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

Chapter 544 My Carefree Son, The Opportunity Has Arrived! (Please Subscribe, Please Vote for Monthly Tickets)

In the imperial study, Li Chen was discussing matters concerning military affairs in the north with Prime Minister Zhao Wenyuan and General Guo Poyun.

Guo Poyun spoke first, his voice booming like a bell: "Your Majesty, the border troops of the Great Luo Dynasty have recently been provoking us repeatedly. What started as soldiers fighting amongst themselves has now escalated into brawls between officers. I suggest we launch an immediate northern expedition, which would be a perfect opportunity for the northern tribes who have pledged allegiance to our dynasty to achieve great deeds!"

Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Wenyuan frowned and stepped forward, saying, "I think this is inappropriate."

The white-haired old prime minister stroked his long beard: "Emperor Luo Hou of the Great Luo Dynasty has always been cautious. Their army has no advantage once it leaves the northern snowfields. There must be something fishy about this. I'm afraid someone is deliberately stirring things up."

Guo Poyun raised his thick eyebrows: "Prime Minister Zhao is mistaken! How can we sit idly by while the border troops are humiliated? Those northern tribes are brave and skilled in battle, and now they are all requesting to fight. This is the perfect opportunity to launch an attack!"

Zhao Wenyuan, contrary to his usual demeanor, hardened his stance: "General Guo, you are mistaken! Military mobilization is a waste of manpower and resources. To wage war over such trivial matters is not the behavior of a wise ruler!"

Li Chen listened quietly to the argument between the two important ministers, a thoughtful look flashing in his deep eyes.

The Great Luo Dynasty and the Tian Ce Dynasty had no prior dealings, as they were separated by the Snow Eagle Royal Court.

It's certainly strange that trouble is suddenly brewing at the border.

If we rashly start a war, it might play right into the hands of some people; but if we ignore it, it would damage the prestige of the Tian Ce faction.

Whether to fight or not has become a difficult question.

After a moment's thought, Li Chen said, "I will write a letter and see how Rahu responds."

He picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote a few lines of calligraphy on the imperial gold-leaf paper with a flourish.

Zhao Wenyuan breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this, while Guo Poyun, though unwilling, dared not say anything more.

After finishing writing, Li Chen put down his imperial brush, looked up at the two of them, and said, "There is another matter. I will be traveling south soon."

Upon hearing this, the two senior ministers' expressions immediately changed. Zhao Wenyuan hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, state affairs are busy, you..."

“My mind is made up.” Li Chen interrupted him, took out his newly developed mobile phone from his sleeve and waved it. “If there is anything important, contact me at any time.”

Guo Poyun wanted to persuade him further: "Your Majesty, the border..."

"The border affairs are for Han Wu to handle. I have important matters to attend to on my trip south. My two ministers need not say more." Li Chen rose, his dark dragon robe gleaming with subtle patterns in the candlelight.

Seeing the emperor's resolute attitude, Zhao Wenyuan and Guo Poyun exchanged a glance and had no choice but to bow and take their leave.

As he left the imperial study, Zhao Wenyuan sighed softly, "Your Majesty has been frequently leaving the capital lately; it is truly heartbreaking to see you working so hard."

Guo Poyun also sighed, "I thought the late emperor was already very diligent, but now it seems that His Majesty is even more diligent."

The main problem is that Li Chen never tells anyone what he does when he goes out.

But every time I come back, I gain something.

So people naturally assume he was out on official business, working hard for the country.

Therefore, every time he went out to fool around, his prestige in the court increased.

The two walked further and further apart, while inside the imperial study, Li Chen was already making preparations for leaving the capital.

To travel to the Eternal Day Empire, one naturally needs capable people to serve one's needs.

After much deliberation, Li Chen finally chose Xuan Ji.

This person is not only exceptionally capable, but also remarkably skilled at serving others.

Since submitting to Li Chen, she has been loyal and efficient, earning Li Chen's deep trust.

Upon learning that she would be accompanying the emperor to the Yongzhou Empire, Xuanji had been working extra hard these past few days.

