Chapter 1066: Expanding the Army and Consolidating Power

One million troops! Thirty Star Destroyers!

The Holy Soul Wizards and the Empire's senators stared at each other, all frightened by the Emperor's expansion plan, some even thought it was too insane.

Even over a thousand years ago, during the reign of an Emperor, when the Empire's army was at its peak, it numbered only about 300,000. After the Seven Legions merged with the Duke's Guard, the 350,000 surpassed the Empire's historical record, reaching its zenith.

Yet the Emperor still wants to expand it threefold!

A true million‑strong army!

These are not ordinary soldiers; each is a Transcendent. Transcendents hold status far above common folk, and recruiting them into the army to obey orders costs a great price; even their salaries alone are a massive sum.

In addition, various benefits are required—demon elixirs, cultivation‑aid facilities, demon souls, training, weaponry, magical items, and so on—each not cheap.

A standing army of over a million Transcendents incurs a terrifyingly high annual military expenditure.

The ruling Empire doesn't need such a massive force at all!

What is the Emperor planning?

Everyone looked at each other, and for a moment no one spoke.

Anxiwodasi was about to speak, but was cut off by Ou Luo Yin, the founder of the battle Wizards, who is always blunt, and asked directly: "Lei En, I want to know what your purpose is in forging this million‑strong army? You don't need that many; no one can shake your position in the Empire."

"Master, the Imperial Defense Army's spear points outward, not inward toward the Empire," Lei En explained, "That's why it's called the Imperial Defense Army."

His voice rose a bit, and he said loudly:

"The army's duty is to protect the lives and property of the Empire's people, and to guard against foreign enemies' incursions into the Empire."

Ou Luo Yin was somewhat puzzled: "Foreign enemies?"

"Evil gods, the Abyss, demons."

Lei En replied in a deep voice: "All along, Ai Lun E Si's civilization has been threatened by the Abyss; the Demon Legions have destroyed this world three times, wiping out its glorious achievements in an instant. We cannot follow in their ruin; we must be prepared!"

A murmur rose from below.

Many people's faces turned pale; an Abyssal invasion is like a sword hanging over the heads of civilized races—thinking of it brings nightmares, yet it feels far away.

The fourth Abyssal invasion is inevitable.

However, according to historical patterns, the next massive Abyssal Demon invasion is still far off—at least two thousand years—until civilization reaches a new pinnacle, when the Abyssal Evil Gods will return to reap.

Ou Luo Yin was also solemn, "Your Majesty, have you foreseen something?"

"No," Lei En replied.

Everyone let out a sigh of relief.

Lei En continued, "Perhaps the Abyssal invasion is still far off, but who can guarantee it won't come early? We must be ready for everything, so when disaster truly arrives we won't be flustered. Moreover..." He paused, "Why must we wait for an Abyssal invasion instead of taking the initiative, striking back into the Abyss?"

Sss—

Many Empire senators gasped, eyes wide.

Counter‑attack the Abyss?

Even in the most absurd dreams they hadn't imagined this—it's a bottomless Abyss teeming with countless demons, dreadful Abyssal Lords and Evil Gods, and the terrifying Abyssal Four Gods!

Even the allied Celestial Gods could only barely resist the Abyss.

A mortal Empire dares to think of counter‑attacking the Abyss?

That's absurd!

The Holy Soul Wizards were also startled by Lei En's bold idea; each stared at the Emperor, their faces as if seeing a ghost, unable to speak for a while.

Anxiwodasi stood up, solemnly urging, "Lei En, a mortal army attacking the Abyss is too dangerous; you cannot lead the Empire down this no‑return road, sacrificing billions of Imperial lives. Moreover, the entire Prime Material Plane could be implicated, provoking an Abyssal invasion early."

"I understand, Master," Lei En nodded slightly.

His gaze swept over the stunned crowd, "It's only a thought of mine, not something I intend to carry out, but it doesn't hinder the expansion plan."

"The Imperial Defense Army is a defensive force, not an offensive one."

"I wouldn't dare hope that a mortal army could attack the Abyss and send my people to die in vain; rest assured, everyone."

Anxiwodasi's expression softened, "Then that's good."

The others' lingering anxieties settled.

If Lei En truly thinks and acts this way, he would be more fanatical than every emperor in history, including every human monarch and the ancient elves, dwarves, and giants combined, resolutely leading the Oriense Empire and all humanity toward a self‑destructive fate.

That is more terrifying than the damage caused by a hundred tyrants!

Although they revere Lei En's power and legion, granting him the imperial crown, this emperor's first act upon ascending is such madness.

Then they would risk everything to stop the Emperor, pulling Lei En from his horse.

