[In the first quarter following your ascension, the Imperial Academy of Sciences and the Industrial Technology Research Institute rose from the ground in the outskirts of Trullinczentyr.]
[Columbia's Wright Black and Victoria's Drummond—geniuses once abandoned by the old world—found the stage they had always dreamed of here.]
[With nearly limitless resources poured into them, the technology tree was rapidly illuminated.]
[Your whimsical concepts are turning into reality, step by step, in the hands of these top brains.]
[In the second quarter following your ascension, Drummond's materials research institute achieved a historic breakthrough.]
[A composite armor plate mixed with multiple rare metals was successfully created; it was named "Drummond Alloy No. 1".]
[This laid the most solid foundation for your armored torrent plan.]
[In the third quarter following your ascension, Wright Black's team from Columbia successfully conquered the core problem of miniaturizing the Originium engine.]
[The first experimental engine started under strict protection; its size was merely that of a suitcase, yet it could stably output enough power to drive a heavy truck.]
[Although issues with heat dissipation and Originium pollution remain, these are not considered major problems.]
[You visited the institute many times, discussing with the scientists through the night.]
[You transformed the memory fragments of Earth into blueprints for this world: you described an armored vehicle possessing sloped armor, a powerful cannon, and high-speed tracks.]
[You also described an aerial battery possessing steel wings, capable of emitting a piercing screech and precisely dropping bombs—it would become a lingering nightmare over the heads of the infantry.]
[Leinia's Tax Department added to the budget immediately.]
[She established an audit system to ensure every Imperial Mark was spent wisely, while simultaneously promulgating Terra's first "Technical Patent and Intellectual Property Protection Act" in the name of the Empire.]
[The Act clearly stipulates that any scientific researcher who makes outstanding contributions to the Empire will enjoy a portion of the proceeds brought by their technical achievements.]
[You personally participated in the concept design meeting for the first generation of armored vehicles.]
[You vetoed the engineers' proposals to install excessive gaudy decorations and complex Originium Arts matrices on the vehicle body.]
[You repeatedly emphasized three core elements: Protection, Firepower, Mobility.]
[The seeds of technology have been sown, waiting only to break through the soil.]
[But you know deep down that no matter how powerful the weapon, it requires an equally powerful nation to carry it.]
Imperial Central Cabinet Meeting Hall.
"Gentlemen."
Lacey's voice caused everyone to straighten their spines.
"I trust you have all read the report from the Technology Research Institute."
"Our spear has taken its preliminary shape; now, it is time to forge a strong physique worthy of it."
He walked to the map, which was already marked with dense symbols in red and blue pencil.
"Gentlemen, our country still faces severe challenges."
"First, the massive unemployed population. The disintegration of the old noble estates has released a large amount of labor, and they need work."
"Second, food security and yield. Agricultural production efficiency in the Grand Regions is low; if we encounter a catastrophe, the consequences will be unimaginable."
"Third, and most importantly, our industrial foundation—especially our military industrial base—remains weak."
"Therefore, I announce the launch of the 'People's Infrastructure Plan'."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's gaze turned burning hot.
"It has four core objectives."
"One: Work-relief, to comprehensively solve the unemployment problem."
"Two: Construct water conservancy projects, introduce agricultural technology from Yan, and establish modern agricultural production modules to ensure food self-sufficiency."
"Three: Build transportation networks within the major mobile cities to open up the economic lifelines."
"Four: Build new industrial centers in the Grand Regions to lay a solid foundation for the Empire's future."
"Money! Your Majesty! How much money will this take!"
Meklen Neum almost bounced out of his chair.
What he saw were countless orders, flowing goods, and engineering contracts that looked like astronomical figures.
"This is simply..."
He rubbed his hands together, his face twisting into an expression mixing ecstasy and pain.
"This business is too big, so big I won't be able to sleep at night!"
Leinia pushed up her glasses and calmly poured a basin of cold water over him: "Minister Meklen, before you start dreaming, I need to remind you that the Imperial Treasury's surplus from the last quarter might only be enough to complete one of these items."
Meklen's smile froze on his face. He turned to Leinia, switching to a fawning expression: "Minister Leinia, my good Minister, surely we can discuss the matter of money!"
"Look, we can issue national construction bonds, set the interest a bit higher, and call it the 'Patriotic Dividend'!"
"We can also attract foreign investment! Those merchants in Kazimierz are clutching handfuls of gold coins with nowhere to spend them. As long as we open the market just a little bit, they'll come crying and shouting to deliver their money!"
"I object," Leinia retorted immediately.
"Opening the infrastructure market to foreign capital on a large scale is no different from handing the nation's economic lifeline over to others."
"As for high-interest bonds, do you want the Empire to be saddled with a debt burden it can never pay off in twenty years?"
"Oh my, twenty years from now? In twenty years we'll be long..."
Meklen stopped halfway. Seeing the look Lacey cast at him, he immediately swallowed the second half of his sentence.
He gave a dry laugh: "I mean, we must look at problems with a developmental perspective."
"There is no need for the two of you to argue," Lacey spoke to stop them.
"Regarding the funding issue, Minister Meklen, I authorize you to raise funds using any method that 'does not harm national sovereignty'."
"As for how these funds are supervised, Minister Leinia, your Tax Department needs to establish a specialized audit committee to ensure every gold coin is used on the blade."
He added another sentence: "At the same time, implement a nationwide full-employment policy of work-relief."
"All infrastructure projects will prioritize recruiting unemployed workers and discharged soldiers."
"I not only want to build a powerful country, but I also want everyone who sweats for it to share the fruits of victory."
"I need the people to see that every penny in their hands is turning into the roads beneath their feet, the roofs over their heads, and the steel Great Wall of their motherland."
The conference room fell silent.
Gertrude, sitting in the corner, spoke softly: "Your Majesty, such a massive project will inevitably touch the interests of many old forces."
"Moreover, if foreign capital is introduced, the intelligence agencies of Victoria and Kazimierz will certainly take the opportunity to infiltrate."
"We need to guard against their infiltration and sabotage."
"This is exactly your job, Gertrude," Lacey looked at her.
"I need your Intelligence Department to ensure that any pests and spies attempting to hinder the Empire's progress are eliminated before they cause damage."
The corner of Gertrude's mouth hooked up as she spoke confidently: "As you wish, Your Majesty."
The meeting ended.
Meklen Neum left almost humming a little tune.
Leinia followed behind him, looking at his money-obsessed demeanor, and shook her head helplessly.
Her job for the next few years would be chasing behind this guy who spent money like water, desperately checking accounts and plugging holes.
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