kumiko, I know you can understand Chinese, so let's talk directly in Chinese." ”

Zhang Guigui said: "Oh, Brother You, you know that he understands Chinese, and he made me work so hard for a long time. ”

Li You ignored him and said to Takahashi Kumiko: "Originally, my Datang had no grievances with you Japanese slaves, but you intruded on the territory of my Datang for no reason, plundered the innocent people of my Datang, and committed unforgivable crimes.

However, my Datang is a state of etiquette, with a mind as broad as the sea, and we plan to settle this matter peacefully with you, I don't know what you think? ”

Kumiko Takahashi finally spoke, and she asked, "What do you want?" ”

Li You said: "I plan to exchange hostages with you, if you can release the people who were captured by my Datang, I will let you people go back, what do you think?" ”

Kumiko Takahashi hesitated. She really missed home, her father and brother, the clear streams and the brilliant cherry blossoms of her hometown.

However, in order to improve the strength of the Takahashi family, they took a lot of effort and did not hesitate to risk offending the Tang Dynasty, so they caught and bought those Tang Dynasty people who had a skill, and brought all kinds of advanced skills of the Tang Dynasty to Kyushu Island. They paid a huge price, especially in the naval battle of Dengzhou, where they lost a large number of warships and personnel.

The Takahashi family was once extremely brilliant, and now they are incognito and endure humiliation, just to continuously improve their strength, so that they can rewrite the glory of the family one day in the future. She didn't want to sacrifice the interests of her family for the lives of her own people.

She thought for a moment and said, "I can't, and even if I wanted to, my father wouldn't agree." She knew that her father and brother loved her, but they probably wouldn't agree to let them exchange hostages because of this.

The Japanese slaves are dead, they don't pay much attention to family affection, and even they can sacrifice themselves for the benefit of the country or family, let alone women with relatively low status.

Zhang Guigui and Cheng Biting Jin were furious, pointed at Takahashi Kumiko and scolded angrily, shouting that they would hit her hometown.

Takahashi Kumiko had already made up her mind to die, her expression was indifferent, and she didn't say a word.

Li You understands Takahashi Kumiko's situation, and he also knows that there is little point in continuing to talk, he knows how to save the people who were captured by the Tang Dynasty, and the only way is to subdue the Japanese slaves and make them have to give in.

However, now that time is limited, he is in a hurry to go back to Chang'an, so he wants to try the negotiation method. If Kumiko Takahashi doesn't agree, this matter is really not easy to do.

He ordered Takahashi Kumiko to be escorted down first.

Li You asked, "Is there anyone close to her?" ”

Zhou Qing, who was in charge of guarding the prisoners, said: "Yes, she has several relatives. ”

"Is there anyone willing to confess?" Li You asked.

"Yes, there is a pirate named Arai who has surrendered." Zhou Qing said.

"Bring him here." Li You said.

Li You asked Arai in detail about the Takahashi family and Takahashi Kumiko, as well as about the names of some scenic spots and food in the area where they lived, and he asked in great detail.

Cheng Biting Jin and Zhang Guigui listened impatiently, and dozed off vigorously.

Li You said: "General Cheng, precious, why don't you go and rest first?" ”

When the two of them saw him say this, they were a little embarrassed and said, "It's okay, it's okay, you continue." ”

After interrogating Arai, Li You asked the female soldier in charge of guarding Takahashi Kumiko about some of Takahashi's performances, and roughly determined Takahashi's personality characteristics.

Back in the lounge, Li You said: "Uncle Cheng, precious, my idea is to exchange Takahashi Jiumiko for the people we have been arrested, this Takahashi Kumiko's attitude is very important, if she agrees, with her handwritten letter, and then send her cronies back, the success of this matter will be more certain." ”

Zhang Guigui said: "Look at her dead look, can you agree?" ”

Cheng Yanjin also felt that this matter was very difficult, this female pirate dared to go to the Governor's Mansion alone to assassinate Li You, she was not a person who was afraid of death, no one was afraid of death, how could you convince her? He shook his head and said, "Your Highness, I think your efforts have been in vain. Don't talk nonsense with her, let's go directly to their island and rescue people. ”

Zhou Qing has been in contact with the pirates for a long time, and found that most of them are dead, and he doesn't quite agree with the prince's opinion, but his official position is humble, and it is not his turn to interject here.

