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

Chapter 469 My initial help wasn't in vain, even though I wasn't of much help! (Please subscribe and vote!)
In the past two days, many residents of Beijing have been confused. Why did such a festival suddenly appear without any warning?
News of the Flower Festival spread rapidly throughout the capital through official announcements, much to the delight of florists who mobilized their supplies overnight.

Overnight, the shops on both sides of Zhuque Street were filled with colorful flowers, and the air was filled with a rich fragrance.

"Have you heard? This year's Flower Festival will even open a portion of the Imperial Garden!"

"That's the Imperial Garden! It's a place that ordinary people like us can only visit once in our lives. I wonder if we'll be able to go this time."

"You're overthinking it. Not to mention ordinary people, even most nobles haven't been there. To go to those places, you either need to have meritorious service or a very important position."

"It is said that the Prince of Anxi personally oversaw the event, and even rare flowers from the south will be on display! It's truly something to look forward to."

People were talking about it everywhere in the streets and alleys.

Thanks to the convenience of the rail train, the news quickly spread to the surrounding cities.

Many young couples made a special trip to the event, hoping to create beautiful memories on this romantic holiday.

Inns and restaurants were packed with people, and even teahouses and silk shops saw a boom in business.

Inside the Ministry of Revenue, officials looked at the latest tax revenue reports with expressions of surprise.

Minister of Revenue Liu Minghan stroked his beard in deep thought, recalling the debate in the court the previous day—

"Your Majesty, this move may drain the national treasury's funds," Liu Minghan strongly opposed at the time.

Li Chen didn't take it to heart: "My dear minister, you're overthinking it. The people need some celebration."

As soon as he finished speaking, the King of Anxi and his ministers echoed his sentiments.

Liu Minghan had no choice but to agree.

After all, our emperor has never done anything too outrageous.

His reason for dissuading him was simply his duty, and Li Chen didn't say anything to him.

Now it seems that His Majesty was indeed far-sighted.

The commercial tax revenue from just these two days has already far exceeded the expenses for preparing for the flower festival.

Liu Minghan exclaimed, "This rail train is truly beneficial to the country and its people. News travels a thousand miles a day, and it's very convenient for tourists to travel."

He remarked more than once that this thing had truly propelled the development of the Tian Ce Dynasty.

If Li Chen knew what he was thinking, he would definitely say: In terms of information dissemination, what are rail trains? If a communication tool like a 'cell phone' could be developed, that would be a real revolution.

However, this idea can only remain in my mind for now, since there are no corresponding materials and it is impossible to make it.

Meanwhile, in the palace, Li Chen was adjusting his clothes in front of a bronze mirror.

"Your Majesty, the carriage is ready," Eunuch Cui reported from outside the door.

"No need. There are too many people here today, and it would be inconvenient to travel by carriage. I'll walk there." Li Chen changed into a brocade robe embroidered with the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce emblem, preparing to pick up Li Meng.

After walking a short distance from the palace gate, a familiar figure approached.

Zhao Jing strode forward, his face beaming with smiles: "Young master, please wait! I am Zhao Jing of the Zhao Family Merchant Guild. I had the honor of meeting you once in the Kingdom of Tasha."

Li Chen pretended to recall, but in reality, he knew perfectly well what was going on.

During that incognito visit to the south, I did indeed meet this Mr. Zhao.

I still remember how prominent this Mr. Zhao was in the South.

On that occasion, Li Chen traveled incognito, claiming to be a businessman. Coincidentally, Li Chen was still wearing clothes with the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce logo.

Isn’t this right?

Zhao Jing was overjoyed to see Li Chen appear.

Li Chen smiled and said, "So it's Boss Zhao. What brings you here?" Zhao Jing rubbed his hands together and lowered his voice, "To be honest, I wish to meet Chairman Jiang of the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce, but I'm struggling to find an introduction."

As she spoke, she took out an exquisite brocade box from her sleeve and continued, "This is a luminous pearl, a specialty of the South. I hope you will accept it, young master."

