Imperial Garden.
Yang Yu sat inside the pavilion, looking through the documents Secretary-General Bai Ling had brought.
"History is always astonishingly similar."
That was the Imperial Academy of Engineering's first steam-powered automobile. Due to a failure in its braking system, it crashed into a wall, leaving the steam automobile utterly wrecked. The testers, too, could not escape death.
"Your Majesty..."
Bai Ling exuded the mature charm of a woman. "Could it be..."
"We should encourage their actions."
"People live to explore the meaning of life's existence. Without the spirit of exploration, how could we discover the mysteries of this world?"
Yang Yu waved to interrupt Secretary-General Bai Ling.
This world.
Needed more people willing to explore like that.
"Yes."
Secretary-General Bai Ling replied respectfully.
Year 464 of the Imperial Era.
That year.
The Imperial Academy of Engineering first proposed mixing fuel and air into a combustible gas mixture.
That same year, Engineering Academy scientist Yang Zi invented the world's first storage battery.
This invention brought a historic turning point to the automobile industry and the development of the empire.
Year 466 of the Imperial Era.
Academician Liu Ming, president of the Imperial Academy of Engineering, passed away. Scientist Zhang Peng became president of the Engineering Academy and proposed the principle of the gas engine.
Year 470 of the Imperial Era.
Genius scientist Fang Nuo carried out an entirely new improvement to the steam engine and manufactured a new high-pressure steam engine.
Year 490 of the Imperial Era.
After more than a century of development in steam engines, the Star Ancient Empire had finally reached the peak of the First Industrial Age.
Countless geniuses emerged, pushing the enormous Star Ancient Dynasty toward a bright future.
According to statistics compiled by the Prime Minister's Office,
the population of the Star Ancient Empire officially surpassed the 200-million mark. Average life expectancy reached sixty-one, while the longest-lived person, excluding His Majesty the Emperor, had already reached the advanced age of eighty-five.
This was humanity's progress.
That year.
The Star Ancient Empire entered a new era.
Genius scientist Qin Wenyan invented the world's first generator. It was still in the testing stage, signifying that the Star Ancient Empire was entering the Second Industrial Age—the age of widespread electrical applications.
The First Industrial Age was the age of widespread steam utilization.
The Second Industrial Age was the age of widespread electrical utilization.
In 472, a practically usable generator appeared. Electrical appliances began replacing machinery, becoming a new energy source that supplemented and replaced steam engines as a source of power.
In 475.
The Imperial Academy of Engineering invented an internal combustion engine fueled by gas and gasoline.
The invention of the internal combustion engine solved the engine problem for transportation.
By 485.
Automobile companies, shipping companies, and others controlled by the empire worked together with the Imperial Academy of Engineering to successfully manufacture internal-combustion automobiles and ships, ushering in a new era.
Year 500 of the Imperial Era.
After a long period of development and the widespread adoption of electricity,
electric lights, wireless telegraph machines, and other inventions appeared in this world.
As a result, the Star Ancient Empire's central government tightened its control over the land more and more.
That same historic year,
the airplane was born.
Two young men completed the construction of an airplane under the doubtful gazes of their families and surrounding neighbors, and then conducted a test flight.
At the same time, they received an invitation from the Imperial Academy of Engineering.
The Imperial Palace.
Qilin Hall.
Emperor Yang Yu and the various ministers of the cabinet were all gathered in this central hall of power.
"Even now, the empire's arrangements for this land remain insufficient."
Yang Yu looked at the ministers present and said solemnly, "The land is already under the empire's control, but what about the oceans?"
"Now that we possess many ships, including steel vessels and the like, we should begin exploring the oceans as well. The resources in the oceans are abundant enough to provide us with more than sufficient meat products."
"It is time to let the people enjoy some delicacies from the sea and make their lives more comfortable. That is the responsibility and mission we, as the leaders of the most civilized nation, should bear."
"We sit in these positions not to oppress the people or place ourselves above them."
"Having enjoyed the authority of our positions, we should do the things those positions require of us."
"The people can lift us high, and they can just as easily drag us down from the altar."
"So whether the people can live prosperous and peaceful lives depends entirely on the decisions made by those of us in power."
Listening to His Majesty the Emperor, everyone's hearts filled with reverence.
As expected of Suiren Emperor.
He was unlike others and made no excessive demands.
His sole demand was simple.
That was for all the people under heaven to live prosperous and peaceful lives.
"Especially the Department of Public Security. You must handle the empire's security properly. Recently, someone reported to me that in many remote mountain villages, elders in some households beat and abused children. You must take this matter seriously. Do not leave the children with psychological trauma."
"It is normal to be beaten for making a mistake. But those who act out of prejudice and lose their temper at their children at the slightest provocation should be detained when detention is warranted and executed when execution is warranted."
"The empire has no need for scum."
"And there is also the matter of justice. It must be strengthened further."
"Especially conflicts within families."
"Do not tell me again that family conflicts are beyond the reach of Imperial Law and do not fall under Imperial Law."
"Bullshit."
"Domestic violence is domestic violence. Add domestic violence to the Criminal Law. Minor offenses should result in imprisonment, serious offenses in execution. Whether it is a man abusing a woman or a woman abusing a man, all cases must be handled according to Imperial Law."
"Those who control others mentally or ideologically should be executed immediately."
"If they resist, execute them on the spot."
Yang Yu swore for the first time. He was speaking up for the men and women who had suffered domestic violence for years.
"Your Majesty, would adding domestic violence to the Criminal Law be too harsh?"
The Minister of Justice looked at His Majesty the Emperor in disbelief.
Wasn't this supposed to be a civil dispute?
Yet in His Majesty's eyes, it had become a criminal offense.
Criminal offenses meant that the chances of imprisonment and execution were roughly equal.
"Harsh? There is nothing harsh about it."
"Against beasts, execution should be carried out. There is nothing else to say."
Yang Yu said bluntly, "Especially in political families. Once discovered, the entire family will be punished."
"Yes."
Seeing the forceful Emperor, the several cabinet ministers' hearts tightened.
It seemed
His Majesty the Emperor intended to take real action.
"Your Majesty, in recent years, we have repeatedly discovered people from other dynasties and nations lingering along our empire's borders. Some have even tried to cross the border and reach our side. How should we deal with them?"
The Prime Minister recalled the intelligence reports submitted by his subordinates and asked tentatively.
"Diplomatic relations?"
Hearing this, Yang Yu's eyes flickered. He said, "The empire's people are forbidden from coming into contact with them. The empire will form a specialized team to deal with them. If they wish to obtain supplies from our empire, they may exchange refined silver ore and gold ore for supplies."
"Strategic goods such as sugar, salt, and iron are prohibited from circulation. We may sell them basic daily necessities, but the prices must be at least twice the market price."
"And the payments must be settled immediately."
"Our empire does not yet possess the strength to unify everything completely. Then we will wait until we have used their resources to grow stronger before completing the unification."
Before you continue