Qin Renhuang just became an immortal, and you told me this is the prehistoric time

With the food and resettlement issues resolved, the next step... should be to send troops!
His Majesty said that the new world is just a small place, and there is no need for veteran generals like them to take action. It is a good opportunity for young generals to gain experience!
So, to whom will this tremendous achievement, this monumental feat of expanding territory and plundering the people of a world, fall?

Is it one of the rising stars in the military? Or a young captain in the Imperial Guard who enjoys the Emperor's favor? Or perhaps... His Majesty has other plans?
Every general's heart was in their throat, their eyes filled with anticipation and longing.

They were eager to know whose name His Majesty would choose and which young general would be entrusted with this sword of conquest!

Ying Xuan's gaze lingered on Wang Guan and Li Si for a moment, without the slightest hint of disdain.

He knew full well that the concerns of these two veteran ministers were not out of personal motives, but rather stemmed from the ingrained mindset formed over a long period of governing a vast empire. Suddenly accepting hundreds of millions of people, in their established understanding, did indeed exceed the limits of the existing Qin system.

I understand, but the wheels of empire must keep turning.

"The imperial examination system is the foundation of the nation."

Ying Xuan's voice echoed in the Xuanzheng Hall, carrying a resolute determination to usher in a new era.

"The Cabinet shall immediately draft an edict to proclaim to the world: From this day forward, the Great Qin shall implement the imperial examination system for selecting officials! All citizens of the Great Qin, regardless of their background, are eligible to participate!"

His gaze swept over the assembled ministers below, who were listening intently, and he spoke each word with perfect clarity.

"The imperial examination is divided into three levels! The county examination produces Xiucai (a successful candidate in the county-level imperial examination); the prefectural examination produces Juren (a successful candidate in the county-level imperial examination); and the capital examination produces Jinshi (a successful candidate in the imperial examination). Xiucai can enter the prefectural schools for further study. Juren can enter the Royal Academy of Political Affairs for further study. Only those who pass the Jinshi examination are qualified to serve as officials at all levels in the Great Qin Dynasty!"

Upon hearing this, the civil officials in the hall, especially those from humble backgrounds or local counties, instantly gleamed with barely suppressed excitement!
The imperial examination system! Breaking the monopoly of powerful clans, selecting only the talented! This is the true path to success! It is the fairness they have always dreamed of!

“Furthermore,” Ying Xuan’s voice rang out again, carrying a deeper meaning.

"Those who have passed the imperial examinations and are interested in military service may be admitted to the Royal Military Academy after passing the examinations! The Cabinet and the Military Council shall formulate detailed regulations, academic system, coursework and examination standards for the Royal Academy of Political Affairs and the Royal Military Academy within half a month!"

"I decree that these two academies shall become the cradle of future pillars of the empire, both in literature and military affairs!"

"I will obey your orders!"

Wang Guan, Li Si, and the six ministers responded in unison, their voices carrying an unprecedented solemnity and sense of mission.

They understood that this was not merely a matter of selecting talent, but a fundamental plan to reshape the imperial power structure and lay the foundation for an everlasting dynasty!

Despite the numerous difficulties and obstacles, we must go all out to implement this policy!
Having dealt with the fundamental issues of civil administration, Ying Xuan turned his attention to Wang Jian, the Grand Secretary of the Military Council.

"Wang Qing."

"Chen is here!"

Wang Jian's spirits lifted, and he took a step forward.

"As the world advances and the world expands, the structure of the military should also be adjusted accordingly."

Ying Xuan's voice was steady and powerful.

"The military council is hereby ordered to immediately begin a comprehensive rotation of the Imperial Guards and regular troops from various prefectures and counties!"

He paused and continued.

"During the previous tempering in the Demon Refining Tower, more than 900,000 of the million Imperial Guards entered the tower, and their soul potential was enhanced. However, more than 750,000 who did not enter the tower have been assigned to the garrison army."

