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

Chapter 355 Shanghe City is almost becoming Li Chen's lucky place! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

Luo Hui will definitely handle those minor officials without connections himself.

Most of the names presented were related to the imperial family or nobility, and even if Luo Hui held a high official position, he couldn't afford to offend them all.

The only one who dares to take action without fear of offending others is definitely Li Chen.

Li Chen is the emperor; according to his way of thinking, you should be afraid of me!

Li Chen closed the jade slip and said calmly, "Punish them strictly according to the law, as a warning to others."

This statement announces the approach to the matter.

Luo Hui accepted the order and withdrew. The Minister of Works stepped forward impatiently, his face beaming: "Your Majesty! The main railway lines across the country have been fully connected, and the branch lines in various prefectures and cities are also being laid at an accelerated pace. Within three years, the Tian Ce Dynasty will surely achieve the magnificent sight of 'ten thousand miles of railway lines and a thousand cities connected by rail'!"

He presented Li Chen with a meticulously drawn track diagram, which Li Chen examined closely, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.

"Indeed, Lin Mo has made great contributions to this project. He is hereby granted a residence in the capital and awarded the title of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works as a reward."

The Minister of Works was overjoyed and quickly expressed his gratitude.

Just as the Minister of Rites was about to step forward to present his report, he saw that the Prime Minister Zhao Wenyuan had already stepped forward, so he had no choice but to retreat in frustration.

Zhao Wenyuan's expression was solemn as he said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, the Yongzhou Empire has recently imposed additional commercial taxes on our southern vassal states and blocked waterways. The small southern states are full of complaints, and three of them have already sent envoys to ask for help."

Upon hearing this, Li Chen understood that the Eternal Day Empire had begun a trade war, a tactic they frequently employed.

"Since the Eternal Day Empire wants to play, then we'll play along to the end."

Hearing Li Chen say this, the court officials were also filled with mixed emotions.

In particular, Liu Minghan, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, knew that once a trade war broke out, it would be a money-burning affair.

Fortunately, Li Chen made a hefty profit from the Dragon Emperor's tomb; otherwise, he would have suffered a severe blow this time.

Li Chen spoke with such confidence because he was certain of his abilities.

Today's morning court session lasted a long time, as was the case for Li Chen every time he returned from a long trip.

This meeting even lasted until noon, and some court officials were starving, but they still held the meeting seriously.

During Li Chen's reign as emperor, their work enthusiasm was indeed mobilized.

They were all participants in various aspects of the Tian Ce Dynasty's development.

If we avoid the complex partisan struggles and the intrigue between officials and the emperor, then we will indeed have more time to get down to business.

At the very least, as a subject, you don't have to guess every day whether the emperor will go crazy and kill you; that's already pretty good.

When Li Chen returned to the palace, he was met with a mountain of memorials.

They always ate in the Imperial Study, but Li Chen had gotten used to it.

Once everything was mostly settled, the elegant and dignified Imperial Concubine Jiang entered.

Jiang Rong was already quite large, and now, after training with Li Chen for a long time, she has indeed improved several levels, making Li Chen extremely fond of her.

"You've come at the right time. Your Jiang family is also a prominent business family."

Li Chen briefly explained the trade war between the Tian Ce Dynasty and the Yong Zhou Empire.

Under Jiang Rong's development, the Jiang family's business has transformed from a prominent family in Shanghe City into a prominent family in the Tian Ce Dynasty.

If Jiang Rong were to use her influence in Shanghe City to engage in trade with the southern kingdoms, she could probably acquire a lot of resources.

If the Eternal Day Empire raises various taxes, and the products of the southern countries cannot be sold abroad, it could lead to the collapse of some of their domestic economies. The Eternal Day Empire's message is: if you obey, I won't raise taxes; if you don't, I will.

The Tian Ce Dynasty is also a superpower. Li Chen believes that Jiang Rong can let her family members engage in foreign trade. As long as she dares to take the lead, and with the help of the Tian Ce Dynasty, that would be enough.

Once they tasted success, the merchants of the Tian Ce Dynasty headed south like madmen.

Because of the reduced transportation costs, it is indeed possible to consider importing large quantities of goods from southern countries, but this must not damage domestic industries.

Li Chen had been considering this balance.

Jiang Rong got excited when she heard this. She had a talent for business since she was a child, but she had the ability but no background.

Now that the background information is here, Jiang Rong shared some of her thoughts.

The two talked for a full two hours in the imperial study, which surprised the other concubines who passed by. They were actually having a normal conversation.
It felt as if their abnormal rivalry was the only normal thing about them, and anything normal seemed abnormal.

However, the concubines Chu Ruoyan and Wu Nanzhi were very sensible. When they heard Li Chen and Jiang Rong discussing trade issues, they waved to tell the others not to disturb them. They personally brought in the food and tea.

After they came in, they didn't say anything. If Li Chen needed them, they would serve him tea and water; if he didn't need them, they wouldn't say a word.

That's what makes them so sensible; they know they can't help, so they won't cause any trouble.

After chatting for a while, Li Chen was quite satisfied with some of Jiang Rong's points. In her opinion, she would do her best to help Li Chen whenever he needed her.

As a businesswoman, she did indeed want to earn more money.

But sometimes, when the country needs it, she will support it at all costs.

Since the country no longer exists, no matter how much she earns, it's useless. If the upper echelons of other countries want to reap the benefits, it's an easy matter for them.

Jiang Rong understands very well who her supporters are and who gives her confidence.

Li Chen felt that she was a woman of great understanding and righteousness, and that marrying her was the right decision.

After chatting for a while, Jiang Rong prepared to say goodbye and leave.

At this moment, Li Chen said, "You just came to see me, is there something you need?"

Actually, when Jiang Rong came, she planned to suggest that Li Chen go to Shanghe City Hot Pot Restaurant for a hot pot meal.

But now it seems that Li Chen is very busy. I certainly can't let my personal matters interfere with Li Chen's important national affairs, so I plan to leave.

As Li Chen's woman, she couldn't hide it from him, so she said, "Your Majesty, it's nothing serious. It's just that I haven't been to Shanghe City for a long time. They're opening a branch there, and I'm also the president of the Shanghe City Chamber of Commerce. I wanted to go there, and I was thinking of inviting you if you had time. I really don't dare to bother you now."

Hearing her say that, Li Chen smiled slightly. It seems you've overcomplicated my job.

A trade war isn't a war, so I don't need to go to the battlefield myself. I just need to come up with the general policy and let my ministers carry it out.

If I have to do everything, what's the point of the Tian Ce Dynasty supporting them?

Li Chen was quite confident in the abilities of his ministers.

Liu Minghan, the Minister of Revenue, was a child prodigy in the Tian Ce Dynasty; he had worked in this department for decades.

Now that he's on his main battlefield, given his personality and abilities, Li Chen can say without exaggeration that he's even more reassuring than Guo Poyun.

Those who can rise to this position in the court are not incompetent; it simply depends on whether they are willing to work for the emperor.

The trip to the southern kingdoms still requires some preparation, so Li Chen thought it would be good to go to Shanghe City to relax instead, since he always gained a lot from each trip.

Shanghe City is practically becoming Li Chen's lucky place!
(End of this chapter)