As long as the Emperor doesn't act rashly, that's fine.

Thinking that way, the million‑person expansion plan no longer seemed so exaggerated; the Empire's population exceeds a billion and grows rapidly each year, as massive sales of Black Soul elixirs boost the number and strength of Transcendents year after year.

A million‑strong army seems acceptable.

Know that each Abyssal Demon equals a Transcendent; on a larger Abyssal layer, demons number in the tens of millions, even hundreds of millions.

Just a mere million…

The Holy Soul Wizards and Empire senators contemplated, each person's shifting thoughts fully displayed in the Eye of the Soul.

Lei En smiled to himself.

Sure enough, people from any world like compromise; if you only say to expand by a million, everyone thinks it's too much and resists, but hinting at a desire to counter the Abyss makes them willing to accept the expansion.

Of course he wouldn't let the Imperial Defense Army attack the Abyss; that force is prepared for mortal enemy troops beyond the Empire.

A counter‑attack on the Abyss isn't merely a ruse; if the chance arises, he'll try it!

But that would be a plan for many years later.

Lei En saw the crowd had mostly decided and continued, "Star Destroyers are the Imperial Defense Army's most important combat platform, handling training, transport and deployment, ensuring safety and mobility, and serving as a powerful backbone on the battlefield."

"An Imperial‑class Star Destroyer maintains a division—about ten thousand troops—and when fully loaded can carry roughly two divisions."

"A Victory‑class Star Destroyer can transport an entire legion, about one hundred thousand people."

"Therefore, thirty Imperial‑class Star Destroyers is a suitable number," Lei En said, looking at the crowd slowly. "I also plan to build five Victory‑class ships—one Victory‑class paired with five Imperial‑class—to form six Star Destroyer fleets."

A needle's fall could be heard inside the palace.

Everyone was stunned by the Emperor's grand plan; if it can be realized, the Empire will possess thirty‑six Star Destroyers!

The Empire's power will reach an unprecedented, terrifying height!

Even in the most brilliant age of intelligent civilization, the Third Epoch, during the golden age of elves, dwarves and orcs, it still pales in comparison to the Empire. This army can easily sweep across the Prime Material Plane; the three great human empires, Aoroan, the New Continent, even the Dark Continent will all be conquered by the Empire.

Suddenly, everyone guessed the Emperor's ambition.

Although not entirely certain, they were about seventy‑or‑eighty percent confident.

The Emperor intends to lead the Empire to conquer the Prime Material Plane, which is beneficial for everyone present and for every subject of the Empire!

KangJieladeGreatSage stroked his chin thoughtfully and asked, "Your Majesty, do you know how much an Empire‑class Star Destroyer costs? And a Victory‑class?"

This is the most critical question.

Only Lei En knows the construction method and cost of a Star Destroyer, and everyone was curious. He did not conceal anything and answered calmly, "An Empire‑class costs one hundred seventy million Gold Shields; a Victory‑class requires five hundred million Gold Shields."

Everyone's eyes widened.

Just from the Star Destroyer's exterior one could tell the price was certainly not cheap, but they hadn't expected an Empire‑class to cost one hundred seventy million Gold Shields.

Silver Star Duke was stunned; her Ai La Si Zhuo Fu Kong Cheng, being small, had the lowest cost—just over eighty million Gold Shields.

One Star Destroyer could equal the value of two of her Floating Cities!

Lei En has eight Empire‑class and one Victory‑class; the total cost of these Star Destroyers approaches two billion Gold Shields!

Everyone knew the Emperor was wealthy, but they didn't realize he was this rich…

KangJieladeGreatSage inhaled deeply and said, "According to Your Majesty's plan, constructing twenty‑two Empire‑class and five Victory‑class ships will require a total of six point two billion Gold Shields. Can the Empire's finances sustain such a massive budget?"

"So I'll spread it over twenty years," Lei En replied. "Mass production, unified material procurement, and process optimization can cut the cost to about twenty percent, requiring only fifty billion Gold Shields. I'll personally contribute an additional one hundred million Gold Shields each year, so the Treasury only needs to allocate fifteen million Gold Shields annually, which is relatively manageable."

He spoke casually, yet everyone felt a chill down their spines and a blankness in their minds.

One hundred million a year for twenty years equals two billion Gold Shields; the Emperor could pull it out as if he were merely reaching into his pocket for twenty copper coins!

But on second thought, the entire Empire belongs to the Emperor.

To him, money is just a number.

Fifty billion Gold Shields to build six Star Destroyer fleets is an absolutely profitable deal; this massive investment will return ten‑fold, even hundred‑fold profits for the Empire!