The core of this tactical rotation is to weed out the weak and retain the strong, thus rebuilding the team's foundation!

"Among all the soldiers in various prefectures who have not undergone the tempering of the Demon Refining Tower, regardless of their previous rank, they shall all be transferred to the garrison troops or local security auxiliary troops! Their vacancies shall be filled by soldiers from the Imperial Guard who have already undergone the tempering of the tower and have performed outstandingly!"

Make sure that all regular troops in the Empire are elite soldiers with unwavering will and immense potential!

Wang Jian's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he clasped his hands in a deep voice.

"Your subject obeys the decree! I will certainly eliminate the weak and incompetent and rebuild a strong army!"

He knew perfectly well that His Majesty intended to spread those 900,000 elite Imperial Guards, whose souls had been tempered, throughout every corner of the empire's military system, fundamentally upgrading the army!
“In addition,” Win Xuan added.

"The world has advanced, spiritual energy has revived, and the path ahead is even broader. Military personnel will also need to make new choices."

The imperial edict orders all armies: Those unwilling to undergo further trials in the Demon-Refining Tower, or to bear the greater risks and challenges of the future, may voluntarily apply to leave the regular army and transfer to the agricultural colony or local posts. The court will grant them preferential treatment. Forced marriages are never sweet; what I desire is a truly ambitious, courageous, and capable army!

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

Wang Jian and the generals behind him responded in unison.

This order not only eliminates those with weak will in the army but also unites the hearts and minds of those who are truly willing to fight, making it a brilliant move.

“After the shift change,” Ying Xuan’s voice took on a chilling tone.

"From the newly formed Imperial Guard, select 400,000 of the most elite troops! This army will serve as the vanguard for the empire's territorial expansion and the main force in the conquest of the new world!"

"Four hundred thousand elite troops!"

Wang Jian and the others gasped, their eyes burning with fighting spirit! His Majesty was finally going to deploy this transformed iron army!

"Summon Zhang Han, Zhou Bo, Meng Tian, ​​and Wang Ben to the capital immediately!"

Ying Xuan's voice carried an air of authority.

"My mind is made up for this battle: Zhang Han will be the commander-in-chief, and Zhou Bo, Meng Tian, ​​and Wang Ben will be his deputies! They will command this new army of 400,000!"

Zhang Han? Zhou Bo? Meng Tian? Wang Ben?
The generals in the hall raced through their thoughts. Zhang Han was calm and experienced, Zhou Bo was brave and decisive, Meng Tian was youthful and spirited, and Wang Ben came from a family with a strong scholarly tradition…

This four-person team, with both seasoned veterans and rising stars, is indeed the perfect choice for conquering a small world! Your Majesty's discerning eye for talent is truly admirable!
"After these four men arrive in the capital, they shall immediately reorganize the Imperial Guards of the new Qin capital, familiarize themselves with military affairs, and prepare for war! They shall await my orders!"

Ying Xuan gave the final order.

"The minister obeys the order!"

Wang Jian solemnly accepted the order, already planning in his mind how to cooperate with the four newly appointed commanders to complete the handover and preparation of the army.

With the imperial edict issued, the entire Qin Empire, like a sophisticated war machine, began to roar into action!
In the central cabinet, the lights stayed on all night.

Wang Guan, Li Si, Zhang Juzheng, and others sat around a table with piles of documents on their desks.

They face unprecedented challenges.

The implementation of the imperial examination system, the division of new prefectures and counties to accommodate the future population of hundreds of millions, and the selection of suitable officials to manage these new territories were all crucial steps.
How can we overcome that damned road problem and promptly transport the massive quantities of pumpkins that have been hastily planted throughout the empire, as well as the reserve grains that may be transported back from the New World, to the counties along the major rivers to ensure the food supply for the waterway settlements?
"The regulations for the imperial examinations need to be detailed down to every step of the process, from the county-level examinations to the prefectural-level examinations and the capital-level examinations, including the scope of the exam questions, the selection of examiners, and measures to prevent cheating..."

