Chapter 171, Mother (7000 words plus more)
Not long after I finished talking to Ye Licia about whether she would stay or go, news came in from Chief Pedes.
The female captain's room has an interface for communication devices, where Gu Hang can directly see the virtual image of the star sector leader generated on the device.
The image is not stable, with flickering ripples, but it can achieve real-time communication with the Flying Wing Star countless light years away. This is absolutely black technology.
This requires the use of special psychic devices, advanced meditator arrays that can only be equipped on cruisers, and advanced navigators.
In Gu Hang's sight, he saw a calm middle-aged man wearing frameless round glasses, with neatly groomed hair and short beard, who looked quite gentle. He was wearing a simple suit, which made him look not luxurious, but he had many medals on him, which showed his noble status.
Even though his voice was transmitted with some noise across a distance of countless light years, when he spoke, he was still able to convey the gentleness, magnetism, and charm in his voice to those who heard it.
"Good evening. It is nighttime on Winged Star. What time is it there? Anyway, I want to congratulate you for winning another victory for the Empire. This is your honor. Please allow me to express my gratitude to you on behalf of the Empire's Star Region Government."
Mr. Leader's opening remarks, coupled with the sound of his voice while speaking, were very appealing.
Gu Hang nodded slightly: "Thank you, Mr. Chief."
Ye Lisia didn't say anything, but stepped aside.
Her action made it clear that this conversation was what Gu Hang wanted to have with Pei Desi.
Pei Desi also understood. He smiled at Gu Hang and said, "Gu Hang, the last time we met was before you left for your new post. I had high expectations for you, but despite that, I still didn't expect you to be able to do so well."
That's just a polite remark.
By so good, you mean that only one city has been recovered on the entire planet so far, right?
Of course, what level of person is Pedes? He would not let his words sound like nonsense. He continued, "Although I don't know how far you have rebuilt the ruling order of the Wrathful Owl Star, I can see a powerful planetary force that is no worse than the main force of the Astra Militarum; I can see that even the Space Marines are working for you; I know that the limited land you control on the planet has burst into infinite vitality."
"Honestly speaking, when I learned that you had arrived on the planet's surface and chose to start all over again, slowly seize control of the political power, and completely reshape the alliance order established by the first generation of governors of the Wrathful Owl Star decades ago, I was not optimistic about you. But now, the facts seem to prove that you are right, at least you are on the right track. Perhaps those governors in the past lacked the courage and initiative like you. You have given me hope, the hope that the glory of the Emperor will shine on the land of the Wrathful Owl Star."
"Every governor in every sector should look at your deeds. I am not kidding. Those people have lofty status and rule over hundreds of millions of people, but they have never encountered the same difficult and harsh situation as you. If they were put in the same position as you, they would definitely not do as well as you."
After hearing these words, Gu Hang had to admit that Chief Pei Desi was truly a powerful figure.
As the head of a star zone and the supreme leader of star zone securities, he was able to lower his face and praise me, a guy who could only be regarded as a "little person" so far.
What? None of the eight governors of Angry Owl Star can compare to you, and all of them want to emulate you; it is because of you that the glory of the emperor has once again enveloped the land of Angry Owl Star...
But combined with his mellow voice and sincere attitude, he doesn't seem to be offensive at all.
Flattery is one thing, but the key is flattery with examples, which can really scratch the itch in people's hearts.
If Gu Hang’s resistance wasn’t high enough, he would have been knocked unconscious by him.
However, he still showed a slightly complacent but at the same time grateful look to Chief Pedes, and said: "I can be where I am today, thanks to the appreciation of Mr. Chief. I will never forget this grace in my life. However, our business on the Angry Owl Star has progressed to this point, and some crises are also emerging. Blackbird Heavy Industry did not obey the governor's orders, and even after I arrived on the planet, it never took the initiative to contact me, and there is a risk of rebellion; a large number of mutant monsters appeared inside the planet, which greatly troubled the planet's grain-producing areas; not to mention that there is now a threat from the green-skinned orcs. After suffering a great loss, the Iron Tooth Clan will definitely not give up with the temperament of those blasphemous aliens..."
"Countless risks loom over the Wrathful Owl Star. We urgently need the power of the Astra Militarum to help me suppress the planet."
It’s not really editing.
According to Gu Hang's intelligence, Blackbird Heavy Industry is entrenched in the west of the continent, further west in the Western Desert, and really doesn't care about him. Behind this company is the shadow of the Fachers family, who are Pedes' enemies. There is no psychological barrier to treating them as rebels.
