You became an emperor by letting me AFK.

Since we'll have to fight eventually anyway, we might as well stack buffs sooner.

Once the two main points are added, half of the deployment for this round is complete. The rest is simply a matter of following the steps. You are only responsible for the general direction, and the specifics depend on how the leader in charge executes them.

For example, she doesn't interfere with the technology tree.

Xia He discovered that the technology tree of the Daqian civilization did not follow the game's path completely, but occasionally made some leaps.

Since there's no single solution anyway, let's just let them explore on their own.

As a safety net, Feng Tianyin can ensure that the technology tree won't be pushed recklessly, at least not deviating from its intended path or resulting in a bottomless pit of funding that produces useless products. Therefore, she doesn't make decisions in this regard and skips it directly.

"What remains are culture and political system."

Xia He glanced at the ancient concept of the connection between heaven and man and the bonus effect of the chiefdom alliance, which was passable and in line with the current era.

Wait a little longer?

No, I just unlocked the academy facilities; I need to create the necessary conditions to build them.

For example, libraries and academies can increase cultural and technological output. If you look closely, you'll see that the current Great Qian civilization is only producing a meager amount of scientific and cultural output. This won't do.

How can this be considered reasonable? By what right will they annex the surrounding scattered barbarian tribes in the future?

We must never be poor in education.

However, Xia He's adjustments could not conflict with the established military strategy; a moderate approach was necessary, especially since the current scale was not suitable for widespread education.

Pursuing academic research means having to do something that affects farming, and Xiayi can't afford to support too many scholars these days.

Got it!

She chose the mainstream culture: agriculture as its foundation.

In the early days, when in doubt, people would plant crops, and it lived up to their expectations:

[Effect: Farming efficiency +15%, food yield +10%, seed technology value +2]

It's a bit stronger than the previous "Heaven and Man Interaction". Deep down, Xia He doesn't like cultures that lean towards faith; those with tangible results are the best. Previously, she was just naturally promoting the "Heaven and Man Interaction" to establish Feng Tianyin's authority.

Besides, why would the Great Qian civilization need to manipulate religion to unite people's hearts? Its very existence is the greatest miracle itself.

People from all walks of life should step aside.

The next option, "[Political Change: Slave Oligarchs]", was also fairly standard:

[Effect: Slave control +10%, Slave efficiency increase +15%, City value +3]

Xia He knew that its true meaning was to make slaves have more children and reproduce more, because control and increase would bring about these results, making them the vanguard of population expansion.

The slave-owning oligarchs would naturally urge them on.

Because these people's interests are so strong, like expecting stock prices to appreciate and constantly hoping for compound interest, their enthusiasm is at its peak.

Agriculture + slaves = population.

The more the better.

Viewing people as a row of numbers makes things much clearer, while excluding classical republics, primitive democracies, and the like. Before a wise and virtuous ruler like Wang Fengtianyin, the mere Democracy is nothing but a hindrance, nothing remarkable.

Xia He refused to engage in factionalism, cliques, or other such practices that would disgust her.

Choosing only what is suitable, Feng Tianyin is no exception; there's no need for moral considerations at all.

Once they develop sociological techniques like propaganda and infiltration, they can market the caste system as a model of democracy.

"The final agenda item is to establish the academy."

The agenda has the smallest impact because it has a short duration and is constantly changing under the leader's control. It's not something players can mess with, so it's up to Feng Tianyin to make the judgment.

"It's decided."

The instant Xia He completed her turn, a great sound resounded once more, echoing throughout the heavens.

An invisible and intangible force gently caressed the land of Daqian, causing grass and trees to prostrate themselves, beasts to fall silent, and the scorching heat of summer to dissipate, leaving behind a cool and refreshing atmosphere.

Only then did people dare to raise their heads slightly, only to see the auspicious clouds gradually fading.

gone?

No, if you look closely, Feng Tianyin, who is sitting on the offering platform, has not yet indicated that it is over. The faint sense of awe lingering in her heart has not disappeared. There is no mistake, her great power is gradually subsiding, but her gaze remains.

"I've paved the way for you; the rest is up to you to manage. Be careful of changes over the next 20 years."

"Yes, sir. I will also pave the way for the Great Qian Dynasty."

"Xiayi is located in a plain surrounded by mountains, but the ocean is the most convenient way to reach the vast distances and bring wealth. Send out more scouts whenever possible. The world is still vast, and even though the Great Qian is small now, we cannot ignore exploration."

“I will keep it in mind.”

As she bowed in greeting, Feng Tianyin felt her gaze linger for a final moment before quickly withdrawing it and heading towards the horizon.

Golden auspicious clouds disappeared into the dome, and the colorful sunset glow vanished, replaced by a wisp of evening glow.

Before I knew it, it was already dusk.

The crops in the vast fields were bathed in a hazy light, and the people who had been waiting for so long slowly raised their heads, only to hear Feng Tianyin gently striking the chime bells. The sound was crisp and melodious, lingering in the air.