Wang Guan rubbed his temples, his voice weary yet unusually firm. "The academic system, curriculum, and faculty of the Royal Academy of Political Science and the Military Academy... these are of paramount importance! Half a month is too tight!"

"The division of the new counties must be closely integrated with the Ministry of Works' waterway relocation plan!"

Li Si pointed to the huge map of the empire's territory.

"Which counties and prefectures are located along rivers and can be given priority for resettlement? How many people can be resettled? How many officials are needed? Ministry of Personnel, what is your manpower reserve?"

The Minister of Personnel smiled bitterly.

"Previous expansions were already insufficient, and now... the only hope is to expedite the imperial examinations and to select capable officials from the existing ranks to temporarily fill the gaps..."

"Grain transportation is the lifeline!"

Zhang Juzheng's voice was resolute.

"The Ministry of Works must mobilize all available grain transport ships and naval vessels! The Ministry of Revenue must accurately calculate the pumpkin yield and ripening time in various regions and plan the optimal transportation routes! The Ministry of War must dispatch troops along the route to ensure the smooth flow of supplies! This is a death order, and there is no room for error!"

A series of orders were issued from the cabinet, urging the empire's vast civil service system to operate at high speed.

The pressure was immense, but it also unleashed unprecedented efficiency and potential.

At the same time, the military cabinet is under just as much pressure as the cabinet.

Wang Jian sat in the main hall of the military pavilion, his face stern.

One military order after another was issued:

"Order! All units of the Imperial Guard shall immediately begin internal selection! All those who have not entered the Demon Refining Tower, or those who have entered the Tower but whose willpower rating is 'C' or below, shall be removed from the regular soldier ranks and transferred to the garrison army or local auxiliary troops!"

"Order! Each legion shall, according to the roster, select elite soldiers who have undergone training in the tower and whose rating is 'B' or above to form rotation units! They shall depart immediately and be dispatched to various counties to replace the soldiers who have been eliminated from the original county troops!"

"Order! Reserve 400,000 personnel for the new Qin capital's Imperial Guard camp! These 400,000 personnel must be selected from the most elite soldiers in the entire army, those with an 'A' rating in willpower, and those who are willing to participate in the expedition! Priority will be given to veteran soldiers with extensive combat experience!"

The command was clear, but its execution encountered unexpected resistance.

"General! My soldiers... are unwilling to go to the border corps!"

A captain reported to Wang Jian with a bitter expression.

"When they heard that an army of 400,000 was to be formed to conquer the New World, they were all green with envy! Everyone wanted to go! Who would want to stay in the local area as a county soldier? Not even for a promotion!"

"Yes, General! Our battalion too! We heard we're being rotated to Longxi County, and several squad leaders are clamoring to retire and join the agricultural settlement! They say they'd rather farm than miss the opportunity for a long expedition!"

Another general also looked worried.

Similar reports came in from various battalions. Wang Jian's expression grew increasingly grim.

He understood the soldiers' thoughts. Having undergone the tempering of the Demon Refining Tower, their soul potential had been enhanced; who wouldn't want to achieve great things in a wider world?

To venture into the new world and expand territory is an extraordinary achievement worthy of bringing glory to one's ancestors and being remembered in history!

In comparison, being stationed in local areas, even if one is promoted to the rank of Commandant of a prefecture or county, seems less impressive.

"Bastard!"

Wang Jian slammed his hand on the table and roared angrily.

"Military orders are absolute! No picking and choosing is allowed! Tell them this is His Majesty's decree! The empire needs people to expand its territory, but it also needs people to defend it! Anyone who disobeys military orders, causes trouble, or shirks duty will be dealt with according to military law! They will be severely punished without exception!"

His voice carried an air of iron-blooded ruthlessness, and the messenger solemnly accepted the order and left.

Under intense pressure, undercurrents are surging.