Mutated monsters do exist, and the Qinggu area is suffering from disaster.
The greenskin threat is real. With twelve warships coming, wouldn’t that threat be very scary?
It is only natural to station troops there!
After listening to Gu Hang's words, Pei Desi frowned slightly and sighed with some embarrassment: "I completely understand the difficulties you are facing now, but the mobilization of the Star Army is very difficult and it is not something I can decide. I will definitely try my best to fight for you, but please hold on for a while and be sure to wait for support."
The words sound nice, but there is no real promise, it's just procrastination.
As the head of the star sector, he did not have the power to mobilize the Star Army, but he must have a way, he just didn't want to pay the price.
The Imperial Navy has sent you a ship in orbit, and tens or even millions of Astra Militarum main force legions, so do you want some reconstruction supplies?
I might as well be the governor of this planet.
But Gu Hang will not let Mr. Leader go so easily.
He took the opportunity to bring up his previous idea, which was to use the imperial taxes of the Angry Owl Star to funded the formation of a new interstellar army unit and station it on the Angry Owl Star.
The grandiose explanation is, of course, that I am a loyal subject of the Empire, and I am passionate about the difficult situation, the troubles of the leader, and the threats facing the star region, and I am willing to contribute my manpower and efforts. The Empire collects taxes and then builds the army, which will inevitably cause losses; it is difficult to mobilize additional troops. It is better to directly convert the taxes of the Angry Owl Star into the cost of building the army, and give me the preferential tax promised by the leader in the first phase. Ten million tax coins, I will pull out a star army for you, and guarantee that it can pass the review of the Military Affairs Department and the Taxation Department.
In a subtle way, Gu Hang emphasized three points: first, the commander of this star army must be decided by him; second, the base of this new star army must be the Angry Owl Star; third, the long-term mission of this star army should be to ensure the safety of the Angry Owl Star, including suppressing rebellion, pacifying mutant monsters, and resisting alien shapes.
Pei Desi pondered for a moment and said that he supported this plan in principle, but there were many difficulties.
First of all, there is no money. Secondly, the three points Gu Hang requested are difficult to achieve, especially the third one.
The first point is fine. It doesn’t matter who the commander sends.
The second point is that although the Star Realm Army has moved to the starry sea, it has tens or even hundreds of millions of people at any time. They need a relatively fixed base for eating, drinking, defecating, urinating and sleeping. It is not impossible for them to land on the Angry Owl Star.
But the third point is the most difficult. It is not easy to ensure that the Military Affairs Department will not transfer this legion at will. Normal Star Army troops can be transferred at any time when there is a war. This is directly managed by the Military Affairs Department, and theoretically no one can stop it.
Of course, there is actually a way. Emphasize regional threats, emphasize the role of defense, and find a replacement team from other places when the Military Affairs Department needs it...
But this would require a lot of political costs, and Pei Desi was not very willing to do it.
Of course, Gu Hang didn't give up so easily.
War of words and bargaining are the most basic.
Later, Gu Hang implicitly raised two points:
I can give up this plan, but without sufficient repressive force, I have to have a good talk with Blackbird Heavy Industry and the Fachers family behind them. It just so happens that our Gu family is still repairing the relationship with them. Think about it from another angle. They want Angry Owl Star. I am now the governor of Angry Owl Star and a member of Gu family. I can help them solve this problem. There is nothing wrong with being a puppet governor who doesn't care about anything. It is better than being finished.
Or, I can just not make a fuss and tell the Military Affairs Department the exact details of the naval battle. There was no such thing as the Irontooth Clan's vanguard fleet or a large-scale invasion that was thwarted in the early stages. It was just a group of pirates who happened to be there. The Quintet was originally planning to flee, but I forced myself to fight this battle.
After hearing the latter meaning, Ye Lisia, who had been sitting nearby, watching the two men, one old and one young, interacting with each other and enjoying the show, was dumbfounded.
Why is it my business?
You are such a good guy, Gu Hang. Just now you kept saying that you couldn’t bear to part with me, but now you are digging a hole?
Bah! Scumbag!
She glared at Gu Hang, but saw Gu Hang winking at her.
She was so angry that her teeth were itching. If it wasn't in front of Chief Pedes, she would have wanted to bite him.
While gritting her teeth, she had to speak and express her meaning: the battle situation was a confirmed fact and there was no need to discuss it.
I'm kidding. I'm going to be a rising star in the military. How can I have such a stain?
