Chapter 1321: Chapter 751: High Lord Gu Hang - Starting from the Planetary Governor

The ’erratic’ behavior of the Martian Sect is quite unsettling for Zebert. Seriously, guys, what are you up to? According to the agreement, all the benefits you were entitled to have been given, right? A significant portion of the orders for rebuilding the Star Devouring Cosmos have been allocated to the Martian Sect, despite having to forgo closer options. Although Mars’ products are the best, with the highest production capacity and competitive pricing, if you add the approximate two-year transportation cycle, no matter how competitive the product is, it would become much less so. Insisting on going through Mars while ensuring their profit means more money and time for reconstruction. These costs are meant to provide enough benefits for the Martian Sect. Simultaneously, the Martian Sect will also gain exclusive operation rights over more than twenty mining worlds in the Star Devouring Cosmos, which include exceptionally valuable rare minerals. Zebert even hinted at giving the green light to a proposal for punishing and sanctioning a disobedient medium-sized sect of mechanics, per the Martian Sect’s request. According to the longstanding political understanding between both parties, such terms are already quite generous. You oilheads, what more could you possibly want? But soon, Zebert caught on. He remembered that Great Sage Kao’er had met with Gu Hang. His spies hadn’t overheard that conversation, not because Gu Hang blocked it, but because Kao’er did it himself. However, Gu Hang shared a portion of the conversation with Zebert. Of course, he left out the parts that shouldn’t be disclosed. Things about prophecy, future missions, or the ultimate battle—what’s there to discuss about those? But regarding Kaoer’s revelation of assassination plot clues, Gu Hang did mention that. Back then, Zebert thought it was odd. Previously, there was no intelligence indicating any ties between Gu Hang or the Alliance and the Martian Sect. The two sects that had fallen under Gu Hang’s control, the Mingyang Sect and the Alamita Sect (Alfonso Sect), might have some connection with Mars, but it shouldn’t be profound. So why would Mars, out of the blue, tell Gu Hang this intelligence? And went out of its way to do it personally! Is there some under-the-table deal between them? This thought instinctively crossed Zebert’s mind when he heard the news. But from the time Yu Jinwen’s Mansion was raided by the Imperial Guard until now, he’s been too busy and only managed to instruct his intelligence department to investigate this matter in the Alliance and Mars directions. After that, he didn’t have the time to pay attention. Until now, no intelligence has come back regarding this matter, and he’s been so busy that he almost forgot about it. It’s only now that he’s reacting to it. Is Mars attempting to push Gu Hang into the High Lord position? This can’t happen! Damn it, I knew that kid Gu Hang was up to no good. Came to me before begging for the High Lord position, acting like a loyal servant, and now he’s turning around and getting Mars to give me trouble? Despite his curses, this train of thought was more of a commentary than actual anger. In his heart, Gu Hang was never a paragon of virtue. Even during their last secret conversation, where Gu Hang presented a series of arguments, especially suggesting Zebert choose a High Lord representative for him, it only slightly moved him. Just slightly. The saying "A good name and power cannot be entrusted to others" is one Zebert encountered while practicing calligraphy, an ancient adage from Guttara. He strongly agrees with it. Gu Hang is not his ally. Giving him the High Lord position, even if it’s a nominal one, in the long run, Gu Hang might eventually make it legitimate. He no longer underestimates Gu Hang. Especially a supremely powerful Psychic, coupled with an Alliance that requires him to pay attention after reviewing various intelligence and reports, one that is rapidly developing. Though now it’s a nominal title, who knows what might happen in the future? He claims that as long as Gu Hang is disobedient, he can always use a majority vote in the Supreme Council to dislodge his High Lord Chair position. But just like how it’s impossible to dislodge the National Church, Mars, or the Tribunal, if the Alliance’s power keeps expanding, and its network extends to a point where the Empire can’t handle an Alliance rebellion, to the extent that others might no longer see the Alliance’s rebellion as one and could even support it... At that time, no matter how many votes he has, he won’t be able to remove Gu Hang from the High Lord position. He’s forced to consider this possibility, particularly after the Sect of Mechanics displayed a stance of supporting Gu Hang. However, he’s also curious. What did Gu Hang offer to the Mechanical Sect in exchange for support to secure a High Lord position? Mars has never had a small appetite. Only by figuring this out can he understand what Mars is truly scheming? Without clarity on this point, Zebert truly doesn’t dare make any extra moves. Right now, he’s a bit regretful. The "Alliance Plan" was signed too early. However, the signing ceremony, which was live broadcasted at the time, was also approved with a high vote in the Supreme Lord Council, so there’s no turning back. If you regret it, the Alliance might withhold payment. All budgets are now based on the extra three trillion tax coins to be generated after the "Alliance Plan" is passed; for the next ten years, they’ve even counted on an additional 2.1 trillion annual income. Undoing it wouldn’t be a simple matter.