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

Wu Zhao’s clear phoenix eyes widened in shock, her scalp tingling. Her rosy lips parted slightly in disbelief—she hadn’t expected that merely asking Yang Yi how to deal with corrupt officials would result in such a ruthless plan to sever the noble families’ roots.
These families owned vast tracts of land but paid very little in taxes, essentially leeching off the empire. The head tax’s abolition would cut deeply into their wealth.
She was silent for a moment, then looked at Yang Yi.
“Minister Yang, do you realize that if you do this, you’ll face opposition from the entire court? Countless people will hate you to the core.”
Yang Yi smiled slightly.
“For the sake of the country, one should not avoid danger or seek comfort.”
Wu Zhao was deeply moved, repeating Yang Yi’s words in her mind. Her phoenix eyes remained wide with shock, and she felt a rising sense of admiration as she looked at him.
“Such reforms will inevitably face countless obstacles…” she said softly.
Yang Yi clapped his hands and laughed. “Indeed. Since these aristocrats not only avoid land taxes but also hide their holdings in the registry, they’ll resist in every way possible!
“However, Your Majesty, with Great Zhou’s external threats eliminated, it’s time to deal with these internal parasites. The army’s morale is high after our victory over the Qing Dynasty. If anyone dares resist, I wouldn’t mind letting these battle-hardened soldiers spill some more blood.”
Silence fell.
The hidden killing intent in Yang Yi’s casual words sent a chill through both Wu Zhao and Shangguan Wan’er. After a moment, Wu Zhao looked at Yang Yi with firm determination.
“I support you…”
Yang Yi felt a sudden relief. Whether it was the Single Whip Law or the land tax reform, as long as the Empress fully supported these measures, the court’s opposition would not prevail.
He smiled slightly and said, “I have a third strategy…”
Wu Zhao’s curiosity was piqued. “Please, Minister Yang, go ahead…”
Yang Yi’s lips curved into a faint, enigmatic smile.
“The rampant corruption and land grabbing by these officials go largely unnoticed because no one dares report it… We can set up ‘report boxes’ in government offices where anyone can submit information anonymously.
“The people may not know every corrupt official’s schemes, but they certainly know who exploits them. Reports from the common folk will give the court leads to investigate, speeding up the process and deterring corrupt officials across Great Zhou.”
Wu Zhao’s expression shifted to one of stunned realization. She hesitated slightly.
“Minister Yang, I’m afraid that won’t work… The people don’t dare fight officials. Who would risk reporting one? And once this report box opens, what if people file false reports just to make trouble?”
Yang Yi remained calm and smiled. “Your Majesty, this report box is not for long-term use. It will operate temporarily while the Single Whip Law and land tax reforms are implemented. This will prevent an influx of false reports in the future.”
He paused, then continued, “And who says that the information must come from the ‘people’ alone to investigate officials?”
Wu Zhao and Shangguan Wan’er exchanged puzzled glances.
The Empress pressed her lips together.
“Minister Yang, you mean…?”
Yang Yi’s eyes glinted as he revealed a subtle smile.
“Once the report box policy is implemented, I can say that anyone I wish has been ‘reported’ for misconduct. Anyone who objects has a guilty conscience.”
A gasp escaped both Wu Zhao and Shangguan Wan’er as they stared at Yang Yi, their scalps tingling. They hadn’t expected Yang Yi to devise such a tactic. His approach was to leverage ‘fabricated’ evidence, taking the moral high ground to wield the “Imperial Sword” and ensure the Land Tax Reform’s success.
Yang Yi’s three strategies were interlinked, forming a ruthless combination that would surely make the noble families recoil. With these measures, their wealth and power would bleed dry.
A glimmer of determination sparked in Wu Zhao’s phoenix eyes.
“Minister Yang, I entrust you with full authority to handle this matter. Additionally, I appoint you as the temporary Great General of the Jinwu Guard, granting you command over all troops within the capital.”
Yang Yi bowed solemnly. “I accept the order…”
The following day, Yang Yi quickly drafted decrees for the Single Whip Law and the Land Tax Reform and submitted them to the Secretariat. Even before they were issued, a storm of debate swept through the court.
In the Hall of Government…
“Minister Yang, this strategy seems to shake the foundations of our Great Zhou…” Li Yifu said angrily, his face darkening. “Other countries levy head taxes; now you propose this land tax reform? It’s reckless!”
Though Li Yifu had kept a low profile recently, realizing Yang Yi’s power was unshakable, he could no longer stay silent.
Even Prince Wei, Wu Yuanshuang, had been defeated by Yang Yi, and the Enfeoffment Order threatened his fiefdom. The emperor’s growing favour for Yang Yi fueled his resentment.
He hadn’t expected Yang Yi to propose the Single Whip Law, the Land Tax Reform, and Report Boxes, all in one stroke. The land tax reform especially spelled ruin for the noble families. A survey of their land? That was a death sentence.
Unable to restrain himself, he raised his voice alongside nearly sixty percent of the court officials, who looked at Yang Yi with anger and a tinge of fear. The ‘Single Whip Law’ and ‘Land Tax Reform’ were poised to cut off their lifelines.
Yang Yi scanned the crowd, pausing on the furious Li Yifu. He chuckled lightly.
“Minister Li, do you know what happens when you throw a brick into a dog kennel? Only the dog that gets hit barks.
“Could it be that you’ve confiscated a lot of people’s land under your name?”
The colour drained from Li Yifu’s face as fear gripped him.