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

The hall fell into sudden silence. Wu Zhao looked at Yang Yi in astonishment, realizing that this pillar of Great Zhou had already extended his plans beyond the seas. However, the weapon he wielded was a substance capable of consuming a person’s very soul.
Yang Yi smiled slightly.
“The overseas nations are distant. Even if this substance spreads there, it would be difficult for it to affect our Great Zhou.
“Moreover, even if it were to reach our lands, as long as Your Majesty enforces strict laws, its impact can be minimized.
“Even if we do not introduce this substance, others will eventually develop it to harm us.”
Wu Zhao’s eyelids twitched. Yang Yi’s last words sent a chill through her, an unease tightening around her chest. It was hard to fathom the sheer weight of something that even he treated with such caution.
She took a deep breath, her spine still tingling.
“Minister Yang, since you have already set things in motion, proceed as you see fit. I will support you.”
Yang Yi raised an eyebrow.
“Your Majesty need not be so apprehensive. If used properly, this substance can also be refined into medicine, saving lives instead of destroying them.
“I am merely utilizing it to clear obstacles for Great Zhou. At most, it may affect a few million people in the short term.”
The two women were speechless. The way Yang Yi spoke, it was as if harming millions was of little consequence.
A shudder ran down their spines. This was the true meaning of a living Yama.
…
“Your Majesty, our army has decapitated about eight thousand Jin soldiers. The Jin forces have retreated.”
Yue Fei stood tall despite his weathered appearance, his voice firm as he addressed Zhao Ji from a respectful distance.
Zhao Ji, however, showed no sign of joy. He merely responded blandly,
“I see. You may leave.”
Yue Fei hesitated for a moment. “Your Majesty, the Song Dynasty is now strong and well-armed. There is no reason we cannot reclaim the north.
“Our compatriots there await our return. As long as Your Majesty gives the order, I am willing to march north and face the Zhou in a decisive battle.”
Zhao Ji’s brow furrowed. He waved his hand impatiently. “Withdraw.”
“Your Majesty,” Yue Fei pressed on.
But Zhao Ji’s gaze hardened, his patience wearing thin. “I said, leave.”
Yue Fei exhaled, suppressing his frustration as he bowed and departed.
Once Yue Fei had left, Chief Eunuch Li Yan couldn’t hold back his comment.
“Your Majesty, Yue Fei grows bolder by the day. He hardly seems to heed your words anymore…”
Zhao Ji’s expression darkened with suppressed anger.
“For months now, he has won battle after battle. I acknowledge his merits, which is why I have continued to favor him. But I hear that his troops now call themselves the Yue Family Army?”
Li Yan, having served Zhao Ji for years, immediately grasped his meaning.
“Indeed, Your Majesty. This man harbors ambitious thoughts. These are your troops—how did they become the Yue Family’s army?
“If this continues, those soldiers will believe they fight for Yue Fei, not for Your Majesty.”
Zhao Ji’s grip on his chair tightened, his gaze frosty.
After a long pause, he let out a weary sigh and closed his eyes.
“He is a loyal subject of the Song Dynasty. Do not spread rumors.”
Li Yan was momentarily stunned but quickly fell silent.
He and Yue Fei had little conflict; one resided in the palace, the other on the battlefield. Under normal circumstances, he would have been happy to curry favor with the rising general.
But Yue Fei had once advised the emperor to have him executed, calling him a traitor. That was something Li Yan could not forgive.
Since then, he had taken every opportunity to whisper slander about Yue Fei into Zhao Ji’s ear.
And yet, the emperor still seemed to trust him?
…
“Your Majesty, a secret report from General Heichi.”
Shangguan Wan’er carefully presented a memorandum to the Empress.
A flicker of doubt crossed Wu Zhao’s phoenix eyes. Ever since Great Zhou had conquered the northern territories of the Song Dynasty, Heichi Changzhi had been sending monthly reports on the situation.
Just days ago, he had submitted a regular report. Why was there another so soon?
Puzzled, she unfolded the document and read a few lines. Her gaze turned sharp.
“The Song Army is marching north?”