At this moment, Zhao Feng was astonished by the transformation of the sub-panel.
With this panel, the mighty Qin Empire would be as solid as a fortress in the future.
"These officials with loyalty below fifty, and even those with no loyalty at all, seem to be disloyal to Great Qin perhaps even remnants of the Six Kingdoms."
"Now that the world is unified and the Black Ice Platform is responsible for intelligence gathering, it can work in tandem with my Yan Court. In the future, the Yan Court will take charge of purging these threats."
"In a moment, compile a list and eliminate all of them."
After scanning the Empire Panel, Zhao Feng spotted numerous disloyal officials, including a few within the imperial court.
The panel now encompassed every department and every province of Great Qin.
Beyond just listing Qin's officialdom, it also displayed something even more crucial.
The total population, military strength, and combat forces of the empire were now presented before Zhao Feng in full detail.
Empire Name: The Great Qin Empire
Population: 82.64 million (Increasing the population will grant treasure chest rewards)
Military Forces: Five Grand Camps (1.4 million), Provincial Troops (180,000), Logistics Army (500,000)
Martial Artists: 50,301 (Reaching a certain number of martial artists will grant treasure chest rewards)
National Strength: Level 1 (Increasing national strength will grant treasure chest rewards)
"Increasing the population grants treasure chests?"
"And increasing the number of martial artists does too?"
"More importantly, national strength growth also provides treasure chests?"
"What exactly determines the rise in national strength? If it were purely military, then Great Qin's strength is already at an all-time high our million-strong army consists of elite warriors."
"It seems this requires a comprehensive enhancement not just military might, but also civil affairs and governance."
"That could be the key to advancing national strength."
Expanding the martial path is simple.
"As long as we integrate martial cultivation into the military, it will significantly enhance combat capabilities. After all, the Qin army is the most loyal of all."
Increasing population, on the other hand, is even easier.
"In this era, as long as the people have enough food and clothing, they'll naturally be inclined to... 'create more people' for Qin."
"Once the cultural unification is complete, I can spread the high-yield spiritual grain I obtained before. Right now, it's only being cultivated in the bases of the Yan Court."
"With this spiritual grain, the people of Great Qin will never go hungry in the future."
Zhao Feng's eyes gleamed with deep contemplation.
The strength of an empire is determined by the sum of military, civil prosperity, and national unity.
As for martial artists
The current 50,000 martial artists were all covert warriors of the Yan Court. Over the years, the Yan Court had grown into a formidable force.
However, martial artists from his Inner World were not included in the Empire Panel's count.
Regardless
Population growth would be key.
The Empire Panel had now granted Zhao Feng three different paths to obtaining treasure chests.
"The Heavenly Profound Mirror"
"Perhaps I should begin its implementation within the army first."
"Starting with the military, I can gradually introduce it to the general populace. Once I establish Qin as a true Fortune Dynasty, only then can I ensure that every true citizen of Great Qin receives a Heavenly Profound Mirror."
Zhao Feng pondered deeply, formulating his grand plan for Great Qin's future.
The Heavenly Profound Mirror was an immensely powerful spiritual artifact one that could allow the entire empire to communicate seamlessly.
With it, distance would no longer be a barrier.
Even if separated by tens of thousands of miles, messages could be transmitted instantly, and individuals could even project their consciousness into the mirror's space.
Of course
The military would be the first to receive these mirrors.
The Five Grand Camps were Great Qin's backbone, made up of soldiers who had fought and bled for the empire. They were the most trustworthy.
Thus, Zhao Feng made his decision.
"Summon the Grand Marshal."
"Summon the Five Supreme Generals."
Zhao Feng issued his command.
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Zhang Ming responded swiftly.
"The military will be the first step," Zhao Feng affirmed.
Not long after
"Your ministers pay respects to the Crown Prince."
Wang Jian, along with Great Qin's Five Supreme Generals, arrived at the hall and bowed before Zhao Feng.
"I have a matter to implement within the military one that concerns the very foundation of Great Qin and the path to strengthening our empire." Zhao Feng spoke gravely.
"Your Highness, please instruct us. We shall obey without hesitation!"
The ministers and generals declared in unison.
"Follow me."
Zhao Feng rose and walked towards the training ground.
The six generals, though confused, followed closely behind him.
Soon
They arrived at the practice field.
"You see that target over there?"
Zhao Feng pointed towards an archery target fifty feet away.
"We see it," the generals replied, though they were puzzled.
