Starting from the Planetary Governor - Chapter 754

Chapter 750, High Collar Chairman’s Seat

. After the passing of the Sun Lord, Qi Bodu gradually centralized power, now arguably the de facto Prime Minister of the Empire.

Such Prime Ministers are relatively rare in Imperial history. Within the Empire’s power structure, the emergence of a centralized authority is not uncommon. While there have been numerous instances, these periods, when considered over a ten-thousand-year period, are not considered long.

Typically, the Prime Minister controls a varying number of government departments. While the Four Prime Ministers are theoretically subordinate to him, powerful departments, particularly the Ministry of Military Affairs and the Ministry of Justice, often fall outside the Prime Minister’s control. A powerful Prime Minister can often pose a significant challenge to the Prime Minister’s authority.

This is only true within the Imperial government; most Prime Ministers throughout history have struggled to maintain their control, not to mention the numerous High Leader Presidency positions outside of government, each representing a powerful independent political faction.

It’s not uncommon for some Prime Ministers to become mere figures, treated as mere mascots by powerful government departments.

Zibodu’s rise to this position has been no easy task.

He has essentially consolidated power within the Imperial government, not to mention the four prime ministerial departments. He also controls the Imperial Navy and the Imperial Astra Militarum, two other military departments.

These alone hold seven of the thirteen High Lords’ chairpersonships.

Adding Asdai, whom he promoted, that

brings the total to eight, a clear majority within the Supreme Council.

Furthermore, the other High Lords, even those from Mars, the Ecclesiarchy, the Inquisition, and the Court of Assassins, must maintain respect for Zibodu in the current climate.

It’s no exaggeration to say he’s a rare and centralized Prime Minister.

However, within the Empire’s political landscape, even a position as powerful as the Sun Lord faces challengers, let alone Zibodu.

As factions grow, new divisions inevitably arise within them, driven by interests and positions. This is inevitable, and it’s Zibodu’s most crucial task.

The debate over the Alliance’s continued existence stems from this very point.

Outside of his own faction, Mars has always been independent and powerful, with a relatively closed-off internal environment, making it difficult for him to intervene. The Inquisition, however, is plagued by internal mysteries. While not always obedient, it still steps up when necessary and rarely challenges Zippo’s authority.

Zippo treats both factions with courtesy for the time being.

However, the Ecclesiarchy presents the greatest challenge to Zippo.

Of course, while saying “greatest” doesn’t necessarily mean the difference in power between the two factions within Imperial politics remains significant. However, conflicts abound, and the Ecclesiarch engages in frequent underhanded maneuvers.

Frankly, the Ecclesiarchy is not an easy target. Due to historical factors, its power has long since declined compared to the days when the Pope doubled as Chancellor.

However, this doesn’t prevent it from remaining the spiritual supreme ruler for the vast majority of the people of the Empire.

His Holiness resides in the religious world of Minstoria, but he also frequently visits Holy Terra. His presence always draws crowds.

The Ecclesiarchy doesn’t appear to wield any particular power. However, no one should underestimate it. They don’t collect taxes directly, yet everyone, from the highest dignitaries to the common people, willingly donates money to the Ecclesiarchy. Legions, even archbishops and bishops, can, at the mere sound of a call to holy war, follow the clergy in their quest to slay rebels.

The Ecclesiarchy also collaborates closely with the various Inquisitions. Numerous Orders of the Sisters of Battle answer to both factions.

Qibodu’s relationship with the current Pope, Innocent XVIII, is not particularly close, and they have clashed numerous times at the High Lords’ Council. The Imperial government is also deeply displeased with the Ecclesiarchy’s unilateral actions, calling upon legions and local lords to launch so-called “holy wars.”

There has been no shortage of overt and covert fighting between the two sides.

However, Qibodu hadn’t anticipated the Ecclesiarchy’s drastic actions.

He was also a little confused.

So, what was Asdai’s situation now? Was he corrupted by the xenos, or was he co-opted by the Ecclesiarchy?

These two pieces of information are quite contradictory.

According to the information Gu Hang obtained during the interrogation, both events seemed to occur simultaneously.

The Dark Eldar were quite active in the Devouring Star Realm. Their high-ranking spies were relentlessly and extensively infiltrating the Ecclesiarchy’s government, with considerable success.

