I just reached the maximum level, and you want me to be a puppet emperor?

Chapter 329 Or is there a major shift in the political landscape of the court? (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

Just as Li Chen was listening to Lin Yue'e's report, a "gurgling" sound suddenly rang out.

Lin Yue'e's face flushed crimson instantly, and she quickly covered her stomach, saying, "Your Majesty, I have lost my composure."

Li Chen smiled and waved his hand: "It's alright, you've worked hard."

He glanced at Guo Poyun standing to the side and said, "Since Lao Guo hasn't eaten anything either, let's go to a restaurant together."

Upon hearing that she could dine with Li Chen, a hint of joy flashed in Lin Yue'e's eyes, but she quickly regained her respectful expression: "Your Majesty, I heard that a new hot pot restaurant recently opened in the capital. Would you like to go and try it together?"

After saying that, he remembered that Guo Poyun was also present, and added, "General Guo, can you eat spicy food?"

Guo Poyun quickly cupped his hands in greeting: "Anything is fine."

He was thinking to himself: You're asking me unnecessary questions. With His Majesty here, do you think I would dare to make a move?
But then I thought about it again, and Minister Lin was also giving me face by asking that question.

Even though he had just finished eating hot pot, Li Chen readily agreed.

The three of them went to another hot pot restaurant called "Jiuxiao Feitengge" and chose a private room.

Actually, this store is also owned by Jiang Rong; there are many chain stores in Beijing.

"This is delicious and good for replenishing qi and blood."

Li Chen picked up a piece of spirit beast meat and put it into Lin Yue'e's bowl.

"This is good for cultivation, eat more."

"This mushroom can nourish your meridians; you've been working too hard lately."

"Here, try this. It's especially good for women."

As Li Chen introduced the food, he kept serving Lin Yue'e dishes, acting as considerate as a neighborly older brother.

Lin Yue'e was flattered and took small bites, her cheeks flushed from the spiciness and shyness.

Guo Poyun, standing to the side, stared in disbelief, forgetting to even touch his chopsticks.

He had served in the court for decades, and had never seen His Majesty show such care and concern for his subjects.

What does this imply? Could it be that Lin Yue'e is His Majesty's true confidante?

Guo Poyun's thoughts drifted further and further away: Could it be that His Majesty specially invited me to dinner this time to hint that I should hand over the spy system to Minister Lin?

Or is there going to be a major shift in the power dynamics between the central government and the central government?
Was His Majesty's invitation to this meal casual or deliberate?
He managed to turn an ordinary meal into a political drama.

"Old Guo, what are you spacing out for?"

Li Chen's voice pulled him back to reality.

"Try this 'Dragon's Breath Beef,' it's said to strengthen your body."

"Yes, yes, thank you, Your Majesty."

Guo Poyun quickly picked up a piece of meat, chewing it without tasting it, but his eyes kept sneaking glances at the two people opposite him.

Lin Yue'e was sweating from the spiciness, and Li Chen promptly handed her some chilled spiritual juice.

When her sleeve got stained with sauce, Li Chen handed her a silk handkerchief.

Every detail exudes an unusual intimacy.

Guo Poyun grew increasingly alarmed: It seems I need to reassess Minister Lin's standing in His Majesty's eyes.
This is actually quite normal. Lin Yue'e is definitely different from other officials. She is an official whom Li Chen raised himself.

Li Chen took great care of Lin Yue'e, both in terms of her cultivation and her work.

In fact, Guo Poyun's guesses were not wrong.

Li Chen could have let Guo Poyun go back first, and then have dinner with Lin Yue'e.

The reason Guo Poyun was brought along was to teach him some rules.

In the future, if anyone targets Lin Yue'e in the imperial court, you, Guo Poyun, will definitely have to say a few words.

It's not hard to guess what an emperor is thinking, but his subjects still need to assess the situation carefully.

However, there's no need to overthink it; sometimes, excessive interpretation can backfire.

However, there are some advantages to having dinner with General Guo Poyun.

That means Guo Poyun can carry money.
To avoid the awkward situation like last time when I dined with Prime Minister Zhao Wenyuan and neither of us brought any money.

There's something clever about this: although Lin Yue'e didn't hold a high official position, she served as a subject for a shorter period than Li Chen served as emperor.

However, she had dined with Li Chen, Guo Poyun, and Zhao Wenyuan, the three most powerful men, and it was a private dinner.

This was a privilege that even the most powerful ministers and sons of the Tian Ce Dynasty did not receive.

Just then, a commotion suddenly broke out outside the private room.

An arrogant voice pierced through the door: "This young master wants this private room number one today! Whoever is inside, throw them out!"

These words left the three people in the room dumbfounded.

Huh? There are actually people who dare to cause trouble for the three of us at this level?

Li Chen was naturally the most composed, slowly picking up a slice of bamboo shoot without even lifting his eyelids.

As the emperor of the Tian Ce Dynasty, he didn't even have the right to be angry about such a trivial matter.

