Put Away Your Divine Techniques Now! Chapter 1128 - 336: [Empty as Can Be]_3

But at certain moments, much like an individual succumbing to a severe illness when their body's defenses falter, they... perish.

Across the vast expanse of time, grand dynasties rose and subsequently crumbled; for extended periods, these empires fractured due to incursions by ethnic groups originating from seemingly more primitive and untamed borderlands.

Occasionally, there were instances where these so-called barbarian tribes seized control, establishing themselves as the new arbiters of power—though such reigns were typically ephemeral.

The inherent friction and cultural chasm fostered an environment where the two distinct civilizations found coexistence impossible, inevitably leading to one absorbing the other or one being utterly annihilated.

Effective rulership necessitates a multitude of critical elements:

When a territory lies exceedingly remote, devoid of telephones, telegraphs, or any functional means of long-distance communication—especially during eras where productive capacity remains underdeveloped.

If a location is excessively distant, dispatching an envoy from the imperial capital might consume as much as a year; consequently, it becomes exceedingly challenging for the central government to impose genuine dominion over such faraway territories.

Within the historical trajectory of this 'unidentified race,' although their capacity for production saw gradual enhancement, it never truly exploded forth, like the fervent flame of an industrial revolution.

This very limitation has resulted in a recurring pattern where successive dynasties proved incapable of effectively administering numerous distant and isolated regions.

As the central power begins its inevitable decay, unrest invariably sparks in those far-flung territories.

Consider, for example, the historical chronicle Chen Yan is presently engrossed in.

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The reigning dynasty of this land bears the name 'He,' and since its establishment, it has endured for over 160 years.

Up to this juncture, Chen Yan has observed that the chronicles of this 'unidentified race' encompass more than twenty major unified dynasties.

And those that never achieved unification, instead settling within a single region, fracturing across territories, or engaging in prolonged conflicts—whether north versus south, east versus west, or divided amongst three to five separate states—the permutations are countless.

This 'He' dynasty represents the twenty-fourth major unified empire to ascend.

From Chen Yan's vantage point, it appears to have elevated the feudal system to its zenith.

Their celestial calendar boasts remarkable precision, enabling a more accurate forecasting of weather patterns and seasonal shifts, which in turn bolsters agricultural yields and food production.

In terms of technological progress, their metalworking techniques are notably advanced, permitting the creation of superior metallic substances.

Culturally, they exhibit enhanced sanitation practices and more developed transportation networks; with efficient transit, trade routes flourish, facilitating more fluid and prosperous commercial exchanges.

—The old adage, 'To amass wealth, build roads first,' is demonstrably not mere rhetoric but an undeniable reality!

Their administration of outlying territories is also showing marked improvement.

Concurrently, the 'He' dynasty benefits from a comparatively stable trajectory of ascent.

They refined methodologies akin to official selection processes, adopting a specific ideology as the state's primary doctrine, and even developed systems mirroring imperial or civil service examinations.

They even managed, at least to some extent, to curb the monopolistic influence of entrenched noble clans; ostensibly, individuals from even the most modest backgrounds possessed an opportunity to enter this governing structure—compelling the aristocratic families to relinquish significant portions of their entrenched power.

Diligently, they fortified their military defenses, subduing the nomadic tribes in the frontier regions—not solely through martial might, but also via cultural and even religious assimilation, integrating and consistently drawing resources from them...

They ventured even further, dismantling traditional gender barriers within the lineage of succession—they permit women to inherit positions of authority!

Reminiscent of empress dowagers exerting influence from behind the throne in antiquity, or the noble ladies, female chieftains, and reigning queens found in European history.

Chen Yan has dedicated over three years to this deep dive into history!

He has perused the sagas of this unknown race's twenty-plus unified empires, witnessed an endless stream of minor kingdoms, observed diverse cycles of historical ascendance and collapse, and meticulously analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of various governmental frameworks!

Even Chen Yan is compelled to concede, this 'He' dynasty has achieved the ultimate evolution of the feudal system!

Furthermore, and crucially! Their capacity for food production has seen a dramatic surge! Stemming from the widespread cultivation of particular specialized crops, the overall output of sustenance has risen substantially!

This particular development, in a distinct aspect, lessens the populace's desperate reliance on arable land, allowing for the support of a greater number of individuals, thereby mitigating the pressures of land consolidation.

The underlying logic is simple: everyone requires sustenance; failing this, rebellion becomes inevitable.

Insufficient agricultural output coupled with the concentration of land ownership invariably hastens widespread starvation, thereby precipitating societal upheaval.

An enhancement in land productivity broadens the tolerance for systemic malfunctions and delays the onset of famine.

—In essence, Chen Yan perceives no conceivable reason for the 'He' dynasty's eventual downfall.

They appear to have reached the very apex of the feudal governmental structure.

Their internal mechanisms are, for all intents and purposes, perfected, and their external defenses are sufficiently resilient.

Then, great calamities befell mankind.

The ninth Emperor of the He dynasty breathed his last.

This late Emperor could hardly be deemed a wise ruler; he was rather ordinary, and his reign was neither exceptionally just nor unduly cruel.

His most significant error was the failure to produce an outstanding heir, and he remained indecisive in selecting a successor.

This ultimately triggered a major crisis.

Upon his demise, both of his sons laid claim to the throne, with each faction rallying a group of powerful individuals.

Subsequently, a coup transpired, escalating into war and widespread turmoil.