Li You was not too sure, he said: "That's it, the people take food as the sky, I'll try again, if it doesn't work, there will be no loss." ”

Later, he called the chef on the ship and instructed them to cook some delicacies from Kyushu Island, but the cooks on the ship here were all leaders in the barracks, and they couldn't do what Li You explained. So, Li You sent a ship back to the "Yangzhou" to pick up his cook Gao Zhiming and others.

At dinner time, Kumiko Takahashi suddenly smelled the smell of food from her hometown that she had not seen for a long time. A table and two chairs were brought in by several chefs, and on the table were her favorite Joura (Nagasaki) dishes, such as kaku-boiled manju, taka-ku-ri cuisine, gossa-boiled, sennatto, loquat jelly, Sibashi ramen, and sake.

Then, Li You was wearing the regular clothes of the prince of the Tang Dynasty, and the jade tree walked in like the wind.

He sat down at the table first, smiled at Takahashi Kumiko and said, "Miss Takahashi Kumiko, how about having dinner together?" "He actually spoke the language of the Japanese slave country with the charm of Kyushu Island.

Takahashi Kumiko has been reciting Li You's poems, secretly admiring him, and has a good impression of his handsome image, and is even more surprised to hear that he understands the language of his hometown.

However, she didn't understand Li You, and looked at him hostilely without speaking.

Li You smiled and said: "The world says that you Yamato people are brave, do you dare to go to the Governor's Mansion alone to assassinate me, are you still afraid of having a meal with me?" Are you afraid that I will poison it? ”

Kumiko Takahashi knew that he was joking, he was a prisoner of others, and there were countless ways to put himself to death, without the need for poison. Seeing Li You's slightly mocking smile, she walked over angrily and sat down on the edge of the table.

At first, the atmosphere was a little awkward, and Lee Woo started talking about the food in Qiongpu (Nagasaki), not only about the food in front of him, but also about the special food in other parts of Kyushu, which amazed Kumiko Takahashi.

Li You has been to Kyushu Island more than once, but the current place name is a little different from the place name of the Tang Dynasty, and he has already compared it from Arai just now.

Li You talked while eating, and from time to time helped Kumiko Takahashi pick up vegetables, taking care of her like a big brother next door.

Then, Li You began to talk about the scenery of Kyushu Island, not only the places that Kumiko Takahashi was familiar with, but also some places that she had not been to.

In the course of his conversation with her, Li You did not use insulting words such as the Japanese slave country used by the Central Plains Dynasty against the people of the island country, but used the self-proclaimed Yamato country, which made Takahashi Kumiko have a great impression of him.

Gradually, Kumiko Takahashi also opened up the conversation and talked about life in her hometown.

The two of them talked about a wide range of topics, from food, scenery, and language to poetry and songs.

Li You said: "Undefeated by the wind, undefeated by the flying snow in winter and the heat of summer." Have a strong body, no **, never get angry. He often smiles quietly and eats brown rice and yellow sauce and a little vegetable every day. Do not take everything into account, always see and hear, understand, and then do not forget, the small hut near the pine forest in the wilderness...... That's what I want to be. ”

This is one of the most famous poems of the island nation, written by Kenji Miya.

The simple and beautiful artistic conception of this poem was recited by Li You in a magnetic voice very well, and Takahashi Kumiko was deeply moved, and the corners of her eyes were moist. Although she is strong in martial arts, brave and good at fighting, and can even be said to be ruthless on the battlefield, she has been favored by her father and brother since she was a child, and she is still a relatively simple and ordinary young woman.

Li You found some poems from the 100 poems of the island country and discussed them with Kumiko Takahashi. The atmosphere was very harmonious.

Next, Li You talked to Kumiko Takahashi about her family history.