Munitions Empire

Chapter 2020 - 1883: A Remote Control

"Aha! Finally decided! March 1st!" The noble unfolded the newspaper in his hands, his exquisite silk robe slipping off to reveal the shirt embroidered with gold thread underneath. He couldn’t help but exclaim, his tone filled with anticipation. The newspaper’s front page headline boldly printed in eye-catching letters—"Great Tang Empire National Day Officially Decided!" He eagerly began to read, his eyes scanning every word, a satisfied smile gradually appearing on his face.

He had been waiting for this day for nearly a year, ever since the Great Tang Empire truly established itself on the Eastern Continent, and the troops began ocean-crossing deployments, while the dwarves’ Ice Cold Empire retreated in defeat. As a new-style nobility of the Great Tang Empire, the stronger the Empire grew, the more he benefited.

To determine this day of nationwide celebration, the Empire’s think tank had racked their brains, deliberating repeatedly. Firstly, climate factors had to be considered. Too cold or too hot weather is not conducive to grand celebrations, so spring and autumn are the ideal choices.

Secondly, the National Day date couldn’t be far from the actual date when the Great Tang Empire unified the world, as this is a historically significant holiday that needs to respect historical facts. The Great Tang Empire accepted Dorne’s surrender in winter, officially unifying the world, hence setting National Day in March is reasonable.

Furthermore, Emperor Tang Mo considered future holiday arrangements. With the global spread of the Great Tang Empire’s calendar, the Spring Festival has officially become the most lively traditional festival of the Empire each year. The Spring Festival usually falls in February, followed closely by the March 1st National Day, allowing the people to enjoy another holiday.

Emperor Tang Mo already had a long-term plan: in the future, as the nation develops, holidays will gradually increase. By then, the Spring Festival and National Day can be connected to form a truly "golden month," letting the world’s citizens enjoy a super-long holiday that delights both body and mind.

Lastly, an equally important point, the date cleverly avoids other important holidays, such as Emperor Tang Mo’s own birthday and the birthdays of several Imperial Concubines.

For the convenience of future arrangements, Emperor Tang Mo decided to designate his birthday as "Emperor’s Birthday," and in the future, his descendants, and even their descendants, can only celebrate their birthday on this day. Of course, his own birthday can be celebrated separately, but this is entirely different in meaning from celebrating together with the entire citizenry. The only birthday that all citizens can jointly celebrate is "Emperor’s Birthday." This is the privilege of the First Emperor.

"Yes, March, although the weather is still a bit chilly, it’s already quite good." The butler stood by, slightly bent over; the room, thanks to the heating, was very comfortable. The new ways of the Great Tang Empire indeed changed people’s lives, making the once unbearable winter times become today’s appearance.

"Although it’s still a bit cold now, the temperature will definitely rise after the Spring Festival. The weather is good every March." He looked up at the window, where tender shoots had already sprouted on the branches, signaling the arrival of spring: "Don’t you think so, sir?"

The male noble nodded slightly, expressing agreement: "Indeed, although this year’s spring came exceptionally early. It seems His Majesty is truly favored by heaven. His Majesty chose March as National Day, and the weather warmed up a bit earlier, which is truly delightful. March is great, choosing March symbolizes the revival of all things, thriving and prosperous."

He put down the newspaper, thinking for a moment, then said: "By the way, the New Year is approaching, and everyone in the household has worked hard all year. It’s time to reward them."

"Master is merciful." The butler immediately bowed in response.

"Go, tell the accounting, give all the attendants, servants, and also the gardeners in the garden, the coachmen in the stables, an extra month’s salary. It’s the end of the year, everyone should be happy." The male noble instructed.

"Yes, sir, I’ll handle it right away." The butler responded joyfully.

"Wait." The male noble called him back, seemingly deliberated for a moment, came up with an amount he thought reasonable: "You, of course, are included; you get three months extra."

"Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir!" The butler’s voice trembled with excitement, carefully pocketing the Gold Coin: "The master truly cares for his servants, we are immensely grateful." The smile on his face bloomed like a chrysanthemum, sincere and radiant.

The male noble waved his hand, signaling him to go about his business. The butler bowed deeply again, turned, and left quickly, eager to share the good news with others.

Watching the butler’s departing back, the male noble’s lips curled into a subtle, almost imperceptible smile. The new atmosphere of the Great Tang Empire not only reflected at the national level but also imperceptibly influenced the noble class. The old nobility lords who bossed around and beat their servants at the slightest provocation were now rarely seen. Everyone meets with courtesy, politeness, at least they act the part superficially.

There’s no choice; the crackdown has been excessively harsh. To sever ties with the old forces, the Great Tang Empire spared no efforts, and those fools adding trouble for His Majesty—it’s likely grass on their graves is already three feet high.

Nowadays, employed attendants, butlers, have more dignity, and their work attitude is more proactive. They are no longer a string of names on a slave contract but working hard for their own lives, entirely different from the past state of selling oneself.

Of course, the Great Tang Empire has not entirely abolished slavery; the law still permits the nobility to reasonably purchase slaves. However, humans are prohibited from being enslaved; only orcs and goblins can carry out activities in the main areas of the Great Tang Empire with slave status.

This is actually a transition, essentially opening a legal gateway for these races to remain on the two continents. Tang Mo indeed did not have the heart to eradicate them entirely; he ultimately opted for this most comfortable delay in resolution.

The news of the Great Tang Empire finalizing the world-unification "National Day" spread across the world through various propaganda. Everyone is looking forward to the arrival of the first National Day, anticipating a brand new, grandest National Day.

Sofia, who had also felt she received good news, had descended into madness, believing her opportunity for revenge and dramatic turnaround had finally arrived.

She hadn’t been idle these days, but preparing for the final deadly strike. At this moment, placed before her was a full 50 kilograms of explosives, explosives powerful enough to split mountains and rocks, with terrifying power.

Such a large amount of explosives was surely transported into Chang’an in batches, and Sofia had therefore mobilized almost all her accumulated strength over the years. Actually, the total should have been over 150 kilograms; unfortunately, some of it was intercepted halfway by the Great Tang Empire’s security department. Sofia did her utmost to gather only this much before her eyes.

In fact, this isn’t insignificant; if placed at the appropriate location, it could assuredly make Tang Mo’s coronation ceremony exceptionally spectacular.

To ensure detonation, she had even secured a new identity for herself: a lady from the Eastern Continent’s nobility! With this identity, she could mingle on the Observation Platform closer to Tang Mo, then personally detonate the bomb there, witnessing Tang Mo’s destruction at his most triumphant moment up close.

Speaking of which, this detonator was something she discovered recently—a compact and easily concealed device, almost tailor-made for her. However, it needs some modifications and cannot be used directly; after all, the Great Tang Empire’s security department is now in full operation, and those damn dogs seem to have scented some dangerous aura.

Sofia had no way back, nor did she plan on returning... She is now all in, without considering the possibility of failure.