Starting from the Planetary Governor - Chapter 781

Chapter 776, Peaceful Evolution

requires patience, but other times it happens naturally.

When the atmosphere is right, it happens naturally.

In the Eastern Universe, a “change of fortune” has occurred.

A major event has occurred on Wuji Star: the Universe Chairman has rebelled!

…

The current Eastern Universe Chairman is named Yin Bashim.

Four years ago, the previous Chairman, Zuo Zhaofeng, finally achieved his desired promotion, becoming a Vice Premier of the Ministry of Military Affairs.

Normally, such a rapid rise is uncommon.

The Eastern Universe Chairman before Zuo Zhaofeng, who rose to the position of Vice Premier, had to work his entire life in local government to achieve this position, retiring every two years, essentially receiving a pension.

While the position of the Universe Chairman is prestigious, even eligible for election to High Lordship, not everyone can rise to a high position in the central government.

Compared to an ordinary Universe Chairman, the power of a Vice Premier in a central government department is a matter of debate. The Vice Premier is undoubtedly superior, and the Vice Premier is even more powerful. Add to that Holy Terra’s allure for outsiders, and the allure of access to the Imperial power center… Unless they’re simply “country bumpkins” bent on becoming local tyrants, most Imperial politicians will still choose the position of Vice Prime Minister.

Forget Vice Prime Minister, there are even those transferred from the Cosmic Domain President to become Assistant Ministers. This position is only one level higher than Vice Minister, but within a department, they’re still among the top seven figures.

Theoretically, if you include the Executive Yuan, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Military Affairs, and the Ministry of Taxation, there are only eight Vice Prime Minister positions, making it difficult to fill one. Even if one does become available, competition is fierce. Not only are many Cosmic Domain Presidents eyeing vacancies on Holy Terra, but Assistant Ministers and Vice Ministers from various departments are also eyeing them. It’s not easy to get one just by wanting it.

Although Zuo Zhaofeng has been Cosmic Domain President for over forty years, his position hasn’t been particularly secure, and it seems forced. His qualifications and achievements are insufficient, so he shouldn’t have been in the running for Vice Prime Minister.

However, there are two factors that contribute to this.

First, there was Gallardo, the Prime Minister of the Ministry of Military Affairs, exerting his influence. Zuo Zhaofeng was one of his own. Even though he had gradually gained control of the Ministry of Military Affairs over the years, promoting a trusted member of his own to the important position of Vice Prime Minister would be a significant advantage.

His position wasn’t entirely secure. His close relationship with Gu Hang had exposed him to constant criticism, and even Prime Minister Qi Bodu sometimes secretly targeted him.

He feared that if a major crisis arose between the Imperial Central Government and the Alliance, he would be the first to suffer.

But he had never considered severing ties with the Alliance or Gu Hang.

It wasn’t because of his relationship with Gu Hang.

A political animal like him wouldn’t let emotion override his thinking unless there was some supernatural influence.

However, even for fundamental interests, he couldn’t abandon or betray the Alliance.

What was his greatest foundation?

First and foremost, it was his successful alignment with the Sun Lord at his death, selling Solaria and the portion of the Sun Lord’s political legacy that he had access to for a good price.

Then, following Ou Juren, the former High Lord and Chancellor of the Ministry of Justice, he defeated his immediate superior, Norberto, Chancellor of the Ministry of Military Affairs and High Lord, who was the Iron Armor Chapter’s backer on Holy Terra. Following the Chancellor again,

he defeated Ou Juren. Throughout this process, he consistently chose the right positions and rose through the ranks.

However, he knew his foundation was shaky. He was practically a traitor, and no matter what he did next, Qi Bodu would never trust him.

How could anyone trust someone who constantly switched sides, even stabbing their former boss?

Qi Bodu had probably long wanted to kick him out.

He didn’t kick him out initially because he had just helped to overthrow Ou Juren. No matter how much he wanted to replace him, he couldn’t just kill him after promising him benefits, bringing him to power, and finally joining his forces. He had to have some dignity and wait.

The Ironclad War’s unexpectedly prolonged duration meant the Ministry of Military Affairs couldn’t afford excessive turmoil. Add to that his relationship with Gu Hang, and the disastrous Western Front and near-complete Northern Front progress, all relying on the Southern Front’s advance… For all these reasons, Gallardo remained in his position.

But this wasn’t a good thing. If he didn’t find a solution, Qi Bodu would sooner or later take action and oust him.

But why not remove him now?

For one thing, it was because he had gradually gained greater influence within the Ministry of Military Affairs, no longer the parachuted-in leader he had been when he first took office. Over the past decade or two, he had more or less reorganized the Ministry’s internal affairs, making him less of a pure politician.

But honestly, this wasn’t enough to keep him in his position.

A larger factor was the very point for which he was often criticized: his close relationship with Gu Hang, and the current strength of the Alliance.

He has a good relationship with Gu Hang, a man with a bad reputation within the Imperial Center, and he’s a traitor disliked by Qi Bodu. So, what else could possibly keep him from falling?

Isn’t it simply because he has a powerful alliance backing him?

He’d be foolish to abandon his greatest support for the sake of political opinion on Holy Terra. If he truly listened to those words, cut ties with Gu Hang, and sided with the Alliance, then those who were now earnestly advising him would be overjoyed, praising him profusely. Then, in two years, they’d find an opportunity, or simply create one, to oust him.

Absolutely.

If he wanted to live well, the more he was criticized, the more he had to help Gu Hang. The two were already deeply entwined. Backstabbing Gu Hang would serve him no purpose and would only lead to him being liquidated in the future after losing his greatest support.

Of course, while clinging tightly to the Alliance, he also had to be strong himself.

