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

This was unlike his previous desperate tactics, which relied on intelligence to trap and outmaneuver the enemy. But Yang Yi’s idea of dumping plague-infected corpses into the enemy city was nothing short of a malicious trick.

It was too sinister, too ruthless.

Shangguan Wan’er found it hard to reconcile the image of the amiable, handsome Minister Yang with the man capable of such a brutal scheme.

The hall fell into an eerie silence, the only sound the ministers’ shallow breathing. Wu Zhao’s cold, noble face betrayed her astonishment.

Yang Yi’s plan had surpassed their expectations—not just ruthless, but exceptionally cruel. Even she felt a shiver run down her spine. Though he was her minister, a faint sense of unease stirred within her at the thought of such a terrifying method.

Thank heaven he’s on our side, Wu Zhao thought.

If they truly followed Yang Yi’s suggestion and catapulted plague-infected bodies into the city, the consequences would be catastrophic—not just for the enemy soldiers, but for the civilians as well. This plan could potentially wipe out half the population in that city.

Wu Zhao remained silent, weighing the implications.

“Minister Yang,” she finally spoke, her voice slow, “isn’t this plan… a bit too ruthless? If word were to spread, it wouldn’t bode well for the reputation of the Great Zhou.”

The officials nodded, visibly relieved that the Empress had voiced their concerns. This move was terrifying not only to the enemy but also to their own side. It was ruthless to an extent that even their allies might flinch.

Yang Yi, however, remained calm.

He smiled and replied,

“Your Majesty, ask yourself—will this plan be effective or not?”

His voice grew firmer as he continued.

“This strategy solves two problems: it deals with the infected corpses and forces the enemy out of their city. If they panic and flee, we can catch them unprepared and secure victory.”

Wu Zhao paused, considering his words. He had a point. As brutal as the plan was, it could very well break the stalemate and win the war.

The officials exchanged glances, their faces somber. Even they couldn’t deny the logic behind Yang Yi’s proposal.

Li Yifu, unable to contain his horror, quickly intervened.

“Your Majesty, we cannot go through with this plan! The reputation of the Great Zhou will be in tatters if we do.”

Wu Zhao hesitated, her brows furrowed. She, too, understood the damage this plan could inflict on their empire’s honor.

After a long pause, she turned to Yang Yi again.

“Minister Yang, do you have any alternative plans?”

All eyes shifted to Yang Yi, their expressions a mixture of hope and skepticism.

Yang Yi smiled confidently, a gleam of calculated brilliance in his eyes.

“Your Majesty, I do have other plans.”

Wu Zhao’s phoenix eyes brightened with anticipation. As always, the advisor she prized never failed to deliver.

Li Yifu, caught off guard, could hardly believe it.

Does this man have endless strategies? he wondered.

The rest of the officials, equally stunned, couldn’t help but be impressed. The situations that baffled them—Yang Yi had effortlessly proposed multiple solutions.

This is so frustrating! They were completely crushed!

Wu Zhao’s authoritative voice rang out.

“Yang Yi, please speak…”

Yang Yi glanced at the crowd, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

“Your Majesty, even though the enemy is hiding within their city walls, they still need water to survive. Water is essential every day,”  he began, his calmness contrasting with the tense atmosphere in the hall.

“So, our army need only send scouts to locate the upstream water source near their city. Then, we place the plague-infected bodies into the river. The infected water will flow straight into the city.”

He paused, his smile deepening.

“Within a month, the city will fall without us even lifting a sword.”

“This plan is far more discreet than catapulting bodies into the city. All we need is to quietly contaminate the river. Even if the plague spreads within the enemy’s city, no one will know it was caused by the Great Zhou.”

The hall fell into a suffocating silence.

Every official stood frozen, their expressions pale. Eyelids twitched, and several took a step back, their instincts recoiling from the idea.

This is monstrous, they thought, staring at Yang Yi, who maintained his calm demeanor, his smile unshaken.

This plan wasn’t just ruthless—it was cold-blooded. Throwing corpses over city walls was one thing, but tainting the city’s entire water supply?

It would spread the plague far more rapidly. The entire city, with its population in the hundreds of thousands, depended on water. If the water source was contaminated, the consequences were unimaginable.

Goosebumps prickled the skin of those gathered. A chill slithered down their spines as they contemplated the devastation such a plan could unleash.

Entire households would consume infected water unknowingly. Within days, the plague would overrun the city like wildfire.

If it got serious enough, the entire city could be wiped out.

Li Yifu’s face turned green as his eye twitched in horror.

He considered himself to be a cunning and devious person. But compared to Yang Yi, he was nothing.

This man was casually talking about taking hundreds of thousands of lives as if it were nothing.

Shangguan Wan’er bit her lip, her gaze locked on Yang Yi, eyes full of unease.

She couldn’t calm the storm of thoughts swirling in her heart. This isn’t just vicious—it’s inhumane.

On the dragon throne, Wu Zhao’s face reflected a whirlwind of emotions. The relief that Yang Yi had more strategies to offer was overshadowed by the ruthlessness of this one.

A bitter smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

The Central Plains are full of talented strategists, some known for their cruelty. But even they pale in comparison to Yang Yi.

Sitting before her was a man whose methods were so cold-blooded that he seemed like a Living Yama.