Starting from the Planetary Governor - Chapter 763

Chapter 758: Thoughts on the Eastern Universe

. Gu Hang certainly had longings for the Eastern Universe.

The Eastern Universe wasn’t large, at least not as vast as the Spider Web Universe’s 12 star regions.

It only had nine star regions.

Furthermore, these star regions themselves weren’t particularly large.

Overall, the Eastern Universe was considered medium-sized, or even below average.

Furthermore, the Eastern Universe wasn’t particularly wealthy.

Its population wasn’t large, and like its territory, it was only below average.

If the population didn’t grow, production capacity generally wouldn’t increase.

There were exceptions, but they were few.

Still, it was a whole universe, with over five trillion people and over 3,500 worlds.

Although Gu Hang already held two of these star regions, if he could seize the remaining seven, merging the Eastern Universe with the Spider Web Universe, the Alliance’s sphere of influence would be even more secure throughout the Eastern Frontier.

Furthermore, the Alliance had a natural advantage in pursuing the Eastern Universe.

The Alliance’s core territory lay within the Eastern Universe.

Of course, the desire to seize the Eastern Universe certainly won’t be achieved through war.

Given the current political landscape of the Alliance throughout the empire, military expansion is practically impossible.

However, other avenues exist besides military expansion.

Political, economic, and cultural, every path is possible.

This is why Gu Hang didn’t move the Alliance’s central government north from the Dragon Eagle Star Region.

As the Dragon Eagle Star Region’s economy develops, it will expand southward to engage in ocean trade with many other star regions in the Eastern Universe, and even with Wuji Star, the central star region. This will ultimately tie the economies of both regions together.

This won’t be accomplished overnight. Fortunately, the Alliance has been working on this project for many years.

From the ancient totem star region to the south of the Spider Web Universe, access is possible to the Craftsman star region; from the Black Bone Ridge, access is possible to the Carved Silk star region; from the Bianma star region, access is possible to the Eastern Front star region… From the southern part of the Dragon Eagle Star Region, full connectivity is possible to the heart of the Eastern Universe.

The Alliance has also developed extensive shipping routes in these three star regions. As the Dragon Eagle Star Region’s productivity grew, its full-scale trade with the heartland of the Eastern Universe to the south also expanded.

This fostered a large number of interest groups that relied on this for their livelihoods.

Trade between the Alliance and the Eastern Universe to the south was relatively fair. As long as it wasn’t predatory economic colonization, normal trade generally benefited both sides.

These groups, profiting greatly from economic trade with the Alliance, rose to prominence within their respective regimes, or even became the largest factions within those regimes involved in this business.

Naturally, their relationship with the Alliance was strong.

Furthermore, the political environment in the Eastern Cosmic Realm is very friendly to the Alliance. The Eastern Cosmic Realm’s chairman, Mr. Zuo Zhaofeng, isn’t a vassal who particularly cares about the state of his local territories, but rather a politician obsessed with power. For him, becoming chairman of the Cosmic Realm represents a step forward in his political career. He never considers the Cosmic Realm’s territory his own. To him, the Cosmic Realm’s development is merely a “political achievement,” a tool for advancement and wealth, not his own possessions.

These two differing perspectives inevitably lead to significant differences in strategic decisions.

Furthermore, although Zuo Zhaofeng and Gu Hang have never met in person, their relationship is strong, even considered a political ally. His position as chairman of the Eastern Cosmic Realm was promoted by Gallardo, and Gu Hang undoubtedly has a close relationship with Gallardo. Naturally, the two can be considered “family.”

During the Iron Armor War, the Eastern Cosmic Realm provided considerable assistance. Within the Southern Front’s legions, the Alliance itself is undoubtedly the primary force. In reality, in addition to the Alliance, the Eastern Universe also dispatched at least 300 ships and over 50,000 ground troops to participate.

Most of these vessels were merely transports; the remaining warships were not even a battlecruiser-class vessel; the largest was a cruiser.

The ground forces were all Celestial Army, but after more than a decade of fighting across the entire universe, only 50 million troops had participated, which wasn’t a significant effort.

However, a significant amount of supplies were indeed shipped in. Over a trillion tax coins worth of war supplies were shipped across the seven star regions of the Eastern Universe.

This was all made possible thanks to Zuo Zhaofeng’s support.

Otherwise, in the early stages of the Iron Armor War, the battlefields were primarily concentrated in the Spider Web Universe’s Fudi. Unlike the Devouring Star Universe, the Eastern Universe faced no direct military threat. Even if it were to suffer, the Alliance-controlled Dragon Eagle and Menghe star regions to the north provided support, and the southern regions were not threatened. The numerous local lords lacked the necessary motivation to assist in the war.

Only politicians like Zuo Zhaofeng, concerned about their own faction’s future, reluctantly made a significant investment after personally communicating with Gallardo.

Of course, Zuo Zhaofeng also benefited from this. The Eastern Space Region’s contribution of troops and supplies earned the Imperial Central Government compensation, potentially amounting to several trillion. After all, it was a victory, and everyone shared the spoils. Since each faction contributed manpower and resources, everyone profited. Furthermore, fighting for the nation also brought political benefits. Those generals who participated in the battles received promotions in rank and status within the star or space governments, which allowed them to suppress local forces that had contributed little or nothing, thereby reaping some local benefits. With

everyone benefiting, their favorability towards the Alliance naturally increased: “They led us to victory! It didn’t cost much, so there’s nothing to be unhappy about.”

Zuo Zhaofeng, as the arbiter of the distribution of these benefits from the Empire, further solidified his position.

He also received certain promises.

The victory of the Iron Armor War has something to do with him, but not much. He cannot, like Gu Hang, gain supreme glory by virtue of the victory of this war; he can only get a little share, which is not enough for him to move up in the position of Chairman of the Eastern Universe.

However, Gallardo also said that if he works hard for a few more years and makes some achievements, he will have a place on Holy Terra.

It is not impossible for the Chairman of the Universe to go directly to the High Lord. After all, didn’t Gu Hang succeed? However, in general, the gap between the two is still very large. What Zuo Zhaofeng wants is just a position of Vice Prime Minister.

He still has a good chance.

Where is this opportunity? Of course, it is to improve the economic and security situation of the Eastern Universe.

And all of this requires contact with the Alliance.

————   There is another chapter

to make up for last night   (end of this chapter)