Chapter 216: The Dark Strategy of Driving the People to Plow the Grasslands!
Inside the imperial audience hall, under the weight of countless curious stares, Yang Yi smiled faintly.
“It’s very simple. Just plow the grasslands once…”
He didn’t pause long.
“After plowing, by next spring, fresh grass will grow again.”
The officials fell into a stunned silence. For a few heartbeats, their expressions blanked into utter confusion.
Was Prime Minister Yang serious? Plowing the grasslands?
Even Wu Zhao was momentarily speechless. What sort of wild idea had he brought with him today?
She rolled her eyes at him, her voice tinged with annoyance.
“Of course I know that plowed grasslands recover more easily… but have you considered how vast those plains are? Even if every single Turk took part, it would still be a colossal undertaking. And besides, it’s not as if all the Turks would be willing—or even able—to do it.”
Yang Yi blinked innocently. “Your Majesty, I never said that it would be the Turks who plow the grasslands.”
The hall fell deathly silent again. One could almost hear the rustle of silk robes as heads turned toward him in disbelief.
Was this he joking? If not the Turks, then who?
Wu Zhao’s brow furrowed as she fixed her gaze on him, her black eyes sharp and unwavering.
“I don’t follow your meaning. Aside from the Turks, who else is out there? Do you mean to say you could command others to plow the grasslands for their sake?”
The officials exchanged nervous glances. Xu Jingzong quickly stepped in, frowning.
“That’s right, Prime Minister Yang. The Turks themselves may not even want to do it—how could others be convinced? If we, the Great Zhou, were to spend silver hiring peasants to do it, it would be nothing but a waste.”
The others nodded emphatically. If it came to that, it would be far too costly.
But Yang Yi’s smile only deepened.
“Of course others can be made to plow the grasslands for the Turks…” he said calmly. “And not a single coin needs to be spent.”
Silence exploded across the hall once more. Every eye widened. Their minds reeled.
Had they misheard him?
Others would plow the land for the Turks—without pay?
If anyone else had dared utter such nonsense, they would’ve been cursed out of the hall. But it was Yang Yi speaking—and he was rarely ever wrong.
Wu Zhao stared at him in astonishment. For a moment, she wondered if Yang Yi had even slept last night. After a long silence, her voice came low and careful.
“Yang Yi, do you understand what you just said?”
He raised a brow, the sharp angles of his face softened by a casual grin. “Of course.”
Still frowning, Wu Zhao pressed further. “Then what plan do you have?”
Every gaze settled upon him now, some wary, some intrigued.
Yang Yi gave a faint chuckle. A glint of cunning flickered in his eyes.
“Your Majesty, are you aware that the recent discovery of silver mines in our Great Zhou has sparked a gold rush across the region? People from various kingdoms are becoming feverish with hope.”
Wu Zhao blinked, not expecting the sudden turn in topic. She leaned slightly forward on her throne, thoughtful.
“A few days ago, Wan’er mentioned it… Many believe that our sudden success in finding silver is due to some hidden treasure, or that overseas mines are unusually rich. I’ve even heard of groups preparing expeditions to seek their own fortunes abroad.”
The officials exchanged glances. They, too, had heard such rumors. Great Zhou’s silver mines had stirred waves across the continent.
Yang Yi nodded with an approving smile.
“Indeed. As the saying goes, ‘Men die for wealth, birds perish for food.’ Our success has made others envious. And that envy, Your Majesty… is something we can use.”
Another hush fell over the court. Some officials shifted uneasily, trying to anticipate where this was going. Wu Zhao narrowed her eyes slightly.
“What do you mean by that, Yang Yi?”
Yang Yi’s lips curved in a knowing smirk.
“There are already countless rumors about our silver mines. I propose we create the most sensational one yet…”
He paused, letting the tension simmer.
“For example, we could say that after our conquest of the Turks, we discovered a great treasure left behind by their former leader, Qimin Khan. Part of this treasure includes overseas silver mines—and those mines now belong to Great Zhou.”
Several officials twitched in surprise. Their gazes locked on Yang Yi, stunned. Fınd the newest release on novel⟡fire.net
They could sense his plan was within reach—yet some veiled mist still obscured the full picture.
Wu Zhao leaned forward slightly, curiosity gleaming in her clear, black-and-white eyes.
“You mean to say… you want to link the treasure to the Turks?”
Yang Yi clapped his hands, chuckling. “Your Majesty is brilliant. Precisely.”
He continued, his tone gaining rhythm and certainty.
“We can fan the flames through the Great Zhou Daily, make the ‘treasure story’ hotter by the day. Then, we bring in so-called ‘insiders’—perhaps a few elderly Turks—and interview them..
“Let them hint that the former Turkic Empire once looted the magnificent Sui Dynasty. That Qimin Khan hoarded countless treasures—and that he split the spoils into two parts. One part, he sent overseas, which we have now secured… and the other remains buried somewhere in the Turkic grasslands.
“Those greedy for treasure will inevitably flock to the Turkic grasslands in search of it. At that time, we’ll send a few men to join the frenzy—just a token group, to maintain appearances. While digging, they can ‘accidentally’ unearth a lump of brass painted with gold. We act surprised, of course, and claim it’s genuine treasure.
He tapped his fingers thoughtfully against the table, then continued.
“If we repeat this kind of spectacle a dozen times, it will inevitably stir the greed in those treasure seekers’ hearts. Once they’ve thoroughly dug through one section, we simply release rumors suggesting that another site has yielded treasure too. Under our guided manipulation of public opinion, they’ll turn every inch of that barren grassland upside down, chasing phantom gold.
“The grasslands may stretch endlessly, but human greed knows no limits. The common folk of other nations might be able to resist at first—but once the news spreads that someone really did dig up gold, how many will truly be able to stay seated?”