Balancing the soldiers' enthusiasm for expeditions with the needs of the empire's overall military deployment became the biggest challenge facing the military government.

Wang Jian knew that he had to get the four main and deputy generals, including Zhang Han, into place as soon as possible so that they could organize the army and unite the troops. Only then could these 400,000 swords eager for battle be truly forged into an invincible iron fist of the empire!
The empire's two wheels rolled forward under immense pressure and surging passion.

The imperial edict for the imperial examinations had been sent to every corner of the empire, igniting the flames of hope for countless scholars from humble backgrounds.

Pumpkin seeds were frantically sown into half of the fields, carrying the hopes for survival for billions of lives.

Four hundred thousand soldiers, eager for a distant expedition, anxiously awaited the arrival of their commander.

A grand symphony concerning the future destiny of the empire is slowly unfolding.

At the summit of the Qin Imperial Palace, Ying Xuan stood with his hands behind his back.

With a slight thought, he noticed that apart from the Demon Refining Tower, which suppressed the world and shimmered with golden light, still stood majestically, the other seven immortal artifacts...

The Demon-Slaying Sword, the Demon-Suppressing Bell, the Bagua Mirror, the Breaking Army Halberd, the Demon-Binding Rope, the Soul-Stabilizing Pearl, and the newly forged Bagua Sword suddenly transformed into seven dazzling streams of light, tearing through the sky and disappearing into the vast void!
The separation of the immortal artifact from the body did not weaken the Qin Dynasty; instead, it triggered a cataclysmic change that swept across the world!

The invisible energy in the world seemed to be completely ignited!
The million Imperial Guards, tens of thousands of Eastern Depot guards, and thousands of elite Embroidered Uniform Guards—these cornerstones of the empire, tempered by the Demon Refining Tower and whose soul potential had been greatly enhanced—are now like a dried-up sponge encountering a vast ocean!
Their bodies instinctively opened every pore, frantically devouring the suddenly surging, dense, almost liquefied pure energy between heaven and earth!
Muscles and bones resonate! Blood and energy surge!

Countless auras, some strong and some weak, surged into the sky from military camps, palaces, and the capital! Breakthrough waves rose and fell!

The entire Qin world seemed to have become a giant cultivation furnace, and the strength of the million soldiers and elite guards was advancing by leaps and bounds at a visible speed!

What's even more astonishing is that at the moment when the seven immortal artifacts flew into the void and resonated with the origin of the Great Qin world, the 108 illusory stars that existed relying on the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends Formation suddenly burst forth with unprecedentedly brilliant light!
The light transformed from the ethereal to the tangible, coalescing into real stars of varying sizes!
They broke free from the constraints of the formation and began to slowly rotate along the mysterious trajectory of the Great Qin World, encircling the celestial membrane of the world.
The power of the stars descended, merging into the earth and mountains, nourishing all living things. At this moment, the very essence of the world was sublimated in an unimaginable way!
At the heart of this global surge of energy, Ying Xuan stood quietly.

Before him stood thousands of the most terrifying beings, their auras most terrifying!

They are all top experts among the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot's inner guards, including many peerless masters at the first level of life!

At this moment, their gazes toward Ying Xuan were filled with almost fanatical loyalty and a resolute determination to sacrifice themselves!
The tempering of their souls and the surge in their strength instilled in them a deep-seated faith in this emperor who created miracles!
Ying Xuan's gaze swept over them, and he nodded slightly.

He opened his palm, revealing the He Shi Bi, which had been upgraded to a celestial artifact and was closely connected to the origin of the Great Qin world. Its warm, jade-like light flowed, radiating a vast and powerful force that connected heaven and earth.

"This small world is the source of strength for the Qin Dynasty."

Ying Xuan's voice was calm, yet it carried a strong will.

"I will go ahead first, and you will follow shortly."

Before he finished speaking, the He Shi Bi jade in his hand shone brightly! (End of Chapter)