Time flowed by, unremarkable. Civilization gave it greater value and meaning.
With Tai Hao's leadership, the empire took a year to finally push open the door to the Electric Age.
A new era had arrived.
Everything was renewed, overflowing with vitality.
The empire was changing dramatically, day by day. Many imperial citizens realized that their lives were becoming more exciting, with countless previously unheard-of technological creations appearing in their lives.
Dim candlelight was replaced by bright electric lights. The advent of automobiles transformed the centuries-old practice of horse-drawn carriage travel. Agricultural machinery revolutionized the ancient farming lifestyle.
Even more mythical creations were being invented.
Biplane propeller aircraft, capable of flying freely in the sky, cameras that captured images, and radios that could communicate across continents.
The empire was rapidly changing, advancing towards a brighter future.
However, to fully spread these technologies across the empire and let the people become accustomed to this ever-changing new age, the empire needed to push forward with all its might and give time to do its work.
Imperial Capital,
The Chalk City. Luan Feng Palace
Tai Hao and the Empress sat together, weariness etched on both their faces.
Just moments ago, Tai Hao and Tantai Mingyue had summoned fifty-two scholars in the White Chalk Palace.
These were the most brilliant inventors and scholars in the empire, individuals who had made outstanding contributions to the empire's development.
Their purpose in summoning them was to reward them.
This time, Tai Hao generously bestowed a large number of noble titles.
Seven scholars, whose inventions and contributions stood out, were appointed as members of the Imperial Academy of Sciences and granted the title of Earl, elevating them across social strata to become imperial nobles.
Among them, two were female scholars.
This was a news item worthy of significant promotion, helping to improve the social status of women in the empire, allowing those who had been bound for thousands of years to join the empire's development and construction efforts.
Seven years ago, Tai Hao had implemented a policy to liberate women, but it had met with fierce opposition from all segments of society. Ultimately, the policy failed.
However, Tai Hao did not give up.
For thousands of years, under patriarchal societies, women had been confined to the lowest rung of society. They had no right to participate in politics, no right to education, and no right to participate in social life.
The empire now had approximately two hundred million people, and women accounted for over half the population.
Tai Hao could not possibly ignore such a vast potential workforce.
After the initial failure, Tai Hao no longer acted hastily, but instead adopted a gradual approach, subtly changing women's status and habits over time.
This time, Tai Hao intended to promote the achievements of these women, encouraging them to develop their own sense of self-reliance and fight for their rights.
Besides the seven scholars mentioned above.
The remaining scholars were also rewarded with different titles based on their accomplishments.
Twelve scholars and inventors were granted the title of Viscount, while the rest received the title of Baron.
After the bestowal of titles, Tai Hao held a grand banquet to honor these true pillars of the empire.
To show his appreciation, Tai Hao also had high-ranking officials accompany him, personally offering toasts and congratulations.
The scholars were thrilled to be treated with such honor. They never expected the Emperor and Empress to personally offer toasts to them, nor that the high-ranking officials would put aside their airs and lavish praise upon them.
After the banquet, Tai Hao returned to Luan Feng Palace with Tantai Mingyue.
Luan Feng Palace was the Empress's private chambers, and it was also Tai Hao's favorite place to be.
With no concern for his image, Tai Hao collapsed onto his stunningly beautiful wife, inhaling the fragrant scent emanating from her body, feeling the smooth, soft curves beneath her phoenix robes. His voice was languid as he revealed his plans.
“The empire's development is now on the right track. It's time for us to enter the cryogenic sleep chambers.”
Tantai Mingyue was his wife, one of his closest confidantes. Tai Hao did not hide the existence of the cryogenic sleep chambers from her.
Tai Hao was not a lone wolf, nor was he cold and heartless. He naturally considered the well-being of his family.
As soon as he extracted the cryogenic sleep chambers, Tai Hao had decided to take his wife and daughter with him across time, to the future.
To that end, Tai Hao had spent a considerable amount of civilization points to purchase two cryogenic sleep chambers from the system.
The two chambers had cost a total of one hundred thousand civilization points, making Tai Hao wince for quite some time.
But now, three cryogenic sleep chambers were clearly insufficient, and he needed to prepare one for his concubine, Isara.
A concubine is a wife too, and Tai Hao couldn't leave her behind to wither and die.
If it weren't inappropriate, Tai Hao would have even wanted to send Isara to sleep on the Natural Selection, which would have saved a large chunk of civilization points.
Clad in a black and gold phoenix robe, exuding an air of elegance and beauty, the Empress, whose face was as beautiful as a masterpiece, gently supported Tai Hao, her alluring eyes filled with love.
“Is it too early? We're still young, we can wait a little longer. Besides, what will happen to the empire after we enter sleep?” Tantai Mingyue's voice was clear and gentle, with a touch of sweet seduction. Her brow furrowed slightly, reflecting a hint of worry.
“Don't worry, the empire won't be left without my control.” Tai Hao played with Tantai Mingyue's jade-like, finely carved hand, his expression confident and steady.
Tai Hao had made his decision, to use the mind imprint on the empire's leadership.
Furthermore, this time, Tai Hao didn't intend to hibernate for long.
In two more years, another probe would reach the star system 3.7 light-years away.
No matter whether there were advanced civilizations there or not, the probe would awaken Tai Hao.
With his decision made, Tai Hao put his plan into action.
In the imperial study, Tai Hao summoned the core leadership of the empire.
The Imperial Prime Minister, the Minister of Defense, the Minister of Science and Technology, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Justice, and the Minister of Industry.
These six individuals, together with the departments they headed, constituted the power structure and governing foundation of the Star River Empire.
Among them, the Imperial Prime Minister was Tantai Wenhai, Tai Hao's father-in-law.
Tai Hao did not hide anything, directly informing the six about his intentions and the operational mechanism of the mind imprint.
Agree, and they would remain in the empire's leadership. Refuse, and they would have to step aside gracefully.
Tai Hao did not give them much time to consider; they needed to make a decision immediately.
For a moment, all six fell silent and uneasy.
They could not have imagined that there was such a magical yet sinister technology in the world.
Using machines to change a person's perception.
It was utterly terrifying.
However, in the end, all six individuals agreed to receive the mind imprint.
Tai Hao was very pleased with the six individuals' wise decision.