After an agonizing eight years, the entire empire was thrown into a frenzy when Tai Hao reappeared.
Neither the people nor the ruling class had forgotten the existence of the Cretacean Emperor. The authority of Tai Hao, unparalleled and supreme, still loomed over everyone in the empire.
Over the eight years, the six Grand Ministers of the Steel-Imprint Clan, steadfastly upholding Tai Hao's authority, had manipulated public opinion, propagating the greatness and authority of the Cretacean Emperor to the empire's citizens from multiple directions and angles.
So, despite Tai Hao's absence for such a long time, the citizens of the empire still remembered their monarch.
After leaving the Cretacean Base, Tai Hao first summoned the empire's ministers to the Cretacean Palace, inquiring about the empire's progress.
Every minister paid their respects with the utmost deference, showering Tai Hao with congratulations upon his return, expressing their joy and longing.
However, a portion of the ministers harbored trepidation.
Like a divine being, Tai Hao sat on the Xuan Niao throne, overlooking everyone from his lofty position.
Eight years had passed, and the hall had seen many new faces and lost a number of familiar ones.
Before his last hibernation, Tai Hao had established a comprehensive retirement system, ensuring that the empire's bureaucracy remained youthful and dynamic. This was to prevent the empire from succumbing to gerontocracy and the stagnation of upward mobility.
Evidently, the retirement system was successfully implemented in the empire, allowing for a smooth transition of power.
Ignoring the fawning and flattery of the crowd, Tai Hao produced a document amidst the fear in everyone's eyes.
The familiar sight sent chills down many spines.
This document contained intelligence gathered by Zhi Zi over the past eight years, recording the achievements of every minister present.
With this information, Tai Hao could easily understand the actions of these ministers.
For those with outstanding achievements, Tai Hao offered corresponding rewards. For those who had engaged in corruption or bribery, punishments were meted out according to the relevant laws.
For those with treacherous intentions, those who sought to usurp the throne, their families would be eradicated, their assets confiscated.
Rewards and punishments, power and authority.
Tai Hao used rewards and punishments to demonstrate his supreme authority to all the ministers.
Upon regaining his power, Tai Hao once again unleashed a bloody purge, causing heads to roll and setting off another wave of terror.
In response, the six Grand Ministers promptly surrendered their power.
They had all reached retirement age. Even the youngest, the Minister of Science, was sixty-five years old.
According to the retirement system, they were all eligible to retire.
Tai Hao didn't engage in any hypocritical attempts to retain them. The retirement system had to be vigorously upheld.
“I thank you for your extraordinary contributions to the empire during your tenure. The citizens of the empire will never forget your achievements, and neither will I. The annals of the empire will immortalize your lives, your biographies will be passed down through the ages.”
The six Grand Ministers, overcome with emotion, wept uncontrollably.
Having a separate page dedicated to their biographies in the empire's history books was the ultimate honor for a minister.
Accepting the generous rewards and titles bestowed by Tai Hao, the six Grand Ministers completed the handover of power and retired. They returned to their hometowns with immense honor, to enjoy their twilight years.
After their departure, Tai Hao appointed a new cabinet of ministers. Like their predecessors, they had all become members of the Steel-Imprint Clan through the process of ideological indoctrination.
Beyond the six, Tai Hao decided to expand the Steel-Imprint Clan.
All provincial officials and generals should undergo ideological indoctrination, their thoughts and perceptions manipulated, to become absolute loyalists of the empire and of himself.
Tai Hao did not hesitate, directly publicizing the details of the Steel-Imprint technology through official channels. He also established a Center for Ideological Beliefs in the imperial capital.
The appearance of Steel-Imprint technology caused a stir in the empire.
“Steel-Imprints, the empire actually has this technology, it's terrifying.”
“Fantastic, the empire actually has this technology. Does this mean all those officials will become good officials dedicated to the people?”
“This is a violation of human rights, a suppression of free thought!”
“Altering thoughts and perceptions? No wonder the previous six Grand Ministers were so devoted to the Emperor!”
“To reach the provincial level, you have to undergo ideological intervention, what a tyrannical provision!”
“We absolutely must oppose this! With Steel-Imprints in place, the empire will forever be under the control of the Di Hong Clan. We will never have a chance to rise!”
The empire was promptly divided into two camps after the announcement of Steel-Imprint technology.
The bureaucratic and aristocratic class vehemently opposed it, while the common people strongly supported it.
Tai Hao didn't care about the opposition, quickly establishing the Center for Ideological Beliefs in Cretacean City.
Either receive the Steel-Imprint, becoming a member of the Steel-Imprint Clan. Or relinquish your power and get out of your position.
“He's a tyrant! The empire will be destroyed by his hand.”
“We must resist tyranny, overthrow the evil rule of Di Hong Tai Hao!”
Many officials could not accept the Steel-Imprint and sought to rebel. They formed alliances, intending to overthrow Tai Hao's rule through force.
However, their actions were immediately detected by Zhi Zi.
Then, the Natural Selection, stationed in synchronous orbit, received the strike order and began using energy weapons to conduct ultra-precise orbital strikes on these rebels.
To promote the Steel-Imprint and solidify his rule, Tai Hao did not hesitate to slaughter mercilessly.
The empire had already completed its modernization and educational reform, with an abundance of people eager to enter politics. Tai Hao was not concerned about a shortage of personnel.
Eliminating all opposition, those who remained fell into line.
Tai Hao implemented the Steel-Imprint with the utmost brutality.
It took only a year for the Steel-Imprint to be rolled out nationwide.
All provincial officials and generals became members of the Steel-Imprint Clan.
After undergoing ideological transformation, each and every one of them became absolute loyalists of the empire and Tai Hao.
Like devout followers, they dedicated themselves to the empire's development and construction, working tirelessly, until death did them part.
The emergence of the Steel-Imprint Clan catapulted the empire back onto the fast track of progress. Officials who had been lazy and incompetent completely reversed their mindset, becoming fully devoted to their work.
After experiencing the positive changes brought about by the Steel-Imprint, some even proposed making all officials members of the Steel-Imprint Clan.
Someone also suggested including another social class.
The tech-aristocracy.
But this proposal was met with rejection.
The tech-aristocracy comprised the empire's most intelligent scientists and scholars. Their thoughts and wills were the empire's most valuable treasures.
Tai Hao even issued a strict order: the tech-aristocracy and scientific researchers were absolutely forbidden from becoming members of the Steel-Imprint Clan.
Other classes and groups looked on with envy and drool.