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

Chapter 475 I once had the honor of meeting His Majesty! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

Upon hearing Li Chen's words, Dai Xiaoyao reacted the fastest this time, immediately stepping forward: "Your Majesty, this thing is truly a miracle! I witnessed it with my own eyes; it travels a thousand miles a day and carries immense weight. If it could be promoted to the southern kingdoms, it would surely benefit all people!"

Other kings followed suit, afraid of falling behind.

Dai Xiaoyao understood perfectly well that Li Chen was trying to promote the product.

But he wanted to know what the southern kingdoms were thinking. As the new king, Dai Xiaoyao had to stand firm in his position and attitude.

Without the help of the Tian Ce Dynasty, he certainly wouldn't last long as king.

Don't forget, his brother only fled after his defeat, he didn't die. If he makes a comeback one day, Dai Xiaoyao will definitely suffer too.

Now, given the chance, I'll definitely try to latch onto Li Chen's coattails.

If he doesn't hug her, there are plenty of kings who would want to hug her.

Li Chen nodded slightly: "That's exactly what I meant. However..."

He paused deliberately, then continued, "The terrain in the south is complex, and the construction of railways requires a large amount of high-quality iron ore."

King Tasha immediately 'quickly answered': 'My kingdom has three large iron mines, which I wish to offer to Your Majesty!'

"My country also has them!"

"My country can provide manpower!"

The kings rushed to express their opinions.

If there were rail trains, these mineral resources would be a minor issue.

Zhao Jing finally understood Li Chen's intention.

He mustered his courage and stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I, your humble servant, wish to offer all the mineral resources under the Zhao Family Trading Company to the Tiance Dynasty."

A businessman is definitely profit-driven; by saying this, he meant he wanted to use the mineral resources under his name to please Li Chen.

As long as you gain Li Chen's favor, what wealth can't you acquire in no time?
This is the principle of sacrificing small gains for large ones.

Upon hearing this, the kings all looked at the merchant in surprise.

They never expected a merchant to dare to speak in such a setting.

Li Chen looked at the reactions of everyone in the hall and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

The attitude of these southern countries was even more positive than he had expected, and it seemed that the plan to build the southern railway could proceed smoothly.

"In that case, the matter is settled. The Ministry of Works will draft a detailed plan as soon as possible, and we will need your full assistance at that time," Li Chen said, making the final decision.

The kings were overjoyed upon hearing this and knelt down again to express their gratitude.

They all knew in their hearts that this was not "helping" at all, but rather the Tian Ce Dynasty giving them a chance to curry favor with them.

Those kings who didn't come can only wait to fall behind and be beaten.

Li Chen stood up and said, "Guards, prepare a banquet. Today, I wish to drink and make merry with you all."

As the emperor rose from his seat, the atmosphere in the hall immediately relaxed considerably.

But everyone knew that the real test had only just begun.

The key at the upcoming banquet will be how to please Emperor Tiance and his important ministers.

Officials in the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Works, in particular, were the objects of the kings' flattery.

The banquet was held in the Qionghua Pavilion in the Imperial Garden.

Here, pavilions and towers are scattered in a well-organized manner, and exotic flowers and rare plants compete for beauty.

Even more astonishing is that several rare birds are leisurely strolling around the garden, showing no fear of strangers.

King Tasha's eyes widened: "That's a seven-colored phoenix? It's said that even one is priceless!"

The eunuch leading the way proudly introduced, "This was brought back by Consort Mu from the Immortal Island in the East Sea. Her Highness personally takes care of it every day."

Upon hearing this, the kings gained a new understanding of the wealth of Tian Ce.

Moreover, I've heard that some of the imperial concubines in the palace are at the Saint Realm, and this Consort Mu must be one of them.

After all, it's not something an ordinary person can do to go to the fairy island in the East Sea and bring back the fairy bird.

The scale of the banquet exceeded everyone's expectations.

Each table was crafted from thousand-year-old sandalwood, and the tableware was made entirely of the finest jade. Even the palace maids serving wine were all exquisite beauties, carefully selected from the best of the best.

The most eye-catching features are those on either side of the main seat.

Traditionally, this should be prepared for the guest of the highest status.

To everyone's surprise, Dai Xiaoyao and Zhao Jing were assigned to these two positions respectively.

Upon seeing this, King Baifan's expression changed slightly, but he quickly returned to normal.

He secretly speculated that this new king, Xingluo, and that merchant must have an unusual relationship with Emperor Tiance.

He thought he should sit next to her.

Because he was the late emperor's student, His Majesty Li Chen would give him some leeway.

There's only one explanation for why I'm not sitting next to Li Chen.

That means Dai Xiaoyao and Zhao Jing are quite close to Li Chen; we'll have to find out about that later.

After the banquet began, Dai Xiaoyao acted even more attentive than the eunuchs.

He kept pouring wine and serving food to Li Chen, his words full of flattery.

"Your Majesty, this 'Dragon Liver and Phoenix Marrow' is a tribute that I specially brought from Xingluo Kingdom. Please enjoy it." Dai Xiaoyao respectfully presented a delicacy.

This dish was made by the imperial kitchen only because he used his connections.

Li Chen took a small sip and nodded approvingly: "Not bad."

Two simple words brought Dai Xiaoyao to a delightful surprise.

He seized the opportunity to say, "I have built a new palace in Xingluo Kingdom, built entirely in the style of Tian Ce. Your Majesty may visit at any time if you are interested."

The other kings were green with envy, secretly regretting that they hadn't thought of this move.

Dai Xiaoyao didn't understand Li Chen, but he understood men.

Zhao Jing, on the other hand, appeared much more reserved.

He carefully raised his cup: "Your Majesty, I was unaware of your identity that day and offended you greatly. Please forgive me."

Li Chen waved his hand and smiled, "Ignorance is no excuse. This railway construction will require your and everyone's cooperation."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Jing immediately rose from his seat and knelt down: "Your Majesty, I will do my utmost to live up to your expectations!"

This scene once again startled all the kings.

There must be something fishy about why a merchant would be so highly regarded by Emperor Tian Ce.

Halfway through the banquet, Li Chen got up and left his seat.

That is, to give them the opportunity to 'move freely'.

As soon as the emperor left, the atmosphere at the scene immediately became lively.

Many kings immediately surrounded Dai Xiaoyao, trying to find out about his relationship with Emperor Tian Ce.

"Your Majesty, are you and His Majesty Tian Ce acquainted?" King Tasha asked tentatively.

I've been holding this question in for a long time, and I've finally managed to ask it.

Dai Xiaoyao took a sip of wine with feigned mystery: "When I was studying at Tian Ce, I had the honor of meeting Your Majesty once."

This is indeed true; he did see Li Chen at that time, but whether Li Chen could see him is another matter.

"So that's how it is!" The kings suddenly realized, and their eyes looked at Dai Xiaoyao with more awe.

King Baifan pondered, "No wonder Xingluo Kingdom was able to obtain Tian Ce's weapons and equipment first during this period."

I remember that Dai Xiaoyao was a defective product that was imported from Baifan Kingdom.

Dai Xiaoyao chuckled inwardly.

Of course, he wouldn't say that his mother was a concubine in the Tian Ce harem.

This secret will become the Starfall Kingdom's biggest trump card.

After the banquet, Dai Xiaoyao quietly went to an exquisite villa near the palace.

(End of this chapter)