Pei Desi must consider Ye Lixia's attitude, or in other words, he must consider the Fofana family behind her. The Gu family in the iron triangle is already unstable. If Fofana is not stable, he, the leader, will be in a precarious situation.
He talked to Gu Hang again and basically agreed to this matter, but there were many details that needed further discussion.
In the next three months, the star district government will allocate a total of 2.5 million tax coins; plus the 2.5 million tax coins that Gu Hang should pay when his two-year term as governor expires, all of which will be invested in military construction. At that time, the Military Affairs Department and the Taxation Department will go to the Angry Owl Star to inspect at the same time. His new army, from all aspects, can reach the value of 5 million tax coins.
As for the other 5 million tax coins, they would have to wait two years before they would be paid on behalf of the Angry Owl Star as imperial taxes paid on behalf of the star region.
The reason why they didn't give it all to Gu Hang now was obviously because they didn't want to give it to him. Holding it for two more years is two more years, and the star district government is not well-off.
Gu Hang was basically able to accept the final plan that was discussed.
The taxes to be paid after a year and a half will be saved. We just need to wait for the Ministry of Military Affairs and the Ministry of Taxation to come and inspect the army to see whether the number of troops is sufficient, whether the equipment is sufficient, and whether the value of the tax coins has been reached.
In addition, three months later, Gu Hang will be able to get an additional 2.5 million tax coins.
This is a huge sum of cash!
With this money, he can buy a lot of goods that are now in the belly of the Beautiful Girl.
When he had no money before, he only ordered a small part of the things, and when it came to the transaction, Gu Hang had to think carefully about what he would use to pay.
Now, there is no need to worry too much.
Two and a half million tax coins could buy a lot of things.
Up to this point, Gu Hang had finally gained his share of the benefits from this war.
It’s not much, at least compared to Ye Lixia and Wang Jiarong.
But Gu Hang was still satisfied. Those who had ships made a lot of money, but he couldn't make so much money without a ship. That was enough.
Using the lives of more than 4,000 soldiers to exchange for 5 million tax coins, even if these 5 million tax coins have additional costs, it is still a big profit.
Although it may sound a bit cold-blooded to say this, the fact is that it is just the lives of more than 4,000 soldiers, and the annual interest on 5 million tax coins is more than that.
Now, Gu Hang can consider what he wants to buy from the Beautiful Girl; he can also start to think about how to spend the more than 4,600 points of gifts in his account most effectively.
…
The flying star countless light years away.
This is a garden world, the administrative center of the star zone, a commercial and trade center with influence extending to multiple surrounding star zones, and has developed productivity. Although the overall production capacity is not as good as some forge worlds and hive worlds, it can ensure that a total of nearly four billion people can have a good average quality of life and living environment.
The bottom line of the empire is very low, and most of the population lives in hardship. The slaves in the forge worlds who have had their brains removed or not removed but are almost the same are living machines on the production line; in the hive worlds, hundreds of billions or even trillions of people are crowded together on a planet, and people are raised like pigs as resources; the serfs in the agricultural world live the life of ancient medieval peasants in the interstellar era; in the death world and wasteland world, people are struggling on the edge of life and death; the people in the fortress world, their ancestors and themselves, have been facing war from birth to death...
But at the same time, the upper limit is also quite high. People in the civilized world can wear ties and work from nine to five, and go for a cup of coffee or go to the bar to indulge themselves after work; people in the garden world can live a nearly carefree life with advanced technology and extremely high resource allocation... These two worlds are usually administrative planets or commercial cores of the empire, and the attached manufacturing capacity is not that meaningful.
Feiyi Star is the latter type. It has not even been directly affected by war in nearly five hundred years.
Tianma Palace is the most important functional building complex on Feiyi Star. It is like the legendary paradise.
Almost all the buildings here are constructed with pure white marble. Inside the buildings, there are masters who are good at designing, planning the water system, which is either wide or narrow, fast or slow, which looks harmonious and full of vitality from a distance; green plants are dotted everywhere in the buildings, matched with colorful flowers, which are colorful; strong lights also illuminate the entire Tianma Palace at night as if it were daytime, and it is more exciting than daytime.
At the highest point of the palace is Pedes' office.
At this moment, he had just hung up the interstellar call with Gu Hang and was standing in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window, staring at the entire Tianma Palace.
A slightly drunken voice came from behind him: "Why did you agree to that Gu family kid? The Gu family has already cut ties with him, and his own mother is unwilling to give a penny, so why are you still trying to get involved? Aren't you afraid that all your investment now will be in vain?"
