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

Chapter 471 This guy was clearly set up by capital! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

Eunuch Cui must be a very sensible person; he wouldn't bother Li Chen at this time if it wasn't something crucial.

Upon hearing this, Li Chen frowned slightly, but quickly regained his composure.

He turned to Li Meng and said softly, "Go with Consort Jiang to Qixia Palace first. If you need anything, just let me know. I'll be right back."

Li Meng nodded obediently, feeling a little uneasy but mostly looking forward to the future.

Watching Li Chen's departing figure, and then looking at the gentle Jiang Rong beside her, she suddenly felt that this sudden change in identity wasn't so terrible after all.

Jiang Rong took Li Meng's arm and said affectionately, "Don't worry, little sister, His Majesty will be back after he finishes his official duties. I'll take you to Qixia Palace first; your favorite Southern Xinjiang snacks have already been prepared there."

Inside the imperial study, Li Chen unfolded the military report, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

The fact that the Eternal Day Empire is mobilizing troops at this time suggests that the rumor has indeed made the Pope uneasy.

To be precise, it was the Pope who put a lot of pressure on Charles Stan.

Recently, Li Chen has also reviewed a lot of intelligence about the Eternal Day Empire.

Based on his previous conversation with Charles Stan during their chance encounter, plus the recent rumors, this suggests that...

In order to prove to the Pope that he had not colluded with the Tian Ce Dynasty, Charles Stan would certainly have to make some moves, such as taking military action against the Tian Ce Dynasty.

Since we're at war, you, Pope, can't exactly accuse me of colluding with Li Chen, can you?

Li Chen felt that Charles Stan was a truly pathetic emperor.

Actually, Li Chen didn't need to think so; Charles Stan himself felt the same way.

Eunuch Cui remained the same as always, only conveying opinions without expressing any views himself.

Whether Li Chen asked him intentionally or unintentionally, he would always reply, "This old servant is dull-witted," or "Your Majesty shall decide."
That's what makes a smart person. Since their position is what it is, as long as they don't make any mistakes, they can enjoy their old age in peace.

"Summon the Minister of War and Guo Poyun."

Upon hearing Li Chen's words, Eunuch Cui responded and rolled up his trousers to leave.

That's really fast.

But Li Chen stopped him, a slight smile playing on his lips, and continued, "Send word to Yun Xu to proceed according to the plan. Also, have the Ministry of Rites prepare a 'Flower Appreciation Invitation' to invite the emperors of the southern kingdoms to attend the Flower Festival."

Since the Eternal Day Empire wants to play, then Li Chen will play along with them.

Although Eunuch Cui did not understand Li Chen's intentions, he knew that he only needed to faithfully convey the imperial decree.

He bowed to accept the order, and with steady steps, he quickly left, disappearing outside the palace gate as his robes fluttered in the wind.

Before long, General Guo Poyun and the Minister of War rushed to the Imperial Study.

The two men looked grave, clearly having realized from Eunuch Cui that the situation was urgent.

"Your Majesty." The two bowed in unison.

Li Chen handed over the military report that Yun Xu had sent: "My two ministers, please take a look at this first."

The Minister of War accepted the document with both hands and read it carefully alongside Guo Poyun.

As their gazes moved across the paper, their brows furrowed deeper and deeper.

The Eternal Day Empire is no ordinary small country; it is a super empire with billions of people, numerous Saint-level experts, and well-equipped military. It is one of the few formidable rivals of the Tian Ce Dynasty on the continent.

boom!
Guo Poyun slammed his fist into his palm and knelt on one knee: "Your Majesty, if the Yongzhou Empire dares to invade, this humble general is willing to personally lead the southern army and ensure that they never return!"

It seems that Guo Poyun really wants to fight this match. If he can win, it will definitely be a significant achievement in his resume.

The Minister of War also solemnly said, "Your Majesty, I believe this war is inevitable. If we show weakness, the southern kingdoms may turn to the Yongzhou Empire."

