The smoke and snow on the training ground had not yet completely subsided when twelve "Xuanwu" mechs, like demon gods descending to earth, stood silently on the ground.
Covered in dust from the explosion and wreckage of the target drones, they did not appear disheveled; instead, they exuded a chilling, battle-hardened, and indomitable aura.
Inside the command center, there was a deathly silence.
All eyes were instinctively drawn to the man seated on the throne of the supreme commander.
They didn't even dare to breathe loudly, for fear of disturbing the emperor's contemplation.
The fate of the entire "God's Might" aerial fortress, and even the future of the entire Star Kingdom, rested entirely on his decision.
Long Ao knelt on one knee, his head bowed.
He felt both pride in the performance of his elite troops and a touch of trepidation.
He didn't know if this near-perfect exercise, showcasing the kingdom's pinnacle of violent aesthetics, would truly satisfy His Majesty, who was accustomed to miracles.
Time seemed to stretch out infinitely at that moment.
Finally, Lin Feng slowly stood up. He didn't speak, but simply took steps down from the command platform, past the officers who were holding their breath, and arrived in front of the huge holographic viewing window.
His gaze pierced through the thick armor and fell once again upon the twelve black steel behemoths.
"very nice."
He finally spoke, his voice calm, yet carrying an undeniable final judgment.
"Project 'Xuanwu' will be deployed immediately. The first batch will consist of 300 units."
"Long Ao".
"Your subject is here!" Long Ao's body trembled violently, his voice booming like a bell.
"From today onwards, the 'Demon Suppression Divine Machine Division' will be officially renamed the 'Black Tortoise Divine Machine Division.' You are the first commander. I give you the highest authority to select the best warriors from across the entire army. I have only one request."
"I want this army to become the sharpest spear that can crush any enemy for me."
"Your subject, Long Ao! I will not fail Your Majesty's trust, and for the kingdom, for Your Majesty, I will shatter the stars!" Long Ao's voice was filled with fervent excitement and supreme glory. He knew that from this moment on, he and his troops would become the sharpest blade in this empire.
Lin Feng nodded slightly, no longer looking at him, and turned his gaze to Qin Lan beside him.
“Our territory is still too small,” he said calmly. “Our population is also too small.”
Qin Lan understood immediately and pulled up another data report.
"Your Majesty, according to the latest census data from the Ministry of People's Livelihood and statistics on newly discovered survivor settlements on Blue Star, the Kingdom's total population has reached 9.78 million. It is expected that within three months, with the completion of the takeover of the two large survivor camps, 'Wind-Weeping Canyon' and 'Rust Basin,' the total population will officially surpass the 10 million mark."
“Ten million…” Lin Feng’s fingertips lightly traced the cold porthole: “To a planet, it’s just a drop in the ocean. To an empire, it’s not even a speck of dust.”
There was not a trace of satisfaction in his tone.
“Over the years, we have received more and more survivors. They bring with them knowledge from the Blue Star era, as well as more manpower. Ultimately, alien materials require enough intelligent minds to be transformed into our true power.”
He turned around and re-examined everyone in the command center, from the highest-ranking general to the lowest-ranking operator.
"Our people are living well. They have free housing, free education, free healthcare, a near-unlimited energy supply, and decent jobs where they no longer have to struggle for survival."
"All of this was given to them by me. They, in turn, have repaid this kingdom with their loyalty and wisdom. It is a virtuous cycle. But to maintain this cycle and make it stronger, we need more people, more land, and more resources."
His voice echoed throughout the massive command center, reaching everyone's ears clearly.
"Pass on my orders."
Su Wanqing and Qin Lan bowed simultaneously, awaiting the emperor's decree.
"First, with the 'Divine Might' at its core, form three long-range exploration fleets to expand the scope of our exploration of this planet. I want to see every inch of this planet covered with the flag of our kingdom within a year. Any newly discovered survivor settlements, regardless of size, must be brought to the 'City of Heaven' in the fastest and gentlest way possible."
"Secondly, the Ministry of Public Welfare and the Ministry of Publicity will jointly publish the 'Star Kingdom Citizen Welfare White Paper' to the entire kingdom, including all newly joined citizens, starting immediately. Everyone should clearly know what rights and protections they can enjoy in this country. We must give hope to those who are still struggling in the ruins."
Lin Feng paused for a moment, then gave the third order, which surprised both Qin Lan and Su Wanqing.
"Third... Issue an edict to the Imperial Harem and the Ministry of People's Livelihood. My entourage is somewhat deserted. Starting today, the first 'selection of consorts' will be held throughout the kingdom. Any unmarried woman who is a citizen of our kingdom, between the ages of sixteen and twenty-five, in good physical and mental health, and of good character and appearance may voluntarily apply."
Upon hearing this, everyone in the command center, except for Lin Feng himself, held their breath.
The emperor is choosing his concubines!