"Tu Sui."
"Destroy it."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Tu Sui stepped forward, raising his right hand as he locked onto the distant target.
"What is he doing?"
"Is he going to destroy it from a distance?"
"Is this some kind of trick?"
The generals exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of Zhao Feng's intent.
Then, in the next moment
Tu Sui channeled his true qi and with a punch, an invisible force shot through the air.
Boom!
The target fifty feet away exploded into splinters!
"What… what is this?!"
The gathered generals were stunned.
"This is the martial path His Highness has bestowed upon us."
Tu Sui turned back to the generals, his tone carrying a hint of pride.
The path of martial cultivation
Among all the high-ranking officials of Great Qin, only those under Zhao Feng's direct command had access to it.
And ever since Zhao Feng became Crown Prince, their status had risen drastically. They were no longer just commanders; they had become pillars of the empire's future.
"Martial path?"
The generals were shocked.
Their eyes turned to Zhao Feng, filled with anticipation.
"Your Highness, is this… the power of immortals?"
"If you wish to call it that, then yes," Zhao Feng smiled.
"After all, this power surpasses the mortal realm."
"Your Highness, did you summon us here today to bestow this power upon us?" Wang Jian asked eagerly.
Zhao Feng's gaze swept over them.
"Do you all know what kind of Great Qin I intend to establish?"
The generals grew solemn.
"Your Highness is implementing policies that strengthen the empire and unify the people. Under your rule, the Huaxia race will finally be one."
"The Qin Empire you envision will undoubtedly be eternal." Meng Wu declared with reverence.
Zhao Feng's expression turned even more serious.
"The Great Qin I wish to establish is not merely a mortal empire."
"I seek to forge a Martial Qin, an Immortal Qin a dynasty of warriors and eternal strength."
"Do you understand?"
His voice was steady, yet it resonated like a war drum stirring the hearts of the generals before him.
Upon hearing Zhao Feng's words, the generals all displayed expressions of deep reverence.
Martial Dao, longevity, and Immortal Martial.
These words alone were enough for them to sense the arrival of a completely new era.
Seeing their stunned and awed expressions, Zhao Feng smiled faintly and said, "I intend to impart Martial Dao within the military, allowing our Great Qin to take the lead."
"We pledge our lives in service!"
The generals all knelt and pledged their allegiance to Zhao Feng.
"You, as the top generals of the military, wield authority over the troops. Except for Tu Sui, none of you practice Martial Dao. If you wish to maintain your standing in the army, you must embark on the path of Martial Dao."
"However."
"Before I impart this knowledge, I must make one thing clear."
"Not everyone can advance far on the path of Martial Dao. Not everyone can achieve the pinnacle of martial prowess."
"Once past the age of twenty, the path of Martial Dao becomes increasingly difficult. At most, one might reach the level of a Grandmaster, but progressing further will be arduous."
"The tides of history will always bring forth new talents."
"You must understand that the future is not set in stone." Zhao Feng spoke with deep meaning.
Hearing this, Wang Jian, Meng Wu, and Huan Yi all showed slight changes in expression.
They were all over fifty years old.
According to Zhao Feng's words, their path in Martial Dao was likely to be fraught with obstacles.
The way of cultivation had always favored the young.
And the talent of Martial Dao played a crucial role as well.
"Though we are old, we still wish to serve Great Qin to the best of our ability."
"If, in the future, our martial path proves unviable and age renders us incapable, we are willing to resign from our positions." Wang Jian immediately declared.
"We feel the same." Meng Wu and Huan Yi echoed his sentiments.
Having just witnessed Tu Sui's demonstration of Martial Dao, their hearts burned with eagerness.
This was a monumental opportunity.
They were among the first in Great Qin to receive such a gift if they seized it, the potential was limitless.
Seeing the power of Martial Dao, they, as high-ranking officials, understood well that this was a transformative opportunity that could redefine the future structure of Great Qin.
"I hope you can grasp this opportunity."
"Though age is a disadvantage, diligence can make up for it."
"Moreover, as key officials of Great Qin, I will grant you resources to aid in cultivation. If you seize this chance, you may still be able to compensate for your age." Zhao Feng assured them.
Then, with a wave of his hand, the Heavenly Profound Mirror glowed with a dazzling light, appearing before them.
"This is my treasured artifact, imbued with various powers."
"Touch it with your hand, and you will receive a fragment of the mirror within your body." Zhao Feng gestured towards the Heavenly Profound Mirror.
