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

Chapter 487 What right do you have to refuse them? (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

The capital of the Tian Ce Dynasty, the Ministry of Rites.

Minister of Rites Zheng Shiqing held the gilded imperial letter, his fingers trembling slightly.

The vermilion sealing wax on the letter paper gleamed dazzlingly in the sunlight; it was the unique mark of the Yongzhou Empire's royal family.

He carefully removed the seal, unfolded the parchment scroll, and saw that the writing on it, in gold powder, was elegant and flowing:
To His Majesty Li Chen, the Wise Ruler of the Tian Ce Dynasty:

His Majesty Charles, by the grace of the Holy Light, wields the power of the Eternal Day Empire. He hereby dispatches an envoy to express his hope for a lasting alliance between our two nations. The Holy Light Papacy is the state religion of our Empire; its bishops are benevolent, and its doctrines are extensive. It wishes to send missionaries north to your esteemed country to spread the Gospel of the Holy Light.”

As Zheng Shiqing read this, fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

As the Minister of Rites, he has been paying close attention to the affairs of various countries for many years, and he is all too aware of the meaning behind "spreading the gospel".

Thirty years ago, seven countries in the southern kingdoms gradually became vassals of the Eternal Day Empire under the same name.

Missionary work is not simply about recruiting disciples; it's about changing people's beliefs.

If this thing gets in, the consequences will be unimaginable.

The Vice Minister of Rites, noticing his unusual expression, whispered a reminder: "Your Excellency, has the Yongzhou Empire made any unreasonable demands this time?"

Zheng Shiqing slammed the official letter heavily on the table, making the teacups clatter: "That scoundrel Charles actually wants to establish a Papacy within my Tiance territory!"

He rose and paced back and forth in the hall, the jade belt at his waist swaying with his hurried steps: "If this matter is not handled properly, it could at best cause a dispute between the two countries, and at worst..."

He didn't say what he meant after that, but the Vice Minister of Rites understood what he meant.

Now that Li Chen is not here, if he doesn't handle things properly, Li Chen will have to deal with him when he comes back.

Zheng Shiqing couldn't possibly pretend he hadn't seen the official letter written by the Emperor of the Yongzhou Empire himself.

His official position in Tian Ce was not low, and he held real power. He generally didn't take the kings of small countries seriously, but this was no small country.

As if struck by a thought, he suddenly stopped, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes: "Someone, prepare the sedan chair! To the Ministry of Revenue!"

Inside the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood.

Shangshu Lin Yue'e was reviewing official documents when she suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside the door.

When she looked up, Zheng Shiqing had already barged in with the official letter.

"Minister Lin, I have an important matter to discuss!" Zheng Shiqing handed over the official letter, a smile typical of officials plastered on his face. "This matter concerns the entry of foreign religions into China. According to Article 7 of Chapter 3 of the Tian Ce Law, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Religious Affairs."

Lin Yue'e accepted the letter of credence, her slender fingers gently stroking the paper.

She caught a glimpse of Zheng Shiqing's smug expression out of the corner of her eye and sneered inwardly.

This Minister of Rites is quite shrewd, throwing a hot potato at her.

In the past, Lin Yue'e certainly wouldn't have understood. Under Li Chen's tutelage, she had been in officialdom for a long time and knew all the ins and outs.

This is a big deal, and Zheng Shiqing doesn't want to make a mistake, so he asked her to handle it.

Lin Yue'e put down the official letter, her voice cold: "Lord Yan, the Holy See is backed by the royal family of the Yongzhou Empire. This is no longer a simple religious matter, but an exchange between nations. It should be handled by the Ministry of Rites. His Majesty has indeed not authorized me to handle matters concerning foreign religions."

Zheng Shiqing quickly cupped his hands in apology: "Minister Lin, you are wise. However, after much thought, I believe this matter does indeed involve the management of the sect."

Lin Yue'e suddenly smiled, handed him the letter of state, and said, "Why don't we ask Prime Minister Zhao to make the decision? After all, it involves the relations between the two countries, and only a prime minister can make a decision."

Zheng Shiqing felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly accepted the official document: "Minister Lin's insight is brilliant! This humble official will go and pay my respects to Prime Minister Zhao immediately."