When it comes to asking for favors, Zhao Jing is quite sensible about the rules.

This is the Tian Ce Dynasty, not the southern kingdoms. Once you're here, you have to abide by the rules.

If people from the southern countries were to witness this scene, they would be utterly astonished.

Is this still the same powerful boss Zhao who wielded immense influence in the south?
Zhao Jing, who even emperors of various countries had to give him some face, was now so humble and subservient.

So Zhao Jing can be this easy to talk to?
If there were acquaintances present, they would definitely think that way.

But Zhao Jing knew in his heart that it wasn't that he had changed his nature, but rather that the waters of the Tian Ce Imperial Capital were too deep.

Li Chen looked at the brocade box that Zhao Jing handed him; the luminous pearl inside shimmered with a faint blue light in the sunlight.

This item is indeed valuable to merchants, but to a monarch, it is nothing more than an ordinary plaything.

However, thinking back to when they were in the south, Zhao Jing had helped him a lot, even though he didn't know his identity, Li Chen still felt a sense of goodwill towards him.

Li Chen pushed the brocade box back: "No need for the gift. Mr. Zhao is new to the capital; it's my duty to show him hospitality. How about this: after the flower festival, I'll try to pass on a message for you."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Jing was overjoyed and repeatedly clasped his hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you, Young Master Li! Thank you, Young Master Li! It seems that meeting you in Tasha Kingdom was truly my good fortune!"

He was secretly pleased; the people of the Tian Ce Dynasty were indeed loyal and righteous, and his help back then had not been in vain, even though he hadn't been of much assistance.
After agreeing to meet at the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce the next day, Li Chen took his leave.

Watching that tall, upright figure disappear into the crowd, Zhao Jing's follower couldn't help but whisper, "Boss, this young master Li has an extraordinary air about him, but he doesn't look like a businessman at all. He doesn't smell of money at all."

Zhao Jing narrowed his eyes: "You think there are only businessmen in the chamber of commerce? Some chambers of commerce will naturally try to recruit some powerful and influential people in order to gain a foothold. I think this young master Li is probably a nobleman from some family."

He paused, seemingly lost in thought: someone who can be so composed in the capital of Tian Ce must have an extraordinary background.

Zhao Jing guessed that Li Chen might be a powerful figure, but he didn't dare to think about the emperor yet.

Meanwhile, Li Chen had already arrived at Ma Hei's residence.

Pushing open the courtyard gate, one sees Li Meng, dressed in a magnificent gown, standing under the flowering tree in the courtyard.

Today she was wearing the most solemn festival attire of southern Xinjiang: a long purple dress embroidered with flowers, a silver-woven belt that shimmered in the sunlight, and silver ornaments adorning her hair, which jingled as she turned.

"Little brother!" Li Meng's eyes lit up when she saw Li Chen, and she skipped over like a happy little deer. "Do you think this outfit suits me for the flower fair?"

Li Chen was momentarily lost in thought. Li Meng was already lively and adorable on ordinary days, but today, dressed in such finery, she was even more breathtakingly beautiful.

The exquisite silver ornaments accentuated her flawless skin, and her radiant smile was even more dazzling than the flowers in the courtyard.

Coupled with her young and shapely figure, she is truly exceptionally alluring.

Li Chen exclaimed sincerely, "It's very beautiful, but..."

He deliberately dragged out the tone.

"But what?" Li Meng looked down at her clothes nervously, thinking that something was wrong.

Li Chen magically produced a brocade box from his sleeve: "It would be even more perfect with this."

These earrings, known as "Starry Sky," were carved from a single piece of moonstone chalcedony, a tribute from the north.

Three meteorite diamonds of varying sizes float in the center of each earring, continuously rotating within a specially made crystal cavity, truly like a section of the Milky Way sealed within.

As the wearer moves gracefully, the diamond clusters shimmer with a star-like vortex of light, refracting hundreds of tiny rainbow rays through the pale blue iridescence of the chalcedony.

Li Meng stared in astonishment at the pair of earrings in the box, the material of which she couldn't discern.

(End of this chapter)