The Poisonous Strategist: His Endless Schemes Leave the Empress Dowager Crying, “I Can't Take It!”

Dong Ni transmigrates to the Great Zhou Dynasty, where the Empress Dowager is ruling from behind the curtain. He can't wait to enter the palace and offer his services. Empress Dowager: If we capture a million enemy soldiers, we have no food to keep them, releasing them risks strengthening the enemy, and killing them would be cruel. What should we do? Dong Ni: Easy. Castrate them all and let them go. That way, they'll eat up the enemy's supplies, and they'll be useless, no match for our army! Empress Dowager: This... could work? Empress Dowager: If the enemy has surrounded the capital for a long time and their morale is crumbling, how can we make them stay determined to fight instead of surrendering? Dong Ni: Simple! Your Majesty should send people out of the city to spread rumors, luring the enemy into digging up the graves of the people outside the city. Then the people inside will surely fight the enemy to the death! Empress Dowager: Isn't that... a bit too vicious? Empress Dowager: How can we tell who is corrupt, and how should we deal with them? Dong Ni: Easy! Your Majesty should invite every official in the land to a three-day banquet. Corrupt officials are used to feasting on delicacies, so anyone who refuses to eat vegetables or eats very little must be corrupt. As for punishment, kill every male member of their families. I'll personally screen the women, then send them to the army. In short, we can't let the corrupt officials' genes live on! Empress Dowager: ...You're ruthless. We can give it a try! Empress Dowager: If a powerful minister's achievements threaten the throne, killing him would be unjust, but sparing him is worrying. What should we do? Dong Ni: Easy! Your Majesty should shower them with gold, silver, beautiful women, and fine food. They'll develop all sorts of health problems and indulge in wine and women, so they won't live much longer! Empress Dowager: This... sounds like a very pleasant way to die. Killing with a soft knife... Empress Dowager: How can we enrich the country, strengthen the army, and increase the population? Dong Ni: Enriching the country is all about food, drink, prostitution, gambling, and drugs. A strong army needs special forces. As for increasing the population, please reward me with ten thousand beautiful women!