[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-just-maxed-out-and-you-want-me-to-be-a-puppet-":3,"chapter-i-just-maxed-out-and-you-want-me-to-be-a-puppet--i-just-maxed-out-and-you-want-me-to-be-a-puppet--chapter-52":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","I Just Maxed Out, and You Want Me to Be a Puppet Emperor?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2336491,4569,"Chapter 52: Li Chen Is Strong, But I Have No Reason to Lose!","i-just-maxed-out-and-you-want-me-to-be-a-puppet--chapter-52",52,"\u003Cp>Of all those shocked by Feng Huai’s sudden death in court, none more so than Second Prince Li Xian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xian had just gained the Ministry of Justice as a major ally and was overjoyed, already imagining how he would wield it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before he could issue orders or make any moves, Li Chen swiftly eliminated it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This made Li Xian begin to suspect whether Li Chen had already planted spies around him—how could Li Chen act so fast after he’d just received intelligence?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Added to this was the news from morning court about the northern campaign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xian was certain that Li Chen had placed moles in both his and the Third Prince’s circles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This move, though seemingly chaotic, was actually Li Chen’s warning to him and the Third Prince.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Interesting. I underestimated you before.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From this moment on, Li Xian officially placed Li Chen on the same level as himself—as a worthy opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Li Xian was not in a hurry; as long as his master acted, he had no reason to lose!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his view, this game was still a guaranteed win.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the Grand General’s mansion, Guo Po was tending vegetables in his private courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t worked the land in many years, yet the skill had not faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every motion flowed effortlessly, seamless and complete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after planting all morning, not a single drop of sweat had formed on his body—his physique was far stronger than his age suggested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having finished turning the soil, it was roughly time for court to end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sat on a chair in the reception hall, sipping tea as he listened to his subordinates’ reports.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Feng Huai brought his own doom, but I never expected His Majesty would advance the northern campaign so soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt a pang of regret—missing two major dramas while confined at home was unbearable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if having made up his mind, Guo Po urged his servant to bring his formal robes, preparing to go out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Guo Po’s son, Guo Zhenwei, walked over and asked, “Father, where are you going?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Po replied seriously, “His Majesty is launching a northern campaign—this expedition must include me. Even if I die on the battlefield, it’s better than dying in court.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No general would miss such an opportunity—it was a honor for them!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why so many generals in court are begging Li Chen to let them fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But Father, you’re still under house arrest. Have you forgotten how Feng Huai died? He was executed for defying His Majesty’s orders.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Zhenwei’s words instantly cooled Guo Po’s temper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, he still feared this new emperor, Li Chen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, His Majesty placing me under house arrest was already lenient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it’s only seven days—if I hadn’t been so reckless in the imperial study last time, I’d probably be back in court already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I leave without being summoned now, wouldn’t that also be defying His Majesty’s orders?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What does an emperor hate most? Disobedient ministers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Isn’t Feng Huai’s example clear enough? I just mocked him—and nearly walked straight into the same trap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Po knew Li Chen’s temper; he’d only been too eager and nearly forgotten this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now the northern campaign commanders haven’t been decided—if others get there first, what then?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What if I go to petition His Majesty and convey your intentions?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Zhenwei’s idea was sound, but Guo Po worried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chen’s mind is harder to fathom than the late emperor’s—if my son offends him, losing the chance to fight is minor; getting the whole family exterminated is catastrophic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previous emperors at least followed protocol and showed some mercy; this one doesn’t care—and doesn’t need to. Sensing his father’s thoughts, Guo Zhenwei added, “Don’t worry, Father. We’re subjects—we’re His Majesty’s dogs. All we need to show is loyalty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though crude, Guo Po fully agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only by treating yourself as a dog, adopting that attitude toward His Majesty, can you avoid offending him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that settled, Guo Po told his son to hurry, before other generals beat him to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Po changed into formal attire and rode to the palace at top speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as soon as he reached the palace gates, he froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hundreds of people were gathered there—Tian Ce Dynasty generals and their retinues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many generals wore full armor; their horses were also clad in military gear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without exception, all had come upon hearing of the northern campaign, eager to petition for command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alongside young officers like Guo Zhenwei were veteran generals from Guo Po’s own generation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They hadn’t appeared publicly in the capital for decades—and now they couldn’t sit still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their thoughts were likely the same as Guo Po’s: better to die on the battlefield than in court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If these were civil officials, they’d be exchanging pleasantries, greetings, and polite words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But generals are different—they’re rivals, and they’d already started hurling insults.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What level are you? How dare you apply for the northern campaign? Your consumptive frame won’t survive the northern cold.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah! I’ve fought in countless battles—more than you’ve even seen. What right do you have to compete with me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone, quiet down. I’ll speak fairly—I’ve served on the northern front, know the terrain best. This campaign should be mine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You think you’re so important? Who here has served in the north? I heard you were recalled to the capital because you were incompetent—and your post was taken by a young officer. How dare you show your face?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did you say!? Where did that rumor come from? You looking for a beating?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on then—who’s afraid? Whoever loses goes back home!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene among these generals was wildly chaotic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had it not been for others pulling them apart, some generals with longstanding grudges might have started fighting right outside the palace gates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More generals and high nobles were still arriving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Zhenwei, seeing this, broke into a sweat. He pushed forward and quietly slipped some silver notes to the eunuch Cui Gong. “Your Excellency, I’m the son of Grand General Guo Po.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could finish, Cui Gong pushed the money back and snapped impatiently, “Enough, General Guo. Without His Majesty’s summons, no one enters. Don’t make this harder for me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, Cui Gong had already turned away dozens of “important people.” Guo Zhenwei’s rank wasn’t even worth a decent look—only if his father, Grand General Guo Po, showed up might he get a better response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chen’s orders were divine edicts to Cui Gong. No amount of silver from you, Guo Zhenwei, would change that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, there are so many here—you’d need to find a private spot to bribe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I truly don’t know whether you generals are stupid or blind to the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Gong didn’t know why, but as the new emperor grew stronger, he himself felt more empowered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the saying goes: even when beating a dog, you must respect its master. The stronger the master, the more arrogant the dog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a master like Li Chen, Cui Gong had no fear of offending anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m just Li Chen’s dog—I’m doing his bidding. If you have the guts, take it up with him. See what he does to you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1199,"2026-06-20T21:59:17.413Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","f3986199667bf28383ff967f86a6daa3072479a7b2e12334adb5accd44198205","i-just-maxed-out-and-you-want-me-to-be-a-puppet--chapter-53","i-just-maxed-out-and-you-want-me-to-be-a-puppet--chapter-51",766,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-just-maxed-out-and-you-want-me-to-be-a-puppet--cover.jpg"]