Threats

(Cosmic safety disclaimer: all content in this chapter consists entirely of reasonable conjecture made within a fictional setting to serve the plot. It is not intended to spread any harmful ideas. The language and events depicted are solely for advancing the story and have no connection to reality. We kindly ask the reviewers to be lenient.)

"Over the past year, we completed the conversion of the first segment of the Cybrex Alpha Ring World."

"In the twenty years since the Empire was founded, we used every means available to clear ancient debris from the surface and erect our own buildings. At last, we transformed this place into a habitable colony. The Interstellar Human Military Junta now has a homeworld of its own."

"But Marshal Xi Lie, who led us through all our struggles, has fallen. His passing is a pain we all carry in our hearts. We have taken up his burden, and we will continue forward under Marshal Xi Yan's leadership."

"Just yesterday, Marshal Xi Yan and Generals Prigozhin, Ning Zhiyuan, and Veronica crushed the Shoigu-Gerasimov rebel faction. We can proudly declare that the Interstellar Human Military Junta has broken every shackle. At last, we can embark on the sacred path of interstellar expansion."

Ailiveer concluded her lengthy work report with those words.

At once, synchronized applause rang through the Great Conference Hall.

"That concludes the Empire's work report for last year. Please welcome the Marshal to the podium."

Xi Yan rose from his lofty seat, smoothed the creases in his marshal's uniform, and approached the podium, resting both hands on its edges.

"Everyone, my colleagues in the Empire. I'm glad you survived yesterday's screening and the one just now. On my own behalf, I congratulate you; congratulations on not defying my will; congratulations on choosing to support me."

Xi Yan spoke very slowly, but his voice was steady. The conference hall was utterly silent.

"I guarantee that as long as you behave yourselves, do your jobs, and don't entertain thoughts of doing anything you shouldn't, your lives, families, and reputations will remain safe."

"My eyes and ears are everywhere throughout the Empire's institutions. I command a fleet powerful enough to destroy the entire Empire. I can do whatever I please. So I hope you understand that and remember it well."

Xi Yan's calm gaze swept across the hall. Every official lowered their head, afraid to meet his eyes.

The three Assistant Protector Generals, the captain of the personal guard, and the Secretary of State sat in a row, their faces expressionless, but their support for Xi Yan was unmistakable.

Their fortunes were already bound tightly to Xi Yan's. All they could do was support his decisions unconditionally.

"Next, I will announce the restructuring of the Empire's institutions and changes in personnel."

"We'll abolish the old, bloated institutions and rebuild a precise, efficient imperial administration, clearly defining responsibilities and functions... There's too much else to cover. Explaining it to you wouldn't do any good anyway. Just carry out your orders."

Xi Yan's flippant attitude deeply irritated the officials below.

"Oh, right. Take everyone whose expression just showed dissatisfaction with me to the generator districts, and downgrade their citizen rights to Raw Material Tier."

Xi Yan said it with a beaming smile.

Ignoring the commotion below, Xi Yan continued as though nothing had happened. "At the same time, the position of Assistant Protector General will be abolished, because they threaten my imperial authority..."

Ning Zhiyuan and Prigozhin were utterly exasperated.

Is it really all right to say that so bluntly?

"In addition, Military Headquarters will operate independently and answer directly to me. No imperial institution will be permitted to interfere with Military Headquarters. I hold supreme command over all military forces."

"Ning Zhiyuan will serve as Navy Minister. Prigozhin will serve as Army Minister and concurrently as Minister of Military Education. General Veronica will serve as Minister of Logistics and Minister of Military Finance."

"We will also establish the Cosmic Expansion Department, responsible for exploration and expansion beyond our borders, under the jurisdiction of Military Headquarters. The functions of all other nonmilitary imperial institutions will be limited to colonial administration and construction. They may not interfere in any military operation."

From the outset, Xi Yan gave military affairs the highest priority.

"I will establish an intelligence agency and a secret police force that answer directly to me, responsible for intelligence gathering and surveillance inside and outside the Empire, particularly for keeping an eye on you people. So I hope you'll behave yourselves... Don't force a kindhearted man like me to kill again. Thank you."

"As for personnel, I'll soon recruit new staff into the imperial institutions. If you dare sneak your own people in, be prepared for your entire family to be turned into energy credits..."

Xi Yan kept threatening them, hoping these people would behave themselves from now on.

The effect was obvious. The audience was completely silent, and some were trembling, looking ready to faint from fright.

"Good. Now I have something to announce."

Xi Yan continued, "At present, our Empire's system has clearly fallen behind the times, so I intend to overhaul it completely."

"The current private economy system will be abolished, and we will transition entirely to state ownership."

An uproar erupted!

That bland statement sent a shock wave through the room, immediately triggering a brief commotion.

"Shut up! This isn't your teahouse. It's my imperial court!"

Xi Yan's roar silenced the room in an instant, but every stunned gaze remained fixed on him, waiting for him to speak.

Xi Yan couldn't help looking around.

After one batch of people had been dragged away, those who remained were all young faces, brimming with vigor and vitality, untainted by those old schemers.

"I see that you're all young people, not much older than me. You didn't collude with those people from earlier, and I am deeply pleased."

"I hope you'll remain true to your original aspirations and work diligently. I will reward you generously."

After that brief praise, Xi Yan continued, "Whether it's public ownership or state ownership, the point is to take all resource production and public services back from the capitalists and place them in the hands of the collective or the Empire. What do you think?"

No one answered. Xi Yan nodded in satisfaction. "Exactly. All you need to do is your own work."

"Very good. Next comes my decision regarding the Empire's statistical work."

After driving out a batch of parasites, Xi Yan felt genuine joy at the sight of the young, lively faces below.

He continued, "The Empire's technology is so advanced. Why can't we establish an Empire-wide network to compile and analyze data in real time? What exactly are our statisticians getting paid for?"

"I wholeheartedly support that-but the problem, Marshal, is that if we establish a central database and computing repository, all the Empire's data will be at risk of leaking."

A young secretary beside him couldn't help speaking up.

"It seems you have considerable experience. That's good."

Xi Yan nodded, then swept his hand decisively. "But that doesn't matter. The benefits of a more comprehensive, more detailed statistical system absolutely outweigh the harm of data leaks!"

"With our current technology, we can build a data center capable of real-time computation, providing precisely the computing power needed for the public ownership system we're about to implement."

"Information about our colonies? In the interstellar age, no nation cares about the population or output of a colony world."

Xi Yan's gaze grew somber. "We care only about territory, technology, and fleets."

"Put aside your arrogance, children. Before the universe, we are all insignificant ants."

This time, no one contradicted him.