After Zheng Shiqing left, Lin Yue'e's personal maid couldn't help but whisper, "Your Excellency knows that Prime Minister Zhao hates this kind of shirking responsibility the most." Lin Yue'e gently touched the jade hairpin in her hair, a sly glint in her eyes: "It is precisely because Prime Minister Zhao dislikes it that he will deal with it seriously. The Vatican has come with ill intentions, and only an old fox can handle it."

Inside the Prime Minister's study, Zhao Wenyuan was reviewing memorials.

After listening to Zheng Shiqing's report, he put down his vermilion pen and slowly stroked his white beard.

The old prime minister narrowed his eyes. "The Papacy is no friendly force. As the saying goes, it's easy to join the Papacy, but very difficult to leave. Once you betray the Papacy, you'll be condemned as a heretic and then exterminated. We absolutely cannot allow them to preach here."

As the prime minister, he must be well aware of these intricacies. The Papacy is that powerful, and its doctrines are essentially brainwashing, which is why the believers are so fanatical.

Zheng Shiqing's forehead was beaded with sweat: "Should I refuse them right now?"

Zhao Wenyuan sneered, "Foolish! What right do you have to refuse them?"

Zheng Shiqing was so angry from being scolded that he broke out in a cold sweat and dared not say a word.

As the saying goes, "a higher-ranking official can crush you," and this "higher-ranking" official is more than one rank higher.

The old prime minister rose and walked to the window, gazing at the afterglow of the setting sun on the palace walls: "Has His Majesty left the capital?"

Zheng Shiqing was taken aback, then replied, "Yes."

“That’s right.” As Zhao Wenyuan turned around, a sly glint appeared in the wrinkles on his face. “Draft a reply: His Majesty is currently on an inspection tour and his return date is uncertain. Upon His Majesty’s return, we will report to him immediately. The wording should be respectful and the etiquette should be impeccable, but the core message is just one thing: delay!”

Three days later, at the Imperial Palace of the Eternal Day Empire.

When Charles saw the Minister of Rites' reply, he was also puzzled: Why does Li Chen go out to play every day? I heard that he is diligent in state affairs, working hard day and night. I think this is just a rumor!

There was nothing we could do. Some time ago, someone spread the rumor that Li Chen was so busy with state affairs that he was exhausted even when attending the morning court session.

These messages also encouraged the rulers of surrounding countries to work hard in their affairs.

This falls under the category of 'intelligence,' and Charles naturally collected this information when he was gathering intelligence on Li Chen.

Chief Justice Albert picked up the letter, his fingertips tracing the exquisite cloud-patterned inscription: "Your Majesty, the Tian Ce bureaucratic system is accustomed to using the tactic of 'delaying.' I feel that they simply don't want us to get what we want."

Charles felt that it wasn't impossible. He had only met Li Chen once, and the rest of his information about Li Chen was just that—information. He couldn't fully judge Li Chen's character.

Charles: "That makes sense. Why don't I send someone to the capital to visit Li Chen in person? He can't very well refuse to see me."

The high-ranking officials of the Eternal Day Empire speculated about Li Chen's intentions: was it to cover up his next move, or was he secretly in contact with the Holy See?

At this time, Li Chen was indeed not in the capital.

The mission has a time limit of over four hundred days, but Li Chen isn't in a hurry.

The Tian Ce Dynasty has a vast territory, bordering the East China Sea to the east and the South China Sea to the south, with a winding coastline stretching for thousands of miles between the two seas.

To the southwest lie numerous southern kingdoms, and beyond the Emerald Strait lies the territory of the Eternal Day Empire.

This geographical arrangement meant that although the two empires were neighbors, they rarely clashed directly due to the many small countries that separated them.

"Is Your Majesty truly not worried about the affairs of the court?" Fairy Yunya asked with concern.

As she watched the farmers working in the rice paddies along the way, the early summer breeze, carrying the fragrance of rice blossoms, brushed against her temples.

Li Chen toyed with the Immortal Token in his hand, and chuckled upon hearing this: "I can't keep all the civil and military officials around just to eat for free. If I have to do everything myself, what use are they?"

(End of this chapter)