Starting from the Planetary Governor - Chapter 510

Chapter 508, Heartbeat

“Did Humphrey Paul contact you?”

Astral communication with Holy Terra remained difficult. Virtual images flickered dramatically, making it difficult to see anything. It was better to disable them to save bandwidth.

That’s how Gu Hang could detect the weariness and hesitation in Gallardo’s voice.

“Yes,” Gu Hang said frankly. “He wrote me a letter.”

“I knew it,” Gallardo sighed, then added sarcastically, “The great nobles of Holy Terra are now frightened like quails by the Iron Fury Stone.”

As he spoke, he completely forgot that, as the newly appointed Prime Minister of the Ministry of Military Affairs, he, too, was one of the ‘great nobles.’

He continued, “Even Ou Juren is terrified now. He constantly worries about what if he can’t defeat Iron Fury Stone? What if another figure like Norberto from a hundred years ago appears? Then, he’ll be the one in charge, shouldering all the responsibilities. Not only will his political career be ruined, but even his life will be in jeopardy! Haha…”

He even laughed at his ‘boss’.

But Gu Hang could sense from his words that Gallardo shared some fear—at least, anxiety.

As for the reason? It was all in his words.

Couldn’t he possibly face the same situation Ou Juren might face? If it came to that, he’d probably be dead even faster than Ou Juren!

If the Empire decided Humphrey Paul’s actions were too difficult, would there be voices of appeasement?

It was very likely.

Especially after a series of large-scale defeats, this trend of appeasement would likely intensify.

Under normal circumstances, that might be fine, but with Iron Fury Stone, there was no room for complacency.

Humphrey Paul was a master of diplomacy, and his mind… well, how should I put it? His bold rebellion today, and his instigation of the Bauhinia Rebellion a century ago, all seem like actions only a madman could commit.

However, looking at Paul’s specific actions during this series of events, he seemed like a seasoned politician, skilled in maneuvering, well-adapted to the situation, able to be tough when necessary and soft when necessary.

He even managed to ignore his animosity. The Fury Flame Legion already had a blood feud with Gu Hang, yet he managed to disregard it and extend an invitation to Gu Hang.

Regardless of how sincere his intentions, such a gesture was rare.

Furthermore, it implied he possessed considerable power.

Otherwise, why would he dare to invite the Alliance?

Perhaps the Fury Flame Legion had already fallen out with Iron Armor before the Alliance even agreed.

They must have resolved their internal issues first, ensuring that even if news of this leaked, or even if the Alliance went crazy and agreed, the Fury Flame Legion wouldn’t turn against them.

From this perspective, Gu Hang believed Paul must have a way to successfully end this war.

Rapid expansion, the sweeping sweep of vast territories, one glorious victory after another… these would all weigh heavily on the Holy Terra government. Internally, with the appeasers, cultivated by the Iron Rage Stone or simply growing wild, scurrying about, and Paul making some compromises and paying some price…

was peace truly impossible?

Not necessarily.

Gu Hang fully understood the nature of the Imperial Central Government and was not surprised by their actions.

From this perspective, Paul’s earlier letter to Gu Hang had genuinely tempted him.

Don’t get me wrong, Gu Hang wasn’t planning to rise up in rebellion, as the letter suggested, to coordinate with the Iron Rage Stone from the south and north.

Wouldn’t that be insane?

Paul wasn’t actually expecting Gu Hang to side with him.

He was essentially expressing a kind of goodwill towards the Alliance: I won’t go south to cause trouble with you, and you won’t go north to cause trouble with me, so let’s maintain a general peace.

Gu Hang was naturally tempted by this.

Wasn’t he simply hoping for a longer period of rest?

His biggest fear was a feud between the two sides, and if Iron Fury Stone rebelled,

they’d march south to attack him without a word. Only three star regions separated the two sides!

He’d thought that distance quite far,

but now it seemed unsafe.

Even just north of the Dragon Eagle Star Region, in the Menghe Star Region within the Eastern Cosmic Realm, the Fury Flame Legion had a strong presence. They had been operating in the Eastern Cosmic Realm for over a decade, with Menghe being their primary base. Their work there had been fruitful, and then, with the Iron Teeth Green Tide erupting, the Fury Flame Legion moved south, preparing to attack Dragon Eagle.

If it weren’t for the alliance, it wouldn’t have been possible.

Since they weren’t neighbors, but they weren’t far away either, if Paul really marched south, even if it wasn’t the main force, but just a small detachment, the alliance’s momentum would be disrupted, forcing them into a state of war.

The main problem was the navy, which was too difficult to fill.

Now, Paul says he won’t come down as long as the Alliance doesn’t move north… Isn’t that just what he wants?

A period of steady growth, preferably four years.

No matter how powerful Iron Fury Stone is, can he overturn the Empire in four years? Impossible.

After four years of growth, the Alliance will be even stronger.

Then we can fight Paul!

As for whether to fight Paul or follow Paul, well… it depends.

In the political arena and the interests of this starry sky, where are there eternal friends?

Friends and enemies can be transformed into each other.

This is an idea, and Gu Hang has indeed taken it into consideration.

Gallardo is also worried about this situation.

He came to complain to Gu Hang about the situation on Holy Terra and talked about it in many roundabout ways. His core goal was to see what Gu Hang’s attitude was.

Gu Hang also gave him a clear reassurance.

After patiently listening to his complaints for a long time, Gu Hang said, “Don’t worry, that traitor Humphrey Paul will never succeed. What happened a hundred and twenty years ago can’t be replicated today. The Alliance will be their biggest enemy.”

Reassured, Gallardo was overjoyed: “As expected of you!”

After the joy, Gallardo asked a rather practical and specific question with some embarrassment and seriousness:

“Then… if your Alliance were to go out now, what kind of help would it need? If you have any requests, feel free to ask! I, your brother, am the Prime Minister of the Ministry of Military Affairs. I can get you anything you want!”

Gu Hang smiled.

He certainly understood the subtext:

‘Don’t just talk big, show some concrete action!’

————

Another chapter.

Still owed 122

(End of this chapter)