Chapter 7: Empress: Compared to Yang Yi, I’m a saint!
The hall was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
Shangguan Wan’er could almost hear her own heartbeat.
Her clear eyes looked at Yang Yi with a complex gaze, a mixture of admiration and a hint of awe.
She had never imagined that this seemingly young and handsome top scholar could come up with such a terrifyingly ruthless plan. It was too cruel.
The Empress’s expression was complicated.
She looked at Yang Yi and thought to herself,
This top scholar of mine, with his harmless appearance and graceful demeanor, has come up with such a vicious plan. Once this plan is implemented, the Turkic people will lose their only source of income after raising goats, leading to widespread misery and starvation. This single strategy could kill thousands of people.
She had always thought her methods were already extremely harsh.
After all, as a woman sitting on the throne, she had to be ruthless. But Yang Yi was even more ruthless. Compared to Yang Yi, she was practically a saint.
Wu Zhao was silent for a moment. Her cold and beautiful eyes looked at Yang Yi.
“This strategy is indeed a brilliant plan!”
Yang Yi said with a smile,
“This strategy may seem sinister, but it is actually an open plan. As long as it is implemented properly, the Turks will suffer heavy losses and may even fall to our Great Zhou. Until then, Your Majesty will have the merit of expanding the territory.”
These words immediately pleased the Empress. Wu Zhao raised her phoenix-like eyebrows.
“I understand Yang Qing’s strategy. I will make sure that it is implemented flawlessly. First, we will establish a stable trade market with the Turks. Once they rely on us, we will buy sheepskins at high prices and eventually make them subservient to us…”
Yang Yi smiled faintly.
“Your Majesty, the Turks are powerful at the moment. It might be difficult to get them to settle down and engage in a trade market with us.”
Wu Zhao was taken aback.
“What do you mean, Yang Qing?”
Yang Yi spoke with conviction,
“Wolves don’t make deals with sheep unless you first show them that we are not to be trifled with!”
Wu Zhao was speechless.
Yang Yi’s meaning was clear and factual. If Great Zhou appeared weak and easy to bully, why would the other side agree to a fair trade?
Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and her dark, bright eyes looked at the smiling Yang Yi. Suddenly, she understood.
“Yang Qing, do you have a way to inflict heavy losses on the Turks on the battlefield?”
“Whether the Turks will suffer heavy losses, I don’t know. But I can guarantee that they will definitely suffer setbacks. They will realize that Great Zhou is not easily bullied. They will understand that compared to fighting, dealing honestly with Great Zhou is the way to survive.”
Wu Zhao’s dark eyes suddenly sparkled. Her cold, fair face showed a hint of curiosity.
“Yang Qing, what… brilliant plan do you have?”
Yang Yi was speechless. How long had it been, and the Empress already had a stereotype of him? It wasn’t exactly sinister, just a bit devious.
He folded his hands and said,
“Your Majesty, I need some time to prepare this strategy. I will demonstrate it to you tomorrow…”
Wu Zhao’s mouth twitched. This guy was still keeping her in suspense? She suppressed her curiosity and nodded calmly.
“Then I will wait for your demonstration tomorrow.”
After leaving the palace, Yang Yi returned to his home.
As a court official, although his family was poor, having his own house was not a problem. His household had only a few servants and no one else, so things were simple and plain.
In fact, it was because he had no money.
After all, working at Hanlin Academy, how much salary could he earn in a month? But now that he was at the side of the Empress, money was secondary.
The main thing was that he could show off his talents, and that was the key.
Yang Yi opened the system.
[Poison Expert Points: 46,729]
Just by offering three strategies, he had already accumulated so many Poison Scholar Points.
The most points came from the famine relief efforts.
After all, mixing sand into the relief grain was something only a ruthless person could do.
Yang Yi nodded in satisfaction and then opened the system shop.
【Red Cannon Blueprint: 150,000 Poison Expert Points】
【Great Snow Dragon Cavalry *1000: 200,000 Poison Expert Points】
【Two-Sleeved Green Snake Manual: 500,000 Poison Expert Points】
【Flintlock Blueprint: 150,000 Poison Expert Points】
【Sweat Blood Horse *1: 10,000 Poison Expert Points】
【Empress Wu Zhao’s Dudou: 1,000 Poison Expert Points】
【Mission Summon Card – Diao Chan: 100,000 Poison Master Points】
【Reba’s Black Stockings: 1,000 Poison Master Points】
【Han Hong Custom Doll: 1,000 Poison Master Points】
The items in the shop were dazzling.
Yang Yi’s gaze glanced over items such as the Blueprint and the Black Stockings, causing his eye to twitch involuntarily.
As expected from the system, it really does have everything.
He sighed slightly. However, the items seemed quite expensive, and the Poison Scholar points he had accumulated were not enough.
After studying the options for a while, he put the system away.
At the drill ground, many officials gathered gradually.
One official asked, “Minister Liu, the Empress has summoned the ministers here today. Do you know the reason?”
Minister Liu replied, “I have no idea. Has anyone heard anything?”
Another official said, “I heard that after yesterday’s court session, Yang Yi was summoned by the Empress and appointed as an official of the Central Secretariat. Could today’s matter be related to him?”
A third official remarked, “Related to him? If that’s the case, the Empress must hold him in high regard.”
An additional official agreed, “Indeed, he did an impressive job addressing the famine relief issue. I wonder what he’s up to today?”
Just then, someone interrupted, “Shh, Minister Li is here.”
Everyone fell silent as Li Yifu entered, his expression a mask of irritation.
He was puzzled by the Empress’s decision to summon the ministers to the drill ground today.
Normally, as a trusted advisor, he had some insight into the Empress’s plans, but today he was as in the dark as anyone else.
Hearing vague rumors that the gathering might be related to Yang Yi only darkened his mood further.
The thought of a young upstart overshadowing his own position was unsettling.
Soon, several officials gathered around Li Yifu, his demeanor softening as he engaged in polite conversation to mask his frustration.
Moments later, the Empress arrived, fashionably late.
Attendant: “Her Majesty has arrived…”
The ministers bowed respectfully as Wu Zhao took her place, her gaze sweeping over the assembled officials.
Empress Wu Zhao: “Where is Yang Qing?”
A murmur of tension rippled through the crowd. As anticipated, today’s unusual assembly was indeed related to Yang Yi.
Shangguan Wan’er, who had been waiting nearby, quickly stepped forward to address the Empress.
Shangguan Wan’er: “Your Majesty, Lord Yang mentioned that he needed to retrieve something and will be here shortly…”
Wu Zhao’s eyes narrowed slightly, her patience thin. The crowd awaited in silence, eager to see what the young strategist had in store.