52: Chapter 52 What day is it today? What night is it tonight?

[ The... the reason is... ]

The stuttering Cheng Yu whispered into Iron Fist Cheng Yu's ear, making him break out in a cold sweat.

After listening, Iron Fist Cheng Yu had only one thought: 100,000 credits is a real bargain...

...

The next day, there was another grand court assembly. All ranked officials were required to attend, including the consort of Countess Dukaria, who was none other than the former Chief Guard Cheng Yu.

[ Hahaha... Hahaha... *hic*. ]

As soon as the court session began, Main Body started laughing uncontrollably, as if he had been poisoned.

Some officials knew what was going on and silently smiled without saying a word.

Others were completely baffled, unsure of what had occurred.

[ What day... is today, what time... is it now?! ]

Main Body stood up from the Throne of Thorns, reciting a classic poetic line.

[ Reporting to Your Majesty, if we follow the Terra calendar, today should be M41.999, and in two more days, it will be the forty-second millennium of mankind. ] Palace Attendant Cheng Yu replied.

[ Ah hahaha, what a wonderful day! Have all the fools and idiots in the world crawled out during these few days crossing the millennium?! ]

[ Do you know, just this morning, the Chaos Warmaster Abaddon—that stupid idiot under Horus—launched a Black Crusade against the Corpse Emperor Empire. The entire galaxy has now been split in two! ]

[ It's not just stupid, it's beyond stupid! I almost died laughing! Hahahaha! ]

The entire Corpse Emperor Empire has now been split in two by the Great Rift of Warp. The areas where the Corpse Emperor Empire maintains stronger control are known as the "Imperium Sanctus," while the other side is referred to as the "Imperium Nihilus."

The Cheng Yu Planet and several neighboring star systems are located deep within the "Imperium Nihilus," and the shipping routes to Terra have now been completely severed.

The Cheng Yu Empire will not need to worry about raids from the Corpse Emperor Empire for a long time; they are currently too preoccupied with their own survival.

[ So that's it. I was wondering why I couldn't get up this morning; it turns out it was the influence of Warp rift. ] Chief Guard Cheng Yu... Consort Cheng Yu muttered to himself.

[ You're just weak, don't blame Warp. Do you even have psychic powers? ] Ivankov, standing behind him, sneered.

[ I originally estimated that there would be a fierce battle with the Corpse Emperor's army over the next two years. Now it seems I underestimated the stupidity of the Chaos Warmaster. To think I once considered such a fool a hero; this is my oversight! ]

[ Tell me, am I wrong... Ah hahahaha! ]

[ Wrong, you are wrong. ] Some ministers followed suit and laughed, while others remained silent.

Those ministers who dared to say the Emperor was "wrong" were secretly noted down in a little book by Palace Attendant Cheng Yu.

Iron Fist Cheng Yu did not laugh. He stepped out of line and said, [ Your Majesty, I have a report. ]

Main Body sat back on the Throne of Thorns, [ Speak freely, my loyal subject. Today, there are no taboos; say whatever you wish, and you shall not be blamed for any error. ]

[ Since the last suppression of the rebel coalition, our dynasty has not engaged in any external military campaigns for some time. Some small surrounding forces have begun to stir, and they are not showing our Empire due respect. ]

[ I wish to volunteer to lead the troops on an expedition to wipe out these petty forces and make these xenos fear our dynasty once again. ]

[ Good, well said! ]

Main Body clapped and laughed, [ Iron Fist's words are truly those of a loyal subject, but domestic development cannot do without you. ]

[ How about this: among the clones in your clan, is there anyone capable of taking on this responsibility? Draft a proposal and have him step forward to handle the task! ]

[ I thank Your Majesty for your grace. ] Iron Fist Cheng Yu returned to his place in the ranks.

[ By the way, which one is the consort of Dukaria? Step forward and let me have a look. ] Main Body asked, scratching his head.

[ Your servant pays respects to Your Majesty. May the Emperor live forever! ]

Consort Cheng Yu looked up at the Emperor—not to attempt regicide, but because if he didn't look up, how would His Majesty be able to see him?

[ Not bad, not bad. Truly a man of talent. ]

Because Consort Cheng Yu had been assigned to serve Aria from the moment of his birth—starting by bringing her water and food, and eventually attending to her every need—his appearance and temperament had quietly transformed into something that women found very appealing.

[ Consort of Dukaria, is the blizzard on Liu Fei Planet still as severe as it was in the middle of the year? ]

Consort Cheng Yu's heart skipped a beat. Why did the Emperor suddenly ask this?

The super blizzard on Liu Fei Planet had stopped long ago—it had been over for several months. It was impossible for the Emperor not to know.

Small talk? Impossible. Who makes small talk at a grand court assembly?

Why would the Emperor ask this question? What does the blizzard have to do with anything? It has to do with the tithe; if the blizzard is too severe, the tithe must be reduced.

Aria must have falsely reported the disaster to claim a reduction. That woman is insane—how could she be so bold? With the Emperor so close, how could she possibly keep it hidden? He couldn't possibly be unaware!

Then why did he ask? Oh, he is checking to see if I am on the same side as Aria. He wants me to declare my allegiance.

Betray my wife? No, that's a dead end.

Go along with the deception and lie to the Emperor? That's also a dead end.

These thoughts all flashed through Consort Cheng Yu's mind in an instant.

[ Your servant has long resided in the manor serving the Countess. The residence is as warm as spring, and I have grown lazy. I am ignorant of the situation in the fief. I am guilty! ]

[ Hahaha! This kid is sharp! Hahaha, no wonder you're the consort! ]

Main Body roared with laughter, then waved his hand, signaling him to return to his place in the ranks.

[ Consort, welcome to the center of Imperial power, hehe. ] Ivankov whispered from behind.

[ I have a report to submit... ]

Next, the financial accounts for the past few months were settled. The first wave of trade caravans had begun to return, and they were, for the most part, operating at a loss. Main Body had been mentally prepared for this.

The primary goal was to establish outposts, dump cheap goods, cultivate brand awareness, and increase the popularity of Cheng Yu Planet's currency. It was certain that there would be no profit in the beginning.

The Cheng Yu Empire's largest source of tax revenue remained the labor of the endless Cheng Yus Clones and... the clones themselves.

Main Body was well aware of how much the low-level clones suffered.

To constantly remind himself of this, Main Body now strictly limited each of his meals to four dishes and one soup, and he owned no more than eight sets of clothing for all four seasons.

In reality, his only partner was Vera, and he had always kept his desires strictly in check.

Regarding some of the behaviors of the low-level clones—such as smuggling Slaanesh items or illegally manufacturing and consuming tobacco and harmful food—

Main Body had always turned a blind eye, constantly thinking that once the average standard of living was raised, he would then address these trivial matters.

However, as the Empire continued to develop, the wealth gap among the Cheng Yus Clones became increasingly severe.

Wealthy Cheng Yus Clones possessed the wealth of half a Hive City and could take over a dozen wives.

Poor Cheng Yus Clones didn't even have a place to live; each day, upon leaving the factory, they would lie in the open fields to kill time, praying that the temperature wouldn't drop suddenly, lest they fail to wake up the next day.

It was clear that everyone had been replicated one after another, and not much time had passed, so how could there already be such a massive disparity?

Main Body could not understand it, but he wanted to try to solve this problem.