Iron Dynasty Chapter 1014

Qingzhou.

Precisely one month since Lei Ming launched his campaign toward Australia, the initial battlefield dispatch at last arrived in Xiao Ming's hands.

True to his predictions, the engagement unfolded without hitches. The British troops stood no chance against the relentless barrage from machine guns that shredded their outdated line infantry formations.

“Your Majesty, Lei Ming’s seizure of Australia stands as a remarkable feat for sure, yet handing out parcels of Australian territory to his underling officers without official sanction could prove unwise.”

Inside the Imperial Study, Fei Ji bore a stern countenance. Over recent times, the Cabinet had been devising schemes for Australia's territories, so Lei Ming's unexpected involvement naturally stirred some irritation in him.

Pang Yukun gave a mocking snort, “Elder Fei’s vision appears somewhat dimmed. The dispatch from the front explicitly notes that Lei Ming requested Your Majesty’s endorsement, so calling it unauthorized makes no sense. Instead, isn’t it rather presumptuous for Elder Fei to covet Australia’s bountiful soils for personal gain even before the war there concludes?”

“Outrageous!” Fei Ji sputtered, seething with rage.

“Silence!”

Xiao Ming had started the day in high spirits, but the sudden clash between the pair swiftly turned his mood sour. Far too many courtiers eyed the victor's spoils for themselves, and as emperor, ensuring an evenhanded division challenged him more than commanding the armies in combat.

He fixed a frosty gaze upon them both, then pressed on, “Australia represents merely the opening skirmish in our grand colonial endeavors. In the days ahead, North America, South America, Siberia, Southeast Asia, and Africa shall all fall under our ambitions. Vast expanses await in the future, enough to make you all indifferent to grabbing more. Why the rush! Thus, the pressing priority isn't your narrow-minded scheming, but the Empire's sweeping blueprint for dominance.”

With those words, Xiao Ming flung a sheaf of papers toward the duo. “Here lies the Merit Law, born from my month's deep reflection. Going forward, officials, ordinary folk, or commanders who earn accolades shall gain merit points based on their true contributions. Those holding merits and seeking colonial holdings may barter points for them. Varying quantities of points will apply depending on the site's position, the expanse's size, and the soil's richness. Individuals short on points but eager for land can instead pay with solid gold and silver.”

Pang Yukun and Fei Ji paused in astonishment, then grasped the papers and swiftly reviewed them. Spanning over thirty pages, this decree detailed the merit points awarded for diverse achievements. Simultaneously, it set precise values in merit points and dragon coins for both homeland properties and overseas acquisitions.

Furthermore, colonial assets received inclusion in this framework as well. In essence, enacting this merit system would formally strip officials of their land-granting privileges, shifting all dealings to standardized rules.

Violations of the Merit Law carried harsh penalties: grave transgressors faced death by a thousand cuts, while lesser culprits endured banishment to Siberia.

Expressions shifted on Pang Yukun and Fei Ji's faces, a cold shiver gripping their cores. To them, Xiao Ming advanced a pivotal move toward bolstering legal governance, likely driven by the era's mounting turmoil that had pushed him to his limits.

“Governing the realm demands iron-fisted policies! Once the Merit Law takes hold, no further disputes will arise over land allotments,” Fei Ji declared, offering a deep bow.

Xiao Ming inclined his head. In this nascent stage of human progress, where savagery still lurked in every heart, rigorous penal codes proved essential to curb unruly impulses.

“Thus, our response to Lei Ming this round includes this Merit Law. Within its merit-based framework, he may grant lands to his officers in line with the rules. Besides, populating the region with settlers remains vital for total mastery over Australia. Upon your departure, proclaim the Merit Law formally and extend the option to trade for Australian lands to private citizens.”

“As you command, Your Majesty,” Pang Yukun and Fei Ji replied together.

Having resolved this issue, Xiao Ming dismissed the pair. Regarding the interim slavery decree Lei Ming issued in Wales, he chose not to raise it for debate.

In contemporary eyes, sentimental critics might decry such measures, yet this remained the eighteenth century. Society had scarcely stepped from civilization's primal shadows, with brutality defining the times. Slavery flourished across Europe at its zenith, and misplaced mercy would only draw scorn.

Even in the fires of World War II, prisoners and slaves blurred into one, merely cloaked in loftier language.

Once the two departed, Cui Shang’an, who had lingered beyond the Imperial Study's doors, entered. He had summoned Cui Shang’an upon the report's arrival.

“Your Majesty.” Cui Shang’an proceeded with care. Xiao Ming's earlier annoyance from the grand secretaries' spat lingered, and he aimed to avoid provoking it now.

Xiao Ming eyed Cui Shang’an briefly and stated, “I've called you here for a matter of utmost gravity. With Australia's fall secured, the Empire's thrust into Southeast Asia gains a solid foothold, though it falls short of our expanded ambitions. Britain's command of global waters stems not just from their sailing vessels, but chiefly from their network of harbors.”

Approaching the world map, Xiao Ming indicated a chain of annotated British harbors stretching from their homeland to America, Africa, and onward to Asia. He explained, “Observe—these form the bedrock of Britain's sea supremacy and trade dominance. Lacking such bases, they couldn't extend their forces anywhere.”

“Does Your Majesty intend for us to construct our own chain of ports?” Cui Shang’an grasped the intent.

“Precisely. As we dismantle Europe's harbors, we shall erect ours in their stead. Grasping these ports will secure the globe's trade mastery for us. I term this approach the ‘String of Pearls’ initiative. What Europe forged across centuries, I seek to claim in mere years,” Xiao Ming proclaimed with gravity.

As imperial factories expanded, the hunger for overseas outlets intensified. Markets in Goryeo and Japan alone failed to quench the swelling demand at home.

Without fresh venues, the Empire's industries risked stagnation from profit droughts.

Hence, he pushed exports toward Southeast Asia, India, the Ottoman Empire, America, Africa, and surprisingly even Europe to harvest gains.

Undermining this drive came the Dutch envoy's tidings from three days prior.

The fallout from failed talks with Britain and France prompted their envoys, en route homeward, to command coastal outposts and trade hubs to bar Chinese Empire vessels—banning both merchant craft and warships from entry.

Should those envoys reach Europe, Britain and France might unite to coerce the Netherlands into choices hostile to the Chinese Empire.

Exactly due to intelligence from Rhodes, he resolved to unleash this String of Pearls scheme, shattering Europe's haughtiness.

Yet realizing this vision demanded immense effort. After all, the sole path forward involved worldwide military placements to seize European holdings.

Cui Shang’an nodded firmly. He responded, “In that case, we must ramp up naval expenditures and forge an unbeatable armada to rule the oceans.”