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

Ying Zheng sat upright on his throne, his expression calm.
“Oh, really? Why do I feel that this war is an opportunity for Great Zhou to train its troops?”
Li Si hesitated, unsure how to respond. Ying Zheng continued, his tone measured.
“Before their war with the Qing Dynasty, Great Zhou’s military strength was unimpressive. Most of their soldiers were raw recruits. But now, those same troops display sharpness, discipline, and the confidence of a battle-hardened army.”
Li Si’s face stiffened. Ying Zheng’s piercing analysis had effectively dismissed his earlier concerns. A thoughtful gleam appeared in Ying Zheng’s eyes as he shifted the conversation.
“Summon Wang Jian. We must deal with Baiyue swiftly. As Great Zhou grows stronger, they will inevitably influence the world. We cannot afford to leave potential threats unchecked near our borders.”
…


Ten days later, the Song army reached the border of Great Zhou.
A soldier approached a large command tent, saluted, and reported, “General, the Great Zhou border is just ahead.”
Inside, Tong Guan, the newly appointed Chief Marshal of the Song Dynasty, sat reviewing a military manual.
Dressed in a gray brocade robe and golden crown, his sharp gaze and meticulously groomed appearance exuded authority. Without looking up, he dismissed the soldier with a wave.
“Set up camp here,” he instructed his guards after a moment’s thought.
By nightfall, the Song army settled into their positions. Inside the command tent, Tong Guan stood before a map, confidently outlining his strategies to the gathered officers. Despite being a eunuch, his military power and the emperor’s favor made him one of the most influential figures in the Song Dynasty.
His tone brimmed with confidence. “Gentlemen, Great Zhou’s success against the Qing Dynasty was sheer luck. Without the smallpox outbreak, their so-called victory would have been impossible.”
He paused, his lips curling into a smile. “This is our chance to achieve glory. The emperor’s favor demands nothing less than total victory. Together, we will—”
A thunderous cry pierced the night air, “Attack!”
Tong Guan’s expression froze as chaos erupted outside the tent.
A bloodied soldier stumbled in, panic etched across his face.
“General, we’re surrounded! The enemy’s numbers are unknown...”
Tong Guan’s composure crumbled.
His voice trembled as he barked, “Quickly! Cover my retreat!”
…


“Your Majesty, we have achieved a decisive victory!” A soldier reported with pride.
“Tong Guan has been captured, and the enemy’s 300,000-strong army has been routed. General Heichi Changzhi seeks your permission to pursue the remaining Song forces.”
Wu Zhao’s phoenix-like eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
“Tell him I approve. The Song people must pay dearly for their transgressions!”
...


Heichi Changzhi’s relentless pursuit devastated the Song forces.
Over two months, the Zhou army captured twelve cities, including Bianjing, the Song capital. Zhao Ji fled south with his court, abandoning most of the northern territories to Great Zhou.
…


At first, the ministers were surprised by the reports of victory. But as the triumphs continued, they grew numb to them.
No one had anticipated that the seemingly prosperous Song Dynasty would prove so powerless against Great Zhou in actual combat. Once the facade of a “strong nation” was stripped away, it became clear that the Song Dynasty was merely a wealthy but weak state, easily bullied into submission.
Great Zhou’s successive victories over the Song Dynasty were even smoother than anyone had imagined. It wasn’t until just over a month ago, when Emperor Zhao Ji of the Song Dynasty moved his court to a new capital, that Great Zhou’s advance finally slowed.
Wu Zhao stood at the center of the grand hall, her black-and-white eyes calm yet commanding.
“Heichi Changzhi has written to me asking if we should continue south to capture Zhao Ji, now that seventy percent of the northern territories of the Song Dynasty are under our control...”
Her voice sharpened as she added,
“Yet resistance remains. Not all Song forces have surrendered. Among them is Yue Fei, a young captain who has rallied the northern citizens and remnants of the Song army. Despite Zhao Ji’s cowardice, Yue Fei has inspired loyalty and determination among his soldiers.”
She paused, her gaze sweeping across the room.
“It is ironic, isn’t it? A weak monarch like Zhao Ji does not deserve such loyal subjects. Yet here we are, facing a formidable resistance led by this Yue Fei.”
She turned to the gathered ministers.
“To capture Zhao Ji, we must first defeat Yue Fei. But doing so will come at a cost. Should we consolidate our hold on the north, or press forward to crush this final resistance? Speak your minds.”