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

Chapter 69

Heichi Changzhi sighed.

“So, Minister Yang has given us a strategy.”

Everyone perked up, curiosity filling their faces.

A strategy?

Heichi Changzhi smiled wryly, a strange expression crossing his features.

“Minister Yang said that after we resolve the crisis in Yucheng, we will inevitably capture some of the enemy soldiers.”

“His plan is simple: tie explosives to the prisoners, bind their hands, gag them, and drive them back into the enemy camp. The Qing army won’t stop their own returning comrades.”

The soldiers leaned in, listening with bated breath.

“When they get close to the enemy, we’ll wrap our arrows in oilcloth, light them, and shoot. The fire arrows will ignite the explosives strapped to the prisoners, causing an explosion in the enemy ranks.”

He paused.

A collective gasp echoed through the camp. Everyone’s faces were filled with horror as their hair stood on end.

This plan was vicious.

No wonder Minister Yang was regarded as the most ruthless strategist in all of Great Zhou. He was practically the living King of Hell. Using prisoners as human bombs?

The soldiers around Heichi were stunned, swallowing hard. Having fought alongside Xu Chu’s forces, they understood what the so-called explosives could do. They were in awe of Yang Yi’s terrifying strategy.

The Qing soldiers would never suspect that their own comrades could be turned into such deadly weapons. By the time they realized, it would be too late.

They had thirty thousand prisoners. Even if they only used a few thousand strapped with explosives, it would wreak havoc on the Qing army.

Guo Jingzhi rubbed his stiff cheeks, a bitter smile playing on his lips.

“Minister Yang’s strategy is truly extraordinary.”

Everyone nodded in agreement, relief flooding their chests. They were fortunate to be on his side. If they were on the receiving end, it would be disastrous.

Xu Chu continued, “Minister Yang sent me ahead to support Yucheng, and the rest of the army will bring a large amount of explosives.”

Heichi Changzhi held the brocade bag, his expression solemn.

“Since Minister Yang has made the arrangements, we will follow the plan.”

The soldiers straightened, their hearts pounding with tension.

“Yes, General!”

…

Three Days Later – Qing Army Camp

“General, our scouts have reported that the Zhou army is approaching,” a guard said, bowing respectfully.

Zhangjia Agui frowned, stepping out of his tent. He looked weary, the battle from days earlier having cost him nearly a quarter of his troops.

His forces were depleted, and morale had taken a serious hit. He hadn’t expected the Zhou to launch a counterattack so soon.

“Prepare for battle!” Zhangjia Agui commanded, his voice filled with resolve.

This time, he swore to teach the Zhou a hard lesson for their previous defeat.

Minutes later, Zhangjia Agui stood on a hill, staring at the distant shadows. Something was off.

“What is going on?” he muttered, confused. He saw a group of Qing prisoners moving toward them, their hands bound and mouths gagged.

“What… what is this?” Zhangjia Agui’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“What are these Zhou soldiers doing?”

The Qing generals standing beside him were just as baffled. Were the Zhou… returning the prisoners?

They exchanged confused glances, unable to make sense of the situation.

On the other side, Heichi Changzhi’s expression hardened with determination. He gazed toward the Qing camp, his voice low but firm.

“Release them.”

“Yes, General,” Guo Jingzhi and the others replied solemnly.

The Zhou soldiers stepped aside, and the Qing prisoners hesitated for a moment before taking tentative steps toward their own camp.

A powerful survival instinct surged within them when they realized the Zhou soldiers weren’t killing them. In an instant, the leading prisoners broke into a frantic run.

Behind them, others followed, panic spreading like wildfire. Bound and gagged, they couldn’t communicate, but their instincts screamed at them to run.

Among the thirty thousand Qing prisoners, there were certainly some sharp minds. They had likely realized that they were being used as pawns in a trap. But even the cleverest among them couldn’t ignore the chance to survive.

Faced with certain death, they ran toward their camp with all their strength, adrenaline coursing through their veins.

Zhangjia Agui’s soldiers stared at the approaching prisoners, unsure of what to do. Those running toward them were comrades—fellow Qing soldiers.

“They’re returning?” someone muttered in disbelief. It seemed like the Zhou hadn’t harmed them. No one dared to attack their own.

From the backlines, Heichi Changzhi and Guo Jingzhi watched with tense expressions.

“They might realize something’s off,” Heichi Changzhi said, his voice dark.

“But when faced with death, everyone becomes selfish. They’ll run, even if it means leading destruction straight to their comrades.”

“Minister Yang predicted this. Truly a master strategist,” Guo Jingzhi murmured in awe.

Heichi Changzhi nodded.

“Prepare to fire the arrows.”

“Understood,” came the grim reply.

Moments later, large crossbows were pushed out. Normal arrows wouldn’t be enough to ignite the explosives from this distance. Soldiers lit the oil-wrapped arrowheads.

Heichi Changzhi raised his hand.

“Fire.”

In an instant, a volley of flaming arrows shot into the sky, cutting through the air with a sharp whistle.

On the other side, Zhangjia Agui was still trying to make sense of the situation when he noticed the flaming arrows hurtling toward the prisoners. His eyes widened in horror.

“It’s a trap!” he screamed.

But it was too late.

The arrows rained down upon the prisoners just as they reached the camp.

Boom!

A massive explosion rocked the ground, instantly engulfing the prisoners and dozens of Qing soldiers nearby. The thunderous roar of the blast echoed through the camp, setting off a chain of explosions as the black sacks strapped to the prisoners ignited.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The Qing camp was thrown into chaos. Thousands of prisoners, now walking bombs, tore through their own ranks.

The ground shook, and the sky was filled with the horrific sound of explosions. Soldiers screamed, their bodies flung through the air like ragdolls.

Limbs, charred remains, and smoke filled the battlefield—turning it into a scene from hell.

Zhangjia Agui stood frozen, his face pale as death. His mind went blank.

It’s over!

His officers yelled in panic, dragging him away from the blast zone. If they stayed any longer, they would be killed in the carnage.

From the Zhou side, even Heichi Changzhi’s men were stunned into silence by the sheer destruction.

“This…” one soldier muttered, his face pale.

“Even the King of Hell would be ashamed of such cruelty.”

Suppressing the chill in his veins, Heichi Changzhi drew his sword and roared,

“Advance! Chase them down!”

…

Qing Dynasty– Golden Throne Hall

“Your Majesty, urgent report from the front!”

Eunuch Hai rushed in, holding a secret letter.

Qianlong, sipping ginseng tea, smiled pleasantly at his ministers.

“Agui’s speed is impressive. A victory report already?”

Fu Cha Fu Heng and Yin Jishan beamed.

“Congratulations, Your Majesty! Our army must have achieved a great victory.”

Qianlong chuckled as he opened the letter, but his smile quickly faded. His hands trembled, and his face drained of colour.

“The Iron Pagoda Army has been completely destroyed. Of four hundred thousand troops, two hundred thousand have been killed, eighty thousand captured, and fewer than one hundred thousand… are in retreat?”