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

In the heart of Chang’an, within the resplendent Taiji Palace, golden sunlight filtered through the carved windows, painting warm patterns across the floor. Li Shimin, Emperor of Great Tang, reclined in a sandalwood chair veined with purple streaks. Clad in a bright yellow dragon robe embroidered with cloud motifs, he smiled faintly at the ministers gathered before him.
“Zhu Yuanzhang has sent word,” he said, his voice calm and laced with amusement. “He wants us to increase our silver acquisitions. Apparently, the Great Zhou has begun dumping its silver reserves in an attempt to suppress the rising price of silver. He complains that we are not buying enough.”
A thoughtful silence settled over the hall. Fang Xuanling, Changsun Wuji, Wei Zheng, Gao Shilian, and Du Ruhui exchanged glances, their expressions contemplative.
Fang Xuanling stroked his beard, his brows drawing together. “Zhu Yuanzhang wants to buy 1.5 million jin of silver. Does he expect us to match that?”
Gao Shilian gave a slow shake of his head. “The Ming has always held more silver than most nations. While our Great Tang also possesses considerable reserves, they are already allocated across the provinces. Acquiring such a vast amount would inevitably strain our treasury.”
Changsun Wuji patted his round belly and spoke with deliberate ease. “But if we don’t take this opportunity to strike the Great Zhou hard, and they manage to endure it, then wouldn’t we have provoked them for nothing?”
He leaned forward slightly, his voice lowering in tone. “If we are to offend the Great Zhou, then let it be a decisive offense—one that ensures they do not recover. A crippled neighbor is far preferable to a powerful one.”
The ministers nodded in agreement, their faces solemn. Even Li Shimin inclined his head, acknowledging the logic.
Changsun Wuji continued, “Besides, the silver we purchase is not without value. It can serve as a monetary reserve. For our Great Tang, there is no real loss in this.”
“It is merely a matter of converting the gold and Kaiyuan Tongbao in our treasury into silver,” he added. “Given the current trends, silver prices will only continue to rise. Not only will we avoid losses, we’ll also deal a blow to the Great Zhou. It’s a win-win strategy.”
Li Shimin stroked his beard again, the glint of strategy flickering in his eyes. “Well reasoned. If our Tang Dynasty accumulates a large reserve of silver now, it will indeed be a profitable undertaking.”
“Xuanling, you’ll oversee this,” he commanded with sudden clarity. “Divert the bulk of our treasury funds to silver acquisition. Let us match Zhu Yuanzhang’s numbers—set the target at 1.5 million jin.”
The officials blinked in surprise, momentarily stunned by the emperor’s decisiveness. Fang Xuanling quickly bowed. “As you command, Your Majesty.”
…
Far to the west, within the austere halls of Weiyang Palace in the Great Han, Emperor Liu Che stood at the center of his council chamber. His face, all sharp edges and cold ambition, radiated determination.
“Excellent. Excellent. The Great Zhou is indeed in trouble,” he declared. “This time, our Great Han must not lag behind the Ming or Tang. If they’re buying 1.5 million jin, so shall we!”
He turned sharply toward his finance minister. “Sang Hongyang, draft an edict at once. Announce our decision to the court and the people. I want to see the Great Zhou roasted over open flames.”
Sang Hongyang bowed crisply. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
As he departed, the room grew tense. Zhufu Yan, Zhang Qian, and Zhang Tang stood silent, their expressions grave. Though the great nations of the world claimed alliance with the Great Zhou, when the time came to kick someone while they were down, none hesitated.
They all understood that Emperor Liu Che harbored no personal enmity toward the Great Zhou. In fact, he even held a measure of admiration for Yang Yi. Yet admiration had no place in national affairs.
The Han and Zhou had only recently signed a steel trade agreement, but now, that mattered little. If the Great Zhou succeeded in replacing metal currency with their treasure notes, they would gain dominance over the economic battlefield. Balance between the great powers would be shattered.
Only equilibrium preserved peace. If one nation surged ahead, the others must unite to suppress it. Such was the unspoken rule among them.
…
In Xianyang, deep within the somber confines of Zhangtai Palace, the flickering candlelight cast long shadows across Emperor Ying Zheng’s stern face. He flung a memorial onto the lacquered desk, his black and gold robe rippling like ink over steel.
“Well then,” he said quietly. “Should I get involved?”
His court fell into uncertain silence.
Meng Yi stepped forward after a moment’s thought and bowed. “Your Majesty, though the surface appears calm, the undercurrent is treacherous. It may seem the Zhou is faltering, but the storm beneath has yet to fully break.”
“Our Great Qin produces far more gold and copper than other nations, but our silver resources lag behind those of Ming and Tang. If we engage in a large-scale silver purchase and it backfires, we could face internal instability.”
He straightened, meeting the emperor’s gaze. “Therefore, I advise patience. The siege by the three nations is already taking shape. To deal with the Great Zhou, their efforts should suffice—for now.”
Li Si frowned and stepped forward with a serious look on his face.
“Your Majesty, I believe that Yang Yi of the Zhou Dynasty is cunning and may be planning something.
“If our Great Qin does not participate, and it turns out that our pressure is the missing piece that allows the Great Zhou to recover, won’t the efforts of the other three nations be in vain?
“If the Great Zhou succeeds in establishing their treasure note system, our Great Qin will inevitably be surpassed by the Zhou Dynasty in the future. Please reconsider, Your Majesty.”
The hall fell silent.
Ying Zheng’s eyes narrowed slightly. He calmly said, “Let’s put this matter aside for now…”
Li Si was stunned and looked at Ying Zheng in surprise. He never expected that Ying Zheng would actually decide to sit on the sidelines. This was a rare opportunity. However, since Ying Zheng had made his decision, he dared not say anything further.
Everyone responded and bowed.
Ying Zheng glanced at their expressions, but his heart remained calm. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to take this chance to strike at Great Zhou. But he had an inexplicable feeling that the Great Zhou was too
.
Under the “pressure” from Ming and the other nations, they had only taken the silver from their treasury and dumped it into circulation. On the surface, it was a logical move—any nation in that position would likely do the same. But when the move came from the Great Zhou, it felt deeply unconvincing.
Would the Great Zhou—home to the world’s most dangerous strategist—simply stand by and allow themselves to be besieged by three great powers?
Anyone with a discerning eye could see it clearly. Dumping silver might offer a brief reprieve, but it was ultimately drinking poison to quench thirst. Unless they had a hidden plan, the Great Zhou would be worn down, little by little, until collapse.
And Ying Zheng firmly believed that Yang Yi had already seen through this.