Warhammer, I really didn't intend to form a second empire!

"The two are different in nature, and the focus of the quota method is also different."

Zhao Zheng closed the case file and placed it on his lap.

"Military ranks are based on military achievements, while worker ranks are based on creation, innovation, and output."

"An engineer who improves the process of an ammunition production line, increasing monthly output by 20%, should receive a promotion equivalent to that of a commander in a small-scale conflict."

"A foundry who creates a new type of power armor should be awarded a title equivalent to annihilating an alien fleet."

Kongming's eyebrows twitched slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.

"I understand. If we handle it this way, the incentive efficiency of the rank system may be higher than that of simply comparing it to military ranks."

"It's not just a matter of efficiency."

Zhao Zheng stood up and walked towards the observation porthole.

Outside the glass, the starry sky gradually faded from deep blue in the morning light. Zhao Zheng's gaze pierced through the vast distance, watching the dark red surface of the mining world in the Yulin Star System slowly rotate, the glassy areas reflecting the cold white light cast by the star.

"The empire needs not only soldiers and generals who are good at fighting, but also talents who can reform and innovate, and even more so, talents who can advance our technology."

"Without foundries and engineers, the explosive guns in the hands of soldiers are just scrap metal; without architects and planners, new colonies will forever be refugee camps. Give those who create things a high enough ceiling, and they will be willing to devote their lives to it."

Even if he didn't give it to them, the blood ties in their genes would make many people willing to sacrifice for Zhao Zheng. However, Zhao Zheng would not allow his offspring and subordinates to bleed and weep; there is no reason for that.

“The ranks of craftsmen are divided into nine separate classes, from craftsmen to craftsmen ministers, and the evaluation criteria are based on actual output and the value created.”

"Those who create a prototype of a new type of powered armor will be promoted one level; those who improve the production line to increase production capacity by 20% will be promoted one level; and those who complete the design of large-scale infrastructure and successfully implement it will be promoted one level."

"Han Fei was asked to write these details into the Qin Code as permanent provisions, not as a temporary policy."

Kongming quickly took out a metal notepad from his pocket. The pen tip scratched across the surface of the notepad, making a fine rustling sound. Some things still needed to be written down, even if he wouldn't forget them.

"I have noted it down."

"Also, military and civilian ranks can be stacked, but they cannot be converted into one another. Have Han Fei add this rule as well, and remember to have Xiao He write down the specific calculation standards and procedures for stacked ranks."

"Yes."

Kongming put the notepad back into his pocket, but did not leave immediately. He stood there in silence for a moment, as if considering his words, before speaking.

"Your Majesty, there is one more matter. General Sun Wu, commander of the Fourth Fleet, submitted a post-war analysis report yesterday regarding the unusual behavior of the Greenskins during the Yulin Star System campaign."

"There is a section in the report that I believe should be mentioned to you separately."

Kongming retrieved the report from the notepad, ran his fingertip along the edge of the screen, and the text appeared in mid-air.

Zhao Zheng did not turn around, still gazing at the starry sky outside the porthole, but his gaze returned from the distance to the floating text.

The text mentions a detail from the Yulin Galaxy battle: when the main Greenskin forces were compressed to the northern section of the Rift Valley, they exhibited an extremely unusual formation change during their retreat, which was not like a rout, but more like they were protecting something as it was being moved deeper underground.

Logically speaking, the Greenskins, being aliens, should never have any formation. Whether it's charging or fleeing, even the Greenskin leader couldn't possibly lead such an elite force.

Zhao Zheng had noticed this before.

"The report states that the Greenskins did not attempt to break out in the final stages, but instead withdrew their forces to a natural cavern area about 400 meters below their main lair, where they put up a resistance."

"Their resistance was not strong; Xiang Ji had already annihilated them from behind."

"But even after losing the support of the waaaaagh force field, their performance still doesn't quite fit the logic of the Greenskins' retreat."

Kongming's words still retained that gentle and refined tone, and his speech was clear, articulate, and well-organized.

What's down there?

"A teleportation device that didn't register on the Qin's detection equipment. If General Sun Wu hadn't discovered a non-green material pipe welded to the rock wall while cleaning the lair, we probably wouldn't have noticed it at all."

"General Sun Wu dug down the pipe for nearly two hundred meters and found a cylindrical structure wrapped in multiple layers of discarded metal plates at the bottom of the natural cavity."

Zhao Zheng frowned, which reminded him of the Bonebreakers of the future. They seemed to have created such a teleportation device, but the Bonebreaker's was much larger, since it could support fleet jumps.