Looking at the floating mirror, the generals were filled with awe.
Today's events had completely shattered their previous understanding of the world.
An immortal treasure, an immortal power.
Without hesitation, Wang Jian was the first to step forward and touch the mirror.
In the next moment, a hazy reflection emerged from the main mirror and fused into his body.
"Your Highness."
"Though I cannot physically see the mirror, I can feel its presence within me."
Though Wang Jian held nothing in his hands, he could distinctly sense the Heavenly Profound Mirror fragment residing within him.
"Continue."
Zhao Feng nodded and smiled.
Soon after, Tu Sui, Meng Wu, and the other generals followed suit, each receiving their own Heavenly Profound Mirror Fragment.
"The Heavenly Profound Mirror is the main artifact, and the fragments you receive are its sub-mirrors."
"With these sub-mirrors, you can communicate across any distance, no matter how many miles apart you may be. Additionally, this mirror has the power to create a cultivation space that gathers spiritual energy and allows for focused training. However, this function has yet to be fully activated."
"For now, your sub-mirrors will serve only as communication tools and as conduits for receiving Martial Dao techniques." Zhao Feng explained.
"This is truly an immortal treasure!"
"Your Highness must be a celestial being!"
The generals were ecstatic.
Zhao Feng did not say more.
He directly transmitted the Dragon Elephant Art, at the postnatal stage, into the Heavenly Profound Mirror.
Additionally, he infused some cultivation pills into the mirror, but only allowed the five generals (excluding Tu Sui) to access them.
"I have granted you the techniques and cultivation pills. Try communicating with the Heavenly Profound Mirror to retrieve them." Zhao Feng instructed.
"We thank Your Highness!"
With eager anticipation, Wang Jian and the others connected with their sub-mirrors.
Instantly, each of them found a complete Martial Dao technique imprinted into their consciousness.
Even those who were illiterate could comprehend it instinctively.
At the same time, a bottle of pills materialized in their hands.
The Heavenly Profound Mirror was indeed extraordinary.
Though not a supreme offensive treasure, it was unparalleled as an auxiliary artifact.
For Zhao Feng's governance, it was of great strategic value.
If he were to distribute paper manuals across the military, there would be risks of leaks. Moreover, with over a million soldiers in Great Qin, many were illiterate and wouldn't be able to read the techniques.
But with the Heavenly Profound Mirror, these issues were resolved techniques were directly imprinted into their consciousness, making comprehension effortless.
"Enough, return to your residences, and begin training."
"If you have any questions, seek guidance from Tu Sui and Zhang Ming."
"They have both reached the Grandmaster realm and can serve as instructors."
"Once you have grasped the basics of Martial Dao, I will authorize you to distribute sub-mirrors among the troops so that every elite soldier in the military may receive one."
"You have three months." Zhao Feng declared.
"We shall not fail Your Highness!"
The generals bowed deeply before departing with barely contained excitement.
"Zhang Ming."
"Step forward and touch the Heavenly Profound Mirror." Zhao Feng turned to Zhang Ming.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Zhang Ming immediately obeyed, receiving his sub-mirror.
"I now grant you the authority to distribute sub-mirrors. Ensure that all personal guards in the palace receive one."
Zhao Feng pointed at Zhang Ming, and the Heavenly Profound Mirror glowed brightly.
The fragment within Zhang Ming's body transformed, shifting between tangible and intangible states.
"I shall carry out Your Highness's command!" Zhang Ming bowed and promptly set off to complete his task.
"Sigh."
"I never realized just how exhausting it is to manage a nation's military and governance."
"And I'm only drafting policies I'm not even the one directly implementing them."
"My father must be overwhelmed right now."
"Luckily, I have him. Otherwise, just like in history, if I were to conquer a nation, everything would still be in ruins. I'd work myself to death trying to rebuild it."
At this moment, Zhao Feng felt a rare sense of sentimentality.
Even just handling these governmental affairs was already so intricate if he had to establish an entirely new nation from scratch, he couldn't imagine how exhausting it would be.
"The distribution of the Heavenly Profound Mirror has begun."
"Now, I need to set up the currency system and establish exchange rates to integrate it with Great Qin's economy."
"Once the military adopts it, the court will follow."
"With the Heavenly Profound Mirror, even salary disbursements will become effortless in the future."
Zhao Feng pondered as he walked towards his palace, beginning to plan the currency system of the Tianxuan Mirror, including exchange ratios and other necessary details these were matters only its master could decide.
