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

Chapter 739 I'm impeaching you for plotting something sinister! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

Li Chen's purpose in making this incognito visit was not to inspect any specific department, but rather to wander around the various government offices and observe the daily lives and mental state of the lower-level officials.

He knew that in the imperial court, he would only have contact with powerful and cunning old foxes like Zhao Wenyuan and Guo Poyun, who were good at understanding the emperor's intentions and whose reports were always watertight.

However, the true efficiency and health of a court are often reflected in the middle and lower-level officials who are dedicated to their work.

Their work attitude, words and deeds, and even their daily complaints and gossip can truly reflect the welfare benefits, promotion channels, and official conduct of the imperial court.

As an emperor, one must not only care about the common people, but also about these "minor officials" who form the cornerstone of the empire's rule.

Li Chen strolled to the outside of the Ministry of War, but did not go in. He simply stood and watched from a distance.

Watching the officials bustling about, listening to their occasional conversations, and feeling the atmosphere here.

He gave no instructions and did not want to alert anyone.

However, just as he was about to leave, he was spotted by a sharp-eyed person.

This person was Wu Qi, a mid-level officer in the Military Selection and Appointment Department of the Ministry of War.

He also had another identity: his aunt was a concubine in the imperial harem who was favored by Li Chen.

When Wu Qi saw Li Chen from afar, he was stunned for a moment, then his face lit up with surprise and joy, and he subconsciously wanted to step forward to greet him.

Li Chen also saw him. Before he could speak, he smiled and waved his hand gently, indicating that he didn't need to make a fuss and could continue with his own business.

Wu Qi immediately understood that His Majesty was traveling incognito and did not want to attract attention.

He immediately composed himself, pretending not to have seen anything, bowed slightly respectfully, and then turned around to attend to his official duties as if nothing had happened.

This quick wit and understanding of the rules earned Li Chen's silent approval.

After Li Chen and Lin Yue'e left the Ministry of War area, Wu Qi did not completely relax. He caught a glimpse of a sneaky figure out of the corner of his eye, who seemed to be secretly following His Majesty.

He frowned, walked around without making a sound, grabbed the person, and upon closer inspection, realized it was Xu Zifeng, an acquaintance.

"Captain Xu?" Wu Qi lowered his voice, his tone tinged with suspicion and wariness. "What are you doing, sneaking around behind His Majesty? Are you perhaps secretly protecting the Emperor? But your protection skills are truly appalling."

There was no other way. Following His Majesty without permission and acting suspiciously was a capital offense if it were misunderstood!

Xu Zifeng was focused on following when he was suddenly caught off guard by his friend. Startled, he heard Wu Qi offer him a way out by saying he was being secretly protected. He coughed twice, trying to remain calm and putting on an air of mystery: "Ahem, Manager Wu, there are some things you don't need to ask."

Seeing that he didn't want to talk about it, Wu Qi didn't press the matter further, since the two had a good relationship. He simply patted him on the shoulder and said in a low voice, "Alright, be careful. Don't cause trouble while protecting him. If you're free tonight, let's grab a drink at our usual spot?"

After saying that, she let him go and stopped trying to stop him.

Xu Zifeng breathed a sigh of relief and quickly continued to follow silently.

Li Chen's second stop was the Ministry of Personnel. This place was in charge of the selection, evaluation, and granting of titles and honors to civil officials throughout the country. It was one of the busiest government offices among the six ministries, with a constant stream of carriages and officials coming and going.

Whenever Li Chen came to the vicinity of the Ministry of Personnel, he would always make a point of visiting one person: Fang Qian.

This young man is a rare cultivation genius. What's even more remarkable is that he is not just a martial artist who only knows how to cultivate; he also has great talent in politics.

It is said that he initially joined the imperial court largely because he greatly admired the young emperor Li Chen's great talent and unparalleled demeanor, and was also saved by Li Chen, so he was determined to serve him.

Fang Qian is currently serving as the Chief Clerk of the Performance Evaluation Department in the Ministry of Personnel, a crucial position in which he is performing exceptionally well.

Li Chen quietly appeared under the corridor of the Ministry of Personnel and saw Fang Qian instructing several newly arrived clerks. His instructions were clear and his demands were strict.

Fang Qian noticed the gaze and turned to look. When he saw that it was Li Chen, he was first stunned, and then his eyes burst with excitement and respect. He immediately stepped forward and was about to perform a grand salute.

Li Chen waved his hand to stop him again, spoke to him in a friendly manner for a few minutes, inquired about his recent situation, and expressed his appreciation for his work.

Finally, like an elder encouraging a younger generation, Li Chen took out a small jade bottle from his sleeve and handed it to Fang Qian: "This is the 'Qingling Pill,' which will be beneficial to your current cultivation level. Do your job well and do not disappoint my expectations."

Fang Qian accepted the jade bottle with trembling hands, so moved he almost cried, his voice choked with emotion: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty's great kindness! I will certainly devote myself to the cause until my dying breath!"

He escorted Li Chen all the way to the gate of the Ministry of Personnel, his eyes brimming with enthusiasm and loyalty. Only when Li Chen's figure disappeared into the distance did he reluctantly return.

However, Fang Qian had only taken a few steps after turning around when his keen senses alerted him to something amiss.

He turned around abruptly and saw a head trying to shrink back at the street corner—it was Xu Zifeng again!
Fang Qian's face instantly darkened.

He has never gotten along with sons of noble families like Xu Zifeng who rely on their family background to gain military merit.

He strode over, blocking Xu Zifeng's path, his tone icy and accusatory: "Xu Zifeng! What are you trying to do by secretly following His Majesty? You'd better explain yourself! Otherwise, don't blame me for reporting you to my Minister and accusing you of treason!"

Xu Zifeng was extremely frustrated. It was bad enough that Wu Qi had discovered him at the Ministry of War, but how did he end up being caught by this guy again at the Ministry of Personnel?
Am I really that bad at hiding?

He stubbornly retorted, "Fang Qian! What do you know? This general has followed His Majesty on his western and northern expeditions, achieving great military exploits and is a valiant general under His Majesty's command!"

"His Majesty is traveling incognito, so naturally I must follow him secretly to eliminate any potential trouble and ensure his safety! You, a mere civil official, should go back and handle your paperwork and files properly. Stop interfering here, lest something goes wrong and you can't afford the consequences!"

Upon hearing this, Fang Qian snorted coldly, his words piercing Xu Zifeng's sore spot like knives: "Ha! With your pathetic skills and abilities? If it weren't for someone paving the way for you, would you even deserve to have earned military merits and become a captain in the army? You're nothing but a spoiled brat relying on your family's influence, yet you dare to speak so arrogantly here!"

"You!" Xu Zifeng was hit where it hurt, his face turned red and he was so angry that he almost jumped up.

Lies don't hurt, truth is the knife.

Fang Qian's words hit the nail on the head regarding some facts that he was unwilling to admit deep down.

Seeing Xu Zifeng's exasperation, Fang Qian became even more smug. He deliberately took out the small jade bottle that Li Chen had just given him and waved it in front of Xu Zifeng, showing off: "See this? This is the 'Qingling Pill' personally bestowed by His Majesty! It is His Majesty's recognition of my ability and loyalty! And you? Do you, someone who only achieved some success by pulling strings, deserve such appreciation and reward from His Majesty?"

(End of this chapter)