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

Chapter 354 What level is Li Ji at? How could I not know? (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

Wei Manying is very capable; her ability to cooperate with Jiang Rong proves that her Wei family's business is also booming.

Actually, this was also thanks to Lin Mo's help. Don't forget that this kid's official position in the Ministry of Works is quite important, and the Minister of Works trusts him a lot.

Any family that works with the Ministry of Works and secures a few projects can rise to prominence.

Moreover, Lin Mo was practically Wei Manying's sycophant, so naturally he used his power to help Wei Manying advance her career.

The Wei family had accumulated wealth over thousands of years, and thus a business family rose to prominence.

Today, Wei Manying and Jiang Rong talked a lot about business matters, and then Wei Manying started to use some topics to attract Jiang Rong's attention.

Jiang Rong was a native of Shanghe City, and Wei Manying kept talking about the development of Shanghe City.

The hot pot restaurant will definitely open many branches in Shanghe City.

At this point, Wei Manying feigned surprise and said, "Oh, I remember Sister Jiang is the president of the Shanghe City Chamber of Commerce? Is that true?"

Jiang Rong smiled slightly and said, "It's just a nominal appointment, but I haven't been back for a while, so I'd like to go and take a look."

She has been an imperial concubine for some time now and has become accustomed to that identity.

I still remember the crisis I encountered in Shanghe City before, which was solved by Li Chen who happened to be passing by.

Without Li Chen, she wouldn't know what to do.

It had indeed been a long time since she had been back, which stirred up her homesickness.

When Wei Manying saw that she was interested in this, she suggested that the two of them make a name for themselves in Shanghe City.
This puzzled Jiang Rong. Wasn't the hot pot restaurant's signboard well-known enough?
Many of the empresses in the palace have connections here; how many would dare to mess with this hot pot restaurant?

Wei Manying said that she had an immature opinion, and she remembered that there was a royal family member causing trouble at a hot pot restaurant last time.

Since that's the case, why not invite His Majesty to a hot pot restaurant for a meal? Once this news gets out, everyone will know who the real backer of the hot pot restaurant is, and then this prestigious brand can be established.

Moreover, some local nobles, in order to elevate their own status, will definitely follow suit, so there's no need for advertising; the hot pot restaurant is bound to become a huge hit.

Wei Manying's idea was good, but Jiang Rong was in a dilemma, as Li Chen was not someone she could invite at will.

Li Chen is the emperor of the Tian Ce Dynasty, busy with official duties, and his imperial authority is unpredictable.

Jiang Rong did indeed intend to go back, but she only said that she would talk to His Majesty about it. As for whether His Majesty would go or not, she couldn't force him.

Wei Manying certainly understood this. In any case, she was already prepared. As long as Li Chen went to Shanghe City, she would definitely be able to make him indulge in the 'gentle embrace'.

Among the remnants of the previous dynasty, those beautiful women are now all in Shanghe City, and their mission is to bring about Li Chen's downfall!
To avoid appearing overtly deliberate, Wei Manying respectfully bid farewell to Jiang Rong and then left the capital for Shanghe City.

Meanwhile, Li Chen has returned to the capital, having gained a lot from his trip.

Not only are there beauties from the sea tribes like the Dragon Mother and Ao Jiao, but there is also a mysterious fairy from a sect.

Upon arriving in the capital, they immediately felt the prosperity of the Tian Ce Dynasty, and upon entering the palace, they could also feel the emperor's favor.

Even before Li Chen arrived, he had already ordered the construction of the sea clan concubines' residence.

According to Li Chen's plan, he will definitely have more than just this many women in the future; there will be women from many different races.

If they are happy living here, they will naturally serve Li Chen even better.

