Three Kingdoms: Start by buying a governor.

"At the same time, we will support industries such as cotton spinning, sugar refining, oil pressing, and winemaking so that agricultural products can be sold and fetched good prices. Farmers will not only have surplus grain but also surplus money. The Ever-Normal Granary will continue to expand, and the national grain reserves will be sufficient to feed people for more than ten years. No matter the drought, flood, locust plague, or epidemic, no one will be allowed to starve to death."

Minister of Agriculture Jia Sixie stepped forward, bowed, and spoke in a steady voice:

"Your subject obeys the imperial decree and will ensure sufficient food and peace for the people throughout the land."

The ministers below were relieved... With grain in hand, they had nothing to fear. His Majesty had firmly held the line. No matter how much he pushed through industry or expanded the territory, he would not let the people go hungry. This was the foundation.

"The fifth item is the deepening of science and education and the industrial talent project."

Liu Ce's gaze fell upon the Ministry of Rites' procession:

"For industry to develop and for maritime power to be maintained, we do not rely on me, but on millions of talented people. From today onwards, universities in all provinces shall continue to expand their enrollment, and prefectural, county, and township schools shall be established in border provinces, so that children in border provinces will receive the same treatment as those in the interior."

"Five years from now, the national literacy rate must reach 25%. Every additional literate person gives the Han Dynasty more confidence."

"The Imperial Academy of the Great Han Dynasty has established new research institutes in various science and engineering disciplines to deepen fundamental knowledge. Patent rewards have been doubled, with the highest reward for major core inventions reaching ten million coins. The rank of craftsmen has been raised by one level, with top-ranking craftsmen receiving the same rank as prefectural officials..."

The officials bowed respectfully, saying, "Your Majesty's promotion of education and enlightenment of the people is a monumental achievement! We, your subjects, will certainly do our utmost to educate and enlighten the world!"

"The sixth project is the modernization and transformation of the military."

Liu Ce's gaze swept over the group of military generals, and the hall instantly filled with murderous intent.

"With new steel and steam engines, we can no longer stick to the old ways of weaponry and tactics. The Privy Council and the Ministry of War should take the lead in mass-producing flintlock muskets with bayonets. Within five years, a million soldiers should be basically re-equipped, and 100% of elite troops should be equipped with them... We should establish independent artillery units. Infantry, cavalry, and artillery should train together, and formations and tactics should be adapted to the weapons. We cannot fight old battles with new guns."

"Expand military academies to train officers who understand new weapons and new tactics. Build permanent fortifications, install heavy artillery, and construct bastions in the eight border provinces to form a three-dimensional border defense of 'fortifications + cavalry + artillery,' which is as solid as a rock."

Li Jing, Xu Da, Su Dingfang, Qi Jiguang, and Yue Fei stepped forward in unison, their voices resounding throughout the palace.

"Your Majesty, we obey! We will surely train a mighty army that can sweep across the world!"

Zhang Fei rubbed his hands together, eager for battle, and whispered to Guan Yu, "Second Brother, let's get all new guns! That'll make fighting even more exciting!"

Guan Yu nodded slightly, his eyes also showing anticipation.

After the six major projects were announced, the atmosphere inside the hall became somewhat tense.

Everyone knew perfectly well that after these five years, the Han Dynasty was no longer the Central Plains dynasty of the past, but a completely new empire unprecedented in history, a celestial nation capable of suppressing the four seas.

Liu Ce stood up, slowly walked down the steps, and stood in front of the Nine Dragon Steps, his gaze sweeping over every face.

"I know some will say we're taking too big a step, others will fear too many uncertainties. But I want to ask you all: more than ten years ago, when we first occupied Luoyang, who could have imagined the territory we have today, the artisans we have today, the prosperity we enjoy today?"

"Roads are made by walking, and great achievements are built through hard work. I reiterate three ironclad rules, which everyone must remember:"

First, merits will be rewarded and demerits will be punished. Those who complete tasks on time or in excess will be promoted and rewarded with millions; those who shirk responsibility, delay the project, or cause problems will be dismissed and investigated without exception.

