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

Chapter 415 What kind of evaluation is this? (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

"Eunuch Cui," Li Chen called out.

"The old slave is here."

"Issue my imperial decree that Xu Zifeng come to see me tomorrow."

"According to the order."

Li Chen looked south, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.

Since those small countries dare to bargain, let them see what swift and decisive action really means.
Li Chen was certainly familiar with Xu Zifeng's resume; he was indeed a sharp weapon against the southern kingdoms.

But if you don't use a sharp blade properly, you can hurt yourself.

Meanwhile, Xu Zifeng was pacing back and forth in the mansion, anxiously awaiting news.

After gaining experience in the officialdom of the Tian Ce Dynasty, he realized that there were many talented people here, and ability alone was far from enough; one also had to see if His Majesty would give him an opportunity.

There was no way around it. Xu Zifeng used to think he was the number one genius in the world. He knew people around him, such as Xiao Ming and Fang Qian. When they fought, Xu Zifeng felt that their strength was actually about the same as his own.

Not to mention the hidden Lin Mo. Don't be fooled by the fact that Lin Mo is a civil official; his aura is quite strong.

He felt some pressure, but he didn't think he would lose in a fight to the death.

Xu Zifeng's rank of colonel was neither high nor low; he wasn't even qualified to attend court, so he could only sit here anxiously.

My mother and aunt have already gone to the palace to plead with the Empress Dowager, and now we are just waiting for the result.

There was no other way; they kept saying they were going to see the Empress Dowager, they couldn't very well say they were going to see the Emperor.

"Why aren't they back yet?" Xu Zifeng looked at the gate for the umpteenth time.

Several hours later, Ji Lianyu and the Princess of Zhennan finally returned to the mansion.

Xu Zifeng rushed forward: "Mother, Aunt, what did the Empress Dowager say?"

Ji Lianyu patted his shoulder gently: "You child, don't always be so impulsive. You can't accomplish great things if you're too hasty."

Princess Zhennan smiled with relief: "The Empress Dowager has promised to inform His Majesty. His Majesty may also like to see your performance."

Xu Zifeng smiled bitterly. His father, the Prince of Zhennan, had already sent a letter, urging him to seize this opportunity to participate in the southern expedition.

Thinking of his father, whom he hadn't seen for many years, he felt a pang of sorrow.

Just as the three were talking, a eunuch's shrill voice suddenly came from outside the mansion: "Imperial edict has arrived—"

Xu Zifeng was overjoyed and quickly straightened his clothes before kneeling to receive the imperial decree.

Upon hearing the imperial edict, his hands trembled slightly with excitement; His Majesty was actually summoning him personally!

"Be careful what you say and do when you see His Majesty," Ji Lianyu repeatedly instructed.

"Remember, don't look around aimlessly, and think carefully before you speak," Princess Zhennan patiently instructed.

This time, Xu Zifeng showed no impatience whatsoever; on the contrary, she listened with exceptional attention.

He knew that his performance in this audience with the emperor would directly determine whether he could fulfill his father's wish.

Following the eunuch to the imperial study, Xu Zifeng's palms were sweating with nervousness.

This wasn't the first time he'd met Li Chen; he'd even harbored rebellious thoughts before, but he wasn't particularly afraid then.

But this time, instead of being scared, I was terrified.

Upon seeing Li Chen, he immediately knelt down and performed a grand salute: "Your subject Xu Zifeng pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

Li Chen didn't even look up, continuing to review the memorials: "Xu Zifeng, I heard you really want to go back to the South?"

These words startled Xu Zifeng, who broke out in a cold sweat. He quickly explained, "Your Majesty, I am utterly loyal and only wish to share Your Majesty's burdens. I have no other intentions!"

I definitely can't let the emperor know that I came here to meet my own father.

Li Chen then closed the memorial, stood up and walked to him: "I've heard that you're quite popular in the capital lately?"

"Your Majesty, I have always been law-abiding and do good deeds, and I dare not let you down."

Xu Zifeng pressed his forehead to the ground, his voice trembling.

He didn't know why Li Chen said that, but his words were all flattering, the kind of rhetoric his mother and aunt had taught him. If you don't know what to say, just flatter him.

Li Chen suddenly changed the subject: "It just so happens that I need to leave the palace. You may come with me."

