Yang Yi wasn’t particularly upset. He simply replied calmly,
Wu Zhao smiled slightly, her cold and noble face blooming like a snow lotus on a high mountain. She looked at the crowd.
“I am tired. The court is dismissed. Minister Yang, stay behind…”
The ministers exchanged glances before respectfully withdrawing.
Moments later, in the Qianyang Hall, the atmosphere was warm like spring. A purple beast-shaped incense burner in the corner emitted a soothing fragrance, filling the room.
The golden dragon throne, inlaid with agate, was adorned with a light carpet. Wu Zhao, draped in her dragon robe, looked radiant. Her fair and delicate face glowed like jade, while a large emerald hanging from her snow-white neck made her skin appear even brighter.
Leaning against the throne, Wu Zhao raised her eyebrows slightly, her dark eyes fixed on Yang Yi.
“The Song Dynasty is now divided into north and south, with our Zhou Dynasty controlling the north. The south remains under Zhao Ji’s rule. Minister Yang, how long do you think it will take us to conquer the south?”
Yang Yi’s lips twitched. The Empress seemed impatient.
Leaning back slightly, he pondered before responding,
“The northern part of the Song Dynasty has already fallen into our hands. As long as our Zhou Dynasty avoids mistakes, the Song Dynasty will gradually be devoured. Your Majesty, there is no need to rush.”
Wu Zhao rubbed her temples, her arms bent, accentuating her figure.
“Recently, the Turkish border has been somewhat unstable.”
Yang Yi was taken aback. “The Turks?”
Wu Zhao nodded slightly, her rosy lips pursed.
“This matter has been reported in a secret memorandum from the front lines. The Turks are becoming increasingly arrogant and seem to be eyeing our Zhou Dynasty with evil intentions.
“They likely heard about our war with the Song Dynasty and sought to exploit the situation. But they didn’t anticipate us defeating the Song Dynasty so swiftly and annexing nearly half their territory.
“Now, with our main forces concentrated in the Song Dynasty, the Turks—after years of recuperation—have begun to stir. Recently, their army appeared near our city under the guise of having taken the wrong route. Such arrogance is intolerable. Judging from their behavior, it’s uncertain when they might launch a surprise attack.
“If our Zhou Dynasty invests too much effort in the Song Dynasty, we may struggle to fend off the Turks. This leaves us with a dilemma: Should we deal with the southern Song Dynasty first, or focus on the Turks? If we engage the Turks and the Song Dynasty suddenly attacks, we risk fighting on two fronts.”
Yang Yi raised an eyebrow. So, this was the Empress’s concern—a wolf at the door while the prey remained in sight.
After a moment of thought, he blinked and asked,
“How are the markets along our Zhou Dynasty’s border with the Turks?”
Wu Zhao immediately grasped Yang Yi’s intent. Her eyes sparkled with clarity, radiating cold majesty like black pearls.
“Since we began trading with the Turks two years ago, they have refrained from raiding our borders.
“They’ve even established numerous fur shops along the border. If not for their ambitious Khagan Jie Li, who sees profit in our conflict with the Song Dynasty, relations might still be peaceful.”
She paused, her tone thoughtful.
“Minister Yang, is this the hidden ‘poison’ you spoke of before?”
Yang Yi neither confirmed nor denied, his faint smile unwavering.
“Our Zhou Dynasty has just conquered the northern Song Dynasty. With the ‘southerners return south, northerners return north’ strategy, we have shattered the Song people’s faith in their court. Internal conflicts between the southern court’s civilians and officials will naturally grow.
“When we move south again, our efforts will yield twice the results with half the effort. For now, we must stabilize the north.”
He paused briefly before continuing, “Your Majesty is understandably concerned about Turkish betrayal and inclined to prioritize the south. However, haste is unwise.
“The Song Dynasty’s weakness is predicated on our stability. A single misstep could embolden them, leading to a disastrous setback. If the Turks capitalize on such an opportunity, it would spell disaster for us.
“Thus, I propose addressing the Turks first. A swift and decisive strike would not only neutralize their threat but also deter the Song Dynasty from acting prematurely.”
Wu Zhao mulled over his words, conceding their logic. Perhaps she had overestimated the Song Dynasty’s resolve. Yet, a trace of doubt lingered in her frown.
“The Turks are nomadic and adept at maneuvering across the grasslands. It won’t be easy to deal with them quickly.”
Yang Yi coughed lightly.
“Your Majesty, rest assured. The Zhou Dynasty today is not what it once was. Moreover, the contingency plan involving their supply lines ensures we hold the advantage. This strategy, if executed properly, could inflict severe damage on the Turks.”
Wu Zhao nodded slightly, her gaze thoughtful. She knew how ruthless Yang Yi’s strategies could be. The Turks’ reliance on sheep exports to the Zhou Dynasty had become a vulnerability. Still, she raised a concern.
“If we act without provocation, Jie Li Khan—cunning as he is—might exploit the situation. Even if minor skirmishes occur, he could feign innocence, avoiding an open declaration of war. Without just cause, we cannot risk breaching the alliance.
“Yang Qing, do you have a solution that addresses both concerns?”
Yang Yi raised an eyebrow, understanding the Empress’s apprehension. After all, every move by a great power like the Zhou Dynasty required justification.