That meant she had ended the once-a-decade grand festival.

"Respectfully bidding farewell to the Heavenly Dao."

Amidst the chorus of shouts, tens of thousands of people once again bowed in reverence to the place where the auspicious clouds had vanished—not to the distant horizon, but to a higher and more magnificent beyond.

Although the arrival of this great power can be suffocating, the end always feels like being embraced, safe and warm.

Therefore, the people of Daqian believed that they were chosen.

They increasingly believed that Heaven had favored them and had watched over them for a long time. When civilization suffered, the compassionate High Priest was promoted to act on behalf of humanity, destined to guide them to higher realms.

Seeing everyone's enthusiastic response made Feng Tianyin look satisfied, and she knew that the work ahead would be less troublesome.

Chapter 15 Cities: Skylines Ancient Edition

Plop plop!

As the ritual officially ended, the steam above the host Feng Tianyin's head finally dissipated, and her slightly flushed face calmed down.

Air cooling is still a bit lacking; water cooling is much more efficient.

She had overheard Tiandao muttering to himself in confusion, "That's strange. It's just a program, and even according to the logic of the simulated world, it's a flesh and blood body. How come it's like an overclocked 9090 graphics card?" She didn't quite understand.

The numerous inexplicable phenomena within myself attest to the greatness of the creator and leave room for possibility.

A girl with long black and white hair walked down from the platform with her hands behind her back.

Everyone rushed forward to greet them.

"As you all have probably sensed, the Great Qian Civilization will launch a war to completely destroy the distant forest camp and turn it into a branch city."

Feng Tianyin's public declaration drew cheers, and everyone looked forward to her military achievements.

Things can be accomplished in secrecy, but the environment also matters.

Firstly, in such a small place as Xia Yi city-state, every household has members serving in the army; how could any military mobilization be kept secret? Secondly, it boosts morale; announcing it directly after the Heavenly Ritual gives people a feeling of being "blessed," thus consolidating their confidence.

Finally, they deliberately released the information to test the enemy's reaction.

After offering a few casual blessings, she told everyone to go home.

Each congratulatory message is unique, requiring absolutely no brainpower, and can generate thousands of words instantly.

The 30th anniversary celebration of Enlightenment concluded in a peaceful and joyful atmosphere, but Feng Tianyin did not rush into action. Instead, she first carried out the agenda:

[Construction Academy]

[Effect: Generates technology value based on a combination of factors such as population, habitability, and proximity bonuses, increases the probability of producing great scientists, and provides an attraction boost to surrounding scientists.]

[Description: Valuing knowledge will surely bring you rich rewards]

Xia He, as a player, should value science and culture highly, so this matter has a higher priority.

Military preparations must not be abandoned, lest morale be wasted.

Therefore, Feng Tianyin operates simultaneously.

Using the excuse that "the summer heat is not suitable for military operations," they continued to train, select, and expand their forces, advancing towards a scale of 500 mobile troops, and continuously sending out scouts to gather intelligence. Everything was proceeding in an orderly manner.

The Great Qian civilization is still small in size, but the quality of its fighting force is quite high. There is plenty of time to train them; we can take it slowly.

"My lord, you lack guards. Perhaps you could allocate some troops?"

"No need, they should train more."

Feng Tianyin doesn't need them to go to great lengths to protect her, nor does she have any family members to protect.

The Daqian Army inherently lacked the "private army mentality" and did not need to strive for anyone's personal interests. From beginning to end, they were instilled with loyalty to the city-state, loyalty to the people, and loyalty to the Way of Heaven. As for her, what difference would it make if she didn't mention it?

The reason for this emphasis is morale. No matter how grand or impressive ancient armies were touted to be, they were ultimately just one person's private army.

They're just armored servants.

That's not the kind of person she's looking for; they can't handle adversity and have too little stress tolerance.

This made the Daqian army realize that "shooting two arrows into the sky for the High Priest" and "killing the enemy for the sake of family" are two completely different things.

They no longer need to emphasize the privatization of the military.

It's more effective to make them feel like they belong to a whole than to feel like they belong to an individual.

"...The Heavenly Dao attaches great importance to the construction of the academy, which must be built slowly and meticulously, but it must be done quickly."

"As ordered."

It's not uncommon for high priests to occasionally ramble on about the conflict between the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

"The knowledge of the Great Qian needs to be accumulated, but it also needs a suitable environment to nurture it. The academy will be built next to the temple. I will draw up the design plans, and the specific construction will be left to you, Sun Shan."

"Huh? I was the one who expanded the temple last time."

"Isn't this training you ahead of time? So now you can take on independent projects. Don't let the organization and the people down."

After revealing her signature smile, which she considered to be friendly due to the uncanny valley effect, Feng Tianyin turned and walked away with her hands behind her back.

He walked out in a whirlwind of activity.

Her mannerisms were copied by the officials around her. Whenever she was the highest-ranking person present, she would always point at the country with one hand behind her back.