Chapter 4: Shipbuilding!

Two thousand meters beneath the imperial capital, a sleek, white maglev train raced through a downward-sloping tunnel, occasionally crackling with streaks of electricity. At the tunnel's end lay the empire's most classified facility—the SS-class Royal Research Institute.

This research institute was built at a depth of ten thousand meters underground. The entire structure was a massive spherical complex with a diameter of fifty kilometers, encased in a layer of ship-grade armor over ten meters thick. The only way to access it was via the maglev train that Li Mingze was currently riding. This facility was the birthplace of the empire's most advanced technology—ranging from the armor worn by soldiers to the design of warships. In essence, it represented the pinnacle of the empire's civilization.

Surrounded by numerous guards, Li Mingze stepped off the maglev train. Since he had previously decreed that scientists should not be required to perform formal greetings or host receptions, the train station was sparsely populated, with only a few security officers and the base's administrator present to welcome him.

"Long live His Majesty! Long live the Empire!" The bright lighting could not mask the fanaticism in the eyes of the saluting soldiers, a testament to the effectiveness of the empire's ideological indoctrination from an early age.

Satisfied, Li Mingze waved his hand, signaling them to stand down. Then, he and his entourage boarded a hovercar and headed toward the base's center. Ten minutes later, they arrived at the Ship Design Department—his destination for this visit. After months of rapid expansion, the empire had finally acquired the basic capability to build a fleet.

With upcoming colonization efforts, the empire's territory was set to expand. Warships would be needed for patrols and protection, as the existing three escort ships were clearly insufficient.

"Your Majesty, as you can see, these are the blueprints for the three escort ships we have built so far." A scientist in a white robe waved his hand, and a three-dimensional hologram of a spacecraft appeared in the center of the room.

The ship had a sleek design—wide at the front and rear, narrowing in the middle, with two downward-extending wing-like structures at the tail. It was equipped with three heavy nuclear missile launchers mounted on the top. Until new weapons were developed, nuclear missiles remained the most powerful option available. These smart nuclear missiles featured advanced guidance systems capable of evading enemy fire interception.

A single escort ship could launch a full salvo of nine thermonuclear warheads. Even if they missed direct hits on enemy hulls, their detonation in the vicinity could effectively disrupt enemy shields and weapons while inflicting severe damage on armor.

"Change it, change it, change it! Which idiot designed this? Who puts all the weapons in a single line at the same height? Are we supposed to turn the ship around just to fire at the enemy?" Li Mingze scoffed.

"And you guys, hurry up with energy weapon research! Just because our current energy weapons are weak doesn't mean we should abandon them. In my opinion, energy weapons are the future. But don't stop nuclear weapon development either—they're still very useful for turning planets with atmospheres into glass." Li Mingze stroked his nonexistent beard, pretending to be an expert. Of course, his knowledge came from playing strategy games—he had no real certainty about how things would turn out in reality.

"Your Majesty is wise! I will immediately order an acceleration in energy weapon research. Your Majesty's brilliance illuminates our path, and under your leadership, the empire will reach new heights!" The scientist's flattery was skillful—bureaucrats in any civilization were adept at the art of sycophancy. Li Mingze found the praise quite pleasing.

"Let's go inspect the shipyard."

Li Mingze and his entourage boarded the maglev train and slowly departed from the research base. The base administrator wiped off nonexistent sweat. The recent execution of several high-ranking officials for massive corruption was still fresh in his memory. Though he was dedicated to research and had never engaged in embezzlement, he couldn't help but feel a sense of fear in His Majesty's presence. Shaking his head to dispel the anxiety, he returned to his office.

The Sith Royal Shipyard was a massive space station located in orbit around the Sith moon. It resembled a blooming flower, with a central ring-like structure connected to five petal-shaped shipyards. Thanks to quantum transmission technology, minerals and energy could be transported instantly, and the empire's most advanced 3D-printing construction methods eliminated the need for cargo ships to deliver components. This allowed ships to be produced continuously—assuming, of course, the treasury had enough mineral resources.

The imperial vessel slowly docked at the central ring. A connecting tunnel extended from the station, locking onto the ship's airlock. Around the Imperial vessel, dozens of power-armored guards flew out from small escort vessels, taking defensive positions around the connection tunnel.

If necessary, they would use their bodies to block any incoming threats.

Ten elite guards entered the station first to secure the area. Only after confirming there was no danger did Li Mingze step inside. He wasn't afraid of death, but caution was always wise. While he could ensure that none of the empire's weapons could harm him, what if an alien infiltrator had somehow sneaked in? This place wasn't as strictly monitored as the capital.

"Your Majesty, the four new corvette you ordered are already having their keels printed. In just sixty days, they will be ready for sea trials," reported a civil engineer following behind him with reverence.

Li Mingze and his entourage took hovercars to the observation room, where they could oversee the shipbuilding process firsthand. Hundreds of robotic arms, glowing with blue light, moved back and forth, emitting beams of energy as they printed the keels of the ships. Slowly, the framework of the warships began to take shape in mid-air. However, the printing speed was frustratingly slow—after an entire hour, only one-fiftieth of a single keel had been completed. Clearly, it would take quite some time before the ships were ready.

Li Mingze frowned. Though dissatisfied with the pace, there wasn't much he could do about it.

"Once the Design Institute finalizes the blueprint for the colony ship, have Dock No. 5 begin construction immediately. Also, Tianyi, tell the propaganda department's director to come to my office tomorrow—I have some tasks for him."

"As you command, Your Majesty!" Tianyi and the engineer answered in unison.

The shipyards were still too few, the mines insufficient, and the power stations inadequate. The empire lacked energy crystals and minerals—it was all so frustrating! Being an emperor was more exhausting than being a student. How he missed the carefree days of university life!

…Yeah, right.

Li Mingze scoffed at the thought.

The next day, in his office, Li Mingze summoned the director of the propaganda department. He was preparing to launch a campaign to hype up the empire's first colonial expedition.

The goal? Increase the citizens' reverence for him. Let them witness their great emperor leading the empire in expansion. The masses would surely be moved to tears!

Li Mingze smirked in satisfaction at the thought.