Iron Dynasty Chapter 1023

The crimson glow of the blood-red sunset bathed the lands of Qingzhou, draping all in a scarlet veil.

Following a short hush in the Imperial Study, Fei Ji inquired with worry, “If that’s the case, what should Gubat do? Your humble official believes that he will not accept this condition.”

“He doesn’t need to accept this condition from the start, since I still require him to oversee the grasslands,” Xiao Ming replied steadily. “This imperial edict targets merely the barbarian prisoners heading to Siberia and Australia, for I refuse to let the territories I’ve toiled to seize turn into breeding grounds for them. Regarding Gubat, regardless of his disruptions, a shattered tribe can’t whip up any tempests. The age of mounted warriors has ended, after all.”

Fei Ji and Pang Yukun grasped it instantly. They chorused, “Your Majesty is wise.”

A faint grin crossed Xiao Ming’s face as he continued, “Though the grassland scourge has been purged, this doesn’t signify the northern peril has vanished. Instead, we’ll confront a far mightier foe—Tsarist Russia. The clash between the Empire and Tsarist Russia looms inevitable ahead.”

Pang Yukun was steadily grasping Xiao Ming’s mindset. He remarked, “Thus, Your Majesty retains Gubat to block Tsarist Russia from filling the void left by the fallen barbarians.”

“Exactly. The Cossack riders wiped out by Qi Guangyi this round highlight the issue plainly. Yet even then, I suspect certain leftover barbarian groups have fallen under Tsarist Russia’s sway.”

While speaking, Xiao Ming approached the global map and circled the region west of the Tian Shan to the Caspian Sea. This territory would become future Kazakhstan, and in this time, it lay firmly in Russia’s domain, owing to its nearness to Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Be it the old Muscovy or its later successors, they all claimed this as their age-old domain.

From the covert agents’ reports, once Dolgor yielded, Tsarist Russia assumed control here, acting for the Golden Tent Khanate to govern the Western Regions’ states on this soil.

“Is Your Majesty gearing up to vie with Tsarist Russia over this territory?” Fei Ji caught on.

With a subtle nod, Xiao Ming affirmed, “This spot forms a vital link on the Silk Road. With Tsarist Russia holding it, they’ve severed our overland path to Europe. I won’t tolerate others gripping my throat.”

Pang Yukun creased his brow. He noted, “Yet this area lies too distant from Qingzhou. Victory over the Tsarist Russian forces here would still leave governance challenging. And Your Majesty mentioned that true dominion over land demands masses of settlers to breed and thrive.”

“Furthermore, post the migrations to Guandong, Siberia, and Ryukyu, seven million souls have already departed our borders. Per Your Majesty’s blueprint, we’ll need to send folks to Australia and North America too. Such outflows will dwindle the Empire’s core populace, hampering industrial and trade growth severely,” Fei Ji added in agreement.

“Elder Fei’s grasp on the population boon sharpens by the day. Indeed. As the Empire’s factories grow vast and diverse, ample hands are essential for a full-fledged production chain, lest we hit an inescapable deadlock,” Xiao Ming responded.

Truth be told, he’d long prioritized demographics. That’s why he’d decreed incentives for births. Still, swelling numbers wasn’t an overnight feat. From the Empire’s base of eighty to ninety million, projections showed a peak gain of twenty million over a decade.

Nevertheless, the Empire topped the world’s headcount. Fei Ji’s fretting held merit, yet it was somewhat redundant, for he aimed not to gorge all at once.

The drive behind shifting multitudes to Guandong was to broaden the Empire’s Asian holdings and secure firm hold, given Tsarist Russia’s pressing menace. Fail to claim it, and they would. Territory hung in the balance.

By contrast, matters in Australia, North America, and Southeast Asia varied. No pressing urge existed to thrust subjects there forcibly, since his aims were commercial gains. Troops could subdue locals, while trade lures drew voluntary settlers.

Thus, over mere decades of rearing families, those seeking fresh starts would swell into a robust throng, leveraging numbers to claim these realms for real.

With that in mind, he shared his vision with the pair.

Fei Ji and Pang Yukun nodded as one. Pang Yukun commented, “Your Majesty has plotted this wisely from the outset. Splendid.”

“The Empire’s prime focus remains fostering trade and factories. I shan’t undermine my roots. With barbarians routed, the urgent danger fades. Tsarist Russia may glare hungrily, but they can’t breach our bulwarks. Hence, I’ve forged an era of stability unmatched. Your council must grasp this chance to erect the Empire’s factory framework fully.”

Thereupon, Xiao Ming lifted a hefty dossier from the desk. This outlined the Empire’s growth strategy, assembled by Yang Chengye under his final nod.

Within lay priority builds listed. For power sources, he greenlit steam plants across districts, a massive coal firm in coal-abundant Chang’an City, plus an oil-drilling scheme.

On transit, he okayed bridging, rail-laying, and road-building empire-wide in every district and town. For factories, resource-laden zones got heavy plants, while shoresides honed lighter crafts.

Besides, for learning, he sanctioned prime schools in Jinling, Chang’an, Jinzhou, Bozhou, Lin’an, Songjiang, Suzhou, and more, stressing science and tech spread.

For vessel-making, beyond prior Dengzhou and Jinling yards, he endorsed thirty grand ones anew, like Bisha City, Songjiang, Lin’an, and Guangzhou yards.

All these were crown-owned, apt for war vessels or merchant craft. Post-grassland purge, seas would claim more focus, so Xiao Ming spotlighted the yards this go.

Pang Yukun received the growth outline. One look revealed the frenzy awaiting him ahead.

State matters wrapped, the duo prepared to depart. Then Qian Dafu entered from the annex, passing a war dispatch to Xiao Ming.

“Your Majesty, Southwest Army head Luo Xin reports that scout riders beyond Songzhou City spotted Tibetan horsemen surging north,” Qian Dafu announced.

“Tibet?” Xiao Ming’s brow furrowed sharply. Barbarians freshly crushed, and Tibet stirred anew. Yet this blatant northward push, skirting Songzhou assault, screamed intent.

He hadn’t foreseen Tibet lunging for his triumph’s spoils before Tsarist Russia stirred.