The driving force behind this was the Blood Curse, a top Dark Eldar clan. They

belonged to the same clan as the one captured by the Alliance in the Spider Web Realm.

Gu Hang also remembered that they had a long-term goal: to encircle and harass the Infinite Warband.

As for Yasdai’s co-optation by the Ecclesiarchy, this occurred more recently. To avoid being exposed—the Ecclesiarchy also had its own unique and mysterious methods, and the Dark Eldar did not interfere in this process. Yasdai accepted the Ecclesiarchy’s co-optation and, in accordance with the Ecclesiarchy’s instructions, issued the order to the Assassin’s Court to assassinate Gu Hang.

What was the purpose?

The interrogation results did not reveal it, but Gu Hang had a rough idea and exaggerated it to Qi Bodu.

Their core objective was to create a rift between the Alliance and the Imperial Center.

They knew full well that the assassination attempt would fail.

The Assassin’s Court wasn’t foolish.

Even if they did, they wouldn’t guarantee the assassination.

However, if this matter were exposed, it would have several consequences.

First, would Gu Hang begin to distrust the Imperial Center? After the assassination, would he dare to come to Holy Terra alone if ordered by the Imperial Center?

Second, after the assassination was made public by Gallardo at the Supreme Council, the already bleak prospects of the Alliance Plan would be further tarnished.

Third, as long as the mastermind of the assassination remained undiscovered, the mystery of who this person was would remain. Luo Fei was a strong suspect, judging by his motives. Even without evidence, Gallardo frequently used this matter to sow discord within the Supreme Council, potentially causing divisions within Qibodu’s political faction.

Some of these objectives were successful, while others were ineffective.

Especially after Gu Hang personally arrived at Holy Terra and forcefully pushed forward the “Alliance Plan,” many problems were easily resolved.

But so what?

The cost of doing anything for the State Religion and the Astralis wasn’t high.

The Assassin’s Court, out of duty and the traditions upon which they depended for survival, wouldn’t betray them.

And as long as they didn’t cause any problems themselves and the news didn’t leak, the cost would be practically zero.

Yet, something unexpected happened.

The Ecclesiarchy likely had no idea that their accomplice, Asdai, or his trusted confidant, Yu Jinwen, had been secretly controlled by the Dark Eldar.

Even more baffling was how the Mechanicus’s Archsage Cawl had known of this.

Gu Hang was deeply curious.

But when he shared this information with Gu Hang, and Gu Hang personally took action, exposing the entire incident to the light of day, the Ecclesiarchy’s biggest trouble began.

It was originally just a small, underhanded tactic, but since they dared to pull it off, they had to be prepared for the catastrophic consequences that would follow its exposure.

Was the state religion prepared for this?

That was none of Gu Hang’s business.

Gu Hang didn’t really care much about the struggle between the Pope and the Prime Minister.

He now pretended to be the Prime Minister’s disciple, constantly claiming to follow the orders of Qi Bodu, but that was pure deception.

However, while you can fight, don’t use me as a tool.

Whoever drags me into this, I’ll take down!

This was Gu Hang’s first and biggest target.

He was already powerful as an individual, but the Alliance he represented wasn’t strong enough on the grand stage of the empire. When he was weak, it was necessary to show off his power and make it look tough.

Appearing too weak wasn’t keeping a low profile, it was inviting trouble.

If he didn’t fight back once, who knew how many others would want to use the Alliance as a handy tool.

He had to make them hurt!

He had to chop them off!

And targets beyond the initial attack could be considered follow-up matters.

Asdai’s downfall was inevitable. Even Gu Hang, who controlled the Spider Web Realm and lived next door to the Devouring Star Realm, had to maintain a certain level of war preparedness, fearing that Asdai might resort to extremes.

Gu Hang doubted he would be able to do so.

If he merely flirted with the Ecclesiarchy, there might be some risk, but the main battleground would likely be political strife. If Innocent XVIII was determined to protect him, his position as High Lord would be difficult to maintain, but he might be able to retain his position as President of the Realm.

In this scenario, Asdai could potentially overturn the situation in the Devouring Star Realm, forcing Holy Terra to act cautiously.