The person who was speaking was a man who looked quite similar to him, but was thinner, and had a more frivolous and casual temperament.
He is the Governor of Wing Star, Vaga Pedes, also known as Little Pedes, and is the younger brother of Loan Pedes. The two are called the Pedes brothers, one is the Governor of Wing Star, and the other is the head of the Pegasus Star Region, controlling the highest power of the entire star region.
Loan Pedes said to his brother, "What did we spend? 2.5 million tax coins? That was supposed to be handed over to the Imperial Taxation Department. We just gave it to him a year earlier."
Little Pedes was still puzzled: "But if he fails to pay the empire's taxes, his newly built army will not pass the inspection, and we will have to make up the extra difference."
“That’s just how much.”
"It's always me, Feiyixing, who paid for you." Little Pei Desi muttered, took another sip of wine, and then said seriously: "Do you still want to get Gu's company involved? I advise you to admit that this trick has failed. As far as I know, Wang Jiarong went to Nuxiaoxing on her own initiative. Wang Qi didn't agree, and she got angry when she found out. You have seen that woman for a long time. She really doesn't care about her son when she says she doesn't care. We still have to think of other ways."
"Alas..." Pei Desi sighed, "I know what you said, and I don't hold out any more hope. However, it's not a bad thing to cut off completely. Gu Hang originally had resentment towards his mother, and that's why I easily persuaded him to enter the Angry Owl Star. And now, after his biological mother has cut off completely with him, his mother-son relationship with Wang Qi will be broken even more, and he can only rely on me."
"You see, after he had an idea, the first person he contacted was me, his guide and sponsor. He had no intention of communicating with his mother. The Angry Owl Star always needs a governor. Now that he has achieved something, why not give him more confidence? Maybe there will be new gains? The costs have been paid, so it doesn't matter if there is a little more to pay. The battle they won was indeed very useful. What if this kid really succeeds? Then he can only rely on me, and I will have a member of the Gu family serving me wholeheartedly."
Hearing this, Little Pedes was silent for a moment, and suddenly he laughed as if he had thought of something very interesting: "If that's the case, it would be quite fun. I'm really looking forward to seeing the son of that woman Wang Qi kneel down and kiss your boots. How would she feel if she saw it from the side?"
Pei Desi felt a little helpless. He turned around, stared at his brother, and said nothing.
After a long while, Little Pedes finally spread his hands and said, "Okay, okay, I was just joking. I know now is not the time to mess with that woman. I won't cause trouble for myself again."
After that, he added: "At least not recently."
Pei Desi was also helpless. He shook his head and said nothing more to his brother.
…
Also on Feiyi Star, another place.
This is a manor, the property of the Gu family, and Wang Qi lives here now.
It is not as elegant and luxurious as the Tianma Palace, which is like heaven, but it has its own charm.
At this moment, the hostess Wang Qi is reading a letter:
"Mother, I am glad to receive your letter."
"When I left in anger, I wanted to make a name for myself."
"Now, it has been half a year since I left home. Fortunately, with God's help, I have achieved some results."
"I'm sure you've heard about the Star Wars. Although I don't have strong ships or powerful guns, I have led a reliable army based on what I have done on the Wrathful Owl Star over the past six months. I have defeated the Orc Warlord, reversed the situation, and established victory."
"In the past six months, although I have not yet completely controlled the planet, I have effectively ruled over a million people and established a legion of 100,000. Under my rule, various industries are booming and thriving; the system I have established has also ensured that the millions of people who rely on me have no worries about food and clothing, and have a good income from their work."
"I have not received any support from my family since I started my business, but I will have no worries about the first tax payment in a year and a half. I believe that after three and a half years, I will have no problem paying all taxes. Wrathful Owl will gradually become a normal imperial world, and I will secure my position as the ninth governor of the Pegasus Star Region."
"But this is not the end, but the beginning. I once told one of my subordinates that I would make Wrathful Owl as productive as the Forge World and as beautiful as the Garden World. This is my goal, and I am still determined now. Do you believe it, mother?"
"Maybe the goal is still far away, maybe you still think this is just the wishful thinking of an incompetent and stupid son. But I am sure that I am on the right path."
"I am not as you think, I can be an excellent successor like my father; I am even more unwilling to just be content with the family's wealth. Fortunately, a momentary impulse half a year ago has allowed me to have my own business now, which has nothing to do with the Gu family."