Within the Qin Empire
Emperor Ying Zheng.
Crown Prince Zhao Feng.
Both were now deeply occupied with their respective duties.
Time passed.
One month.
Two months.
Although there were no wars, Qin Shi Huang's imperial decree was proclaimed across the land, and none dared to defy it.
Grand Court Palace
"Your Majesty!"
"Your Highness!"
"After two months of effort, the new script template has been drafted. This is the basic model."
"Please review it, Your Majesty and Your Highness."
Han Fei respectfully reported.
With a wave of his hand, several imperial guards carried a massive cloth scroll into the hall and unfolded it.
On it were the characters of the newly created script.
It was neither the old Qin script nor the scripts of the former Six States.
"Small Seal Script."
At a glance, Zhao Feng immediately recognized it as what later generations would call Xiaozhuan (Small Seal Script).
"Prime Minister Han, you have worked hard."
"This script is excellent."
"It is clear and easy to understand. No matter which state they once belonged to, all literate people can recognize it."
Ying Zheng nodded in approval.
"It is indeed a fine script," Zhao Feng agreed with a smile.
"Your Majesty, please grant this script a name so it may be spread throughout the empire," Han Fei said with a bow.
"Feng'er, what do you think?"
Ying Zheng turned to Zhao Feng, evidently giving him the honor of naming the script.
"This script has been created by our Great Qin, and today, the world belongs to Qin."
"It should naturally be called Qin Script."
"The people of the world are now subjects of Qin. In the future, they should also be known as Qin People."
Zhao Feng spoke decisively.
Since Qin had unified the realm, he would leave a mark of Qin upon both the language and the people themselves.
So that, even a thousand years later, Qin, like Han in the original history, would endure throughout the ages.
It would remain forever inscribed in the annals of history.
"Feng'er is right."
Ying Zheng immediately voiced his approval.
At that moment, Ying Zheng bore a striking resemblance to Zhu Yuanzhang of later history his words were akin to "What Biao'er says is right."
The resemblance was uncanny.
"From now on."
"This new script shall be called Qin Script."
"Effective immediately, decree it to all under heaven: from this day forth, all official government decrees, reports, and military communications shall be written in Qin Script."
Ying Zheng declared.
"His Majesty is wise!"
Han Fei immediately praised.
"His Majesty is wise!"
The court echoed in unison.
"Your Majesty!"
"Carriage Axles of Uniform Width!"
"My colleagues and I have determined the standard specifications for Chidao (Imperial Highways) and the construction standards for city walls across the empire."
"The regulations have now been sent to all regions, and local governments are implementing them accordingly," Li Si reported.
Carriage Axles of Uniform Width was not just about roads.
It also encompassed city planning.
For example, the specifications of county walls, the layout of commandery capitals, and even the future establishment of provincial capitals.
These standards covered every aspect of infrastructure.
"Minister of Justice, you have done well," Ying Zheng praised.
"Your Majesty!"
"Customs and Rituals Unification has been implemented. While cultural practices vary across regions, after careful deliberation, I have based it on the ancient rites of our Huaxia civilization."
"As for attire, it shall primarily follow the style of Qin garments."
"Local officials are already overseeing its enforcement," Wei Liao reported.
"Your Majesty!"
"Standardization of Weights and Measures!"
"My colleagues and I have determined uniform standards for Qin's units of weight, length, and height."
"The regulations have been promulgated across the empire and entrusted to local governments for execution," Xiao He reported.
"You four ministers have all rendered great service."
"Carriage Axles of Uniform Width, Script Unification, Customs and Rituals Unification, Standardization of Weights and Measures"
"With these now established, our Great Qin has become truly unified."
"This is a grand achievement, ensuring the cohesion of our empire."
"You are all deserving of great rewards."
Ying Zheng was visibly pleased.
"It is only by Your Majesty and His Highness's trust that we were able to undertake this responsibility."
"It is our duty," Han Fei, Li Si, Wei Liao, and Xiao He all bowed.
"In my governance, those with merit shall be rewarded, and those who transgress shall be punished."
"This is the principle by which I rule the empire."
"Hear my decree!"
"I grant each of you a reward of a thousand gold pieces and five hundred servants."
Ying Zheng declared.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your boundless grace."
The four ministers immediately expressed their gratitude.
"During the implementation of these four policies, have you encountered any obstacles?"
Zhao Feng looked at the four and inquired.
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