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

“Your Majesty, the effects of these two plots are now very apparent. People from various countries are beginning to resent the Song people,” Yang Yi said with a faint smile. “In Luoyang, many citizens are gathering to discuss these matters. The reputation of the Song people is plummeting.”
The surrounding Great Zhou ministers gasped in shock and stared at Yang Yi in disbelief. It was him. Yang Yi had orchestrated all of this! No wonder the schemes were so ruthless. Now it all made sense.
Wu Zhao was momentarily speechless. She hadn’t anticipated such swift and effective results, but it was undeniably satisfying. How dare those Song people slander her back then? To see them so ruthlessly retaliated against by Yang Yi, using the same methods, was truly exhilarating.
Xu Jingzong stroked his beard, eyeing Yang Yi with a complex expression.
“Prime Minister, your methods are truly... astonishing.”
Wei Yuanzhong, Zhang Jianzhi, and the others nodded in agreement, still stunned. That single sentence—”If you didn’t knock him down, why did you help him?”—had nailed the Song people to the pillar of shame. Only someone as merciless and cunning as Yang Yi could conceive such a plan.
Yang Yi smiled slightly, brushing off Xu Jingzong’s praise.
“If people respect me a foot, I will respect them a yard. But the people of the Song Dynasty dared to slander Her Majesty the Empress of Great Zhou, clearly showing their lack of respect for us.
“So I devised a small plan to teach the Song people a lesson.”
The ministers exchanged glances, silently astonished. A small plan? This “small plan” had practically roasted the Song people over a fire. The massive scandal had left a lasting impact, ensuring the Song people would be stigmatized for years to come.
As they silently cursed Yang Yi’s cunning, apalace maid entered and whispered to Wu Zhao.
The empress’s phoenix-like eyebrows rose, her expression faintly amused yet cold. She swept her gaze across the court, pausing briefly on Yang Yi.
“The Emperor of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Ji, seems very displeased with our Great Zhou—particularly with Minister Yang. His resentment runs deep. Zhao Ji has issued an edict commanding Tong Guan to lead troops north to attack our Great Zhou.”
Her gaze sharpened. “Additionally, Zhao Ji has offered a reward: ten thousand gold pieces and the title of founding count of the county to anyone who brings back Yang Qing’s head.”
The Song Dynasty lies south of the Zhou Dynasty, situated between the Liao and Jin regions, giving it a strategically unique geographical position. With Great Zhou directly to its north, the two nations are close neighbors
The court fell silent.
The empress’s words echoed in the hall as the ministers exchanged shocked glances. The Song Dynasty wanted to attack Great Zhou? And they wanted Yang Yi’s head? Many instinctively turned toward him.
Yang Yi blinked, momentarily speechless.

After a moment, Xu Jingzong chuckled. “Minister Yang, who would have thought you’d become so valuable?”
Yang Yi sighed. “Zhao Ji is really willing to spend money on me.”
He smirked. “As the saying goes, someone who spends money on you must love you... So why is it that, in my case, it’s always people who hate me to the core?”
The hall burst into laughter. Yang Yi’s wry humor lightened the tension, even as the absurdity of the situation lingered.
Wu Zhao’s rosy lips twitched, a smile playing on her face. She couldn’t help but feel a tinge of amusement. Times had truly changed.
When the court first faced the threat of the Qing Dynasty’s invasion, fear and hesitation had gripped the ministers. Even the most courageous generals, those who dared to advocate for resistance, had viewed it as a battle they could not win—ready to lay down their lives with the country.
But now, upon hearing of the Song Dynasty’s impending invasion, there wasn’t a hint of fear among her ministers. Confidence radiated in their expressions, a testament to Great Zhou’s newfound strength and resilience.
Great Zhou was no longer the weak and vulnerable nation it had once been. Its transformation was largely due to one man—the number one poison master of Great Zhou.
Wu Zhao felt a surge of complex emotions but maintained her calm, regal composure.
“The Song Dynasty has sent three hundred thousand troops to wage war against Great Zhou. What are your thoughts, my ministers?”
The ministers straightened, their voices ringing out in unison. “We demand to fight!”
Wu Zhao’s hands rested firmly on the arms of the dragon throne as she sat upright, her presence commanding. Her dark eyes burned with resolve as she gave the order.
“Heichi Changzhi, Wei Qing, Xu Chu—step forward.”
The three generals stepped forward, bowing deeply. “At your service!”
Wu Zhao’s voice was calm but firm. “I am assigning three hundred thousand troops to you. Heichi Changzhi will serve as commander, with Wei Qing and Xu Chu as deputy commanders. Confront Tong Guan and show him the might of Great Zhou!”


“They’re going to fight?” Zhu Yuanzhang’s brow furrowed in confusion.
“Why is this happening?”
Zhu Biao stepped forward, a wry smile on his face.
“Father, I think I know why.”
He recounted the recent events in detail. Zhu Yuanzhang’s expression darkened as the truth sank in.
“So that’s it... This is Yang Yi’s retaliation.”
He chuckled bitterly. “No wonder Zhao Ji is so furious. But this is classic Yang Yi—he never allows himself to be wronged without striking back.”
His gaze hardened. “Those vicious schemes... They’re utterly cruel, yet terrifyingly effective. His tactics grow more ruthless with each passing day.”
Zhu Biao nodded, his unease evident. “Yang Yi’s mind is unmatched. Anyone who provokes him ends up facing a response that’s many times more devastating. This time, he’s dragged the entire Song nation into disgrace.s
“Father, who do you think will win this war?”
Zhu Yuanzhang didn’t hesitate. “Biao’er, there’s no question. The Song Dynasty, despite its wealth and advanced equipment, has always struggled against its neighbors. Great Zhou, however, defeated the Qing Dynasty. Zhao Ji’s forces don’t stand a chance.”
…


“Zhao Ji must be consumed by anger to resort to war,” Li Shimin mused, his lips curling into a faint smile. “We might as well prepare to celebrate Great Zhou’s victory in advance.”
Changsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling exchanged wry smiles. The emperor’s confidence in Great Zhou’s strength was evident.
…


“Great Zhou has been involved in many wars recently,” Ying Zheng remarked, his tone contemplative.
Li Si stepped forward respectfully. “Your Majesty, although the Song Dynasty is no match for Great Zhou, their attack could weaken Great Zhou’s strength. If left unchecked, Great Zhou’s rise could threaten our position in the region.”