Chapter 3: The Discovery of a Colonizable Star System

Three light-years away from the Home Star System, in the outer reaches of the Beta System, a flash of light appeared in the emptiness of space. Suddenly, a silver-white spaceship emerged, accompanied by electric sparks.

"Sss... Calling Sith One Space Station, this is Imperial 001 Interstellar Exploration science ship. We have arrived at the Beta System and are preparing to commence planetary survey operations. Requesting permission to proceed. Over."

"Sss... This is Sith One Space Station. Request received. Permission granted! Permission granted! Over."

After receiving the go signal the science ship started its main engines and slowly approached the nearest planet, Beta I.

"Adjust course one degree to the left. Main thrusters off. Deceleration thrusters engaged. The ship has successfully entered Beta I's orbit. Activating planetary scanner and deploying exploration drones." The underside of the science ship slowly opened, revealing a radar probe and ten sleek exploration drones.

The drones activated their main engines in space and dispersed, heading toward Beta I.

Nine days passed. In the ship's dining hall, several researchers gathered after their meal.

"According to the scans, both Beta I and Beta III are completely barren. No rare minerals, no atmosphere, and no signs of life."

"Yeah, what a bad start. I didn't expect these planets to lack even the most common minerals. There's plenty of iron ore, but iron is useless to the empire. Iron ore can't be processed into the mineral materials the empire needs. Sigh."

"We've failed His Majesty's expectations. If we don't find useful resources on the next few planets, we'll have no face to return to Sith."

"Instead of sighing there, we should hurry up and explore the next planet. Don't let your majesty down!" Wang Xinyu, the scientist in charge of this exploration, came behind them and placed the dinner plate heavily on the table.

The researchers exchanged glances, lowered their heads, and didn't dare to argue. They quickly returned their trays to the recycling area and hurried back to their workstations.

Ten days later, the science ship arrived above Beta II. Everyone was stunned by the sight before them. The planet was covered in blue oceans, resembling a massive blue crystal, with islands scattered across its surface.

Excited, the researchers launched all the ship's drones. Seconds later, fifty drones, plunged into the atmosphere with flames trailing behind it.

Two days after arriving at Beta II, several messages were sent from the science ship to Sith Star.

"Sss... Calling Command Center, we have an astonishing discovery!"

"We've discovered alien life on Beta II!"

"This is the first time in history that we've encountered life forms completely different from those on Sith!"

"This discovery will shut up those foolish citizens who believe 'Sith is the only life-bearing planet in the universe.'"

"Although these alien life forms lack higher intelligence, it might not be long before we encounter them."

Shortly after Sith One Space Station received the message from Imperial 001 science ship, Li Mingze also received the groundbreaking news.

Guided by the core principle of "I came; I saw; I conquered", Emperor Li Mingze decided to launch the empire's first colonization effort!

"Imperial 001 Exploration science ship, this is Imperial One Space Command Center. His Majesty orders you to conduct the most detailed survey of Beta II immediately. The empire will formulate its first colonization plan based on the information you provide!"

Upon receiving the order, the science ship lowered its orbit. Twenty researchers, clad in power armor, boarded silver landers and descended toward Beta II.

The landers' thrusters fired downward, reducing the impact force as they landed smoothly at the designated site. The hatch creaked open, and several guards in power armor, armed with Gauss rifles, rushed out first. After confirming the area was safe, the researchers followed and began setting up an advance exploration base.

They had chosen this landing site for a reason. Drone scans had detected a highly regular metal signal buried underground, likely the wreckage of an alien spacecraft.

Bang! In the pitch-black corridor, several beams of light shot through. Small metal spheres flew in through a breached hole. After confirming the area was safe, five individuals in power armor jumped down. After days of excavation, the advance team finally uncovered the spacecraft wreckage and cut through a section of its hull armor. Guided by the metal spheres, they slowly moved toward what appeared to be the control room.

Soon, they discovered that the entire ship was empty. It had likely been abandoned for so long that anything not sturdy had turned to dust.

"Captain, the control panel here still works! Come take a look!" an exploration team member shouted, waving his hand. In front of him was an oval-shaped display that emitted a faint blue light when touched.

In Li Mingze's office, Tianyi was reporting the latest developments on Beta II.

"Your Majesty, we've discovered an ancient alien spacecraft on Beta II."

"From our exploration, it appears these aliens were a six-limbed 'mammalian' species. They called themselves the Ireson Alliance and controlled this region of the galaxy a million years ago. However, they were wiped out by a virus called the 'Javoran Plague.'"

"Although they developed a vaccine in their final moments, the last remaining healthy individuals also succumbed to the plague, leaving no survivors. We've acquired the vaccine technology, and studying it could partially advance our medical technology."

"Additionally, the Javoran Plague virus has been stored in the classified items repository. Your Majesty may find it useful in the future!"

Li Mingze nodded and ordered the shipyards to begin constructing a second construction ship. The first construction ship had already departed to the Beta System. Before colonization could begin, infrastructure in another star system needed to be established.

Meanwhile, back in the Home Star System, large-scale construction projects were underway. All entertainment activities were temporarily suspended. Citizens were told to focus on building first; entertainment could wait.

At the same time, a significant amount of black income from corrupt officials was confiscated and added to the national treasury. These officials mysteriously met with accidents. In their place, young officials loyal to Emperor Li Mingze were rapidly promoted. The once stagnant empire, like an elderly person, was rejuvenated, brimming with youth and vitality.

Large sums of funds flowed into the treasury and were quickly allocated to build mines and factories across the planet. As Li Mingze put it, they were "squeezing every last bit of potential from the homeworld to accelerate development." They would then plunder other star systems to feed back into the homeworld. It was a perfect development plan, and he marveled at his own brilliance.

"Tianyi, issue an order: henceforth, anyone convicted of theft or more serious crimes will be sent to labor camps. They'll mine in the colonies or manufacture components until they die! Anyone who protests or demonstrates on their behalf is a dangerous element or potential criminal who hasn't been properly brainwashed. Send them to re-education camps for intensive brainwashing!"

Li Mingze leaned back in satisfaction, propping his feet on his desk. As long as things developed normally, he would soon have the resources to build a fleet. No longer would he have to stare helplessly at the three corvette ship he had started with.