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

Chapter 63

“Before this, rumours questioning Qianlong’s character had already begun circulating. After a while, those rumors gradually faded.

“But then, as Qianlong began slipping from the public’s interest, Yang Yi seized his last opportunity to deliver another vicious slander.”

“Biao, remember this,” Zhu Yuanzhang said gravely.

“When someone is angry, they often act irrationally. And when a monarch makes a bad decision, the consequences are far-reaching and unbearable.”

“Yang Yi probably thought so too, but this time, he may have miscalculated…”

Zhu Yuanzhang’s tone darkened.

“According to Jin Yi Wei’s intelligence, Qianlong has mobilized 400,000 troops, along with 20,000 Iron Buddhas. He is furious, and he has issued a death order, determined to have Yang Yi’s head.”

Zhu Biao’s eyes widened in shock.

“Father, I don’t understand. What does Yang Yi hope to gain by provoking Qianlong like this?

“400,000troops, plus 20,000 Iron Buddha cavalry—renowned for their invincibility in mounted combat—what is Yang Yi after?”

He paused, still reeling from the scale of the mobilization.

“Qianlong’s reaction seems irrational. Given their previous defeat, if the Qing Dynasty goes to war again and loses, it could completely deplete the strength they’ve built up over decades.

“But… that’s assuming the Zhou Dynasty can win. If not, the entire Zhou may be in jeopardy.”

Zhu Yuanzhang stroked his beard, a complex expression flickering across his face.

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“Indeed, 20,000 Iron Buddha troops—nearly half of the Qing Dynasty’s entire Iron Buddha force. Qianlong’s deployment of these elite cavalrymen shows he has reached the height of his hatred for Yang Yi.”

The emperor’s voice grew more somber.

“I also think Yang Yi has pushed things too far this time… His strategy may be sound, but can he handle the consequences?”

Zhu Biao shook his head.

“I think Yang Yi is in real danger now. His schemes have crossed the line.”

…

Tang Dynasty.

Inside the Tai Chi Hall, Li Shimin chuckled, holding a newspaper in his hands.

“Haha, this is quite entertaining… Yang Yi’s slander of Qianlong’s lineage has worked, and Qianlong is indeed furious. 400,000 troops, plus 20,000 Iron Buddhas—how will Yang Yi react to that?”

Changsun Wuji, standing nearby, furrowed his brow.

“I don’t understand why Yang Yi acted so recklessly. By deliberately provoking Qianlong, he’s caused the Qing Dynasty to mobilize their entire strength against the Zhou Kingdom.

“If the Zhou can’t stand up to this, they will be destroyed. Yang Yi’s strategy seems to have backfired this time.”

Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and Gao Shilian nodded in agreement.

Hou Junji spoke sternly.

“400,000 elite troops, plus 20,000 heavily armored cavalry. Even our Great Tang cannot easily underestimate such a force. It seems Yang Yi has overplayed his hand.”

Li Jing, who had been stroking his beard, shook his head slowly.

“The terrain of the Zhou Dynasty is flat and open—ideal for cavalry attacks. And the Iron Buddha are the finest heavy cavalry in the world.

“Yang Yi has relied on trickery to win battles, but now it seems the backlash is upon him. Real strength lies in upright tactics, not dark schemes.”

Changsun Wuji nodded.

“Indeed, much of the Zhou Dynasty’s rise can be attributed to Yang Yi’s cunning strategies. But now, he may be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. His reliance on trickery has led him to overlook the power of sheer military strength.”

The ministers in the hall scoffed, clearly skeptical of Yang Yi’s ability to counter such a formidable army from the Qing Dynasty.

Ever since Emperor Li Shimin began praising Yang Yi as a top strategist, many in his court felt overshadowed, as if their own brilliance had been eclipsed.

Seeing Yang Yi potentially fall victim to his own schemes brought them a sense of satisfaction.

Li Shimin himself looked at his ministers, feeling a mixture of pity and calculation.

The Qing Dynasty’s mobilization cast a long shadow over the Zhou Kingdom. Without a clear counterstrategy, the Zhou Dynasty was at risk of total collapse.

Although Li Shimin admired Yang Yi’s brilliance, he couldn’t help but feel that the strategist’s end might be near. A talent like Yang Yi could easily become an enemy of the Tang Dynasty. If he were to fall now, it would remove a potential future threat.

…

Qin Dynasty.

At Zhangtai Temple, Li Si scowled.

“Your Majesty, Yang Yi’s actions are a path to self-destruction. To ruin an emperor’s reputation with words is truly despicable. Now, he faces the consequences!”

Still harbouring resentment from being compared unfavourably to Yang Yi in the past, Li Si couldn’t hide his satisfaction at the strategist’s current predicament.

Feng Quji agreed.

“Indeed, Yang Yi has talent, but his reliance on sinister tactics has brought him to this point. When one uses too many tricks, they are bound to backfire eventually.”

Wang Wan nodded repeatedly.

Ying Zheng, however, remained silent, lost in thought.

Despite his ministers’ scorn, Ying Zheng couldn’t dismiss Yang Yi’s past successes. Every move Yang Yi made seemed calculated, and his ability to turn dire situations in his favour was remarkable. Could he have anticipated this full-scale mobilization by Qianlong?

If so, what was his plan?

Ying Zheng shook his head. If Yang Yi had truly miscalculated, it would be a tragedy to lose such a brilliant mind.

…

Zhou Dynasty.

Inside the Council Hall, Minister Zhang Jianzhi’s grave voice echoed through the room.

“Your Majesty, urgent news from the front. Qianlong has dispatched General Zhangjia Agui, along with 400,000 troops and 20,000 Iron Buddhas, to attack our Great Zhou.”

The hall fell into stunned silence.

Xu Jingzong, Wei Yuanzhong, Li Yifu, and the other ministers exchanged horrified glances. Their hearts sank. This was a disaster.

The Qing Dynasty was mobilizing its full strength. Despite their previous confidence, how could the Zhou Dynasty stand against such overwhelming force?

Wu Zhao, the Empress, maintained a calm and composed expression, though even she recognized the gravity of the situation.

The hall remained silent, the air thick with tension.

Suddenly, a voice broke the stillness.

“Minister Zhang, did you miss something?”

“From what I heard, Qianlong has also ordered Zhangjia Agui to bring back Yang Yi’s head.”