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

Chapter 413 Because of the majesty of the Tian Ce Dynasty, there is no need to exchange gold or silver! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

Seeing the piles of memorials filling the imperial study, Li Chen frowned and asked, "Why are there so many?"

In the past, when he went out to have fun, he would come back with mountains of memorials to the emperor, but never as many as this time.

The chief eunuch, Cui, standing beside him, smiled and said, "Your Majesty, there has been a lot of political affairs going on in the southern kingdoms lately."

Eunuch Cui remained the same as always, answering Li Chen's questions verbally without embellishment or deliberate concealment.

This is what it means to live alongside an emperor—to know how to maintain proper boundaries.

If the emperor notices that a subject's words contain ulterior motives, the emperor will either think the subject is incompetent or suspect that the subject has accepted bribes.

Li Chen rubbed his temples, but still sat down and began to carefully review the papers.

When he was handling state affairs, only his two personal maids, Chu Ruoyan and Wu Nanzhi, were allowed to come in and serve him tea and water; the other concubines were not entitled to this privilege.

This is enough to show how high the status of these two concubines was in the harem.

Even Jiang Rong had to report to Li Chen first before she could enter the Imperial Study to discuss matters.

The next day, Li Chen attended court for the first time in a long time.

When the civil and military officials saw him, it was as if they had seen a savior.

What emperor spends all day wandering around and neglecting his duties? But Li Chen didn't care. If I had to trouble myself with everything, what would be the point of having ministers like you?
"Your Majesty, the envoys from the southern kingdoms have all arrived and are awaiting your summons," the Minister of Rites announced as he stepped forward.

The situation in the southern countries has been very tense recently, and the kings of those countries will definitely want to find out Li Chen's intentions.

Li Chen nodded slightly: "Summon."

Soon, more than a dozen envoys dressed in different styles entered the hall one by one.

Although their clothing styles were very different, they were all dressed neatly and solemnly.

When facing the emperor of the Tian Ce Dynasty, one must be mindful of proper etiquette.

A middle-aged man dressed in a peacock blue brocade robe bowed respectfully: "The envoy of the Kingdom of Saili pays respects to His Majesty Emperor Tiance! Our King has entrusted me to convey his highest respect to His Majesty."

Another elderly man with a white beard and silver ornaments bowed deeply: "The envoy from the Abbasid Caliphate pays his respects to Your Majesty! Our king wishes to form an eternal alliance with the Tian Ce Kingdom and hereby presents three national treasures."

"Emissary of the Kingdom of Bo Zha"

"Embassy of Siam"

"Embassy of the Starfall Kingdom"

The envoys stepped forward one by one to pay their respects, expressing their respective kings' greetings and respect.

Li Chen sat upright on the dragon throne, his gaze calmly sweeping over the crowd.

These envoys appeared respectful, but behind their facades lay the different stances of the various countries they represented.

Some came to pay homage sincerely, while others came to test the waters under pressure from the Yongzhou Empire.

Li Chen must know why they came.

Yesterday he read many memorials and secret letters from some kings of various countries to Li Chen.

Most of the southern kingdoms are opportunists, siding with whichever side is stronger.

From an outsider's perspective, there's definitely no problem with this. These small countries are struggling to survive, just trying to increase their chances of survival.

But Li Chen was not a bystander; he was the emperor of the Tian Ce Dynasty.

The secret reports written by those border officials recorded many exchanges between these countries and the Yongzhou Empire.

There are about thirty southern kingdoms, and most of them try to please both sides and avoid offending either.

Only a small portion of them firmly support the Tian Ce Dynasty and the Yong Zhou Empire.

The remaining ones were the southern kingdoms with relatively strong military forces. These kingdoms put it very tactfully, whether it was their kings or their envoys.

The message conveyed was that the Eternal Day Empire promised them benefits, such as lowering tariffs, exporting advanced weapons and equipment, and training exotic beasts and monsters to increase the strength of these countries.

They wanted to know what benefits the Tian Ce Dynasty would offer them. If the benefits were high, they would be willing to submit to the Tian Ce Dynasty; if the benefits were low, they might not be so determined.

