Starting from the Planetary Governor

Chapter 1359: Chapter 775:

Isn’t it because there’s a sufficiently powerful alliance supporting us from the outside?

He’d be foolish to give up his greatest support for the sake of political opinions on Holy Terra. If he really listened to those remarks and cut ties with Gu Hang, standing against the Alliance, those who are earnestly persuading him now would be overjoyed inside, praise him with a few words, and then in a couple of years find an opportunity, or simply create one, to remove him from power.

That is absolutely the case.

To live well, the more criticism from the outside, the more he should assist Gu Hang earnestly. The two are already deeply entwined, and backstabbing Gu Hang cannot bring him any benefit, only ensuring that once he loses his greatest support, he will be settled scores with in the future.

Of course, while tightly clinging to the Alliance’s support, he must also be tough enough himself.

No matter how unstable his position is, he is ultimately the Prime Minister of the Military Affairs Department and High Lord, so managing his fundamental base well is very important.

This would stabilize his position and allow him to do his duty within the Military Affairs Department, helping Gu Hang, achieving two goals at once.

The purpose of promoting Zuo Zhaofeng, someone capable and ambitious, who works earnestly and follows orders in the Eastern Cosmos Domain, is essentially for this reason.

Of course, if Zuo Zhaofeng continued staying in the Eastern Cosmos Domain, it might be even more helpful for the Alliance’s future plans.

Galaraldo also knows this.

But… He can’t continue staying.

This brings up another reason for Zuo Zhaofeng’s exceptional promotion to the Central Empire: he has performed ’too well’ in the Eastern Cosmos Domain.

In terms of economic development and in generating more Imperial Tax, he has indeed done an outstanding job. His core path to success has been leading many Star Domains in the Eastern Cosmos Domain towards the Alliance with full dedication.

The trade route between the Alliance’s south and the Eastern Cosmos Domain can be described as mutual pursuit and has developed to a remarkably substantial level. The annual trade volume between both sides quickly exceeded one trillion, then came two trillion, three trillion…

The extremely high trade volume has generated substantial profits and has tightly integrated the industries of both parties.

Both parties have started to heavily invest in each other.

There is considerable profit to be made here, especially for the many Planetary Governors and Star Domain Heads in the Eastern Cosmos Domain.

There’s no need to say much about the Alliance’s investment in them. As soon as a large sum is invested, the development status of the planet skyrockets. Even if those industries are partially owned by the Alliance, is the Alliance’s investment merely about the money?

It is indeed about the money; the Alliance is truly wealthy.

But other than the most crucial money and resources, what’s even more precious are the orders, trade agreements, and technological support that follow.

All these are enough to set a planet on the fast track to development.

As for the various dignitaries in the Eastern Cosmos Domain investing in the Alliance, that also represents an incredible opportunity. The Alliance often comes up with projects that are quite attractive, attracting investment, and these projects often make big money.

Some more significant and successful investors, the planetary governors of the Eastern Cosmos Domain, have even gone to live long-term on the Alliance’s side.

The living conditions over there, especially in the core economic zone of the Alliance, are far superior to those planets governed by provincial Planetary Governors.

It’s not that they lack money, but does having money ensure a good life?

Not necessarily.

Money can buy almost everything, but… there must be things available for purchase.

The grand cityscapes, ’Eden’ technology-crafted ecological zones, rich entertainment and leisure products, abundant luxury supplies, high-end social circles… all these things are unattainable, no matter how much money they have, in their own hometowns.

Of course, these things are not exclusive to the Alliance. However, the Planetary Governors of the Eastern Cosmos Domain do not have many other options. In the past, they hesitated to leave their planets unattended to vacation or live elsewhere, primarily because they dared not.

Their foundations may not be particularly stable, and leaving for too long risks losing authority, their subordinates may no longer obey them, nor contribute wealth to support their luxurious lifestyles. Even those with relatively stable authority can easily lose power if gone for long.

Lose power, lose everything.

But the reason why they aren’t afraid of this complication when mingling with the Alliance is due to the protection they receive from the Alliance.

The planet’s development relies on the Alliance, and after establishing inseparable economic relationships, further personal interest relationships naturally form seamlessly.

Politically and militarily, it works the same way.

They find that hiring government managers directly from excellent graduates of the Alliance’s universities is very effective. These individuals are loyal, scientific, strictly focused on their goals, and very skilled at dealing with the Alliance’s own trade system.

Moreover, they discovered that training soldiers in the Alliance’s manner is also reliable. Indeed, they can opt for the full package: officers, equipment, organization, training methods… all fully handled by the Alliance. They just need to provide funding, and in this way, the Defense Army they build is not only stronger than the previous old-model armies but astonishingly cost-effective.

When officials and military officers are provided by the Alliance, doesn’t that render these Planetary Governors as empty shells, isolated from real power?

It does seem a bit that way.

But the core difference lies in that the Alliance’s full package is transparently offered.

If you want peace of mind, choose the ’full package deal’; if doubts remain, you can reduce configurations from the full package, such as only importing military equipment, or even just importing weapon production lines to stimulate development; forbidding Alliance personnel from taking managerial roles, maintaining trade contacts only…

However you wish to handle it, it’s entirely up to you.

Even when opting for the ’full package deal,’ the reality remains that officers and administrative personnel work for the Planetary Governors. If they wish to intervene in administration or military affairs, they can do so freely and at any time. They can dismiss personnel, request replacements from the Alliance at will…

In essence, you get a group of individuals who, though not of your own, are highly professional and capable ’workers.’

What’s there to be dissatisfied about?

Not only the Planetary Governors but even those powerful Star Domain Heads, many of them do things in this way.

Indeed, within the Eastern Cosmos Domain, three Star Domains have even signed military outsourcing contracts with the Alliance. They have disbanded their armies completely demilitarizing, and handed over their military safety concerns entirely to the Alliance in exchange for a fee.

Saving money, less pressure, faster development, allowing the dignitaries more income… why not?

These are indeed benefits for them, but from the perspective of the Central Empire, this is utter rebellion!

Doing this, how is it different from handing the Eastern Cosmos Domain over to Gu Hang?

And they could reach this extent largely due to the encouragement from Zuo Zhaofeng, the Cosmic Domain Chair.

Zuo Zhaofeng cannot continue in the Eastern Cosmos Domain.

…

In essence, this brought in a batch of people who, although not their own, are highly professional and competent ’workers.’

What is there to be dissatisfied about?

Not only Planetary Governors, but even some Star Domain Heads with significant power do things this way.

Indeed, in the Eastern Cosmos Domain, three Star Domains have signed military outsourcing contracts with the Alliance. They disbanded all their armies, completely demilitarizing, and turned their military security over to the Alliance in exchange for some fees.

Saving money, reducing pressure, facilitating faster development, and providing more income for the dignitaries… why not?

These are indeed benefits for them, but from the perspective of the Central Empire, this is utter rebellion!

Doing this, what distinguishes it from handing over the Eastern Cosmos Domain to Gu Hang?

And they could reach this extent largely due to the encouragement from Zuo Zhaofeng, the Cosmic Domain Chair.

Zuo Zhaofeng cannot continue in the Eastern Cosmos Domain.