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

The hall fell silent. Everyone stared at Yang Yi in astonishment, their expressions a mix of confusion and disbelief.
This… this…
A complex emotion swirled in their hearts. Was this truly the strategy of Yang Yi, the man hailed as the most cunning strategist in the Zhou Dynasty and their Prime Minister?
Xu Jingzong and Wei Yuanzhong exchanged uneasy glances, a hint of disappointment flashing in their eyes.
If this plan hadn’t come from Yang Yi’s own mouth, no one would have believed it. Could it be that Yang Yi had run out of ideas?
The thought hung unspoken in the air. No one dared to voice it, but it lingered in every corner of the room.
Wu Zhao’s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly as she studied Yang Yi, who stood calm and composed amid the silence.
Such a shallow plan was entirely unlike Yang Yi’s usual strategies. Moreover, his tactics had always shown little regard for conventional morality or human sentiment. And now, his proposed delaying tactic ended with offering money to solve the issue?
It didn’t make sense.
How could Yang Yi—Yang Yi—suggest paying off the enemy after they had dared to come knocking?
The hall remained steeped in an uncomfortable silence.
Finally, Xu Jingzong broke it, unable to hold back any longer.
“Prime Minister Yang, is this plan… all there is?”
Yang Yi smiled faintly, his expression unbothered.
“Yes. That’s all there is.”
After a brief pause, he added, “If there’s anything more to say, it’s this—ensure the envoy we send is someone of high enough status to be trusted. Otherwise, the negotiations may fall apart.”
The expressions on the ministers’ faces grew even stranger.
This wasn’t the brilliant, ruthless Yang Yi they had come to expect.
Wei Yuanzhong hesitated before speaking, choosing his words carefully.
“Prime Minister Yang, forgive me, but this plan doesn’t seem to align with your usual style.”
He was careful not to sound offensive—implying that someone had run out of ideas was never polite.
Yang Yi’s sharp features softened as he chuckled.
“Lord Wei, I fear you’ve misunderstood me. If we can resolve this matter with money, wouldn’t that minimize our losses?
“Besides, consider this: we’re essentially paying nothing to gain everything.”
The room grew quieter still. This… was this truly the same ruthless Yang Yi they knew?
Wu Zhao remained silent for a moment, her sharp gaze fixed on him. Finally, she spoke.
“Let’s proceed as you suggested.”
She turned her gaze to Zhang Jianzhi.
“Zhang Jianzhi, you will represent the Zhou Dynasty in the negotiations with the Song Dynasty.”
The ministers exchanged uneasy glances. None of them had anticipated the Empress agreeing so easily to such a seemingly simplistic plan.
Zhang Jianzhi stepped forward and bowed deeply. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
…
Half an hour later, the court session ended.
Just as Yang Yi was about to leave, a soft, deliberate voice stopped him.
“Prime Minister Yang, Her Majesty requests your presence.”
Yang Yi paused, turning to see Shangguan Wan’er approaching him with measured steps. He raised an eyebrow.
“Very well.”
Moments later, he entered Qianyuan Hall. Shangguan Wan’er closed the doors behind him, leaving only Yang Yi and Wu Zhao in the vast chamber.
Wu Zhao’s gaze was sharp, piercing. She didn’t mince words.
“What are you really up to?”
Yang Yi tilted his head, feigning innocence.
“What does Your Majesty mean? I don’t understand…”
Wu Zhao’s lips curved into a rare, sly smile.
“Don’t think you can fool me. Don’t I know you well enough by now?”
Her tone sharpened. “Your heart is as black as coal, Yang Yi.”
“The plan you just proposed was mediocre—unremarkable. It doesn’t sound like something you would come up with. Are you saying you have no other schemes up your sleeve?”
Yang Yi blinked, momentarily startled. It was rare to see the usually dignified and aloof Empress reveal such a playful side.
For a fleeting moment, he felt a flutter in his chest.
He smiled. “Your Majesty truly has sharp insight.”
