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

Chapter 84: A Hunt Without Swords

The Empress was momentarily stunned as she looked at Yang Yi in astonishment. She had never expected him to come up with such a ruthless plan in the blink of an eye.

Shangguan Wan’er was equally shocked.

Does Prime Minister Yang devise devious schemes every day?

This sinister plan had emerged effortlessly.

While everyone was still reeling, Yang Yi continued, “In addition to the remnants still hiding in the Qing capital, we must also eliminate those who have already fled, as well as the members of the Qing Royal Family who are still outside. This will prevent them from regrouping and posing a future threat to our Great Zhou!”

A collective hiss sounded throughout the hall as everyone gasped, staring at Yang Yi in a daze. They had barely begun to celebrate Great Zhou’s victory, and here was Yang Yi, already plotting to dismantle the remnants.

No wonder he’s called the living Yama.

Xu Jingzong stroked his beard thoughtfully.

“Prime Minister Yang, these remnants of the Qing have disappeared too quickly. The world is vast, and finding them could be nearly impossible if they’re hiding.”

Heads around the room nodded in agreement. They understood the importance of eliminating all threats, but it sounded like an insurmountable task.

Yang Yi’s smile widened.

“Master Xu, you’re mistaken… In my opinion, eliminating all threats is not only simple—it won’t even require a single soldier.”

“What?” The assembly was astonished. Was Prime Minister Yang joking?

Xu Jingzong chuckled. “Prime Minister Yang, do not tease an old man like me. How can we eliminate threats without using any soldiers? That sounds impossible.”

Yang Yi’s eyes sparkled with confidence.

“It’s entirely possible. By spreading rumours and using psychological warfare, we can turn the people against the remnants.

“If we offer rewards for information and create an atmosphere of mistrust, the remnants will have nowhere to hide. The people themselves will aid us in rooting them out—all without us lifting a finger.”

The hall fell into a profound silence as everyone processed the cunning depth of Yang Yi’s proposal.

Yes, but how could they catch the remnants without doing anything? Surely they didn’t expect the remnants to surrender themselves!

Wu Zhao looked at Yang Yi with curiosity, while Shangguan Wan’er’s eyes glinted with admiration.

Brimming with confidence, Yang Yi went on, “It’s quite simple. I propose that our Great Zhou offer a bounty. Anyone in the empire who captures a member of the Aisin Gioro clan and presents them to Great Zhou shall be rewarded with one hundred ounces of gold.

“For close relatives of Qianlong, such as a brother or son, the reward will be five hundred ounces of gold.

“Once this bounty is announced, people across the empire will be motivated to act. The Qing Royal Family members will become hunted by all, should they leave even the slightest trace.

“People die for wealth like birds for food. These remnants may evade Great Zhou’s pursuit, but can they evade the entire world’s pursuit?”

He leaned forward, voice low but resonant.

“Even if they can hide for a time, eventually, someone close to them—a servant or a subordinate—will betray them for the reward.

“After all, the Aisin Gioro Clan is nothing more than a powerless shadow now. Not everyone can maintain loyalty when faced with hundreds of ounces of gold.”

As Yang Yi finished speaking, a stunned silence filled the room. Xu Jingzong gaped in awe, and others swallowed hard, hearing their own heartbeats.

This plan was incredibly ruthless!

Just imagining it was enough to send shivers down their spines. Ordinary people who could only dream of earning a hundred ounces of gold after decades of labour would now have the chance to achieve it in an instant—if only they caught one Aisin Gioro.

Not only commoners, but officials too would be tempted by such a bounty. Members of the Qing Royal Family, who had already lost their land, would become walking gold reserves, constantly hunted by those around them.

Yang Yi’s plan ensured that the Aisin Gioro clan would never find peace.

A chill filled the air as everyone, even the toughest ministers, trembled.

Wu Zhao’s phoenix eyes flickered with surprise as she gazed at Yang Yi. Though she was used to his ruthless strategies, the cold calculation in his words made her scalp tingle.

Yang Yi’s plan was clear: with the bounty in place, Great Zhou wouldn’t need to lift a finger. The Qing Royal Family would be torn apart by people greedy for gold.

Shangguan Wan’er’s eyes sparkled with admiration. Though seemingly simple, the plan required an incredible insight into human nature. Yang Yi’s understanding of people’s motivations was unparalleled.

Wu Zhao took a deep breath, her expression once again calm, and a faint smile touched her lips as she looked at Yang Yi.

“Minister Yang, I find this plan feasible.”

She glanced at Xu Jingzong.

“The specifics of this bounty order shall be handled by Minister Xu.”

Xu Jingzong bowed swiftly.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Three days later, news of the Qing Dynasty’s downfall spread throughout the Central Plains. The Great Zhou’s bounty order took effect immediately, sending waves of turmoil through the empire.

Throngs of people, driven by the lure of gold, began watching those around them with suspicious eyes. Those already accustomed to danger became especially excited, sharpening their weapons in anticipation.

…

Ming Dynasty—Fengtian Temple

The father and son stood in silence, disbelief etched across their faces as they stared at the intelligence report in front of them.

After a long pause, Zhu Biao spoke, his voice heavy with shock and trembling slightly. “Father, didn’t you say the Zhou Dynasty wouldn’t last…?

“How did they manage to destroy the Qing Dynasty?”

“Not only that,” Zhu Biao’s voice shook, “they even managed to find a cure for smallpox!”

Zhu Yuanzhang, his weathered face equally stunned, finally broke the silence.

“This young man is no mere talent; he is a prodigy—a once-in-a-millennium genius.

“We underestimated him… When faced with a smallpox epidemic, he didn’t just withstand it. He wielded it as a weapon to obliterate his enemies without harm to himself.”