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

Chapter 650 Li Chen's Scheme: The True Puppet Emperor! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

Sergei has been extremely busy lately.

On the one hand, he mobilized all the resources and media outlets he could.

Within his father Grand Duke Andrei's fiefdom, he vigorously promoted his image as a "compassionate," "averse to war," and "peace-seeking" noble heir, striving to create a unique image of a noble heir who cared for his people.

On the other hand, he personally traveled extensively and negotiated with representatives sent by Han Wu, the commander of the Northern Army of the Tian Ce Dynasty, on multiple occasions.

Ultimately, he managed to ransom the nearly 20,000 soldiers who had been captured, at a price several times higher than the normal rate.

Han Wu naturally made a fortune from this deal, and Sergei also reaped huge rewards.

These redeemed soldiers had already witnessed firsthand what a truly ferocious army the Tian Ce army was like. The Tian Ce army's terrifying fighting spirit and efficiency in reaping heads left a deep psychological scar on them, and they were unwilling to go to the battlefield to die again.

Now that they have been redeemed by Sergei at a huge price, they are no different from being given a second chance at life. Naturally, they are grateful to Sergei and have all sworn to be loyal to him.

Sergei took the opportunity to properly settle these veterans who had experienced the war and were loyal only to him in various places within his fiefdom to recuperate. At the same time, he secretly trained them to become a hidden force that only obeyed his orders.

Although it is not yet a formal organization, it is still a force to be reckoned with.

Everything seemed to be going in the direction Sergei had anticipated.

What delighted him even more was that, for some reason, his master, Master Urg, had been paying extra attention to him lately. He not only frequently guided his cultivation and taught him many practical shamanic spells and combat techniques, but also occasionally inquired about the progress of his plans and gave some key advice.

That day, Sergei had some insights into his spiritual practice and excitedly went to ask his master for guidance, only to find that his master was not in the room. Only his mother, Catherine, was sitting inside, leisurely sipping tea.

He noticed that his mother looked radiant and healthy today, with her skin moisturized and glowing, as if she were more than ten years younger, and she exuded a lazy and contented charm.

"Mother, what are you doing here? Where is my master?" Sergei asked curiously.

When Ekaterina saw her son, a gentle smile appeared on her face, and she said softly, "Your master went out early this morning, saying he was going to investigate some things and wouldn't be back until tonight."

Upon hearing this, Sergei nodded thoughtfully, then said to his mother with some pride, "Mother, I've recently come to a realization. It seems that Master truly appreciates seeing his disciples strive for excellence and work diligently."
As long as I demonstrate value and progress, he will naturally be satisfied and will help me more, rather than resorting to underhanded methods that would only displease my master.

Catherine's eyes showed a slightly complicated expression, but she quickly concealed it and nodded in agreement with her son: "My son is right. What teacher in the world doesn't like a diligent and hardworking disciple? The more you strive, the more gratified he will be, and the more he will spare no effort to cultivate you."

She thought to herself: Silly child, it's not that simple. Your mother has put in an effort you can't even imagine to help you keep this master firmly "tied" to you.

But she could never bring herself to say such things, and could only keep them buried deep in her heart.

Meanwhile, Li Chen was indeed investigating Grand Duke Andrei's chief strategist, Vasily, outside the city.

Initially, he judged Vasily to be a lecherous man simply because Catherine mentioned that he looked at her strangely, and that he might have a preference for mature and beautiful noblewomen like Catherine.

Li Chen himself was a compassionate person and had no prejudice against this. On the contrary, he thought that with Vasily's power under Andrei, he must have collected quite a few beautiful mature women in private.

Perhaps I could go and "explore" it, to experience the different charm of the Great Luo Dynasty, since I have nothing to do these days anyway.

However, this investigation uncovered an unexpected and huge secret!
Li Chen, with his elusive movements and powerful divine sense, easily infiltrated one of Vasily's hidden strongholds. He had originally hoped to discover some erotic scenes of lovers keeping each other, but unexpectedly, he intercepted top-secret information transmitted between Vasily and the Imperial Palace through a special magical device!

It turns out that Vasily was not a simple strategist at all; he was actually the deepest pawn that Emperor Ivan of Great Rome had planted next to Grand Duke Andrei many years ago!
The mastermind behind instigating Andrei to support Tuoba Zhen and providing him with a large amount of supplies was none other than Vasily!
All of this was a carefully planned scheme by Emperor Ivan to kill two birds with one stone: if Tuoba Zhen succeeded, the Great Luo would expand its territory, and the emperor would be credited with the greatest achievement; if it failed, all the responsibility would be shifted to Andrei and Tuoba Zhen, the emperor himself would be unharmed, and he could also take the opportunity to eliminate Andrei, a potential political threat!

Upon learning the truth, Li Chen merely raised an eyebrow slightly, showing little surprise.

He had witnessed plenty of power struggles within the dynasty.

As for the Emperor of Da Luo's schemes, he paid even less attention.

In any case, he never intended to make peace with the Great Luo Dynasty when he started this war.

However, this unexpected information was not entirely useless.

A playful smile appeared on Li Chen's lips. Perhaps this Vasily would accelerate his control over the Great Luo Dynasty.

Indeed, Li Chen's ambitions went far beyond defeating the Great Luo Dynasty. What he truly desired was to completely control this ancient empire that had dominated the north for thousands of years.

If the Tian Ce Iron Cavalry were to conquer the land by force alone, even if they could win, it would inevitably be a long and brutal war of attrition.

The Great Luo Dynasty has a vast territory, numerous cities, a fierce and valiant populace, and a unique cultivation system and formidable city defenses.

The capture of each city not only incurs heavy casualties, but the subsequent suppression, pacification, and governance also require a massive investment of manpower, resources, and time, making it no easy task.

Therefore, Li Chen carefully selected Sergei as his chess piece.

This kid has enough status, possessing the bloodline of the Great Luo royal family, and is ambitious, but he is also ambitious but incompetent and easy to control.

What Li Chen had to do was to constantly "lend him courage," "promise him a bright future," and help him rise to power.

Having Sergei replace his father as Grand Prince Andrei was only the first step in the plan.

The ultimate goal is to put this obedient puppet on the throne of the Great Luo Emperor!

At that time, by controlling Sergei, Li Chen will be able to indirectly control the entire Great Luo Dynasty.

This is far more time-saving and labor-saving than conquest by force.

Direct invasion would provoke strong national resistance, but if a native noble with legitimate inheritance rights were to take power, the resistance from the lower classes and most of the vested interests would be much less.

Sergei himself was a nobleman of the Great Luo, and allowing him to rule would be more acceptable both legally and emotionally.

Meanwhile, in the Grand Duke Andrei's camp, far away on the front lines.

(End of this chapter)