The autumn sunlight, fragmented by countless holographic screens suspended in the air, could not dispel the fervor in the air.
Since the founding of the empire, Tiandu has never been so densely packed with people as it is today. From the port's loading and unloading areas to the distant central square, every corner was crammed with people, their faces displaying a mixture of pride, greed, and impatient anticipation.
"Boom—"
The deep, long whistle of the ship pierced through the clamor of voices and came from the horizon.
"They're here! It's the fleet! Our heroes have returned!"
Someone shouted something first, and the entire city was instantly ignited.
The crowd surged like a lake tossed with a boulder, creating a raging torrent. Countless black and red flags embroidered with stars and dragons formed a fluttering ocean amidst the steel jungle.
At the edge of the horizon, a massive black shadow was breaking through the sea fog and slowly approaching. It was the flagship of the Third Combined Fleet—the "Arbiter".
Its mountain-like hull is covered with menacing gun barrels and missile launchers. The ram at the bow is slightly worn from previous battles, but this does not diminish its majesty. Instead, it is like a scar of great merit, adding to its silent killing intent.
Following closely behind were destroyers and cruisers of the same class, forming a mobile steel Great Wall that protected the larger, slower behemoths in the center of the fleet—the "Abundance" class large transport ships.
Unlike the aggressive, streamlined design of warships, these transport ships have a simple, unadorned shape, square and rectangular, resembling giant containers floating on the sea.
But at this moment, the eyes of all the Imperial men present were fixed on these "containers," their gazes even more intense than when they stared at the main guns of the "Arbiter."
Because they knew that what was inside was a spoil of war that excited them even more than gold and technical data.
"Old Zhou, did you see that? There are fifty of them! Fifty 'Farmy' class ships!" A young man in a factory technician's uniform slapped his companion's shoulder, his face flushed with excitement. "I heard each ship can hold sixty or seventy thousand people! My God, how many women did we capture this time?"
The middle-aged man, referred to as Old Zhou, also had a glint in his eyes. He lowered his voice and said mysteriously, "My cousin in the Ministry of Internal Affairs revealed that the exact number is 3.27 million! Moreover, the quality is completely incomparable to the batch from Dongjin! They are all white and Latino from the 'Eagle Federation'! Every single one of them is tall and slender with a great figure! I heard that even the worst ones are more attractive than our local beauty pageant winners!"
"Hiss—" A collective gasp rang out from the surrounding crowd.
“More than three million…” A young lieutenant who had just graduated from military academy muttered to himself, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. “During my internship in the logistics department, I earned a third-class merit. According to the Bloodline Fusion Promotion Law that His Majesty just promulgated, I… can I also get one?”
"It's more than just one!" A seasoned veteran grinned broadly. "Third-class merit, a B-level spot! Kid, you've hit the jackpot! I heard the B-level area is full of former college students, minor celebrities, and models! If you're lucky, you might pick a blonde, blue-eyed college student to take back as a concubine, and she can even tutor you in the old-fashioned 'Eagle Language' at night! Hahaha!"
Amidst laughter, they discussed the merits and demerits of women of different skin colors and exchanged their "experiences" in choosing them.
This is their victory, this is their celebration. As for how those "spoils of war" packed in tin cans and about to be distributed feel, nobody cares.
Inside the Nine Heavens Moon-Embracing Palace, the atmosphere was solemn and dignified, yet undercurrents were also surging.
Lin Feng sat high on the dragon throne, his gaze calmly sweeping over the assembled core members of the empire below. Qin Lan had just finished her briefing, and the air in the hall thickened with excitement.
"Gentlemen," Lin Feng began slowly, his voice not loud, yet clearly reaching everyone's ears, "the victory in the Western Expedition proves that the Empire's path is the only correct one. Technological superiority is the sharpest weapon to crush all enemies. However,"
He then changed the subject, saying, "Weapons are ultimately meant to serve people. The foundation of the empire lies in its citizens, in our innate and ever-evolving superior bloodline."
He stood up, walked to the huge holographic star map, and turned his back to the crowd.
"I promulgated the Bloodline Fusion Promotion Law not so that you might indulge in women, but for the future of the empire!"
His voice suddenly turned stern, “I want you to treat this ‘bloodline fusion’ as if it were the most serious scientific research project! You must select the healthiest mothers, combine them with your own excellent genes, and create a stronger, smarter, and more perfect next generation for the Empire!”
"I want to see a completely new imperial race emerge within a generation! They will be the present of the empire, and even more so, its future!"
"We will heed Your Majesty's teachings! For the rise of the empire, we will not hesitate to sacrifice our lives!" Led by Prime Minister Li Yuanchao, all the civil and military officials knelt down in unison, their voices filled with fervent loyalty.
Lin Feng nodded in satisfaction, a smile appearing on his face.
He knew that using grand slogans like "for the future of the empire" to package his most primal desires was the best way to motivate his subordinates.
Tiandu, the Seventh Military Isolation Zone.
This massive base, originally used for recruit training, has now been transformed into the world's largest "marriage agency," or rather, a spoils distribution center.
Black anti-gravity military vehicles moved silently through the base, transporting verified Imperial men to different distribution halls.
Army Colonel Zhao Kang straightened his crisp black uniform, the three medals on his chest gleaming under the light.
As the first commander to lead his troops into the "Summit of Freedom" command center during the "Stone City" street fighting, he was awarded a first-class merit, which qualified him to enter the highest level - the S-level allocation zone.
"Colonel Zhao, this way please." An internal affairs officer in a white uniform, with a humble and ingratiating smile on his face, personally led the way for him.
Zhao Kang nodded expressionlessly and followed the officials through a series of heavy alloy gates.