She spent her days immersed in the library, reading through books about the Eternal Day Empire and even studying the local customs and etiquette in detail.

At this moment, she was kneeling in front of the table, her silver hair tied up high, intently making marks on a book called "The Record of Scenery During the Long Day".

Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, illuminating her delicate profile and outlining a graceful silhouette.

"Your Majesty, I have compiled the etiquette and taboos of the Yongzhou Empire into a book." Upon seeing Li Chen enter, Xuan Ji quickly rose and curtsied, her waist supple as a willow. Li Chen nodded in satisfaction and reached out to stroke her hair: "Well done, but as for etiquette, it's enough to know it; we'll handle it as it comes."

Xuanji kept it in mind. She knew that Li Chen was not going to cause trouble this time, but given his status, there was no need to pay too much attention to etiquette.

Even if he goes to the Eternal Day Empire, Li Chen will still be the emperor.

Considering that he would have to pass through the Eight Gates Heavenly Palace on this trip, Li Chen made a special trip to Tang's mother's bedroom.

This former elder of the Eight Gates Heaven-Shattering Hall is now living a comfortable life in the harem, inseparable from Mother Dai.

"Would you like to go back to the sect for a visit?" Li Chen asked bluntly.

Upon hearing this, Tang's mother's teacup trembled slightly.

She lowered her eyes and said softly, "Your Majesty, I have no face to face my fellow disciples."

When she returned to the sect with Li Chen last time, although no one dared to say anything because of the emperor, the contempt and disappointment in the eyes of her fellow disciples still haunted her.

Moreover, she stole a glance at Dai's mother beside her; the Empress Dowager of Xingluo Kingdom was giving her a meaningful look.

"Your Majesty, I find my current life to be very good and hope that you will grant my request."

This is the "harem tips" that Dai's mother taught Tang's mother: when the emperor asks if you miss "home," you should show that you miss the emperor, not that you miss home.

If you are always homesick, the emperor will think you are someone who cannot keep his heart, and will naturally become indifferent to you.

The technique is theoretically correct, but Li Chen really didn't mean it that way.

However, it must be said that Dai's mother's actions at least did not make Li Chen dislike Tang's mother.

She didn't mention a word about Tang's father being in prison.

It seems like all I can think about is the man in front of me.

Li Chen gave her a meaningful look, but said nothing more.

As he left, he noticed a glint in Dai's mother's eyes, and knew that the Empress Dowager was probably about to send a message to her son in the south again.

Sure enough, no sooner had Li Chen left than Mother Dai eagerly took out the communication jade slip.

She quickly wrote a secret letter, a calculating smile playing on her lips: "My dear Xiaoyao, the opportunity has arrived."

She hoped that Dai Xiaoyao would seize the opportunity to stake out the vicinity of the Eight Gates Heavenly Palace and curry favor with Li Chen, so that the Starfall Kingdom would grow stronger and stronger.

It shouldn't be long before the news reaches Dai Xiaoyao.

Li Chen knew about this, but he didn't mind, because Dai Xiaoyao always introduced top-quality items.

At the same time, Li Chen arrived incognito at the Tang family residence in the capital.

The Tang family is now a completely different family than before. Their mansion has expanded more than three times its original size, and the area in front of the gate is bustling with activity.

As the head of the Tang Clan Chamber of Commerce, Tang Yue was busy welcoming and seeing off guests all day long, and the jade belt around his waist could hardly hold back his protruding belly.

Liu Yuran has made the "Ladies' Club" a great success. The wealthy ladies, all adorned with jewels, follow her every word.

"Master, you've arrived~" Liu Yuran's eyes immediately welled up with tears when she saw Li Chen.

Today she was wearing a light pink gauze dress, her chest was half exposed, and her waist was slender, making her look nothing like a woman in her thirties.

Li Chen whispered in her ear, "How many new wives came today?"

Liu Yuran playfully punched him: "You, you only care about the newcomer. But..."

She smiled mysteriously: "There is indeed a new Mrs. Su joining us today, and I guarantee you'll like her figure."

(End of this chapter)