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

Chapter 500: A mysterious force is driving this! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

Because for many of them, this was their first time visiting this legendary northern superpower.

Legend has it that the cultivators in this place are extremely fierce, brave, and bloodthirsty.

Therefore, in the minds of many people in the Eternal Day Empire, Tian Ce is a barbaric but powerful place, not as orderly as the Eternal Day Empire.

Upon hearing the coachman mention that they had reached the border, Maurice opened his tightly closed eyes.

It could be said that he was resting with his eyes closed whenever the kings stopped his carriage along the way.

The jade boundary marker stood majestically, with eight large characters engraved on it: "Tian Ce territory, those who trespass shall die." The characters were sharp as knives, faintly revealing a chilling intent.

A group of officials from the Ministry of Rites, dressed in black official robes, were already waiting at the post station. Zhang Mingyuan, the Vice Minister of Rites, who was at the head of the group, stood with his hands behind his back, his posture calm and composed, neither obsequious nor arrogant.

At this time, officials of the Eternal Day Empire were also ready to make contact.

In their view, Tian Ce had only sent an official from the Ministry of Rites, and not even the highest-ranking official in the Ministry of Rites, so the Yong Zhou Empire only needed to send someone of equivalent rank.

At that moment, Morris suddenly spoke up: "Stop the car."

The officials of Yongzhou were taken aback, and they all asked in surprise: "Your Highness, why do you need to get out of the carriage personally for a mere Vice Minister of Rites?"

Morris had already opened the car door, and when he landed, he deliberately avoided a newly sprouted wild orchid with the sole of his boot, clearly as a sign of respect.

"Lord Zhao, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting." Morris smiled warmly and extended his hand.

He knew Zhang Mingyuan's name because this was a formal visit.

Then we definitely need to communicate with the Ministry of Rites; you can't just suddenly come to visit.

What if the Tian Ce border troops treat you like an experience boss and use you to farm? That would be a huge mistake.

You have to understand, these border generals are just looking to rack up some military merits. With a position as high as yours, Morris, how many generals wouldn't be tempted?

Moreover, for a visit of this level, many things need to be arranged, such as the list of people to be contacted by both sides and the timing of the visit.

Morris already knew Zhang Mingyuan's identity and position on his way here.

Although the person being dealt with was only the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, this person held a certain position within the Ministry of Rites.

Zhang Mingyuan was slightly taken aback, then reached out to shake hands: "Your Highness, you have come from afar, you must be tired."

He must have investigated Maurice's background, past, and even what he went through on this journey.

I thought it would be difficult to communicate later, and I was instructed by Prime Minister Zhao Wenyuan that I must not disgrace Tian Ce.

Zhao Wenyuan also considered that Zhang Mingyuan was more familiar with this kind of work, and since it was the Ministry of Rites, Zhang Mingyuan was also quite good-looking, so he sent him there.

"It is an honor for me to set foot on your esteemed lands," Maurice said sincerely, as if his earlier arrogance towards the king of the small country had never existed.

The officials of Yongzhou looked at each other in disbelief, their hearts filled with shock: His Highness the Prince actually treated the officials of Tiance with such courtesy.
What's going on here?

Could it be what Tian Ce meant by "courtesy before force"?

Or is there some more sophisticated scheme?

Yongzhou's officials were baffled, but dared not say anything.

Zhang Mingyuan stepped aside and said, "Your Highness must be tired from your journey. Please rest at the post station first, and then set off for the capital tomorrow."

"Thank you for your arrangements, Lord Zhao." Morris smiled and nodded, then turned and got into the carriage.

In the distance, two middle-aged men with piercing eyes were staring at this place.

Behind them was a powerful army. "I didn't expect Morris to actually get out of the carriage himself. How boring." Prince Li Su of Zhennan, sitting on his mount, showed a hint of dissatisfaction.

“Maurice isn’t stupid. Although he’s a staunch member of the royal family, he might also have a certain status within the Papacy. That’s why he can get along well in places like the Eternal Day Empire, where there’s a conflict between the royal family and the Papacy,” Yun Xu, the Southern Army Commander, said casually.

Then he glanced at Li Su and said, "We're not that close, are we? Don't show up on my turf so casually in the future. I won't pursue this matter for you crossing the line."

Even in front of so many people, Yun Xu still didn't give the Prince of Zhennan any face.

The Prince of Zhennan didn't say anything, after all, this was Yunxu's job.

The imperial court could not guarantee that the Prince of Zhennan would be 100% loyal, so Yunxu's job was not only to check and balance the Prince of Zhennan, but also to prepare for the chaos in the south.

If the Prince of Zhennan brings his army this time, Yunxu will definitely stop him and make him go back to his own territory.

But since the Prince of Zhennan came alone, Yunxu couldn't say anything and could only let him watch from the side.

Yun Xu said these words, and in public, not only to the Prince of Zhennan, but also to Li Chen.

With so many soldiers, someone would surely report to their superiors.

As the commander of the Southern Army, Yun Xu must maintain a firm stance, or he will be replaced immediately.

Yun Xu was very curious as to why the Prince of Zhennan was here, but he knew he couldn't be curious, or he would fall into the Prince of Zhennan's trap.

Don't let his recent good behavior fool you; who knows what he's up to.

Yun Xu's composure was also the main reason why Li Chen chose him as the commander of the Southern Army.

Having confronted the Prince of Zhennan for so many years, he was still very familiar with this job.

After saying these cold words, Yun Xu rode away. Knowing he had no interest in the conversation, the Prince of Zhennan also planned to return to his own residence.

Not long after the Prince of Zhennan left, Yun Xu's adjutant whispered, "General, should we send someone to investigate the Prince of Zhennan? Maybe he has been in contact with the Yongzhou delegation."

Yun Xu shook his head and said, "No need. Even if the Prince of Zhennan wanted to make contact with the Yongzhou Empire, he wouldn't do it at this crucial moment. He's not that stupid. Nobody knows how many eyes are watching the Morris delegation."

After a moment of contemplation, he continued, "The Prince of Zhennan does no good for the Yongzhou Empire, but there is more than one power within the Yongzhou Empire."

The adjutant frowned and asked, "General, are you referring to the Vatican?"

Yun Xu nodded and said, "That's right, it's no secret that the Holy See wants to spread its faith in the north."

The adjutant asked in confusion, "That's not right. Didn't you say that there's no benefit for the Prince of Zhennan in helping the Yongzhou Empire?"

Yun Xu explained, "He won't help Yongzhou's army, which means he won't help Yongzhou's royal family. But if he helps Yongzhou's papacy, he can obtain the resources of the strong, which is what Zhennan King lacks the most."

Yun Xu explained so much because this adjutant was his confidant.

Many things in the military require trusted confidants to handle, so it's good that he knows some things.

Don't underestimate Yun Xu just because he's only a commander of the Southern Army; he has a lot to do.

At this stage, he is under the most pressure from Tian Ce, and he cannot afford to make any mistakes.

Yun Xu didn't know whether the Prince of Zhennan would do such a thing, but Yun Xu had to take precautions.

A commander needs more than just the ability to fight; the ability to collect and analyze intelligence is also crucial.

At this time, for some unknown reason, news of Morris's visit from the Eternal Day Empire had already spread to various places along the way.

It seems as if some inexplicable force is pushing it forward.

(End of this chapter)