"You may think that I am telling you this to show off, in response to what you said to me the last time we met, and I will not deny it."
"But I would like to say that I have experienced a lot in the past six months, and my thoughts have changed a lot. I will begin to examine the mediocrity and absurdity of the first half of my life. Those complaints about the world are essentially due to my incompetence and stupidity. As we leave, your evaluation is correct."
"At this point, I have come to realize that accepting the appointment and coming to Wrathful Owl Star as the governor will have a bad impact on the family. It will also be a major blow to your years of hard work in maintaining the family business left by your grandfather and father. It will also put me in a situation where I will have to pay a huge price if I save you, or I will lose my life if I don't save you."
"But I am lucky that a wrong decision has opened up a more correct path for me."
"Mother, I will not seek your forgiveness. I am walking my own path. This is not a mistake and does not need to be forgiven. But I have let go of my unwarranted grudges and will look at the past more calmly."
"Your evaluation is correct for my past self. But whether it is correct for my present self and future self, I ask you to watch from countless light years away."
"Let's see if I can achieve a career that far surpasses that of my ancestors as I wish."
"When the time comes, I hope you can give me your comments. I'm always listening."
"——Governor of Angry Owl Star, Gu Hang, your son."
…
The letter was not very long and did not talk about anything specific, but Wang Qi still read it for a long time.
Between the lines, she could see the first half, in which a young man proudly showed off his achievements to his mother, saying that your previous evaluation of him as "incompetent and stupid" was stupid.
But in the middle, she saw a calm and stable adult. He admitted his mistakes but kept his back straight. He was reflecting on the past, admitting that he had made a wrong decision due to his poor thinking, but he was also thankful for his good luck.
Being able to recognize mistakes and gain something from reflection is good enough, and it has been Wang Qi’s highest expectation in the past.
But at the end, she saw a change. She seemed to see a spirited entrepreneur telling her about his lofty ideals, then turning away gracefully, and walking firmly along the path in his heart.
Wang Qi never expected that Gu Hang would write such a letter.
No one knows a son better than his mother. Based on her understanding of her son, it is highly likely that Gu Hang will never write any letters until his death.
If they did write it, they would probably say something like 'You'll be happy now that I'm dead, right?' or 'As you wished, you won't have a stupid, incompetent son to embarrass you anymore.'
There is a very small chance that the son, faced with the fear of death, might tearfully write a letter to his mother admitting his mistake and begging her to save him.
Although, no matter what, Wang Qi would eventually find a way to save him. He was her own son, her only blood, how could she really not care?
But it cannot change the disappointment in my heart. In the future, I may put him under house arrest and find him a wife, asking them to give birth to a grandson as soon as possible.
The main account is useless, so find a way to practice a small account. Then the grandson will inherit the family business directly. Gu Hang can just go and have fun.
She really intended to do this, and she was even looking for a daughter-in-law, wanting to find one with good genes.
But this letter made her change her mind.
After reading the letter, Wang Qi's relief was almost uncontrollably expressed on his face, forming a faint smile.
But in addition to being relieved, her mood was also very complicated.
After being immersed in conspiracy for a long time, she instinctively doubted whether this letter was written by Gu Hang himself? Or, whether it expressed what Gu Hang really thought?
Is it possible that the old fox, Pei Desi, had come up with some strange tricks, found an expert, deceived her son, and taught him to write such a letter to deceive and attack an old woman like her? Using the mother-son relationship to cloud her judgment?
But this possibility is not high, because along with the letter, there is also a letter from Wang Jiarong. In the letter, the niece talked about how her cousin had changed a lot, saying that the six months of experience on the Angry Owl Star had made him different. Moreover, she watched her cousin write this letter, and no one taught her.
But even if it was a real scheme, Wang Qi had to admit that he had fallen into it.
What mother would not feel happy when seeing her son grow up?
————
This chapter has 7,300 words, which is equivalent to three and a half chapters.
I'm not short.
I'm adding more chapters for no other reason than that it feels better if I write this paragraph all in one go.
Maybe some book friends will find it boring, but I think it is very important. There is no war in the content of the past two days, but it should not be flat, right?
I am mainly writing about: 1. Gu Hang's efforts to achieve results in the war; 2. Explaining the interstellar background and the background of the protagonist. These have been in the outline for a long time, but they were not mentioned before because the story did not involve interstellar space. Now I have to mention them. 3. Explaining the emotions.
I hope you like it.
Starting tomorrow, the protagonist will go back to farming and start unifying the planet.
(End of this chapter)
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