Could it be that such a small green-skinned empire could actually build such a device? With that much potential?

What do you think?

"General Sun Tzu did not tamper with that structure. He has sealed the device with his psionic energy and brought it back. He is awaiting your instructions."

"Furthermore, he included a speculation in his report that those green-skinned people might not be the native population of this planet."

This is perfectly normal and nothing to be surprised about.

"They were most likely moved here by people, and they were kept with a specific purpose in mind."

Zhao Zheng suddenly turned around. What's going on?

"Orbital reconnaissance records show that there are no large-scale building remains on the surface of the third planet in the Yulin system. The green-skinned nests are all concentrated in the rift valley area, which is more than 600 meters deep, as if they were deliberately hidden underground."

"General Sun Tzu believed that this green-skinned empire was likely migrated from elsewhere, and that teleportation device was a way out left for them."

"Can the signals from the transmission device be traced?"

"The signal has been interrupted and its source cannot be traced."

Kongming shook his head slightly.

"Any other discoveries?"

"No, we can't find anything now."

Zhao Zheng lowered his head and pondered for a moment, his fingertips lightly tapping on the armrest of the command chair.

"Have Sun Wu disassemble that teleportation device, number all the parts, and send it back to the Central Research Institute on Qiankun Star. Tell Hua Tuo and Bian Que to prioritize analyzing the composition of the outer wall of the device; I need to know what it is."

"Yes."

"In addition, let the engineers take the SCV to continue digging down in the rift valley to see if there are similar structures at deeper underground."

"Since the Greenskins chose to weld the teleportation device to the rock wall instead of carrying it with them, it means they think they still need it, or they can't move it easily. There must be something fishy about something that even such outrageous aliens like the Greenskins can't do."

"Yes."

"Your Majesty, there are two more things."

"Go ahead."

"In the post-war statistics of the Yulin Star System, the group of young people you sent on Yuanshuo No. 1... performed quite well in all aspects."

"When the third training camp just ended, 4,237 people volunteered to join the next round of Astartes modification surgery."

"Their physical condition is among the best of their peers in Yuanshuo, but it still falls short of the standards you set. After discussing with Hua Tuo, I believe that if we use two rounds of gene enhancement drugs before surgery, the success rate may not be much lower than that of the candidates from Qiankun Star."

Do they themselves realize the risks?

"Yes, everyone signed the informed consent form in their own handwriting on the application. The eyes of the children in Yuanshuo are exactly the same as those of the children on Qiankun Star."

"Then approve it. Let Hua Tuo's side compress the strengthening cycle from two rounds to one and a half rounds to shorten the adaptation period. Since they are so determined, let's not let the process drag them down."

"Yes."

"Xiao He submitted a preliminary plan for the administrative structure of the new colony this morning."

"He proposed to establish a governor's office in Yuanshuo No. 1, with a brother familiar with government affairs serving as governor, and to transfer 3,000 experienced officials from Qiankun Star to form the backbone, while the remaining positions would be filled by candidates from Yuanshuo through assessment."

Zhao Zheng nodded slightly. This move was very much in line with Xiao He's consistent style: steady, solid, and watertight.

"Have Xiao He write down the details clearly. Leave the candidate for governor blank for now, and you can conduct the selection. Just let me know when you've chosen."

"Your subject understands."

Kongming exited the hatch, his footsteps moving slowly and deliberately in the alloy corridor. After walking about twenty steps from the bridge, he paused for a moment at the corner and took out two more letters from his pocket.

Three days ago, his mother sent a letter from Qiankun Star. The letter was on old-fashioned handwritten paper, which seemed a bit clumsy in this era when electronic communication was almost ubiquitous in the empire. Anything could have been resolved with a simple communication.

"The weather is getting colder, and the sycamore leaves here in our hometown are all over the ground. The thatched hut you used to live in was always covered by fallen leaves. How are you doing there? If it's cold, remember to wear two more cotton coats. I still remember that year you told me that you wanted to do something big, to make sure everyone has enough to eat and wear. Your father and mother are very proud of you. Take care of your health and don't overwork yourself."

There was also a letter addressed to Kongming himself, bearing a peach blossom mark.

The Thousand Machine Heavy Cannon is finally finished! I've sent you the blueprints. When are you coming back? I miss you so much.

——Yue Ying

Kongming smiled, but there was a hint of complexity in his eyes.

Zhao Zheng, who had been secretly observing the offspring's reactions with his psychic powers, suddenly understood that the Empire's mental castration of Astartes was not without reason.

Zhao Zheng now felt he had to seriously consider this issue: whether or not mental castration should be included in the surgical procedure.