Along the way, he could see through the glass partitions that the crowds in Zones A, B, and C resembled a livestock market. The Federation women, some crying, some numb, some angry, were being pointed at and judged by the Empire men.
"Hmph, a bunch of vulgar fellows." A hint of disdain flashed through Zhao Kang's mind.
In his view, ordinary soldiers and low-ranking officers deserved only mediocre things. He, the hero of the empire, deserved the best.
Finally, they arrived at a door marked with a gold "S".
"Colonel Zhao, the resources in Sector S are the best we've captured from the top echelons of the 'Federation' society."
While conducting iris scans, an official from the Ministry of the Interior explained, "Including but not limited to: top actresses, supermodels, famous female singers, and core female members of prominent families from the old era. Their genes, appearance, figure, and fame are all impeccable. His Majesty has specially approved that only combat heroes and core generals with first-class merit or above are eligible to enter."
The heavy gate slowly opened.
Unlike the noisy and chaotic lobby outside, the interior of Zone S is more like a luxurious private club.
The floor was covered with a soft red carpet, and a faint fragrance filled the air. Dozens of carefully selected women, dressed in fine silk gowns, sat quietly in the rest area.
They were not numbered; each of them wore a delicate electronic bracelet on their wrist, displaying their "information."
These women were once goddesses pursued by countless men in the "Eagle Federation," shining stars on the red carpet and catwalk.
Now, they are simply waiting to be chosen, the highest-ranking spoils.
Zhao Kang's gaze, sharp as a hawk's, swept across the entire room.
His gaze swept over a blonde actress known as "the sweetheart of the world," who was looking at him with terrified eyes, her body trembling slightly.
Too weak, Zhao Kang thought to himself.
He then saw a female presenter, a graduate of an Ivy League university, known for her "intellect" and "elegance." Although she tried to remain calm, her tightly clenched hands betrayed her fear. How boring.
Finally, his gaze settled on a solitary figure in the corner.
She was a woman with long, jet-black hair and deep, obsidian-like eyes.
Her features were so exquisite, like God's most outstanding work of art, and her figure was so hot that it could drive any man crazy.
Most importantly, her face showed no fear, only icy anger and undisguised hatred.
She was none other than Caitlin Romanoff, the most sought-after action movie actress in the old-world "City of Stars" and the actress who played "Black Widow".
An internal affairs official noticed Zhao Kang's gaze and quickly stepped forward, whispering, "Colonel, you have a good eye! This is Caitlin Romanov, an A-grade trophy. She's extremely famous, and... very fierce. When we captured her, she even injured two of our soldiers with her fighting skills. According to regulations, those with a history of resistance need to..."
“I’ll take her.” Zhao Kang interrupted the official, a cruel smile curving his lips. “I like challenges. Only the strongest rider can tame a wild horse. Set the collar around her neck to maximum power.”
"Yes...yes! As you command!" The official wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and immediately issued the order through the terminal.
Caitlin felt the collar around her neck tighten suddenly, and a strong electric current instantly spread throughout her body, making her weak and slump onto the sofa.
The excruciating pain, enough to make an ordinary person faint, only made her clench her teeth, her eyes burning with hatred.
Zhao Kang was very satisfied with her reaction. He walked up to her, looked down at her, and said in a tone of admiring a trophy, "From today onwards, you belong to me. Forget your past, forget your name. From now on, you will only have one code name—'Trophy Number One'."
He reached out and roughly grabbed her chin, forcing her to lift her head.
"Don't worry, I won't kill you. I will let you live, live well, and bear children for me and for the empire. I will let you see your bloodline become the empire's most loyal subjects. This is the best way to conquer a proud woman like you."
Meanwhile, in the more ordinary B-level allocation hall.
Young Lieutenant Li Xiang walked nervously and excitedly past rows of women.
The women here, though not as glamorous as those in S District, are all exceptionally beautiful. Most are college students, office workers, or moderately famous online influencers. Their fears are more direct and overt than those of the women in S District.
Li Xiang's gaze finally settled on a girl with long brown hair, a few freckles on her face, and a pitiful look.
Her electronic bracelet displayed her information: Samantha Jones, nineteen years old, former freshman in the Department of Literature at Gold Coast State University.
“She’s the one.” Li Xiang made his decision. He longed for a gentle and obedient partner, and this girl seemed to fit his requirements.
After completing the formalities, Li Xiang took Samantha back to his 120-square-meter apartment in the suburbs of Tiandu.
"Sit down," Li Xiang said, gesturing to the sofa in his broken "hawk language." He had specially learned a few phrases for today.
Samantha sat timidly on the edge of the sofa, like a frightened fawn.
“Don’t be afraid, I… won’t hurt you.” Li Xiang tried to make his voice sound gentle: “This will be your home from now on. I am Li Xiang, a lieutenant in the Empire. You… are very beautiful.”
He took food and water from the kitchen and placed them in front of her.
Samantha looked at the unfamiliar man, at the unfamiliar room, and at the oppressive, unfamiliar city outside the window, and tears finally streamed down her face silently.
Home? Her original home was razed to the ground in the war.
Her parents were shot dead on the spot by Imperial soldiers during the resistance.
Her brother was conscripted into hard labor. And she, like an object, was transported here and given as a reward to the man before her.
Seeing her cry, Li Xiang was at a loss. He didn't know how to comfort her, and could only awkwardly say, "You... will get used to it. I will be good to you. You just need to... be obedient and have a child for me. Have a boy, and our child can become an officer in the empire in the future."
He was speaking Chinese. Samantha couldn't understand a single word. But she could read her future in his eyes, which were filled with longing and possessiveness.
On this day, in countless households across the empire, numerous "Zhao Kang" and "Li Xiang" were "welcoming" their newest member.
Countless "Caitlin" and "Samantha" are beginning their new lives of being conquered.
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