No matter how precarious his position, he was still the Prime Minister of the Military Affairs Department and a High Lord. Maintaining a strong base was crucial.

This would not only solidify his position, but also allow him to leverage the Military Affairs Department’s capabilities once it was established, helping Gu Hang—killing two birds with one stone.

Transferring someone like Zuo Zhaofeng, who was capable, ambitious, and diligently following assignments in the Eastern Cosmic Domain, was precisely this goal.

Of course, if Zuo Zhaofeng had remained in the Eastern Cosmic Domain, he might have been even more helpful to the Alliance’s future plans.

Gallardo knew this.

But… there was no way he could stay any longer.

This brings us to another reason why Zuo Zhaofeng was exceptionally promoted to the Imperial Center: his performance in the Eastern Universe was “too good.”

He truly excelled in economic development and generating more imperial tax revenue. His core path to success was to rally the many star regions of the Eastern Universe to the Alliance.

The trade route between the Alliance and the Eastern Universe was a two-way street, and it truly flourished to extraordinary proportions. Annual trade between the two sides quickly surpassed one trillion, then two trillion, then three trillion… This immense trade volume

generated enormous profits and led to a deep integration of their industries.

Both sides began to invest heavily in each other.

This was a lucrative venture, especially for the many governors and heads of state in the Eastern Universe. Needless to

say, the Alliance’s investments in them dramatically boosted the planets’ development. While the Alliance held a stake in some of these industries, was the key to the Alliance’s investment simply money?

It was indeed money; the Alliance truly had it.

But beyond the crucial money and resources, even more scarce are the accompanying orders, trade agreements, and technological support.

These alone are enough to put a planet on the fast track to development.

For the many powerful individuals in the Eastern Universe, investing in the Alliance presents a tremendous opportunity. The Alliance often presents attractive projects to attract investment, often yielding substantial profits.

Even some of the Eastern Universe’s most successful planetary governors have moved permanently to the Alliance.

Living conditions there, especially in the core economic zones, are vastly superior to those of governors in more remote regions.

They don’t lack money, but does having money guarantee a good life?

Not necessarily.

Money can buy almost anything, but… you also need something to sell.

Magnificent cityscapes, an ecosystem built with ‘Garden of Eden’ technology, a wealth of entertainment and leisure products, an abundant supply of luxury goods, and a high-end social network… these are all things they simply can’t enjoy back home, no matter how much money they have.

Of course, the Alliance isn’t the only place where these things exist. However, the planetary governors of the Eastern Universe didn’t have many other options. The core reason they hadn’t previously abandoned their planets, vacationing elsewhere or even residing permanently, was simply because they didn’t dare.

Their rule wasn’t necessarily secure. If they were away for too long, their subordinates might cease to obey them and cease contributing wealth to support their lavish lifestyles. Even those with relatively stable rule could easily lose power after a while.

Losing power meant losing everything.

But the reason they weren’t afraid to stay with the Alliance was because they enjoyed its protection.

Planetary development depended on the Alliance. Once inseparable economic ties, even intense personal interests, were established, further relationships naturally followed.

This was true both politically and militarily.

They found that recruiting government administrators directly from the Alliance’s top university graduates was highly effective. They were loyal, scientific, and rigorous, focused on their goals, and highly adept at navigating the Alliance’s internal trade system.

Furthermore, they discovered that training soldiers according to the Alliance’s methods was also reliable. They could even adopt the full package. Officers, equipment, organization, training methods… everything is handled by the Alliance. They only need to pay the bills. This creates a defense force that is not only more powerful than the old military, but also incredibly cost-effective.

With Alliance personnel providing officers and officers… wouldn’t that

mean the planetary governors are essentially empty shells, sidelined? It’s a bit like that

, but the key difference lies in the Alliance’s complete package.

If you want peace of mind, choose the “all-inclusive package.” If you have concerns, scale back on the all-inclusive package, importing only military equipment and even weapons production lines to stimulate growth. Banning Alliance personnel from management and limiting them to trade…

It’s all up to you.

Even if you choose the “all-inclusive package,” officers and administrators are essentially serving the planetary governor. If they wish to intervene in administration or military affairs, they are free to do so at any time. They fire people whenever they want, and replace the Alliance whenever they want…

To put it bluntly, they’re just bringing in a bunch of highly professional and capable “workers” who aren’t their own.

What’s there to be dissatisfied about?

Not only the planetary governors, but even the most powerful star region leaders are doing the same thing.

Three star regions within the Eastern Universe have even signed military contracts with the Alliance. They’ve disbanded their entire armies, completely demilitarized, and handed over their military security to the Alliance for a fee. It saves

money, reduces pressure, and allows for faster development. And the powerful earn more income… why not?

While it’s certainly beneficial for them, the Imperial Central Government considers it sheer treason!

What’s the difference between what you’re doing and handing the Eastern Universe over to Gu Hang?

And their ability to achieve this is largely due to the instigation of Zuo Zhaofeng, the region chairman.

Zuo Zhaofeng can’t continue to work in the Eastern Universe.

Even though under his leadership, the Eastern Realm’s tax revenues have steadily increased and its development has improved, clearly demonstrating his ability and leadership, this cannot continue.

Unless the Imperial Central Government is willing to accept the Alliance’s base and subsequently expand it further,

Gallardo is constantly campaigning for Zuo Zhaofeng on Holy Terra, so it’s a good opportunity to promote him and expel him from the Eastern Realm.

Incidentally, they’ve also sent a new Realm Chairman to the Eastern Realm.

That man is Yin Bashim.

He is tasked with preventing the Eastern Realm from falling into the Alliance’s clutches.

(End of this chapter)