Starting from the Planetary Governor - Chapter 512

Chapter 510, Commander-in-Chief of the Southern Theater Command

heard Gu Hang say that they would send some troops and do some work, Gallardo basically had no objection.

Preserving strength and showing attitude, what’s wrong with that?

Even if the masters on Holy Terra want to scold, they have to look at what kind of people they are.

All other local forces in the empire are in a mess, being stabbed to pieces everywhere. It’s hard to find a direction that hasn’t suffered a major incident, so we should be content. Forcing them to die, are they bullying Gallardo, the newly appointed Prime Minister of the Ministry of Military Affairs, who can’t lift a knife?

Even at this time, his thinking began to change a little:

“We still have to pay attention to the risk issue, right? What if we lose…”

“Don’t worry.” Gu Hang said, “On the one hand, I won’t be reckless; on the other hand, the troops heading north will not be the main force. For the time being, my troops cannot enter the Spider Web Universe. The primary target is the Menghe Star Region in the north. We will prevent the influence of the Iron Rage Stone from spreading in the Menghe Star Region until their influence is completely eliminated, avoiding the situation that happened in the Spider Web Universe in the Menghe Star Region.”

“Next, we will strive to strengthen the defense of the Copper Bottle Star Region, which is the northeastern gate of the Eastern Universe. Under the current circumstances, we must first strengthen our defense and cut off the Iron Armor Regiment from moving south. This is also a great achievement.”

“I believe that all parties in the empire will understand. The empire is retreating on every other front, but we are the only one who has held the southern part of the Spider Web Universe. As a result, we are the one who is to blame. This is unreasonable.”

“If all goes well, our vanguard will attempt to advance into the Spider Web Realm and, from the southeast corner, initiate attacks on the area controlled by the Iron Rage Stone.”

At this point, Gu Hang felt the time was ripe.

He said, “I need your help here, too.”

Gallador quickly replied, “If you can, I’ll definitely help!”

“I won’t be polite with you,” Gu Hang said with a smile, then his tone turned serious again. “Frankly, the Spider Web Realm’s performance during this catastrophe was disastrous. Overall, Melandri’s fleet, with its Astra Militarum, multiple chapters supporting the Inquisition and the Sisters of Battle, a massive homeland defense force, and the support of thousands of worlds shouldn’t have been in this state.”

“The problem lies in this force, commanded by multiple factions, each operating independently. Facing the formidable force of six chapters, led by the Iron Armor, these scattered forces can’t be united, and the situation we’re currently facing is bound to be broken and eliminated piecemeal.”

“Furthermore, I don’t trust the other Imperial generals at all. I won’t hand over the Alliance’s precious forces to anyone else. That’s non-negotiable.”

Gallardo’s voice echoed. “I understand. Furthermore, establishing a commander-in-chief above you wouldn’t help solidify your position.”

Well, it wouldn’t help you take credit for it later.

“I will secure for you the position of commander-in-chief of the Southern War Zone. While it doesn’t exist yet, once you begin fighting the Ironclad Legion in the southeastern Spider Web Realm, I will fully promote its establishment, and you will be the overall leader.”

This was exactly what Gu Hang wanted.

But it wasn’t enough.

Gu Hang said, “Gallardo, my brother, simply being the commander-in-chief isn’t enough. Let’s take the events of the past year or so as an example. Don’t all the forces gathered in the Spider Web Realm have a unified command? No, for example, on Tianyuan VI, the Grand Inquisitor of the Inquisition was in charge. But that kind of leadership is too weak, more like a coordinated alliance, at most a commander-in-chief in battle, able to coordinate forces from all sides…”

Gallardo seemed puzzled. He asked, “Isn’t that enough?”

“No,” Gu Hang said. “Absolutely not enough. How can I ensure that my orders, as the general director and commander-in-chief of a theater of war, are fully implemented? An organization that requires everyone to sit down and discuss before making a decision, where the commander’s orders can be discounted or even rejected, cannot fight a war well. What I want is to truly integrate all forces and pull them together as one. Every unit, no matter where they come from or what their status is, will be able to resolutely carry out my orders after receiving them.”

“This requires me to have more powerful means than just the title of commander-in-chief. I demand absolute control over any unit assigned to me. Not only must they obey my orders in military operations, but I also need to have personnel power over the appointment of officers in this unit. I also need the power to punish or even execute anyone in the unit.” After

hearing what Gu Hang said, Gallardo felt a little tricky.

“This…”

Gu Hang hadn’t finished speaking.

“It’s not just the military. The military, as you know, is only part of the war effort. In a war of this magnitude, we must mobilize all our forces and implement a comprehensive war strategy. This requires that, if the Southern Theater is established, then at least the entire Eastern Universe must be fully prepared for this war. These preparations encompass everything from beginning to end. The power of the entire Universe should be at my disposal, and I should have direct control over administrative power within the Universe.”

At this point, Gu Hang practically revealed his true intentions.

“This…”

Gallardo continued to hesitate.

The overall command of the army was within his control.

But the rest of the matter was a bit more tenuous. Regarding the appointment and punishment of military personnel, for example, if Gu Hang wanted to dismiss or even execute a Star Army general, then logically, he, as the commander-in-chief, wouldn’t be able to do so.

The Military Affairs Department couldn’t grant Gu Hang such authority. That power resided within the Star Army or the Navy.

Not to mention, it’s also possible to dispatch some other forces, such as an Inquisition force. The Military Affairs Department can also authorize Gu Hang to remove and execute the Inquisitor? What about the Space Marines?

Impossible, the Military Affairs Department itself does not have such authority!

If it involves the affairs of the local government later, it will be even more so. That is the job of the Administration Department.

Gu Hang asked doubtfully: “Shouldn’t it be? Isn’t there a precedent for this in the Empire?”

(End of this chapter)