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

Chapter 465 You, Fang Qian, can't just come here shamelessly, can you? (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)
Upon hearing this, Xu Zifeng quickly said, "Why didn't you tell me you were coming, Miss Li? Look, I didn't bring any gifts."

Ma Hei smiled and waved his hand: "Your Highness is busy with military affairs, how could we Gu cultivators dare to trouble you with such trivial matters?"

He then gestured for her to sit down: "Please have a seat."

At this moment, a dozen or so Gu cultivators dressed in the costumes of various ethnic groups walked in from behind Ma Hei. There were strong men from the Black Miao ethnic group and young men from the White Miao ethnic group.

Ma Hei introduced them one by one: "These are all fellow disciples who are preparing to join the army this year, and they are waiting for the Ministry of War to review them."

The Tian Ce Dynasty's censorship is very strict now, which is giving Ma Hei a headache.

He holds a military officer position, so I thought things would be faster.

Who knew that he was even stricter than others, precisely because he was afraid of relatives or cronies being included in the ranks.

This review is no simple task; it not only assesses an individual's abilities but also their potential for having any bad habits or vices.

We also need to go to the local area to see if they have a criminal record and what their family background is like.

By the end of the day, Ma Heitou was practically driven crazy.

He thought to himself, "It wasn't this troublesome when I joined the army before."

Xu Zifeng's eyes lit up: "What a coincidence! I have a good friend in the Ministry of War named Wu Qi. He helped me a lot last time."

He turned to Ma Hei and said, "You've met him before, he's that Manager Wu. How about I treat him to dinner tonight?"

Mahei was overjoyed: "Then I am very grateful to Your Highness! With your recommendation, the review will definitely go much more smoothly."

The surrounding young people of the Miao ethnic group, both black and white, immediately began to shower them with compliments:
"Your Highness has such a wide network of connections!"

"With His Highness's protection, things will be much easier for us in the army!"

"I've long heard that the Prince of Zhennan's Mansion has deep roots in the court, and seeing it today, I can confirm it lives up to its reputation!"

Xu Zifeng was flattered and unconsciously straightened her back.

He turned his gaze to Li Meng, who was standing quietly to the side, and asked sincerely, "Miss Li, I know some people in the capital. Do you need my help in promoting your insect banquet?"

Li Meng smiled faintly: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. I have already contacted the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce and am just waiting for their president to have time to discuss it."

The president of this Wanbao Chamber of Commerce is actually Jiang Rong.

Jiang Rong, relying on the connections she made in the imperial harem, expanded her chamber of commerce beyond Shanghe City and its surrounding areas, reaching across the entire country.

Even foreign trade is substantial.

Moreover, several concubines and even the Empress Dowager have invested in the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce.

As for Li Chen, he doesn't need these.

Xu Zifeng nodded, a hint of appreciation flashing in his eyes.

The way he looked at Li Meng was pure; it was purely an appreciation for a hardworking girl.

As the heir apparent of the Prince of Zhennan, he had seen countless beauties, but it was rare to find someone like Li Meng who was both capable and did not curry favor with the powerful.

Xu Zifeng pondered for a moment: "How about this, you come to the banquet tonight as well. I will also invite the Prince of Anxi and several officials from the Six Ministries. It will be easier for you to get to know more people and do things in the capital in the future."

Li Meng's eyes lit up, then she hesitated: "Is this appropriate?"

Xu Zifeng laughed heartily: "What's inappropriate about it! Just consider it giving me face."

Li Meng thought about it and felt that it was indeed a good opportunity.

She was new to the capital and couldn't trouble Li Chen with everything.

Although that gentle guy had told her to come to him if she needed anything, she wanted to prove that she could stand on her own.

She had heard that the powerful families in the capital didn't like pretty faces, and she didn't want Li Chen's family to look down on her.

"Then thank you very much, Your Highness." Li Meng performed a Southern Frontier salute, the silver ornaments in her hair jingling.

To this day, she still doesn't know Li Chen's true identity.

Li Chen knew that once his identity was revealed, many people would change, turning into instinctive fear and fawning, losing this pure feeling. Therefore, he saw Li Meng as innocent and wanted to cherish the present moment.

