I, Am a Living Yama; Empress Advises Me to Stay Calm
Chapter 172

Chapter 172: Once Suspicion Arises, the Crime Is Already Committed!

Wu Zhao’s almond-shaped eyes widened in shock. She felt a chill in her heart. She hadn’t expected Yang Yi to find a flaw in what everyone believed to be a dead end.

Especially the strategies he had just outlined—if even she, placed in that position, would inevitably fall into paranoia, then what of Zhao Ji?

What made Yang Yi’s scheme truly terrifying was not the strategy itself, but his insight into human nature—an acuity honed to an extreme.

While everyone assumed Zhao Ji’s deployment of Yue Fei’s army signified absolute trust, Yang Yi had gone against this belief, pinpointing the precise cracks in the seemingly solid bond between emperor and general. The insight of the world’s foremost dark strategist was terrifying indeed.

She took a deep breath and pursed her lips.

“Minister Yang, how did you discern Zhao Ji’s suspicion toward Yue Fei?”

Yang Yi smiled faintly. “Whether he trusts Yue Fei or not is irrelevant to me.”

His voice was calm, yet it carried a chilling certainty. “One is a capable general, the other an incompetent ruler. And with such an immense gap in their public prestige…”

His eyes darkened. “Once suspicion arises, the crime is already established.”

Wu Zhao’s heart trembled. Once suspicion arises, the crime is already established! This man understood the human psyche far too well.

…

In the northern territories of the former Song Dynasty, now under Great Zhou’s rule, resentment still lingered. Though Great Zhou had implemented favorable policies, not everyone could readily accept the empire that had invaded their homeland.

And now, with Yue Fei leading the charge against Zhou forces, a sense of anticipation surged among the people. If Yue Fei triumphed, they could return to their own nation.

On the bustling streets, hushed conversations took place.

“Do you think General Yue can defeat Great Zhou?”

“Great Zhou is no weakling, but General Yue is no ordinary man either. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have dealt Zhou such losses. I still hope he wins.”

A sigh. “Even if he does, what then? With an emperor like ours and treacherous ministers in power, do you still want to go back?”

“That’s not the point. My wife and I are separated—if General Yue wins, I can return home and reunite with my family.”

“True. We just want to be with our loved ones. Who cares about those corrupt officials?”

“Honestly, if General Yue became emperor, the Song Dynasty might actually have a chance…”

A heavy silence followed. Then, someone muttered, “If only.”

…

In a grand mansion, tension hung in the air.

“General Heichi, has His Majesty ordered reinforcements?” a deputy general asked anxiously.

All eyes turned to Heichi Changzhi, who wore a strange expression.

He met their gazes and spoke slowly,

“His Majesty has not issued any orders for reinforcements. Great Zhou now controls vast territories, each requiring stationed troops. If too many soldiers are deployed here, other areas might become vulnerable…”

A stunned silence followed.

One officer hesitated before speaking.

“General, Yue Fei is a formidable strategist—one of the greatest of our time. With our current lack of manpower, and surrounded by Song loyalists, resisting him will be difficult…”

“Yes, we should request reinforcements again. Without more troops, we’ll be at a clear disadvantage.”

“If the civilians rise against us, we’ll be trapped between two fronts!”

Murmurs of agreement spread among the officers.

Heichi Changzhi let them voice their concerns before finally chuckling.

“Though His Majesty has denied reinforcements, he has given us a strategy.”

The officers exchanged puzzled looks.

A strategy? How could they possibly defeat the enemy in a land filled with Song supporters?

Seeing their doubt, Heichi Changzhi added, “This is Prime Minister Yang’s plan.”

Instantly, the tension shifted to anticipation. If it was Yang Yi’s strategy, then there was nothing to fear.

“General, tell us quickly—what sinister plan has Prime Minister Yang devised?” someone urged.

Heichi Changzhi’s lips twitched. Good heavens, the Living King of Hell had certainly made a name for himself.

He cleared his throat and grew serious.

“The plan is simple, but executing it properly requires careful preparation.”

His voice dropped as he began explaining. “Listen carefully…”

…

On the other side, in the Yue Army camp, Yue Fei stood on high ground, gazing at the distant Zhou encampment. His heart pounded with restrained excitement.

Zhao Ji’s decision to let him lead the northern campaign was invigorating. With his sharp instincts, he could see that Great Zhou—having just conquered the Turks—was unlikely to send reinforcements. His task was clear: strike swiftly before they could react, defeat Heichi Changzhi, and reclaim the northern territories.

…

Days later, within the Song Dynasty.

Li Yan narrowed his eyes at the chest of gold before him, his heart skipping a beat. Damn it, these Zhou officers were generous.

The soldier opposite him spoke calmly.

“We have a common enemy. If Great Zhou falls and Yue Fei returns in triumph, his prestige will soar. A court purge will be inevitable. Do you really think you’ll survive?”

Li Yan’s expression darkened. He glared at the soldier, gritted his teeth, and finally said,

“I don’t need you to remind me.”

His fingers tightened around the chest. “I’ll take the gold.”

The soldier smiled slightly, then turned and left, completely unbothered by the possibility of betrayal.

Li Yan stared at the gold. He knew exactly what was at play. But between the fate of the Song Dynasty and his own future, his choice was clear.

…

At the Cai residence, Cai Jing remained expressionless.

“Return to your general and tell him—I accept.”

Across from him, a Great Zhou soldier in plain clothes smirked, nodded, and walked away.

…

Within the Yue Army camp, a soldier burst into the command tent, panting.

“General Yue! The enemy commander, Heichi Changzhi, has sent an envoy. He claims that if you defect to Great Zhou, their emperor will grant you noble status, appoint you as a second-ranking general, and offer you the governorship of Yangzhou!”

Silence fell.

Yue Fei’s expression hardened. His brow furrowed.

The officers around him tensed. All eyes were on him. If Yue Fei defected, the Song Dynasty was finished.

After a long moment, Yue Fei spoke. “Send the Zhou envoy away. Tell him—Yue was born a Song citizen and will die a Song ghost.”

The officers exhaled, relief washing over them. They had no desire to see their general taken by the enemy.

The soldier saluted and hurried out.