The Empire has many external and internal problems. The emperor is infallible and always right. But there is also a power over him that can force him to act within a strict framework. And this framework does not allow the Empire to come into contact with underdeveloped civilizations until they reach a certain level. But what if eight billion people on the outskirts of the planet, barely starting to explore space, are threatened with quick and guaranteed destruction? You can just sacrifice them and forget, for the law is the law. But if you really want to, in any law you can find at least a narrow gap into which you can squeeze a couple of hundred warships.