However, with the added factor of the Dark Eldar’s corruption, this threat was unavoidable, and his ability to overturn the situation was minimal. Even if the Dark Eldar completely infiltrated the Realm government, unless there was widespread corruption from the military to the government and even the grassroots, it would be nearly impossible for the human empire’s military and civilians to arm themselves and, under the leadership of the xenomorphs, launch a war against the Imperial authorities.

In this regard, the parasitic infestation of the Void Zerg and the soul corruption of the Chaos Cult are both terrifying. Once fully formed, they could truly corrupt billions of people on an entire planet.

The Dark Eldar are more capable of secretly corrupting a single key figure, but they lack the means for such large-scale corruption. While

the State Religion may fight against Qi Bodu, it won’t aid them in deceiving the military and civilians and initiating a rebellion if the upper echelons of the Devouring Universe are corrupted.

Of course, it’s hard to be so sure. What if a powerful figure among the corrupted senior officials is able to deceive the middle and lower ranks, or even the general public, into following their lead? What if high-ranking officials within the Devouring Universe’s State Religion system are also corrupted? What if…

the situation becomes very complicated.

Fortunately, the Imperial Guards have stated that they will intervene directly. We estimate that dozens of people will definitely be present, accompanied by soldiers from the Forbidden Palace Guard.

The so-called Forbidden Palace Guard refers to the mortal auxiliary forces trained by the Imperial Guards themselves. As formidable as the Imperial Guards may be, with only tens of thousands of men, their control is limited. Stationary garrisons can only be deployed in key locations. The Imperial Palace, though a palace, is actually a magnificent complex covering the largest and highest World Roof Plateau on Holy Terra. Ten thousand men simply cannot cover it all.

Just as Space Marines need auxiliary forces, so do the Imperial Guards.

Based on all this, Gu Hang concluded that Yasdai couldn’t cause a major stir.

The Alliance was preparing for war just in case.

And if Yasdai stepped down, who would take over?

Gu Hang was actually more interested in the position of Chairman of the Devouring Star Domain, but he knew it was impossible.

Granting him effective control of the Spider Web Domain while preserving the Alliance had already come at a huge political cost, requiring immense effort. Achieving control of the Devouring Star Domain was simply out of the question.

So, he settled for the next best thing.

If he couldn’t get his hands on the real meat, he could get something more substantial:

the seat of High Lord.

This was also difficult, but relatively speaking, not impossible.

Not to mention the Martian Cult.

Although Gu Hang still harbored concerns about Caul’s prophecy and the price he would have to pay, he considered the long-term implications of the situation, which could be beneficial or detrimental, and the immediate stakes, so he might as well take a bite.

Whether Mars truly supported him or not was up to them. He could fight for it with a normal attitude and process, and there would be nothing to lose.

Gu Hang didn’t intend to invest heavily, and the reason was obvious.

A powerful, completely independent High Leader presidency would certainly be invaluable. It could directly influence the policies of the Imperial Center and reap numerous benefits for his alliance and the Spider Web Universe.

However, he estimated that even with Mars’ support, he would still need Zibodu’s approval. Otherwise, the matter would become a forced confrontation between Mars and the Prime Minister’s faction.

After all, the position previously held by Asdai belonged to Zibodu’s faction. Even

for Mars, who was powerful, it would be extremely difficult to wrest the High Leader presidency from Zibodu in the Supreme Council.

Even if he succeeds, Gu Hang will be firmly marked with the mark of the Martian sect.

This is something Gu Hang does not want to see.

Mars is too far away and too isolated in the political environment of the empire, and it has too little to offer.

Qi Bodu still has to nod his head.

But will he nod?

…

“Do you want to run for high lord?” Qi Bodu, who was lost in thought, was suddenly awakened by Gu Hang’s voice.

He was immediately amused, and even the gloomy mood of Yasidai being wooed by the state religion and corrupted by the dark elves was dispelled.

It was as if Gu Hang had told him a very funny joke.

Yasidai must go down, and the next question is who will replace him, that’s right.

However, Qi Bodu would not think of Gu Hang even if he thought of a hundred people for this candidate.

The reason is very simple, Gu Hang is not one of his own.

(End of this chapter)