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

Qianyuan Hall.
“Your Majesty…” Wei Yuanzhong presented the memorial.
“This is information from our scouts. Qianlong has reorganized nearly five hundred thousand elite troops and is preparing to declare war on Great Zhou to reclaim the lost territories of the Qing Kingdom…”
Wu Zhao nodded slightly, taking the secret report and studying it in silence.
“This man is truly audacious. Send my decree to Heichi Changzhi…”
“I will grant him an additional one hundred thousand soldiers. He must defend our territory.”
The ministers nodded, their faces composed, reflecting the confidence they had gained from the recent wars against the Qing Dynasty.
With the power of explosives on their side, they felt secure. What was there to fear from Qianlong?
After the troop deployment was settled, Wu Zhao turned her gaze to Yang Yi and smiled before addressing the ministers.
“Minister Yang has discovered a grain type that can yield one thousand kilograms per mu. Tomorrow, you will accompany me to inspect it.”
A thousand kilograms per mu? The ministers gasped, their eyes darting to Yang Yi with astonishment.
…
A month later in Great Zhou; Luoyang.
The weather had turned colder, and people had begun donning thick clothing.
“Hey, have you heard of sweet potatoes and corn?”
“Of course. The Empress has ordered their widespread planting.”
“This
claims they yield a thousand kilograms per mu.”
“Really?”
“Who knows for sure? It sounds too good to be true.”
“Our land is limited. If we plant sweet potatoes and corn, we can’t plant other crops.”
“Heh, I heard from the Yamen that planting them next year means lower taxes.”
“Lower taxes? Well, in that case, I’ll plant them too…”
…
The court’s month-long public campaign worked. While many doubted the claim of such high yields, the promise of tax relief persuaded some to give it a try.
Encouraging the masses to plant new crops was not easy; their livelihoods were at stake. Wu Zhao understood this well, so the tax reduction policy was implemented to mitigate resistance.
On the busy streets of Luoyang, discussions of sweet potatoes and corn were common.
Suddenly, the pounding of hooves echoed through the street.
“What’s going on?”
“Is that a war horse?”
“Yes, it looks urgent. Is there trouble at the front?”
…
Qianyuan Hall.
“Your Majesty, as the weather turns colder, an outbreak of smallpox has begun. In the past month, ten bodies have already been found in Luoyang alone, and there are likely more deaths in other regions…” Xu Jingzong’s brow was deeply furrowed, his expression grave.
Wu Zhao’s face clouded.
“This year’s outbreak seems severe…”
The ministers’ concern was palpable. Smallpox was a deadly and feared disease; status meant nothing once infected, and survival was up to fate.
Wei Yuanzhong, stroking his beard, spoke solemnly. “Your Majesty, while smallpox has not yet reached crisis levels throughout Great Zhou, it is showing signs of spreading…”
“We must act promptly.”
Nods and murmurs of agreement followed. Wu Zhao sighed inwardly. Even as the supreme ruler, combating smallpox was daunting. Every outbreak claimed thousands, sometimes millions of lives.
Her delicate fingers massaged her temples. Great Zhou had faced relentless challenges over the past two years.
Her eyes instinctively found Yang Yi among the ministers. He stood there, deep in thought. She hesitated, almost asking him if he had a solution for the plague.
But she quickly stopped herself. Yang Yi was brilliant, a rare talent indeed, but he was no doctor. To expect him to solve the mystery of smallpox was unreasonable. This was the domain of physicians, who had struggled for centuries without success.
Wu Zhao took a breath and gave her orders. “Instruct local governments to establish quarantine zones immediately. Isolate the infected to prevent further spread.”
The ministers nodded, knowing well that isolation was the only measure against smallpox since ancient times. Once infected, fate decided the outcome.
Just then, hurried footsteps echoed through the hall.
“Your Majesty, urgent news from the front…”
A dust-covered rider burst in, panting and bowing respectfully.
The room grew tense. Trouble at the front?
Shangguan Wan’er swiftly took the report from the messenger and handed it to the Empress. Wu Zhao’s eyes skimmed the report, her frown deepening with each line.
After a moment, she spoke gravely. “We have suffered several defeats at the front. The situation is now unfavourable for Great Zhou.”
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the room.
Xu Jingzong was the first to speak. “Your Majesty, how is this possible? Even if our forces are outnumbered, we have explosives. We should at least be able to hold our ground…”
The ministers echoed his disbelief.
Wu Zhao’s expression darkened. “Though we have explosives, their use is limited. Our soldiers must sacrifice themselves to deliver them effectively, and the Qing army has found a countermeasure.
“They use vehicle-mounted long spears, about ten feet long, as makeshift shields to stop our suicide bombers. Even if the front line falls, those behind remain safe. This strategy blocks our attacks.”
The room fell silent, faces turning grim.
Yang Yi broke the silence. “It is no surprise that the Qing army found a solution. Suicide bombers are effective only as a surprise. Once the enemy adapts, it becomes harder to break through. Moreover, we cannot sustain the loss of life required for such attacks.”
The ministers nodded.
Xu Jingzong’s voice was heavy. “With the enemy prepared, what is our next step? We are outnumbered, and Qianlong is leading his best troops.”
Everyone’s expression was solemn.
After all, Great Zhou was a small country. Unlike the Qing Dynasty, which, even after losing nearly half its troops, could still mobilise a large number of elite soldiers, Great Zhou lacked the same resources and manpower.
Without the effectiveness of explosives, it would be difficult for them to compete with such a powerful adversary.
Wu Zhao’s gaze once again found Yang Yi. “Minister Yang…”
Yang Yi’s confident bearing brought her a sense of calm.
He stepped forward. “Your Majesty, I have a plan that could strike the enemy from a thousand miles away and perhaps end this conflict in one battle. But… this plan carries a great moral weight and is perilous for both Heaven and mankind…”