Chapter 2: Let the Warships Block Out the Sun

In the highest-level office of the Capital Building, Li Mingze rubbed his aching head while deciding which technologies the empire needed to focus on developing in the future.

These research projects were measured in years, and most of the empire's administrative tasks and minor affairs were managed by the intelligent AI, Tianyi.

"Time to build up the military," he thought. With the empire's current shipbuilding capabilities, even constructing a light cruiser took over sixty days, and they were still short on minerals. He decided to head to bed for a good rest.

However, just as he returned to his bedroom, Tianyi called out to him:

"Your Majesty, today is the first voyage of the empire's first Science ship. Wouldn't you like to inspire the crew?"

"Oh? Really? Let's go to the spaceport." Li Mingze nodded in response.

As a native of Earth, he had never seen a real spaceship. Every day, he saw aircraft flying through the capital building in the atmosphere. Now his curiosity was aroused.

On the rooftop platform of the capital building sat a black-and-gold-painted ship, thirty meters long and wide, covered in thick armor, and shaped like an oval shape.

Under the protection of numerous guards, Li Mingze boarded this imperial vessel. Escorted by dozens of aerospace fighters, the ship slowly ascended.

Sitting in the holographic observation chamber, he watched as the city below grew smaller and the capital building became a blur. The land gradually curved into an arc, and the sky transitioned from blue to black. his heart filled with emotion.

Although this was his first time leaving the planet, he knew it was the first step in his conquest of the stars!

The ship's hull glowed red as it violently rubbed against the atmosphere, and the holographic screens inside the chamber turned a matching light red. Suddenly, Li Mingze felt weightless, as if he had no body weight at all. He knew they had left Sith Star and entered space.

"Ding, artificial gravity system will activate in three seconds. Please remain seated, Your Majesty," Tianyi's voice came through the ship's intercom.

"Ding, ding, ding." Three seconds later, Li Mingze felt a heavy thud as gravity was restored inside the ship.

He couldn't help but sigh in admiration that the Empire was so many years more advanced than Earth in space technology that even gravity could be artificially created.

However, his attention was soon captured by a massive space station in the distance. The station was ten kilometers long and wide, shaped like a rectangular prism. At its base were four rotating docking ports, while on top sat a miniature city with neatly arranged buildings, their roofs bristling with antennas.

Inside the spaceport, only two massive ships were docked. One was a sleek, silver-white vessel with four large thrusters on its sides. The other was a bulky, gray ship with four thick mechanical arms and a massive cargo hold.

"Your Majesty, the silver-white, streamlined ship to your left is the science ship set to depart today. It is 420 meters long, 90 meters wide, and 50 meters high. It is equipped with extensive research facilities, drones, landing pods, and comfortable living quarters. Its armament consists of only five small missile launchers."

"The gray ship next to it is the empire's latest construction vessel, 200 meters long, 159 meters wide, and 90 meters high. Using quantum transmission technology, we transport minerals broken down to the size of quarks into the construction vessel. Then, a building-printing system composed of mechanical arms and drones assembles the structures we need," Tianyi explained, appearing beside Li Mingze.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. I can't wait to build battleships and dreadnoughts. Giant warships and cannons are a man's dream!" Li Mingze completely ignored the three light cruisers patrolling the distant space.

"It will happen, Your Majesty. Under your leadership, the empire will surely prosper and grow strong!" Tianyi said firmly, her voice carrying a convincing magnetism.

"Yes, one day, I will have the empire's warships block out the sun!" Li Mingze felt his blood boiling with excitement.

The imperial vessel slowly entered the central docking port of the space station. After landing, the airlock closed, and the interior began filling with oxygen. A squad of soldiers in silver power armor took up positions on either side of the ship's entrance, while space station officials stood solemnly in front of them.

A robot came forward and laid out the red gold-thread carpet, and then Li Mingze slowly walked down from the spacecraft.

"So extravagant.. but I like it," he thought with a smirk. As soon as his foot touched the carpet, a middle-aged official in ornate robes shouted, "Long live His Majesty! Long live the empire! Salute!"

"Loyalty to His Majesty! Loyalty to the empire! Long live His Majesty! Long live the empire!" Everyone placed their left hand on their abdomen, holding their guns downward, while their right arms extended straight up, fists clenched, shouting in unison.

Li Mingze waved his hand, satisfied, to acknowledge their loyalty. Inside, he was bursting with pride. This feeling was incredible.

Led by the officials, Li Mingze arrived at the reception hall. In the center stood over thirty researchers in white spacesuits and twenty guards in power armor, helmets in hand, right arms raised. As Li Mingze approached, they chanted, "Long live His Majesty! Long live the empire!"

Then, on behalf of the government and the people, Emperor Li Mingze offered warm greetings to the researchers and delivered a motivational speech:

"Dear citizens of the empire, you are the elite! The pride of the empire!"

"Today, you embark on your first voyage. You will undertake a monumental task—to explore the unknown reaches of space! To expand the empire's territory. Under the light of the empire, you will spread the empire's spark across the stars."

"Your importance is irreplaceable. Only through your selfless dedication will the empire have a tomorrow!"

"I await your triumphant return, bearing glory for the empire! Long live the empire!"

"Long live His Majesty! Long live the empire!" The researchers were moved to tears, ready to sacrifice themselves for the empire, even if it meant crashing into a star.

After watching the researchers board the exploration vessel via a skybridge, Li Mingze dismissed the officials and whispered to Tianyi, "Increase the brainwashing efforts for the empire's students. Make sure they know from kindergarten that they must dedicate themselves to the empire. In addition, recruit a few more groups of researchers. No matter what kind of dangers these researchers encounter outside, we can ensure that our scientific research exploration will not stagnate!"

"Your Majesty, you're too devious."

"It's too late to realize that now. Keep it low-key."

After attending the launch banquet for the science Ship, Li Mingze boarded the imperial vessel and, under the farewell of numerous officials, departed the spaceport, heading back to the Sith Empire.

"Tianyi, these officials seem quite wealthy. Call on them to donate to the empire's shipbuilding program. Also, investigate if anyone in the imperial government is embezzling. If so, arrange an 'accident' to make them disappear. The empire doesn't need such parasites!"

"As you command, Your Majesty. Rest assured, everyone in the empire is under your surveillance. They can't escape!"

Note: Due to technological limitations, the "shattering" mentioned here isn't literal. The material remains the same before and after the process, so mining efficiency is high.