The Tang Dynasty’s Poisonous Strategist: From the Start, I Wipe Out Five Thousand Turkic Wolf Riders

Xu Yang, a burned-out office worker, dies suddenly after staying up all night. When he opens his eyes again, it’s the third year of Wude in the Tang Dynasty, and he’s become a menial soldier in the Prince of Qin’s household, one who could drop dead at any moment!

From the start, he’s ordered to escort fake provisions and serve as a living target for the Turkic wolf riders?

“You want me to be cannon fodder? Even the King of Hell wouldn’t dare take me like this!”

Cornered, Xu Yang’s devious nature awakens in full!

What orthodox path to kingship? To hell with it! I believe only in schemes and trickery, and I’m after maximum efficiency!

“Report! Your Highness, Prince of Qin, Xu Yang has proposed the ‘Scorched Earth, Burning Hearts’ strategy. Not a single soldier was lost, and five thousand Turkic wolf riders turned on each other!”

“Report! Your Highness, Crown Prince, Xu Yang used the ‘Salt Certificate’ scheme. In a single night, all the money in your purse became the Prince of Qin’s military funds!”

“Report! Your Majesty, Xu Yang... Xu Yang has come up with another venomous scheme! He says we should send the grasslands the most beautiful princesses and... the deadliest plague!”

Years later, Li Shimin sits high upon the dragon throne, gazing at the frail-looking white-robed Imperial Preceptor below, who seems as if a gust of wind could knock him over. His heart is filled with both dependence and fear.

He knows that this Imperial Preceptor, who never commands troops, never forms cliques, and is even too lazy to accept an official post, is the sharpest and most sinister sword in the Tang Empire!

Xu Yang merely smiles, letting his achievements go unspoken. “Your Majesty, the moon is lovely tonight. Shall we talk about how to get the noble families to hand over their land deeds of their own accord?”