The palace that Li Chen built for the Sea Clan's queen was not constructed by ordinary craftsmen. Instead, it was created using an ancient magical artifact to extract spiritual veins from the deep sea, refining a ten-thousand-foot-long piece of Xuanbing Jade as its foundation, supplemented with Nine Nether Cold Iron, Star Sand, and ten-thousand-year-old Coral Marrow, thus carving out a deep-sea palace within the imperial city's forbidden garden. The palace's dome was carved from a single piece of mirage crystal, which refracts sunlight into a dazzling display reminiscent of the aurora borealis of the deep sea, while at night it automatically projects a starry sea, resonating with the real stars.

Deep within the palace lies the Tide Sound Cave, where a wisp of the Returning Void Spirit Qi has been drawn to form a miniature sea eye, where the concubines can cultivate their clan's secret techniques.

This cave was designed jointly by the Dragon Mother and Fairy Yunya, and it is indeed unique.

The concubines, including Ao Jiao, were deeply moved when they saw how much effort Li Chen had put into their affairs.

Because this place is quite magical, almost all the concubines in the palace would come to visit it.

Li Chen was delighted. The reason he built this place was to experience what it would feel like to have in-depth conversations with his concubines in the deep sea.

It is said that in the first few days after their return, the Dragon Mother and Fairy Yunya did not leave their room.

If he hadn't already returned to the capital and couldn't avoid the morning court session, Li Chen probably wouldn't have wanted to leave either.

Having been away from home for some time, Li Chen had just arrived at the morning court session when officials from various departments had many things to report.

The Minister of War stepped forward first and reported with his hands clasped: "Your Majesty, Prince Li Ji of Anxi and Prince Xu Su of Zhennan have joined forces to defeat the sea tribes in the eastern riverine kingdoms, killing hundreds of thousands of enemies and destroying seven deep-sea altars. The coastal kingdoms have all submitted memorials praising the might of our Heavenly Strategy!"

Upon hearing this, most of the court officials showed expressions of approval.

Only a small minority believed that the Prince of Zhennan was still a major hidden danger, and that even if he made meritorious contributions now, it could not offset his wolfish ambitions.

The Minister of War paused, then added, "The Prince of Zhennan specifically requested credit on behalf of the Prince of Anxi, saying that His Highness Li Ji's skillful command in this battle deserves the greatest credit."

Li Chen lightly tapped the armrest of the dragon throne with his fingertips, his expression calm, and said, "Li Ji has made some progress. As for the reward, we will discuss it when he returns to court."

Li Chen was certainly aware of the Prince of Zhennan's intentions.

What level is Li Ji at? Do you think I don't know?
This kid is already helping by not doing anything bad. Do you think I'd believe he can "manage things effectively"?
The title of Prince of Zhennan was simply bestowed upon Li Ji because there was nothing else to appoint, and Li Ji was doing him a favor.

Li Ji was one of the more successful princes of this generation.

The others are either still fugitives or slacking off in the Prince's mansion.

It would be unwise to bestow honors upon Li Ji at this time. This young man is not lacking in status; if he were to advance further, he would become the emperor.

But this kid is short of money. When he comes back, we'll give him what he needs.

Consider it a tip for Li Ji's escape fee.

The Minister of War bowed and withdrew, and the Minister of Personnel, Luo Hui, immediately stepped forward and solemnly said, "Your Majesty, I have thoroughly investigated all levels of officials in the Tian Ce Dynasty in accordance with your decree. Among them, there are more than three thousand people who are incompetent, corrupt, or derelict in their duties. This is the list, please take a look."

He presented a jade scroll with both hands, which the eunuch respectfully accepted and handed to Li Chen.

Li Chen scanned the document for a moment, then nodded slightly: "I trust Minister Luo with his work. Those who should be dismissed should be dismissed, and those who should be punished should be punished. There is no need to be lenient."

The court officials all knew that Li Chen was no ordinary person; they should not underestimate the emperor's abilities.

Photographic memory and the ability to read ten lines at a glance are merely Li Chen's basic abilities.

Luo Hui said in a deep voice, "I have already dealt with more than 700 low-ranking officials in accordance with the law. The remaining serious offenders still need Your Majesty's decision."

(End of this chapter)