Xu Zifeng was both surprised and delighted, and repeatedly kowtowed, saying, "Your subject obeys the decree! Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!"

When Xu Zifeng stepped out of the Imperial Study, he realized that his back was soaked with sweat.

But what made him even more uneasy was why His Majesty suddenly wanted to leave the palace.
After Li Chen changed his clothes, Xu Zifeng followed cautiously behind him, not daring to breathe too loudly.

As he walked out of the palace, he realized with a start that he had never been so afraid of anyone in his life, not only because of Li Chen's identity and strength, but also because of the feeling that his fate was completely controlled by someone else.

Xu Zifeng felt even more pressured than when he was next to his own father, the Prince of Zhennan.

Li Chen's first stop was the Department of Religious Affairs.

Upon hearing the news, Minister of the Imperial Clan Affairs, Lin Yue'e, immediately ran out to greet him, her face beaming with undisguised joy.

Xu Zifeng secretly observed: Everyone in the court says that Lin Yue'e is His Majesty's trusted minister, and it seems that this is indeed true.

His Majesty's attitude towards her was noticeably closer than towards his ordinary subjects.

When Lin Yue'e saw Xu Zifeng following behind Li Chen, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.

Normally, it should be General Guo Poyun accompanying him like this. Why is it him?

However, as a subject, she knew she shouldn't ask too many questions.

"What brings Your Majesty to the Ministry of Imperial Clan Affairs today?" Lin Yue'e asked respectfully.

Li Chen smiled faintly: "Just passing by, taking a look. Has the Department of Religious Affairs encountered any trouble lately?"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Everything is going smoothly," Lin Yue'e replied softly. "All the major sects have been very cooperative with the court's management. In particular, Feng Chu, the sect leader of the Xia Guang Sword Sect, has helped us a lot since he took up his post in the Ministry of Sect Affairs as Your Majesty requested. His connections in the west have been a great help to us."

Feng Chu, the sect leader of the Xia Guang Sword Sect, was a 'mysterious powerhouse' whom Li Chen unexpectedly rescued while on a mission.

At that time, Feng Chu was unable to control his body and even made Li Chen dodge when he swung his sword.

However, he only had the cultivation level of the Heavenly Abyss Realm, so Li Chen didn't need to hide at all.

Based on the system's intention at the time, it was probably to make Feng Chu grateful to Li Chen and become Li Chen's bodyguard.

But Li Chen was too strong and didn't need any guards, so they let him work in the Department of Clan Affairs.

If Feng Chu could get a government job, he would definitely agree.

Upon hearing Lin Yue'e's report, Li Chen nodded and then inquired about her cultivation progress.

Lin Yue'e reported the truth, which surprised Xu Zifeng, who was standing to the side: Lin Yue'e's cultivation level used to be much lower than his, how come she is almost catching up with him now?
This is the benefit of knowing Li Chen; his cultivation is even more powerful than someone who has cheated.

Finally, Li Chen suddenly asked, "Yue'e, what's your opinion of Xu Zifeng? Tell me the truth."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yue'e gave Xu Zifeng a meaningful look: "Naughty, troublemaker, a troublemaker, a violent person."

With each word she uttered, Xu Zifeng broke out in a cold sweat.

These were all his "masterpieces" from when he used to pretend to be a spoiled rich kid.

Lin Yue'e is the most loyal to Li Chen. She will never hide anything from him if he asks her to.

Not to mention Xu Zifeng, Lin Yue'e even dared to talk about his father's affairs.

Just as Xu Zifeng was about to break down, Lin Yue'e changed the subject: "But you've been behaving quite well lately, at least you haven't been thrown into jail."

Xu Zifeng almost choked.

What kind of evaluation is this? But he dared not show the slightest dissatisfaction, and could only lower his head like a child who had done something wrong.

Li Chen gave Xu Zifeng a half-smile: "Did you hear that? Even Yue'e said you've made great progress."

Xu Zifeng quickly cupped his hands in greeting: "Your Majesty, I will certainly continue to work hard and live up to your expectations!"

After leaving the Department of State Affairs, Xu Zifeng secretly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

He then realized that His Majesty had taken him out of the palace so that he could "show up" in front of various important officials!

(End of this chapter)