A superpower cannot afford to show weakness; if it does, who will dare to become its vassal? Upon hearing this, Li Chen's lips curled into a meaningful smile: "Fight, of course we must fight. However, we must cooperate with them."

"Cooperate?" The two high-ranking officials looked at each other, not understanding what he meant.

In a war between superpowers, there is no such thing as cooperation.
What does it mean?
Li Chen stood up and paced back and forth, slowly saying, "In the Eternal Day Empire, the imperial power and the divine power are currently in conflict. Charles is unwilling to be suppressed by the Papacy. This time, he sent troops only because he was forced by the Pope, in order to prove his innocence."

The wicked smile on his lips grew stronger as he continued, "We'll play along with him and make things worse for him."

Guo Poyun's eyes lit up: "Your Majesty means..."

“Excellent.” Li Chen stood with his hands behind his back. “We’ll pretend we were prepared, making the Pope believe that Charles is indeed having an affair with me. Then the Pope will definitely put pressure on him, leaving Charles in a dilemma.”

He paused meaningfully.

"Brilliant!" Guo Poyun exclaimed, slapping the table in admiration. "Let them fall into internal strife, and they'll collapse without a fight!"

The Minister of War also suddenly realized his mistake and repeatedly praised, "Your Majesty is wise! Once this plan is implemented, the Yongzhou Empire will inevitably descend into internal strife. At that time, we can then..."

He made a gesture of encirclement.

Li Chen nodded slightly: "So this time, we need to 'cooperate' with Charles to play this role well."

This wasn't something Charles could decide whether he wanted to or not; he couldn't do anything about it even if he didn't want to.

Li Chen had everything figured out for him, making it difficult for him to avoid conflict with the Pope.

Many people in the Vatican disliked him, and there were various rumors circulating about him.

Li Chen is forcing Charles and the Pope to fight. Unless Charles backs down, there is no solution.

The Pope certainly wouldn't bow down, which is understandable, as the Pope is likely a peak Saint.

People of this caliber would never respect an emperor who hasn't reached the Saint realm.

Don't ask Li Chen how he knows. If Li Chen weren't at the peak of the Saint Realm, those sect experts would also look down on him.

Li Chen wasn't in a hurry, but Charles was.

He looked at Guo Poyun and said, "If you go south, things will get messy. Let Yunxu handle it himself. Remember, make a big show of it, but be 'clever' in your dealings with him."

"I will finally understand!"

Guo Poyun clasped his hands in acceptance of the order, a smile appearing on his lips.

"I will tell Yunxu the plan, and make those charlatans in the Eternal Day Empire think that we have been in cahoots with them all along!"

The Minister of War added, "Your Majesty, I heard you intend to invite the emperors of the southern kingdoms to enjoy the flowers. I will make arrangements immediately so that the emperors of the southern kingdoms will 'accidentally' discover some 'evidence.'"

It must be said that the Minister of War was also a talented person, capable of doing some useful things in this position.

Li Chen nodded in satisfaction. With the ruler and his minister of one mind, things would be much easier.

Charles never expected that Li Chen would resort to such an open and honest scheme!

The news that the Emperor of the Tian Ce Dynasty had invited the kings of the southern kingdoms to the Wan Hua Festival spread like wildfire throughout the entire continent.

This was no ordinary invitation, but an imperial edict announced by officials of the Ministry of Rites at a court assembly. Envoys from various countries immediately relayed the message back to their home countries through various means such as rail trains and carrier pigeons.

The first to receive the news was the King of Tasha.

The king, who was over sixty years old, was having breakfast when he heard the envoy's report, and the golden bowl in his hand fell to the ground with a "clatter".

The old king was so excited his beard trembled: "Quickly! Prepare the carriages and horses! Let the crown prince oversee the kingdom; I must depart immediately!"

The servants bustled about preparing, while the old king, already dressed in his most magnificent robes, declared: "This is the first time Emperor Tian Ce has summoned me personally; I cannot be late!"

(End of this chapter)