I, Am a Living Yama; Empress Advises Me to Stay Calm

Yang Yi’s lips twitched.
Taking a deep breath, he calmly said, “The method is very simple… just reward them.”
…
“Reward them?” Wu Zhao’s expression shifted, a flicker of surprise crossing her cold, noble face.
Wu Mingyue nodded. “Yes—to be precise, reward their descendants.”
Wu Zhao cast an amused glance at her.
“Reward their descendants? I must be crazy to reward them. And this is the method you mentioned for dealing with them? How is that dealing with them? It’s clearly a reward. Enough of this nonsense—go rest.”
Ignoring Wu Mingyue, Wu Zhao turned back to the pile of memorials on her desk. Panicking, Wu Mingyue dashed to her side, placing a hand on her arm and pouting flirtatiously.
“Elder sister, don’t be so quick to dismiss me! Hear me out first. I really have a way to deal with them.”
Wu Zhao looked at her helplessly. “Wu Mingyue, I know your intentions, but because of my status, I can’t move against them easily. You don’t need to worry.”
Wu Mingyue pouted defiantly.
“Elder sister, why do you always listen to Yang Yi’s strategies, no matter how outrageous they are? Can’t you trust your younger sister’s brilliant ideas for once?”
A hint of a smile softened Wu Zhao’s expression.
“Don’t you know why?”
Wu Mingyue’s playful defiance faltered.
She shook Wu Zhao’s arm insistently. “No, no, you must listen to me!”
Wu Zhao sighed, put down the memorial, and tilted her head slightly. “Go on, then.”
Wu Mingyue’s eyes lit up, and she straightened her posture proudly.
“Alright, listen closely… the strategy is to reward their descendants, abolish primogeniture, and let their lands be inherited jointly by all sons—eldest, second, third, and so forth—continuing this practice to the third generation.”
Wu Zhao’s eyes widened, her casual demeanour giving way to deep contemplation. “Abolish primogeniture? Divide the land among all sons?”
As a clever woman, she grasped the implications quickly. Her eyebrows knitted as her fingers curled into a loose fist.
“The land would be divided again with each generation… a prefecture reduced to the size of a county. What a cunning strategy. They won’t be able to resist it.”
Seeing her sister’s reaction, Wu Mingyue grinned smugly.
“How about it, elder sister? Isn’t my plan brilliant?”
Wu Zhao’s gaze shifted to Wu Mingyue, who was practically beaming.
“You didn’t come up with this on your own, did you?”
Wu Mingyue’s face stiffened slightly.
Wu Zhao smirked knowingly. “As I thought.”
Wu Mingyue quickly shook her head, her voice full of exaggerated righteousness.
“Of course, I did! Who else but your intelligent, beautiful, and noble third sister could think of such a brilliant plan?”
Wu Zhao shook her head in disbelief. This third sister of hers was blissfully unaware of her own limitations.
“Was this Yang Yi’s idea?”
Wu Mingyue’s confidence deflated instantly. “… How did you know, elder sister?”
Wu Zhao’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “Anyone could see that such a strategy is beyond you. Only Yang Yi would devise something so devious.”
Wu Mingyue’s shoulders slumped.
“It was him, yes. He said it would ensure they’d never have peace at home and would weaken their power. Within a few years, the court could reclaim the fiefdoms without shedding a drop of blood.”
Wu Zhao’s eyes glinted with admiration.
“Indeed. This strategy solves a significant issue. Those two remain a thorn in my side, refusing to rebel but growing into a looming threat. But with this method… their power will diminish, consumed by internal strife.
“Their sons will bicker for the most fertile land, driven by equal rights to inheritance. What looks like a generous reward is actually a cunning trap.”
Wu Mingyue huffed lightly. “If Yang Yi’s strategy isn’t devious, then it isn’t his. He even called it the ‘Edict of Grace.’ Grace? More like an edict of enmity.”
Wu Zhao’s lips curved into a sly smile. “Edict of Grace… an excellent name.”
…
Three days later, in the Hall of Government, Wu Zhao’s gaze swept over the gathered officials.
“If there is no other business, the court is adjourned.”
As the officials prepared to leave, a voice rang out.
“Your Majesty, this humble servant has a request.”
Everyone paused, turning in surprise toward Yang Yi. What is Prime Minister Yang up to now?
Wu Zhao remained composed.
“Minister Yang, speak.”
Yang Yi stepped forward, casting a resigned glance at the Empress. It was she who had asked him to present this plan—one too ruthless for her to take the initial blame for. He sighed inwardly but spoke firmly.
“This humble servant believes that with the expansion of Great Zhou and our growing territory, the feudal system left by the late Emperor is no longer suitable.
“The land of the feudal lords is limited, yet only the eldest son inherits, leaving the rest of the royal lineage without land. I propose a strategy that rewards the feudal lords while benefiting Great Zhou.”
Confusion spread across the hall. Rewarding the feudal lords?
Prince Liang—Wu Yuanqing; clad in his dragon-patterned robe, raised an eyebrow—intrigued.
Wei Yuanzhong, stroking his beard, frowned.
“Minister Yang, are you implying that the feudal lords’ fiefs are too small and should be expanded?”
As a trusted minister, he understood the Empress’s concerns about maintaining court power. Distributing more land could upset that balance.
The other officials regarded Yang Yi with complex expressions. Something seemed off about the Prime Minister today.
Yang Yi met Wei Yuanzhong’s wary gaze with a calm nod.
“Indeed, Lord Wei. I believe the current holdings of Prince Liang and Prince Wei should be adjusted. Their descendants are all of royal blood. How can they be without land? I propose that the policy be changed so all sons of the feudal lords inherit land.”
Upon hearing this, Wu Yuanqing nodded repeatedly, feeling pleased and looking more favourably at Yang Yi.
The court had defeated the Qing and acquired so much land; they should indeed distribute some to them!
But why did Yang Yi suddenly speak in his favour?
Could it be that he was trying to curry favour with him?
Wu Yuanqing’s mind raced with various speculations.
The other officials were stunned. This guy is courting death. He even wants to distribute land to the sons and grandsons of the feudal lords. Isn’t that just helping the feudal lords accumulate power?
Everyone looked at each other in shock. What kind of madness possessed Prime Minister Yang today?
Wu Zhao, still expressionless, prompted, “Explain your policy in detail.”
Yang Yi’s smile grew, and he spoke clearly.
“This humble servant calls it the ‘Edict of Grace.’ It abolishes the primogeniture system and decrees that a feudal lord’s land be divided equally among all his sons, extending to the third generation.”