Secondly, the whole country is united, and government orders are carried out smoothly. All ministries and provinces are subject to the command of the State Planning Commission. Anyone who dares to disobey or obstruct the plan, no matter how senior or high-ranking, will be severely punished by me.

Thirdly, the people are the foundation, and labor must not be wasted. The hiring of laborers must be strictly controlled in terms of time, and they must be paid in full. Heavy work should be given priority to soldiers and convicts. Farming season must not be missed, and the labor of the people must not be overburdened. The people are the foundation of the nation; whoever harms the people, I will take their head.”

His voice echoed throughout the entire Taiji Hall:

"My lords, firstly, we secure our livelihood; secondly, we expand our territory and strengthen our empire; and thirdly, what we must do is plan for a thousand years, for ten thousand generations. I want future generations to know that the glory of the Han Dynasty lies not only in its vast territory, but also in its founding achievements. I want the Han Dynasty's railways to be laid across the continents; the Han Dynasty's warships to sail the four seas; the Han Dynasty's writings to be spread to all nations; and the Han Dynasty's fame to shine for a thousand autumns."

He looked at the officials below and asked in a deep voice:

"My lords, are you willing to join me in establishing this dynasty that will last for ten thousand generations?"

The hall was silent for a moment, then erupted in a thunderous roar.

Xun Yu, Fang Xuanling, and Du Ruhui were the first to bow with their hands clasped in greeting, followed closely by Song Yingxing, Li Jing, Xu Da, Zhou Yu, and Lu Bing. All the civil and military officials then bowed in unison.

"We, your humble servants, are willing to serve you with utmost loyalty! Long live Your Majesty!"

The sound waves surged out of the Taiji Hall, over the palace walls, and drifted into the streets and alleys of Luoyang, and into the distant mountains and rivers.

Sunlight streamed down, reflecting in everyone's eyes.

No one doubts that in the next five years, the Great Han will run faster and go further.

After all, they had an emperor who dared to think and act, and a group of ministers who were willing to fight alongside them.

...... ...... ......

In April of the eleventh year of Shenwu, in Luoyang.

Along the Dongyang Canal, the air was filled with the smells of engine oil and sawdust.

Three years ago, this place was just a muddy wasteland covered with waist-high reeds. Wild ducks roamed in the reed beds, and occasionally a few small, dilapidated fishing boats would drift by. Fishermen would squat on the shore eating cornbread. There wasn't even a proper dock.

Now everything has changed. The riverbank has been leveled, and rows of tall sheds, warehouses, and slipways are lined up along the bank. The tallest slipway has a large chimney on its roof, emitting gray-white steam day and night, and you can hear the clanging sound from afar.

This is the Luojing Shipyard, which was directly under the Ministry of Works. Although it is called a "shipyard", when Song Yingxing first came here three years ago, his shoes sank into the mud after taking three steps and he couldn't pull them out.

This story goes back three years.

That day, Liu Ce slammed a thick stack of blueprints onto Song Yingxing's desk. The cover was titled "General Design and Propulsion System Principles of Steamships," and an alternative design called "propeller" was attached at the back.

Song Yingxing squatted there for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, but the more he flipped through the pages, the more confused he became... Impeller angle, shaft torque, pitch ratio—he recognized each word, but put them together, it was like a book written in heaven.

Finally, pointing to the thing on the blueprint that looked like a crooked windmill and had to be submerged in water, he stammered, "Your Majesty... this ship... it doesn't have sails?"

"Need not."

"No one needs to row?"

"Need not."

"...Then how does it move forward? By relying on His Majesty's imperial decree?"

Liu Ce was amused by him and pointed to the propeller ring:

"That's how it works. You put it underwater at the stern, and the steam engine turns it, pushing the water backward, and the boat moves forward. It's the same principle as your windmill turning to create wind, just the reverse."