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

Chapter 611 We must give the palace an explanation! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

Feng Shuo, however, wore a knowing look and slapped his thigh: "Brilliant! Brother Cheng! I get it! Your elders must have told you this: 'Keep a low profile when you're out and about, and never mention my name!' The more you say you have no background, the less the Chu family can find out about you, the more unfathomable they'll think you are, and the less they'll dare to touch you! Doesn't that make sense?"

Upon hearing this, Li Chen's lips curled into a playful smile, and he nodded ambiguously: "Hmm, that makes sense."

Batu looked at the two of them speaking in riddles, completely bewildered, feeling that he, a northern man, was no match for the thought process of the young masters of the capital.

However, he was meticulous in his work, and before coming, he had already given a brief report to Supervisor Wang.

At the same time, how could Chu Pengzhan possibly swallow this insult after entering Hantie Pass?
He immediately instructed his family's stewards within the pass to prepare a lavish banquet, and then personally went to pay his respects to Supervisor Wang and Colonel Zhou Meng.

In the afternoon, a banquet with a subtle atmosphere was held as scheduled at the Chu family's residence in Hantieguan.

Chu Pengzhan and Chu Xiang's branch is actually a collateral branch of the Chu family. They lived in the north in their early years. Later, when the main family in the capital rose to prominence, they naturally followed suit and referred to themselves as the "Chu family of the capital," which made them look very prestigious.

Although Wang Jianjun and Zhou Meng were at odds with each other, they held high positions and, faced with an invitation from a powerful and deeply entrenched family like the Chu family, they still had to maintain appearances.

At the banquet, there was singing and dancing, and toasts were exchanged.

After a few rounds of drinks, Chu Pengzhan felt the time was right, so he began to sigh and recount the events of the morning: his humiliation, his nephew's beating, and the damage to the tribute. He embellished the story, especially highlighting Li Chen's "arrogance" and "disregard for the law."

After listening, Wang Jianjun spoke first, his tone smooth: "Brother Chu, I am aware of this matter. It was indeed my nephew Chu who struck the city guards first. According to military law, it is fair and just that Commander Cheng intervened to stop him and even detained him. Although his methods may have been a bit excessive, it is really hard to say who is right and who is wrong in this matter."

He's trying to smooth things over, to make both sides equally guilty, and to get rid of the whole thing.

Zhou Meng chimed in, "Brother Chu, don't worry. I'll have someone bring out your nephew Chu later. But this is a strategically important border region, and military discipline is paramount. We can't let our soldiers' spirits be dampened. I hope you understand."

Although he disagreed with the military supervisor, they shared the same stance on maintaining the authority and morale of the army.

Chu Pengzhan had anticipated their response. He sighed, then changed the subject, unleashing his trump card: "How could I not know the difficulties faced by you two gentlemen? I am not an unreasonable person."
"But the food my men ruined was specially prepared to be sent to the palace as a tribute to the imperial concubines. Now it's been destroyed and eaten. How am I supposed to explain this to the palace?"

"The palace? The Imperial Concubine?" Upon hearing this, both Wang Jianjun and Zhou Meng's expressions immediately turned somewhat ugly.

When His Majesty's bedmate is involved, the nature of the matter changes completely!

Even if His Majesty is wise and will not blame his subjects for the affairs of his concubines, who would dare to gamble?

If one of the imperial concubines were to whisper in her ear, the consequences would be unimaginable!

Wang Jianjun had some connections in the capital and knew the terrifying influence of the harem. His tone softened: "Brother Chu, look at the mess this has made. How about this, I'll find a way to compensate for the damaged tribute."

Chu Pengzhan immediately waved his hand to interrupt, speaking righteously and sternly: "Brother Wang, what are you saying! My Chu family is not the kind of people who care about money and possessions. The issue is the face of the palace! Whoever did this should naturally bear the consequences! We must give the palace an explanation!"

His meaning was very clear: Li Chen would have to pay a heavy price, return the damage he had suffered, and he would be held accountable for the crime of offering tribute!
Wang Jianjun frowned, and Zhou Meng tried to salvage the situation one last time: "Brother Chu, Cheng Li is acting so recklessly, he must have some powerful connections, right?" He hinted to Chu Pengzhan that the other party might not be easy to deal with, and that it would be better to stop while he was ahead.

But Chu Pengzhan was determined to take revenge and wouldn't listen to reason. He was determined to severely punish Li Chen.

Wang Jianjun and Zhou Meng exchanged a glance, feeling helpless. They could only verbally promise to "handle it seriously" and "resolve it properly" to appease Chu Pengzhan for now. This banquet, in which everyone had their own thoughts, ended in a rather unpleasant atmosphere.

After leaving the Chu family mansion and returning to the military camp's council hall, Zhou Meng and Supervisor Wang both looked rather grim.

Zhou Meng rubbed his temples, his tone tinged with frustration: "What do we do now? The Chu family is adamant about getting an explanation, and they've even dragged in the imperial concubine. This is getting complicated."

Wang Jianjun pondered for a moment, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes: "The one who tied the knot must untie it. That Cheng Li, I see he acts recklessly, he doesn't seem like a clueless fool without any backing. Call him over, sound him out, and see what kind of background he really has."

Zhou Meng thought it made sense and nodded in agreement.

It was already evening, long past the time for roll call and office work at the military camp.

The two then ordered their personal guards to summon Li Chen from his residence.

However, the guards soon returned, and the reply they brought back stunned both of the highest-ranking officers of Hantie Pass.

"Reporting to the Captain and the Supervisor, Commandant Cheng said he is currently unavailable and unable to come."

"No time?!" Zhou Meng almost thought he had misheard. How could a captain dare to say he was busy when summoned by a captain and a military supervisor?
This isn't just being arrogant, it's downright outrageous!

Wang Jianjun's face also instantly darkened.

Little did they know that Li Chen never considered himself their subordinate in the true sense.

He came to the North to complete system tasks and experience life incognito. It's already a favor that he showed up during work hours. Expecting him to be available at any time after get off work? Absolutely not.

At this moment, Li Chen was drinking and playing drinking games with Feng Shuo, Batu, and the soldiers who had stood guard with him during the day and admired him greatly in a lively tavern inside the pass.

Only Batu seemed preoccupied, glancing out the window from time to time, worried about the Chu family's revenge.

The others, including Feng Shuo, didn't take the morning's conflict seriously at all, and the atmosphere was very lively.

"Commander Cheng! You were absolutely amazing today! That slap was so satisfying!"

"Exactly! Let's see if that Chu brat dares to run wild in our Han Tie Pass again!"

"Brother Cheng! From now on, I'll follow you! If you point east, I'll never go west!"

Feng Shuo, his face flushed from drinking, put his arm around Li Chen's shoulder and loudly praised him: "Brother Cheng! With your abilities and background, you'll definitely become the General Who Guards the North in the future! Don't forget to promote me then! I'll be your logistics manager, and I guarantee you'll have meat to eat every meal!"

Surrounded by the crowd, Li Chen was in high spirits. He raised his glass and laughed, "It's nothing! There's plenty of alcohol tonight, everyone drink to your heart's content, it's all on me!"

Just as the atmosphere in the tavern reached its climax, the curtain was lifted, and several dejected figures with injuries on their faces walked in. It was Chu Xiang and his guards, who had just been released from the military camp by Zhou Meng's orders.

(End of this chapter)