Guo Poyun raised an eyebrow, but quickly regained his composure. As the dignified General Zhenguo, even if it were the fathers of these second-generation scions, let alone their fathers' fathers, they would all have to respectfully address him as "General Guo."

Lin Yue'e was the one who was the angrier.

Her eyebrows furrowed, and the chopsticks in her hand snapped with a "crack".

I finally get to have a meal with His Majesty, and someone dares to disrupt it?

It's only been a short time since we left the capital, are all the younger generation so reckless?
The noise outside was getting closer.

"Young master, the number one private room is already occupied by a distinguished guest." The waiter's voice was filled with fear.

"Get out of here! You don't even know who I am? You can forget about keeping your shop open." The arrogant voice grew even more shrill.
With a muffled thud, it seemed someone had been pushed to the ground.

Just as the three thought that the arrogant young master was about to barge in, a powerful voice suddenly rang out: "Nine Heavens Boiling Pavilion is not a place for you to cause trouble!"

"How dare you! Do you know who I am?" The spoiled brat was clearly furious.

The innkeeper's voice was neither humble nor arrogant: "I don't care who you are, this is a place to eat, not a place for you to run wild!"

Then came the sounds of fighting, accompanied by several screams.

Judging from the commotion, the thugs brought by the spoiled brat didn't seem to have gotten away with it.

"Fine! You just wait!" The spoiled brat said harshly, then led his men away in a sorry state.

Inside the private room, Li Chen still didn't show much expression.

Guo Poyun glanced thoughtfully at the door, thinking to himself that this shopkeeper was quite a character. It seemed that this shop had a powerful background, daring to offend such an arrogant second-generation rich kid in the capital.

It's important to understand that the arrogance of a spoiled brat is most likely determined by his father's position.

This is already a rule in the capital city.

Guo Poyun had always been afraid that his son would do such a thing. After his son was born, he bought a villa outside the Fourth Ring Road of the capital and pretended to be just an ordinary government official, leaving early and returning late every day.

It wasn't until Guo Poyun's son, Guo Zhenwei, came of age that he learned his father was actually the Great General Protector of the Nation.

Therefore, Guo Zhenwei did not have the temperament of a spoiled rich kid; instead, he was quite easygoing.

A short while later, there was a soft knock on the door.

"Come in," Li Chen said calmly.

The innkeeper pushed open the door and entered with a warm smile on his face, a stark contrast to his earlier stern demeanor. He said, "Distinguished guests, I am truly sorry to have disturbed your meal. To express my apologies, today's meal is on the house."

As he spoke, he respectfully handed over a gold-embossed coupon: "This is our VIP coupon, which will give you a 50% discount on your next visit."

Guo Poyun nodded to himself. This shopkeeper was tactful and had both calmed the situation and appeased the customers.

It's no wonder they can open such a large store in the capital.

Little did he know that this service concept originated from the idea of ​​the young emperor before him.

After the shopkeeper left, Lin Yue'e frowned and said, "Your Majesty, should we..."

What she meant was, how dare this spoiled brat disturb His Majesty's mood? Should I deal with him?

Before she could finish speaking, Li Chen waved his hand.

"No need, let's just eat."

His words were all understated and casual.

Lin Yue'e then realized that His Majesty, with his status, would not stoop to the level of such a minor character.

The innkeeper appeared to be protecting the guests in the private rooms, but in reality, he was saving that reckless spoiled brat.

Just imagining the scene if he were to actually barge in made Lin Yue'e break out in a cold sweat for the unfortunate fellow.

Guo Poyun picked up a piece of meat and suddenly laughed, "Speaking of which, the service at 'Nine Heavens Boiling Pavilion' is truly unique. This old minister has traveled far and wide, and I've never seen any restaurant that knows how to do business like this."

Li Chen smiled without saying a word.

Of course, he wouldn't say that the business strategy for this chain of hot pot restaurants was something he and his concubines had "deeply discussed" in their palace.

Not only Jiang Rong, but also Chu Ruoyan, Li Sining, and Xia Qing have invested.

The spiritual fire used in the hot pot was developed by Xia Qing; it was just right and also helpful for cultivation.

Lin Yue'e nodded in agreement, "It's really good. When I was in Shanghe City, there were many established business families there, so I know a little about it. Delicious food can make many customers spread the word, but good service is what makes more repeat customers. I guess this store has grasped this concept."

It's clear that Lin Yue'e's trip abroad broadened her horizons.

Living and working in different places will lead to different understandings.

The three continued their meal, and the atmosphere became relaxed and pleasant again.

Just then, a commotion suddenly broke out downstairs.

The noise was even louder than before, and the sound of armor clashing could be faintly heard.

"Force?"

Guo Poyun frowned. As a general, he was all too familiar with this kind of voice.

Li Chen put down his chopsticks, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes: "Looks like someone's brought reinforcements."

(End of this chapter)