If this problem is not handled properly, the Qin Empire may face serious problems later on.

Chapter Sixteen: The Great Expedition Begins!

On the bridge of the Lishan, Zhao Zheng sat alone in the command chair next to the main control position, his fingertips tracing the dent he had unintentionally made on the metal armrest.

The holographic star map on the dome was slowly rotating. The star field that the Qin Empire had explored was marked as a pale blue halo, occupying only the size of a fingernail in a local area of ​​the spiral arm of the Milky Way. However, the expanding arrows were painted with several dark red lines, extending straight in three directions.

Each line ends with the coordinates of a star system that has not yet been incorporated into the territory; these are the colonies that the Qin Empire is about to conquer.

But Zhao Zheng's gaze was not on the star map at this moment. He didn't need to worry about the war; Li Jing and the others were enough.

A document floated on the tactical panel in front of him, titled "Preliminary Recommendations on the Mental Intervention Program for Gene Seed Fitters," and was signed jointly by Hua Tuo and Bian Que.

This is something Zhao Zheng discussed with Bian Que and Hua Tuo after "accidentally" peeking at Kongming's letter. They have now carefully studied it and come up with a solution.

But now, the document has been sitting there for a day, and Zhao Zheng still hasn't given his approval.

This is not a technical issue; Hua Tuo and Bian Que have already clearly explained the pros and cons from a technical perspective.

The biological processes of Space Marine modification surgery have stabilized, but some individuals are experiencing increasing emotional intensity and social stress after undergoing the procedure.

Specifically, this manifests as a strong attachment to one's family of origin, childhood environment, and intimate relationships, as well as the subjective suffering caused by this attachment during long-term campaigns and arduous tasks.

In other words, these superhuman-modified warriors are still not mature enough on a mental level. They still miss home, yearn for a certain temperature, and secretly wear themselves down because they cannot return to that temperature.

Even the most formidable fighting machine will remain silent for a long time when no one is around at night.

Zhao Zheng tapped his fingers lightly twice on the armrest.

He knew this, but now he regrets it.

Zhao Zheng didn't know whether it was right or wrong of him to be soft-hearted and not to mentally castrate his offspring.

If it's about war efficiency and avoiding unnecessary emotional impact, then Zhao Zheng is undoubtedly wrong. Moreover, this is the Warhammer world, and Zhao Zheng's momentary soft-heartedness is even more of a mistake.

But the blood ties of the Father of Genetics are no joke. Every day, he can touch the softest part of his offspring's hearts through his psychic perception and feel their feelings for him and the Great Qin Empire.

Deep in the innocent hearts of the Space Marines, they see themselves as a huge and warm mountain, a mountain they can always rely on.

How could Zhao Zheng possibly bring himself to do it?

He recalled Hua Tuo's quote in the report: "Emotion is both the most powerful source of human will and the most vulnerable structural weakness of the Space Marines."

This is Zhao Zheng's biggest dilemma, because he hopes that his offspring can live like normal people in the future, instead of becoming like the Space Marines, who only care about war and efficiency.

Humans should not be weapons of war. Even if Zhao Zheng created them, it doesn't mean he wants them to become like that.

Zhao Zheng was indeed afraid that Chaos would take advantage of the situation, but that didn't mean he wanted his offspring to become like those "cousins" of the human empire.

Zhao Zheng closed the document, stood up from his chair, and decided to put the matter out of his mind for the time being.

Some decisions cannot be rushed, especially those that concern the mental development of hundreds of thousands or even millions of offspring for centuries to come.

He needs more time to observe and accumulate data; he cannot make decisions based on momentary soft-heartedness or ruthlessness.

Zhao Zheng came to the tactical analysis room to check on the recent battle situation.

The indoor lighting was brighter than the corridor, and a partial star map of the Longxi star field was floating on the central holographic projection table. A dozen duty officers were gathered around the table, discussing something in hushed tones.

Upon seeing Zhao Zheng enter, everyone immediately stood at attention.

"His Majesty."

"Let's continue."

Zhao Zheng waved his hand, walked to the holographic table, placed his hands on the edge of the table, and scanned the faces of the advisors before finally landing on the coordinate data marked on the right side of the star map.

What is the progress of subsequent colonization of the A-1 system?

A middle-aged military officer in a dark gray uniform stepped forward, swiped his finger along the edge of the holographic interface a few times, and brought up a new data stream.

"The first phase of the ground infrastructure renovation in A-1-A has been completed, with seven standardized ports and forty-six agricultural settlements put into operation, and the number of registered residents has increased by 20% compared to a month ago."

He paused slightly at this point.