Year 35 of the Cretaceous Era.
The Sophon once again awakened the hibernating Tai Hao.
After nine years of development, the Empire had reached the threshold of the Atomic Age.
In these nine years, under the silent guidance of the system, numerous nuclear physicists and mathematicians had emerged within the Empire.
The Empire's scientists and mathematicians began to turn their attention to the vast universe and the microscopic structure of matter.
A celestial physicist took the lead, proposing the three-body problem and chaos theory.
Following this, a mathematician proposed the electron theory, and X-rays were discovered.
The hypothesis of the constancy of the speed of light was put forward. A female student at the Empire's Physics University arranged similar elements together, creating the first periodic table of elements. She also discovered various radioactive elements like radium and polonium.
This female student proposed the theory of radioactivity, invented the technique for separating radioactive isotopes, discovered radioactive decay, and laid the theoretical foundation for the later four fundamental forces, including the weak force.
Then quantum mechanics was born. The Empire's science began to delve into the laws of motion of microscopic particles at the atomic and subatomic scales.
Finally, the Lorentz transformation equations emerged, laying the groundwork for the birth of special relativity.
In the 30th year of the Cretaceous Era, a young physicist and mathematician entered the Empire's Institute of Science and Technology, where he encountered some of the preserved planetary engine technology.
In the same year, he proposed the photon hypothesis, accurately explaining the photoelectric effect.
Then, this young man, together with his equally brilliant classmates, proposed a grand theory.
Special Relativity.
These young individuals ushered in a glorious era.
Special relativity, taking the constancy of the speed of light as a fundamental principle, derived the Lorentz transformation formula and obtained effects such as "length contraction, time dilation, and mass increase."
The Empire's physics research entered a new era.
The mass-energy equivalence equation E=mc2
An important conclusion of special relativity.
The mass-energy relation equation reveals the relationship between matter and energy conversion. For example, in the field of nuclear physics, the energy released by nuclear fission comes from the mass defect of the atomic nucleus.
The mass-energy equation became the crowbar that pried open the door to the Atomic Age, laying a solid foundation for the Empire to enter the nuclear age.
In the following five years, the Empire's military recruited a large number of mathematicians and physicists, embarking on the exploration and utilization of nuclear energy.
The Star River Empire's Manhattan Project commenced.
In just five years, with the support of a vast number of scientists and a strong industrial base, the Empire's first atomic bomb transformed from a nebulous theory into reality.
It was precisely because of the success of the nuclear energy program that the Sophon awakened Tai Hao.
Cretaceous City, Cretaceous Palace.
After nine years, Tai Hao once again sat on the Xuan Niao Platform, enthroned on the throne, overlooking the ministers who had hurriedly come to pay their respects.
Upon seeing Tai Hao adorned in a black-gold Xuan Niao robe, these powerholders of the Empire all wept uncontrollably.
"Long live the Emperor!"
"Nine years have passed, Your Majesty, you have finally returned."
The Prime Minister cried like a child, constantly wiping away his tears.
"Indeed, Your Majesty, without you, we are like ships without a lighthouse, unable to see the direction forward, drifting aimlessly in the endless dark waves."
As the Prime Minister finished, the Minister of Science immediately chimed in. This Minister of Science was a familiar face, Bai Qian.
He was the one who had discovered the electromagnetic induction phenomenon and proposed the laws of electromagnetism.
He was now revered as the "Father of Electromagnetism" by the Empire's scientific community, a towering figure in the realm of science.
After over thirty years of development, science had reached its pinnacle within the Empire. The status of scientists had surpassed that of bureaucrats and military personnel, becoming the most esteemed class in the Empire.
Other ministers also expressed their heartfelt longing and reverence to Tai Hao. After the transformation of the Thought Imprint, these high officials of the Empire had become Tai Hao's most loyal supporters, wholeheartedly helping him govern the Star River Empire.
Under the dedicated management of these ministers, the Empire flourished, its waters clear and its rivers peaceful. The people lived in peace and prosperity, and society was stable and orderly.
After spending a week handling state affairs, Tai Hao immediately boarded a special aircraft and flew to a desert located in the northwest of the Empire.
The heart of this desert was the site of the Empire's nuclear energy program.
"Your Majesty, welcome! I'm overwhelmed with excitement!"
The head of the nuclear energy program was overcome with emotion, his whole body trembling slightly.
Through years of propaganda and shaping, Tai Hao had gradually become a deity within the Empire.
Upon entering the base, Tai Hao eagerly said, "Tell me about the atomic bomb."
"Of course, Your Majesty!" The head calmed himself and began to explain the achievements of the nuclear energy program to Tai Hao.
"After five years of research and exploration, we have successfully separated and concentrated from metallic uranium ore the material capable of producing a chain reaction. This was a monumental undertaking. The majority of resources were dedicated to the separation and enrichment of the material."
"After five years of experimentation, we finally successfully created two atomic bombs, Atomic One and Atomic Two."
"Atomic One utilizes uranium-235 as the fission material. Atomic Two uses uranium-239."
"Atomic One is 3 meters long, 0.7 meters wide, and weighs 4,000 kilograms. Its overall design employs a 'gun-type' configuration, where a subcritical mass of uranium-235 is fired by explosives towards three similarly subcritical rings of uranium-235, resulting in a critical mass of uranium, triggering a nuclear chain reaction."
"Atomic One is loaded with 60 kilograms of uranium-235, and according to calculations, only about one kilogram of uranium-235 will undergo nuclear fission during the explosion, releasing energy equivalent to approximately 13,000 tons of TNT high explosive."
The head finally said, "This time, we will detonate Atomic One for experimentation."
Tai Hao stroked his chin. Would it be too wasteful to detonate the Empire's first atomic bomb in the desert?
Wouldn't it be better to directly deploy it in combat?
Those rebels hiding in the permafrost of the Northern Continent, wouldn't they be the perfect target?
"I've thought of a new experimental site for detonating Atomic One."
With a single command from Tai Hao, through the railway system, a military train transported Atomic One to the border of the Northern Continent.
Then, Atomic One was loaded onto a strategic bomber and flown towards a forest in the permafrost region of the Northern Continent.
This strategic bomber was independently developed by the Empire, a long-range strategic bomber with performance comparable to the B29 Superfortress. It was large enough to carry Atomic One and drop it over the target.