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

Chapter 474 Unable to Conceal That Overbearing Majesty! (Please Subscribe, Please Vote for Monthly Tickets)

"Master, just who is this young master Li?" the subordinate asked in a low voice.

Zhao Jing shook his head: "It's unspeakable and unpredictable, but this time our Zhao family may be about to encounter a great opportunity."

He turned to his two subordinates and instructed them: "Send a message home immediately, telling the eldest young master to bring the detailed ledgers of the mine to the capital. Remember, make sure he's on a fast horse! Once he arrives at the Tian Ce Dynasty, have him take the railcar directly. It's fast, so remember to book the tickets in advance."

For some reason, Zhao Jing felt that if Li Chen said that, then it must be a done deal.

Three days later, at dawn, Zhao Jing was checking accounts in the villa when he suddenly heard a commotion outside.

As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, he saw a group of guards dressed in black tight-fitting clothes enter in a line.

The leader brandished a gilded token: "By imperial decree, the owner of the Zhao family business is hereby summoned to the palace for an audience."

Zhao Jing's legs went weak, and he almost knelt down.

Although he had guessed that Li Chen was of extraordinary status, he never expected that he would be allowed to enter the palace directly to pay his respects!
What shocked him even more was that when he followed the guards to the palace with trepidation, he found that there were more than a dozen kings from the southern countries standing in the line waiting to be summoned!

"Isn't that King Tasha?"

"Why is King Baifan here too?"

Zhao Jing felt dizzy and his legs were trembling.

As a businessman, how could he have imagined that one day he would stand in the same palace as these monarchs?

Zhao Jing wasn't afraid of these kings, but rather of the "never-before-seen" Emperor Tian Ce.

He secretly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, feeling a tightness in his throat, and even his breathing became cautious.

King Tasha and King Baifan recognized Zhao Jing, and the two exchanged a surprised look.

King Baifan lowered his voice and asked, "Boss Zhao? What are you doing here?"

Just as Zhao Jing was about to answer, a eunuch beside him coughed sternly and said, "Silence!"

Everyone suddenly fell silent.

As the newly enthroned King of Xingluo, Dai Xiaoyao stood at the end of the procession, nervously adjusting his attire.

He noticed that Zhao Jing, a merchant, was also among those who came to pay their respects, and a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.

"Summon the kings of the southern kingdoms and Zhao Jing, the owner of the Zhao family trading company, to enter the palace for an audience!"

With the eunuch's shrill voice, the heavy palace gates slowly opened.

As Zhao Jing followed behind the kings, he felt as if his legs were filled with lead.

He secretly pinched himself, afraid that this was all a dream.

The moment they stepped into the palace, everyone was stunned by the sight before them.

On both sides of the wide imperial road stood two rows of imperial guards dressed in black armor.

They held long halberds, motionless, like statues.

Sunlight shone on the armor, reflecting a chilling gleam.

Zhao Jing noticed that each of these soldiers had sharp, piercing eyes, and the murderous aura emanating from them sent chills down his spine.

King Tasha exclaimed in a low voice, "This is the Heavenly Strategy Imperial Guard? No wonder they were able to sweep through the Snow Eagle Royal Court and the Sassanid Dynasty."

King Baifan swallowed hard: "I heard that these Imperial Guards are at least at the Void Realm. We don't need them to fight the Snow Eagle Kingdom and the Sasanian Dynasty."

The kings were envious of the weapons and equipment worn by the Tian Ce Imperial Guards.

They believed that if they could acquire a set of equipment and arm their army, they could sweep across the southern countries!
But that's all just wishful thinking. The cost of the equipment for the Heavenly Strategy Imperial Guard is simply outrageous. To put it simply, the total value of the equipment for 10,000 soldiers in the southern kingdoms is not even as much as one set of equipment for the Imperial Guard.

As the procession moved forward, the magnificent palace complex gradually came into view.

The magnificent palaces are arranged in a well-organized manner, with their upturned eaves pointing straight to the sky.

Each tile is carved with exquisite patterns and gleams with a warm luster in the sunlight.

Dai Xiaoyao couldn't help but look down for a closer look: "These floor tiles are actually made of top-quality jade?"

He had cultivated in the Jade Void Immortal Abode, where only the main hall possessed top-grade jade. He never imagined the palace streets would be covered in it!
The eunuch leading the way proudly explained, "This is the 'Road to Success' specially ordered by His Majesty, symbolizing a meteoric rise in rank."

Upon hearing this, everyone unconsciously slowed their pace, as if afraid of damaging the priceless jade floor tiles.

We can afford to pay compensation, but we can't afford to offend Emperor Tian Ce.

The further you go in, the stronger the oppressive atmosphere becomes.

Zhao Jing felt a tightness in his chest, as if an invisible mountain was pressing down on his heart.

He glanced over and noticed that the faces of the kings had also turned pale.

Finally, they arrived at the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Ninety-nine white marble steps lead directly to the palace gate, with civil and military officials dressed in purple robes standing on both sides.

These ministers, simply by standing there quietly, exuded an invisible sense of oppression.

"Is this the majesty of the Celestial Empire?" King Tasha murmured to himself, his voice trembling.

Just as everyone was reeling from the shock, a loud announcement rang out from inside the hall: "His Majesty has arrived!"

In an instant, a vast and overwhelming pressure swept out from inside the hall.

Zhao Jing felt his knees buckle and almost collapsed to the ground. The other kings also swayed, their faces filled with horror.

"Enter the palace!" the eunuch announced loudly.

Everyone stepped onto the steps with trepidation.

Zhao Jing noticed that the back of the King of Baifan, who was walking at the front, was completely soaked with sweat.

The moment they stepped into the main hall, everyone was so stunned by the sight before them that they were speechless.

The hall was resplendent in gold, with seventy-two golden pillars supporting the dome. Civil and military officials stood solemnly on both sides.

On that high dragon throne sat a young emperor dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe.

Zhao Jing almost cried out in surprise after just one glance.

Isn't that the "Young Master Li" we met at Zuixianlou?

At this moment, Li Chen was a completely different person from when they met at the restaurant.

He wore a twelve-tassel crown, his face hidden behind a beaded curtain, yet his domineering presence could not be concealed.

Just sitting there gives people a sense of oppressive power, like a "ruler of heaven and earth".

The first to react was King Baifan.

He knelt down with a thud, his forehead pressed against the ground: "Your subject, the King of Baifan, pays respects to His Majesty the Emperor Tiance! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

The other kings then seemed to realize their mistake and knelt down to pay their respects.

Zhao Jing prostrated himself on the ground, trembling like a leaf.

He was trying hard to recall if he had ever said anything that offended Li Chen, and if so, he should quickly apologize.

"Rise, everyone. You've all come from afar and must be tired." Li Chen's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears, carrying an undeniable authority.

Only then did everyone dare to raise their heads, but they still dared not look directly at the emperor's face.

King Baifan said excitedly, "It is no trouble at all. To be summoned by Your Majesty is truly an honor beyond measure! The Heavenly Strategy brings prosperity to the nation, and Your Majesty's power extends throughout the four seas."

Li Chen's old habit was not to disturb the other party's flattery; he just liked to listen.

After King Baifan finished speaking, Li Chen nodded in satisfaction.

The other kings secretly regretted not speaking faster.

King Baifan was a trained man; he was a student of the late Emperor Tiance and was very skilled at flattering him.

Li Chen's gaze swept over the crowd, finally lingering on Zhao Jing for a moment: "What do you all think of our country's rail trains?"

(End of this chapter)