Wu Zhao raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a faint smirk. For some inexplicable reason, her heart felt lighter.
“So,” she pressed, leaning forward slightly. “You do have another plan. Tell me—what are you really planning?”
Yang Yi chuckled softly.
“Your Majesty, just grant me a cavalry force of thirty thousand, and in a few days, you’ll see the results for yourself.”
Wu Zhao frowned, her brow knitting slightly.
Her delicate nose wrinkled in irritation.
“
, stingy.”
The words escaped her lips before she could stop herself. Startled, she realized she sounded less like an Empress and more like a woman sulking at her lover.
Yang Yi, oblivious to her inner turmoil, simply smiled.
“Your Majesty, patience is a virtue.”
Wu Zhao quickly masked her emotions, feigning indifference.
“Very well. I agree.”
She waved a hand dismissively. “You may leave.”
Yang Yi bowed slightly before turning to go.
…
Outside the hall, Shangguan Wan’er waited.
“Prime Minister Yang.”
Yang Yi turned to face her, smiling.
“Lady Shangguan, what can I do for you?”
Shangguan Wan’er hesitated.
“Prime Minister Yang, is there more to your plan than what you presented today?”
Yang Yi raised an eyebrow. “What makes you think that?”
Shangguan Wan’er’s gaze was steady, her admiration for him evident.
“I don’t know… It’s just… I feel that someone like you wouldn’t propose such a simple solution.”
Yang Yi’s smile widened slightly. “Lady Shangguan, you flatter me.”
With that, he turned and walked away, his robes billowing gently as he disappeared into the distance.
Shangguan Wan’er remained rooted in place, watching him go. After a moment, she let out a soft sigh, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.
“Wan’er, oh Wan’er,” she muttered to herself, lightly patting her own face. “You’re going to get yourself into trouble saying things like that…”
…
The next day, in the Song Army Camp…
“Report, Chief Marshal!”
A guard entered, bowing respectfully.
“The Zhou Dynasty has sent a letter requesting your review.”
Gao Kan’s eyes lit up. He quickly took the letter and brought it to Gao Qiu.
Gao Qiu opened the document, skimming through its contents. A satisfied grin spread across his face.
“Good. Very good.”
Gao Kan and Zhu Dong immediately leaned in curiously.
“Father, what does the Zhou Dynasty say?” Gao Kan asked eagerly, his eyes alight with anticipation.
Gao Qiu smiled faintly, a glimmer of satisfaction in his expression.
“In five days, Zhang Jianzhi, the War Minister of the Zhou Dynasty, will arrive to negotiate with our Song Dynasty.”
Gao Kan laughed heartily, his pride evident.
“They are truly intimidated! Humph, Yang Yi must never have imagined we would march an army right to their doorstep!”
Zhu Dong trembled with excitement, his fists clenched tightly.
“Excellent!” he exclaimed. “As long as we get the money back, everything will be easier.”
The stress weighing on him over the past days seemed to lift, replaced by a wave of relief.
Gao Qiu stroked his beard, satisfaction radiating from him. If he hadn’t devised a strategy on the spot, there would have been no way to explain the missing funds. Now, their show of force had rattled the Zhou Dynasty into compliance.
As long as they were willing to negotiate, there was a chance to recover every last coin. After all, the Zhou Dynasty wouldn’t be foolish enough to wage war over mere money.
He didn’t just have this one-hundred-thousand-strong army behind him—he had the entire Song Dynasty backing his every move!
…
Meanwhile, in the Zhou Dynasty’s court…
“Prime Minister Yang, why do you want me to wait five days before heading to negotiate with the Song army?” Zhang Jianzhi asked, his tone tinged with confusion. “We can reach Xingyang Pass in just two or three days.”
Yang Yi smiled, his calm demeanor unshaken.
“The purpose of negotiations, Minister Zhang, is to buy time. The later you depart, the more time we secure.”
Zhang Jianzhi blinked, momentarily taken aback.
That made sense.
But there was something about Yang Yi’s smile that unsettled him.