Within hours of the announcement, the Imperial Communications Network experienced unprecedented traffic as millions of citizens attempted to reach their loved ones both within and beyond the empire's borders. The recently developed Imperial Connect program, a government-controlled communication system, became the lifeline connecting the vast territories of the Oriental Empire.
In a modest apartment in Shanghai's old quarter, Li Wei sat before her government-issued communication terminal, grateful for the video connection as she spoke with her sister in Guangzhou. The screen's resolution wasn't perfect - nothing like the advanced systems seen in science fiction - but it was clear enough to see her sister's concerned expression. "Are you sure you have enough supplies?" her sister asked, the video occasionally buffering but remaining stable thanks to the dedicated imperial infrastructure.
