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

Chapter 426 I'll find someone more sensible to take your place! (Please subscribe and vote!)

The owner, who had been stubbornly trying to argue, immediately wilted upon hearing the words "Tian Ce Dynasty": "Esteemed guests, please calm down. It was our poor service. This meal is on the house, and yesterday's accommodation fee is also waived."

Hearing the owner back down, the couple sat down arrogantly and immediately ordered the most expensive dish.

Li Chen frowned slightly. He had just looked at the menu, and the prices were clearly reasonable.

Since Li Chen often eats out, he must be familiar with the prices.

What's even stranger is that although the two were dressed in Tian Ce style clothing, their accents and mannerisms were quite off.

Just then, several weary-looking businessmen suddenly surrounded the couple.

The group led by Qian Zaili, a merchant who had just been released from the prison of the neighboring Huijia Kingdom, came over when they heard the unreasonable couple arguing.

The couple even boasted that they were from the Tian Ce Dynasty. What kind of madmen dared to cause trouble?
They thought that this would frighten Qian Zaili into leaving, but Qian Zaili laughed and revealed the "Tian Ce Trade Talisman" at his waist, then said:

"I've heard you two are subjects of Tian Ce? I am the manager of the Qian Family Trading Company. May I ask which prefecture you two are from?"

The couple's expression changed: "What's it to you? Does being a businessman make you superior?"

Upon hearing this, Qian Zaili remained calm. He was a man who had been imprisoned by the king. He simply pulled out a "Tian Ce Pass" stamped with a vermilion seal, slammed it on the table, and said:

"You two keep claiming to be from the Tian Ce Dynasty, so show me some proof."

Qian's friends and servants also scolded him.

"Yes, if you don't produce evidence, you're not leaving today."

"How arrogant you are! If this were our country, you would be punished with thirty lashes according to the law!"

The surrounding diners were in an uproar. The couple panicked and, under intense scrutiny, finally admitted that they were from a nearby small country and were impersonating Tian Ce people to scam food and drinks.

In the end, he sheepishly paid double the cost of the meal before being released.

"Thank you, gentlemen, for upholding justice."

The boss walked over with a big smile, gratefully offering to give them a free meal inside.

Qian Zaili waved his hand and said, "No need. We Tian Ce merchants travel all over the country, relying on the word 'trust and righteousness'."

He paid according to the menu, neither giving more nor less; he just wanted to follow the proper etiquette.

His actions won the favor of many people present, which is the demeanor of a citizen of a great nation.

King Tasha stole a glance at Li Chen's face and saw a slight smile on his lips. A huge weight was lifted from his heart.

What just happened really confused him; he thought something bad was about to happen.

If Li Chen gets angry, he will also be 'punished'.

It seems alright now, but the two couples have been remembered by the King of Tasha, who will definitely investigate their identities later to see who dared to be so bold.

In an attempt to curry favor with Li Chen, the King of Tasha seized the opportunity to whisper boastfully, "Your Majesty governs the country effectively; even merchants are so trustworthy and keep their promises."

He's a natural at flattery.

As the King of Tasha, he has an advantage in this regard because he is used to being flattered by others. He knows what nice things others say, and it is certainly right for him to use these words to flatter Li Chen.

Li Chen was indeed very satisfied and let him continue speaking. The king of Tasha was so hoarse from talking, but he still praised Li Chen with a sincere heart.

King Tasha was unsure whether he could gain favor with Li Chen, but the merchant from the Tian Ce Dynasty had certainly brought honor to the dynasty. He would be able to meet the emperor again upon returning home, and his future was limitless.

After the meal, King Tasha took Li Chen on a tour of Tasha's military facilities.

From the city garrison's drills to the border troops' deployment, even the armory was opened to Li Chen for inspection. This would normally be top secret intelligence; if other small countries knew about these arrangements, they would certainly launch targeted attacks.

But King Tasha didn't care at all. The man in front of him was the emperor of the Tian Ce Dynasty. If he really wanted to attack Tasha, he wouldn't need to investigate any military intelligence. He could just crush him.

Of course, upon entering the heavily guarded military camp, King Tasha revealed his identity.

He often goes to military camps, so many people know about him even without him showing off.

Although the generals recognized their king, they all cast questioning glances at the young man who made the king bow to lead the way.

What shocked them even more was that the king himself brushed the dust off the young man's chair.

"This is our latest imported Tian Ce standard armor."

As King Tasha was giving his introduction, a border general rushed over, knelt on one knee, and reported: "Your Majesty, the Tian Ce army has advanced another thousand meters today and has now set up camp. How should we respond?"

King Tasha's face darkened: "Are you stupid? Of course, we should fully cooperate with the Tian Ce army's operational plan!"

The general looked bewildered: "Then what exactly do you need?"

King Tasha rebuked him angrily: "You can't even handle this simple matter. I'll replace you with someone more capable!"

The general was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat and repeatedly said yes before retreating.

In truth, King Tasha knew perfectly well that Emperor Tian Ce was right in front of him, and he was serving him perfectly well, so what was there to be afraid of?

Those large armies were clearly targeting countries that were on good terms with the Eternal Day Empire. What did they have to do with their Tasha Kingdom?
Tasha Kingdom is the most loyal follower of the Tian Ce Dynasty.

Li Chen was fairly satisfied with the inspection and verbally expressed his approval to King Tasha.

King Tasha breathed a sigh of relief and was overjoyed to have gained Li Chen's appreciation, even more so than when he first ascended the throne.

After the inspection tour, Li Chen prepared to travel to other countries to continue his inspections.

King Tasha personally escorted the convoy to the border. If Li Chen hadn't waved him off, the king probably would have followed them all the way.

Watching Li Chen's departing figure, King Tasha stood there for a long time, unwilling to leave, until the convoy disappeared from sight, before reluctantly returning to the palace.

As soon as he returned to the palace, the Empress and the Princess surrounded him with faces full of grievance.

The princess even tugged at her father's sleeve and pleaded, "Father, why are you suddenly being so nice to that outsider? Don't you love your daughter anymore?"

Normally, King Tasha would have softened and coaxed his daughter long ago.

But at this moment, he abruptly shook off the princess's hand, his face turning terrifyingly grim: "Insolence! That distinguished guest is none other than the Supreme Being of the Nine Heavens!"

He surveyed the crowd in the hall, his voice as cold as ice, "This time you haven't committed any serious offenses, so I will let it slide for now. But if there's a next time..."

King Tasha drew his sword with a "whoosh" and cleaved the lamppost beside him in two: "This is how it ends!"

With a loud crash, the gilded lamppost collapsed to the ground.

The princess was so frightened that she collapsed to the ground, and the queen's face turned pale.

They had never seen the king so furious.

"Guards!" King Tasha roared, "Arrest that man and woman who impersonated citizens of Tian Ce in the restaurant today, and have them flogged thirty times in public! Anyone who dares to impersonate citizens of Tian Ce again will be severely punished!"

After dealing with these matters, King Tasha went alone to his study and wrote a secret decree: "From this day forward, all schools nationwide shall add courses on Tian Ce culture, and each prefecture must report on the learning progress monthly."

After finishing writing, he gazed out the window and murmured to himself, "If I could gain that person's favor, what worries would my kingdom of Tasha have about not prospering?"

(End of this chapter)