Deep within a quiet chamber in the Imperial Palace, delicate wisps of incense smoke curled upward through the faint winter light filtering through the window lattice, tracing unpredictable patterns. The echoes of the earlier conversation about civilization's future still seemed to linger in the air, but they were soon displaced by a more practical, more pressing issue.
After receiving instructions concerning the Gene Serum and the direction of future reforms, Yutian did not immediately take his leave. He pondered briefly, an expression peculiar to the empire's actual administrator appearing on his face, a mixture of pragmatism and underlying concern. He bowed slightly, his voice lower and more serious than when he had reported on the granting of titles:
"Your Majesty, there is another matter. Though it is not an immediate emergency, it concerns the empire's long-term future. I... cannot help but consider it."
Toyotomi Yinglang raised his eyes, signaling for him to continue.
"It concerns population and land." Yutian approached the enormous parchment map of the British Continent and its scattered surrounding islands hanging in the quiet chamber, slowly tracing the coastline with his finger.
"Your Majesty, although we have spent several years developing the British Continent, building the New Capital, reclaiming farmland, and mining mineral deposits, the latest surveys estimate its total area at only about one-third that of the Land of Fire. Now that the empire has been established, with effective governance and a harmonious populace, and with the 'chakra seeds' bestowed by Your Majesty and the possible future 'Gene Serum' improving people's lives, strengthening their constitutions, and extending their lifespans... given time, the empire's population will inevitably grow rapidly."
He turned to Toyotomi Yinglang, his brows slightly furrowed. "The land's carrying capacity is limited. If the population continues to rise while our territory remains unchanged, I fear