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

Chapter 335 Didn't you just say you weren't panicking? How come you're more panicked than me! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

Li Chen still remembered that if Luo Yong hadn't cheated with the weapon he had given him, Fang Qian might have been the champion of the Sword Debate Tournament.

Li Chen raised his hand to indicate, "Get up. I didn't expect to see you here."

Fang Qian pressed his forehead to the ground: "Since that day, I have always remembered Your Majesty's life-saving grace, and I have no way to repay it."

“This time I am traveling incognito.” Li Chen interrupted him, his gaze meaningful. “Since you already know my identity, you must also know the purpose of my trip?”

Fang Qian just stood up and then knelt down again with a thud: "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong! I shouldn't have fought with my colleagues from other departments over a woman. Please punish me, Your Majesty!"

Li Chen chuckled lightly: "Young people are full of vigor and passion, I can understand."

He patted Fang Qian on the shoulder and continued, "I believe your character is as upright as your swordsmanship."

These words sent a jolt through Fang Qian.

His Majesty not only remembers him, but also his swordsmanship!
His voice choked with emotion: "Your humble servant..."

Li Chen suddenly changed the subject, speaking in a gentle tone: "Are you settling in well in the capital? Is the food good? Are the cultivation resources sufficient?"

This series of acts of kindness left Fang Qian flattered and speechless, while his colleagues around him were even more dumbfounded.

They exchanged glances furtively, thinking to themselves: Fang Qian is so favored by His Majesty, he is sure to rise to great heights in the future!

Such words of concern are not something an ordinary official would receive.

Fang Qian respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, I am well and have sufficient cultivation resources."

Since arriving in the capital, Fang Qian felt that everything was fine, except for Xiao Ming.

My colleagues weren't as difficult as I'd imagined. Everyone did their job and we'd get together for a meal during our free time.

His cultivation also progressed rapidly after entering the secret realm of the capital.

They also met the stunning Miss Wei, and with His Majesty's care, things would have been even better if Xiao Ming hadn't been there.

As a chosen one, everything went smoothly for him, except for his clash with Xiao Ming.

As emperor, Li Chen also showed great care for his subordinates, who were all part of the future of the Tian Ce Dynasty.

During his visit, he not only increased Fang Qian's salary, but also those of everyone around him.

The officials of the Ministry of Personnel were all smiles, and Fang Qian was deeply moved.

He had been worried that His Majesty would punish him for the incident at Zuixianlou, but to his surprise, His Majesty not only did not blame him, but also showed him such concern.

At that moment, he secretly resolved to dedicate himself wholeheartedly to serving His Majesty Li Chen.

After chatting for a while, Li Chen suddenly asked, "By the way, what do you think of that Xiao Ming?"

Fang Qian was taken aback, then said seriously, "Your Majesty, although Chief Clerk Xiao has some past grievances with me, he is decisive and efficient in handling cases and is a rare talent."

He was quick-witted; he felt that Li Chen might be testing him.

If one is filled with jealousy and blinded by hatred, then one is utterly useless.

Even though he still didn't get along with Xiao Ming, he couldn't say it at this time.

Li Chen nodded. It would be a lie to say that Fang Qian didn't hate Xiao Ming. At least in front of me, you must remain calm. That's my most basic requirement for you.

After the inspection was nearly complete, Luo Hui, the Minister of Personnel, rushed over in a hurry.

He was working when he saw his subordinate rushing in in a panic. He looked at him speechlessly and said: "As an official of the Ministry of Personnel, how can you be so flustered? Is that Pang Jin guy here again?"

After a moment of relief, the subordinate said, "It's not Minister Pang who's here, it's His Majesty."

These words startled Luo Hui so much that he jumped up and ran out quickly.

Watching his retreating figure, his subordinate thought to himself: Didn't you just say you weren't panicking? How come you're more panicked than me!
However, this was just a thought; he dared not say it aloud.

Now that Luo Hui had arrived, Li Chen left the office. Once His Majesty was out of sight, his colleagues immediately surrounded Fang Qian, bombarding him with questions:
"Lord Fang, when did you meet His Majesty?"

"His Majesty truly values ​​you highly!"

"Were the girls you hosted at Zuixianlou that day really that beautiful? Worthy of you and the Ministry of Justice taking action against them?"

Fang Qian smiled but did not answer, though his heart was filled with mixed feelings.

You people are so gossipy, you dare to ask about anything.

If I were to say it now, it might spread throughout the entire court in a short while.

After leaving the Ministry of Personnel, Li Chen went straight to the Ministry of Justice.

As soon as he stepped into the Ministry of Justice, he sensed something was amiss. He was clearly traveling incognito, but the officials around him pretended not to see him, all busy with their work and no one came forward to ask him anything.

Li Chen raised the corners of his mouth slightly and said to a bailiff who was pretending to organize files, "Summon your Minister."

If an ordinary person dared to speak like that, the Ministry of Justice would have already reprimanded them sternly.

But the constable immediately put on a smile and said respectfully, "Please wait a moment, I will go and inform them right away."

After saying that, he ran off into the inner hall.

A short while later, Pang Jin, the Minister of Justice, strode over.

He was breathing heavily, clearly having jogged all the way here.

Upon seeing Li Chen, he immediately bowed and said, "Your humble servant greets Your Majesty!"

Pang Jin attends court every day; he can't very well pretend he doesn't know Li Chen here.

When the emperor appeared at the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Justice must have already heard the news, but it was just to 'cooperate' with the emperor's incognito tour.

Li Chen waved his hand: "Get up, lead the way."

Pang Jin quickly led Li Chen to the inner hall where the Minister of Works worked.

As soon as he entered, Li Chen got straight to the point: "Where's Xiao Ming?"

"Your Majesty, Steward Xiao has gone out on official business. I will send someone to summon him back immediately," Pang Jin said, bowing.

"No need. Tell me, how did you and Lao Luo start clashing?" Li Chen sat down in the armchair and said slowly.

Pang Jin swallowed hard, carefully choosing his words: "This... I had no choice. My subordinates have been wronged, and I have to give them an explanation. The same goes for Lao Luo."

After listening, Li Chen said directly, "I understand the situation pretty well. I'll pretend I didn't see anything for the next few days and proceed with the normal procedures, but don't go too far, understand?"

He just said the same thing to the Ministry of Personnel.

"Your Majesty, I understand!" Pang Jin replied hastily, as if granted a pardon.

With the emperor personally acting as peacemaker, who would dare to disrespect him?

Li Chen picked up his teacup, took a sip, and suddenly asked, "What's the background of that Wei Manying?"

Pang Jin was taken aback, then replied, "Your Majesty, she is the mistress of the Wei family, a prominent merchant family in Shanghe City. According to our investigation, the Wei family has been in the medicinal herb business for three generations and has a substantial fortune. Wei Manying is the current head of the family. Due to her outstanding abilities, she manages the family business on her own and is now preparing to develop in the capital."

Pang Jin must have investigated the fact that his subordinates were causing trouble because of this woman.

It was also clearly investigated that the Wei family originally came from another city, but after moving to Shanghe City, their businesses developed.

Aside from not knowing that Wei Manying was a remnant of the previous dynasty, all other publicly available information was with Pang Jin.

Upon hearing the name Shanghe City, Li Chen found it intriguing, as he always gained something from his visits there.

The Wei family of Shanghe City, right? Okay, I'll go check them out later!

(End of this chapter)