The million‑strong expansion force all agreed; building a few more fleets is no big deal.

In reality, no one can stop the Emperor.

Even if the Empire's finances do not support it, the Emperor can fund a larger fleet out of his own pocket, albeit more slowly and at higher cost.

The million‑strong expansion force is the same.

The Emperor, holding supreme power, can decide and act without anyone's consent. By seeking opinions here, he has shown respect for the crowd and signaled that he is not a one‑minded, utterly dictatorial ruler.

"I have no further comments," KangJieladeGreatSage said, sitting down.

The Holy Soul Wizards all gave a slight nod.

Lei En smiled and announced, "Ba Tu La, the reorganization and expansion of the Imperial Defense Army are yours and the Ministry of War's to lead; submit the plan and budget to me within a month. Oh, and the Ministry of War will, following the reform, be renamed the 'Department of Defense,' and your title will change to 'Minister of Defense.'"

"As you command, Your Majesty," Ba Tu La rose to receive the order.

"Fa Si Ding," Lei En called the name again.

"Your Majesty."

A middle‑aged man with an expressionless face and ordinary looks stood up to respond; he is Minister of Industry Fa Si Ding, one of the vice‑presidents of the Mechanical Union.

Lei En instructed, "I'll give you a list later; you and the Ministry of Industry will handle material procurement for the Star Destroyers, select suitable sites within the Empire, expand a few ship‑building factories, draft a construction plan, and submit it to me for review."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Fa Si Ding's eyes flashed with a hint of excitement.

Lei En's gaze swept over the Holy Soul Wizards and nobles, then he said, "Within the Empire, all armies answer to the Department of Defense; the Emperor is the supreme commander of the forces."

Upon hearing this, many felt their hearts leap, realizing what the Emperor was about to declare.

Sure enough, Lei En said gravely, "Given the Empire's current state and future expansion plans, private armed forces should no longer exist within the realm. Considering historical legacies, I will allow you to retain a portion of the Transcendent Army, but with restrictions."

Silver Star Duke and Storm Queen both changed complexion.

Lei En gave them a casual glance and said, "A Duke may maintain a private force of no more than three thousand men; a Marquis, one thousand; a Count, five hundred; Viscounts and Barons may not exceed one hundred. Provincial governors, mayors, and all levels of administrative officials appointed by the Empire may not keep private armies, and any existing Transcendent forces must be disbanded within a month."

"Your Majesty…"

Someone immediately shouted, "Then who will guard us?"

Lei En looked at the governor who asked the question and replied slowly, "Your security will be handled by the local Public Security Bureau. Do not worry about insufficient personnel; I plan to spin the Public Security Bureau off from the Ministry of the Interior, establish a Public Security Department, and recruit more staff."

Storm Queen shook her head, "The Huo Ha Wen Principality cannot be without an army."

"Vassal states are exempt from the restrictions," Lei En said.

Upon hearing this, Storm Queen and Ai Mi Li Si both breathed a silent sigh of relief, and the husband‑wife lords of Hesterf City also relaxed.

KangJieladeGreatSage and Silver Star Duke, however, wore displeased expressions.

The Golem Legion and the Silver‑armored Knight Order each exceeded three thousand members.

Some imperial councilors of noble birth also surpassed the personnel limits; they opened their mouths to object, but under the Emperor's gaze they immediately fell silent.

Here, Ba Tu La stood and said, "Your Majesty, I will disband most of the Steel Knights within three days, retaining only a thousand to guard my family's lands."

"Very good, the Marquis is thoughtful," Lei En praised.

With Ba Tu La leading, other nobles and governors dared not defy, and rose to declare their willingness to disband excess private forces.

"Fine," Silver Star Duke said under pressure, "Three thousand is three thousand; since it's your request, Lei En, I'll accept."

The GrandSage also responded, "I will cut half of the Golem Legion."

Seeing that the two Holy Soul Wizards were being considerate, Lei En's face broke into a satisfied smile; he then extended his third finger and said, "Now for the third matter."

"The Empire will establish three agencies. The first is the Public Security Department I just mentioned, responsible for maintaining public order in cities, towns, villages, and all administrative regions within the Empire, combating crime, eradicating demons, and managing traffic and border crossings, among other duties."

"The second is the Imperial Intelligence Bureau. This department handles intelligence on all enemies both within and beyond the Empire, assists the Public Security Department, possesses a certain degree of law‑enforcement authority, and is directly overseen by the Emperor himself—that is, me."

"The third, and the most important, agency."

"It is above the Imperial Parliament, possessing great power——" Lei En's gaze swept over faces with various expressions, and he slowly said: "The Imperial Senate!"

(End of chapter)