After boasting to Mahei, Xu Zifeng left the mansion satisfied.

Walking on the bustling streets of the capital, he began to carefully plan the specific arrangements for tonight's banquet.

The first thing to do is naturally to find Wu Qi. As the head of the Ministry of War, Wu Qi can be of great help in the review process, not to mention that the two are drinking buddies.

"Young Master has arrived!" The guards at the entrance of the Ministry of War immediately bowed respectfully upon seeing Xu Zifeng.

"Is Manager Wu here?" Xu Zifeng asked, waving his hand.

"Your Highness, Lord Wu just went out, saying he was going to the nearby 'Qingxin Teahouse' to discuss some matters with someone."

Xu Zifeng nodded and turned to walk towards the teahouse.

As soon as he stepped into the second floor of the teahouse, he saw two familiar figures: Xiao Ming, the chief clerk of the Ministry of Justice, and his colleague, military officer Liu Hao.

They've known each other for many years. Although they didn't get along well before, now that they no longer share common goals, they can get along quite well.

Compared to the others, Liu Hao, Xiao Ming, and Wu Qi form a small group that often gets together.

There's no way around it; geniuses appreciate each other. Only those who are roughly equal in rank, ability, and status can truly connect.

Because only people like that can share common topics.

For example, the development of some court policies and gossip about officials can be discussed internally.

If an ordinary person were to infiltrate the group, that person could only listen, without knowing what to say.

Before he even got close, Xu Zifeng heard Xiao Ming's angry voice: "That bastard Fang Qian! Relying on the backing of the Minister of Personnel, he opposes me at every turn! Yesterday he said that the materials for one of my cases were not written clearly, what a load of crap! I've already finished the case, what more do you want from me?"

Liu Hao quickly advised, "Brother Xiao, calm down. We're officials in the same court; harmony brings wealth."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ming slammed his hand on the table and stood up: "Amicable? When has Fang Qian ever been amicable with me? Last month at Zuixianlou, he embarrassed me in front of Manying."

After Xiao Ming had finished complaining, Xu Zifeng stepped forward at the opportune moment and interrupted with a smile: "Oh, who made our Manager Xiao so angry?"

"Brother Xu!" The group greeted him with clasped hands upon seeing him.

Since they're not like biological fathers, but rather of similar status, they're just being polite.

After Xu Zifeng sat down, he listened to Xiao Ming complain for a while before advising him, "Brother Xiao, Fang Qian is indeed a scoundrel, but he is currently favored by the Minister of Personnel. How about this, I'm hosting a banquet at the Prince of Zhennan's residence tonight and have invited several officials. You can come and have a few drinks to relax."

The Prince of Zhennan had a large mansion in the capital, where he used to live. He hadn't returned since he went to the south.

Since arriving in the capital, Xu Zifeng has been living in the Zhennan Prince's Mansion.

His mother and aunt would come occasionally, but usually they stayed at the Ji family's residence.

Xiao Ming's eyes lit up: "The Prince of Zhennan's mansion? That's great! We'll drink until we drop tonight!"

The reason he said this was because he couldn't find a suitable place to invite Wei Manying for drinks.

Young people like Xiao Ming think Wei Manying is so beautiful, he can't very well take her to a roadside stall.

If we're going to go, it will be to a high-class dating spot like Zuixianlou or Jiuxiao Feitengge.

The problem is that Fang Qian, that idiot, often brings Wei Manying along, so Xiao Ming feels that he doesn't have much of an advantage in this competition.

Moreover, Fang Qian is well-informed and sometimes even comes to cause trouble.

Now, if you go to Xu Zifeng's house, Xu Zifeng and Fang Qian don't get along, so you, Fang Qian, can't just shamelessly come, can you?

Then I can get closer to Wei Manying.

If Xu Zifeng knew what Xiao Ming was thinking, he would definitely say: "I don't get along with Fang Qian, but don't you think about who caused it! It's all because you were jealous of him."

If Xiao Ming knew what Xu Zifeng was thinking, he would definitely say: "Bullshit! Don't you have any idea how many people you beat up when you were hiding your true strength?"
I'm looking at your case files at the Ministry of Justice, and they're giving me a headache.

(End of this chapter)