For a newly established kingdom that had just gotten on track and was in a period of rapid development, this was undoubtedly a momentous event. It was not merely a private matter for the emperor, but also a strong political signal.
It means that the royal family will expand and the foundation of the empire will become more solid.
It also means that this country has completely transitioned from the initial stage of survival to a new era of enjoying the fruits of victory and displaying imperial power.
Qin Lan's delicate body trembled almost imperceptibly.
A complex emotion flickered across her perpetually cold and beautiful face. There was the satisfaction of being a subject for the stability of the empire, and also a trace of resentment, a resentment that even she herself was unwilling to admit, as a woman.
But she quickly suppressed this emotion and regained absolute rationality and loyalty.
"Yes, Your Majesty," she and Su Wanqing replied in unison.
"The specific rules and regulations shall be discussed by the two of you and the other concubines in the harem. I only need the results."
Lin Feng waved his hand. This major event, which was enough to cause a national sensation, was nothing more than a casual remark to him.
...
The emperor's decree, like an invisible storm, swept across the entire Star Kingdom in just a few hours.
When the news came that the "Xuanwu" mechs were officially commissioned and three long-range fleets were about to be formed, the entire kingdom, especially the military and scientific research system, was plunged into a sea of jubilation and excitement.
This meant that the kingdom's expansion would accelerate significantly. Every ambitious young man seemed to see the hope of achieving great things.
When the news that "His Majesty the Emperor will hold his first selection of consorts" was transmitted to every corner of the kingdom and to every family through the ubiquitous holographic network, the whole society fell into a more subtle, more complex, and nationwide atmosphere of jubilation.
"Chengtian City", the "Hope Garden" apartment building in the working-class district.
Engineer Li Hao and his wife Chen Yue were sitting in front of the smart wall, watching intently the special news produced by Kingdom Television.
On the wall, a video of the "Xuanwu" mech wreaking havoc on the ice plains was playing with striking visuals.
The brutal aesthetics of steel thrilled even Li Hao, a technician.
"Too...too powerful!" he couldn't help but exclaim. "This is the ultimate weapon that our 'Tiangong Kaiwu Institute' helped design! With it, what on this planet can stop His Majesty's advance?"
Chen Yue's focus, however, was clearly elsewhere. She stroked her swollen belly, a strange light gleaming in her beautiful eyes.
Below the news article, a notice about the selection of a concubine is being displayed with a prominent headline.
“The selection of concubines… His Majesty is finally going to enrich the harem.” She said softly, “This is only right. His Majesty is busy with countless affairs of state for our sake, and he does need more people to take care of him.”
Li Hao snapped out of his daze, smiled, and put his arm around his wife's shoulder: "What? You have other ideas?"
Chen Yue rolled her eyes at him, but her face held a hint of longing: "I'd love to, but I'm already yours, and I'm carrying your baby. But seriously, it's an incredible honor. If I could be selected, even if it's just to become a maid in the palace, it would be a great honor for my family. Look at the selection criteria, they're so down-to-earth, 'voluntary application,' and they don't care about background, they only look at the person."
Li Hao nodded in deep agreement: "Yes, that's the magnanimity of our Emperor. Unlike those emperors of ancient Blue Star, who selected concubines like choosing livestock. In our kingdom, even when selecting concubines, we respect everyone's personal wishes. With this announcement, I wonder how many girls across the country will be so excited they won't be able to sleep."
Their conversation is a microcosm of countless families throughout the kingdom.
For the vast majority of the people in this country, Lin Feng is not only a monarch, but also a figure of faith. To be able to serve him, or to have even the slightest connection with him, is the highest honor.
Moreover, life in the palace, in propaganda, is portrayed as a paradise.
The stories of Lin Feng's dozen or so current concubines have long been adapted into various film and television dramas and novels, and are widely circulated among the people.
Each of them was once a leader in the Blue Star era, but they all suffered inhuman torment in the wasteland.
It was Lin Feng who rescued them from hell and gave them everything they have now.
This "Cinderella"-like legend undoubtedly creates the most perfect fantasy for all women.
In an instant, all clothing stores, beauty salons, and etiquette training institutions within the kingdom experienced unprecedented booming business.
Countless young women began to strive to change themselves for that dream, which may be far out of reach but is full of fatal allure.
This selection of imperial concubines was not merely a simple beauty contest; it was more like a grand festival involving the entire nation, a concentrated display of the empire's cohesion.
It made everyone realize once again who truly ruled this country. It also filled everyone with boundless imagination and anticipation for the kingdom's future.
However, while the residents of "Chengtian Capital" were excited and discussing this grand event...
Thousands of kilometers away from this technological and dreamlike city, in a desolate wasteland shrouded in yellow sand and radioactive dust—"Wind-Weeping Valley"—the people here are completely unaware of everything happening in the outside world.
In their world, there is no news, no future, and no hope.
All that remained was hunger, thirst, and a soul that gradually grew numb in the struggle of each day.
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