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

Chapter 700 A grand court celebration ostensibly for the "Birthday of the Witch God"! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)
Watching his concubines being used by the Witch Ancestor time and time again, Ivan felt a burning anger and humiliation that scorched his internal organs like poisonous flames.

He had already secretly collected a large amount of irrefutable evidence of the "Cholera Harem" of the Witch Ancestor, which did not need to be fabricated.

They were just waiting for the right moment to expose this evidence to the public, to tear off the "detached" mask of the shaman ancestor and ruin his reputation!

However, whenever he couldn't resist the urge to act, Old Man Romanov would always appear at the right time and dissuade him in an unquestionable tone:
"A small act of impatience can ruin a great plan! The Tian Ce army is currently launching a fierce offensive, and the soldiers at the front are barely holding on thanks to the assistance of the sorcerers under the command of the Witch Ancestor."

To act against the Witch Ancestor now would be tantamount to destroying our own Great Wall! If those northern witch doctors were to turn against us, the consequences would be unimaginable! We still need to rely on the Witch Ancestor's influence!

Ivan was so angry he almost vomited blood. He whispered to Romanov, "We need to rely on them? How long do we need to rely on them? If the Tian Ce army doesn't stop fighting for a year, we'll have to endure it for a year and watch those witch bandits run rampant in my palace for a year."
What if the war continues for ten years? Am I supposed to endure it for ten years and let him treat this palace as his temporary residence?!

Romanov simply repeated "the bigger picture is more important" with a blank expression, leaving Ivan feeling frustrated and powerless.

Just as Ivan was feeling restless, an even more unacceptable message arrived.

Anastasia, the silver-haired goddess whom Ivan had pursued with great effort back then, was completely conquered by Li Chen!

As the saying goes, familiarity breeds affection. Anastasia stayed by Li Chen's side day and night, and her body and mind were nourished and impacted like never before. She had long forgotten Ivan and even forgot about her initial "mission".

Now, her heart and eyes are only for Li Chen, and she only wishes to serve him for the rest of her life.

She knew Li Chen's habits inside and out. With just a glance or a gesture, she knew what Li Chen needed and would obediently and considerately cooperate.

Recalling the sensation Anastasia caused in the Holy Capital back then, how many noble youths were infatuated with her, and how Ivan himself had spent countless efforts to win the beauty's heart, only to have it so easily won by Li Chen.

Li Chen was actually a kind-hearted person. After all, the emperor wasn't here, and there was no one to take care of the harem. So, since he was staying in the palace, he would definitely help take care of it.

Li Chen didn't ask Ivan to thank him for this, since Li Chen did these good deeds voluntarily.

With the resources and occasional guidance from Li Chen, Matvey has become much more composed than before, but there is still a hint of dependence in his eyes.

These are all things Li Chen desires. After all, the more Mavit needs him, the higher his status will be. Once Mavit secures his throne, everything will be under Li Chen's control.

In his spare time, he would find Li Chen and ask him about future development issues.

Today, just as Li Chen finished his work, Mavit arrived. He respectfully said to Li Chen, "Recently, as you instructed, I replaced some less important officials under some pretext and placed our people in those positions. However, those high-ranking officials who control key departments are all cunning and shrewd, and they are meticulous in their work. We really can't find any reason to remove them. What should we do?"

Upon hearing this, Li Chen pondered for a moment and came up with a solution. He calmly said, "What's so difficult about that? You can hold a grand banquet in the palace for three consecutive days under the pretext of celebrating the 'Longevity of the Witch God.' You will be responsible for hosting the banquet for all civil and military officials in the main hall, especially the important ministers. Make sure they all attend. As for their families and female relatives, let the Empress Dowager host a banquet in the side hall to entertain them on their behalf."

Matvey's eyes lit up, and he immediately understood Li Chen's intention. He quickly took out a list: "Master is wise! This is the list I have drawn up. There are fifteen ministers in total, all of whom are high-ranking and powerful, but also stubborn and incorrigible. They are the ones I need to replace, but I have no good ideas." Li Chen glanced at the list and nodded slightly: "Hmm, I will have my own way to find their 'weaknesses' when the time comes."

Li Chen's method was simple and effective. These fifteen ministers themselves might be cautious and difficult to find fault with, but what about their wives and daughters?
Even if they don't know the specific secrets of their husbands/fathers, as long as they "cooperate," it would be easy to "inadvertently" place some forged letters or tokens of "treason" in key locations such as their master's study or secret room.
When they are caught red-handed and the evidence is irrefutable, let's see how they can still try to deny it!
After receiving instructions, Matvey immediately set about handling the matter with great enthusiasm.

Soon, a grand court banquet entitled "Celebrating the Birthday of the Witch God" began.

For three consecutive days, the palace was brightly lit and filled with the sounds of wine and food.

Dozens of civil and military officials gathered in the main hall.

Matvey sat upright in the main seat, his demeanor and speech were indeed vastly different from before. Although he still appeared somewhat immature, he already possessed the bearing of an emperor and was much more composed in dealing with his ministers.

This was partly due to Li Chen secretly using resources and methods to enhance his strength, and also related to the confidence he gradually built up.

Li Chen also sat in a specially set-up seat to the side. Although he did not say much, his mysterious and powerful aura made all the ministers present, including those important ministers with ulterior motives, dare not be negligent in the slightest and all respectfully offered him wine.

In another ornately decorated and relatively relaxed side hall, Empress Dowager Julia presided over the reception of the female relatives of the ministers.

This place presents a completely different and captivating scene! The daughters chosen as wives or given special attention by these important imperial officials and powerful families are all beauties who have been carefully selected.

Looking around, the entire place was adorned with jewels and jade, and filled with the fragrance of clothes and the elegance of hair.

Most of the older ladies are well-maintained, with plump and full figures, and their demeanor exudes mature charm and nobility. Every smile and frown reveals the charm that comes from years of experience.

The young ladies, on the other hand, were all youthful, beautiful, and radiant, like budding flowers, full of vitality and energy.

They chatted and laughed in hushed tones, or enjoyed the singing and dancing, creating a vibrant and beautiful scene.

Li Chen quietly left the noisy main hall and strolled to the vicinity of the side hall. Looking through the beaded curtain, he was dazzled and full of admiration.

The quality of the women in the top noble circles of the Great Luo Dynasty was indeed extraordinary, and it had a unique flavor compared to his Witch Ancestor Cave and the Heavenly Strategy Harem.

His gaze swept among these beauties of varying charms, and he began to ponder how to persuade the wives and daughters of the fifteen target ministers to contribute to his plan.

For him, this banquet marked the beginning of yet another unique "hunt".

(End of this chapter)