These envoys used such euphemisms, but that was the gist of it.

The court officials were all wondering how Li Chen would reasonably resolve this matter.

After all, the countries that can say this are generally among the best in the southern nations, possessing strong military capabilities. Recruiting them into one's camp would indeed be a significant asset.

Perhaps all it takes is promising a little something in return to get help.

Upon hearing this, Li Chen smiled and said, "Go back and tell your kings that as long as they obey me, I will not destroy their countries. This is the greatest benefit I can offer."

As soon as this statement came out, everyone in the audience was shocked.

Most of the envoys and court officials did not expect Li Chen's attitude to be so tough.

However, senior officials like Guo Poyun and Zhao Wenyuan, who were familiar with Li Chen, were not surprised at all; this was the boldness of the young emperor.

Li Chen would definitely say that, "You've got some nerve, haven't you?"
They're just some small countries that I could wipe out with a flick of my wrist, and they dare to ask me for benefits?
The Northern Royal Court is powerful enough, but I still managed to destroy it.

Do you really think you can gain anything from the power struggle between two superpowers?

I'm leaving you here to think things through and to give you a chance to live.

You can't even understand this? And you dare to make demands of me? Do you even deserve it?

If envoys from the Eternal Day Empire were to come, they would be qualified to say this, but that's all they are qualified for. I wouldn't care who they are.

I was furious when I read the memorials yesterday.

You still dare to bring it up with me today? So what if you're being tactful? Do you want me to send troops?

The envoys from those small countries trembled in fear before the emperor's might, cold sweat beading on their foreheads.

The envoy from the Kingdom of Saili said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty's will, I will certainly convey to our King truthfully."

The envoy from the Abbasid Caliphate knelt on the ground, saying, "His Majesty the Emperor Tiance is so majestic, how dare we disobey?"

With a wave of his hand, Li Chen dismissed the group as if they had been granted a pardon.

After the envoys left the main hall, the court was immediately abuzz with discussion.

Minister of Revenue Liu Minghan couldn't help but step forward: "Your Majesty, such a strong stance might..."

It's not that he's cowardly; as the Minister of Revenue, he has many things to consider.

The recent subsidy policy was his idea.

The ability of two countries to engage in trade and mutual commerce strengthens their interdependence and connections.

If war breaks out, military spending will be enormous.

The Minister of War interrupted Liu Minghan with a cold laugh, saying, "If those small countries really dare to do this, it gives us a reason to send troops."

He clasped his hands in a fist salute to Li Chen and said, "Your Majesty, the Southern Legion is ready to strike at any time."

Liu Minghan rolled his eyes at him. "You're going to pay for the military expenses? All you ever do is fight wars, and then you ask me for money."

Before His Majesty, you are all loyal ministers who obey his will, while I am a traitor?

If a country has no money and no reserves, how will it cope with the upcoming natural and man-made disasters? Construction will also come to a standstill.

Perhaps in Liu Minghan's view, only by continuously developing and becoming stronger can one instill fear in others without a fight.

He wasn't afraid of war; he just felt there was a better way to resolve the issue.

Li Chen had no intention of stopping these arguments among his ministers; they were all thinking about the future of the country.

However, Li Chen did have his own thoughts on this matter. In order to reassure some of his ministers, Li Chen said, "Do you all think that allies gained by bestowing favors can be very reliable?"

The court was silent.

"What I want is their awe, not their gratitude."

Li Chen's voice echoed in the main hall.

To put it bluntly, if we don't teach these small countries a lesson, they'll really think that the support they get from other countries is enough to fight against the Tian Ce Dynasty.

Are the benefits that the Eternal Day Empire can offer that I cannot give them? But I refuse to!
Because the majesty of the Tian Ce Dynasty does not need to be exchanged for gold or silver!
These words resonated deeply, and many military officers were already flushed with excitement.

Although the civil officials still had concerns, they had to admit that Li Chen's approach was indeed in the best interests of the Tian Ce Dynasty.

And that was Li Chen's judgment!

(End of this chapter)