Starting from the Planetary Governor

When Gu Hang asked if there was no precedent for doing so, Galaraldo didn't know what to say.

Precedent?

There were some indeed.

In the vastness of the Empire, anything you can think of has happened before.

And speaking of precedents, wasn't Galaraldo's previous loyalty to Sun Lord Solakium the biggest example?

Even without Solakium, in many military operations of the Empire, the Supreme Commanders would do this to some extent. War is so cruel; how could one win without sufficiently mobilizing all forces?

Among them, in particular, the Starfighter Battle Group and the Tribunal liked to do this.

They, along with a few others who did the same, were usually temporary;

After wielding great power for a while, when the war ended, those rights would end as well.

Some didn't care about the power, like the Battle Group and the Judges, seizing it truly just to get things done. Once finished, when it was time to leave, they naturally relinquished everything they had to.

Some cared but could not move it.

Some moved it and were later killed.

Of course, there were also those who moved it and continued to maintain it.

All sorts of situations existed, and examples for each could be found.

Which one did Gu Hang want to become?

Galaraldo believed he understood Gu Hang pretty well; he didn't even need to say that what Gu Hang sought was definitely to hold on to this power permanently.

He understood that this was Gu Hang's request.

Not just a request in response to this war but also a claim to the spoils after the war.

You can't let all the benefits be taken by those old gents up in Holy Terra, while I, who is desperately fighting on the front lines with my neck on the line, gain nothing, right?

Having said that, Galaraldo was not averse to Gu Hang reaping some rewards.

But he also made it very clear to Gu Hang:

"This matter must be approached step by step. The role of Southern Theater Command General will certainly be yours, I can make that decision. In addition, I can try to secure some more tangible benefits for you. You can confidently and boldly spend the Alliance's local taxes to fund the Rage Bear Legion, as well as the construction of the Tianma Fleet and Yunluo Fleet, which Yelisia now controls. If the Alliance's taxes are not enough, I can even increase the tax revenues originally destined for Central Empire from the Eastern Cosmos Domain, including the planned budget for the construction of the local Star Realm Army and Navy, and give it all to you."

These were tangible benefits, actual money.

Even if the Alliance's production capabilities were insufficient, wasn't the Mingyang Sect, a force of the Sect of Mechanics, present in the Dragonhawk Star Domain? The Jindi Star had substantial production capacities; with money, you could certainly place orders with them.

Moreover, these were indeed within Galador's authority; as the head of the Military Affairs Department, he could make these decisions.

"The personnel appointments you want, the power to arbitrarily punish without cause, I cannot decide on that, but I can discuss it with Star Realm Army and Navy. The complete management rights of the troops dispatched to your command will be handed over to you, no problem. However, if it involves the Battle Group, the Tribunal, or the Protection Army, that's not possible, there's absolutely nothing that can be done. Unless I forcefully declare on your behalf that anyone unwilling to accept your control should not go to the Southern War Zone. But by doing so, the external support you might have originally received will diminish, and you have to be clear about this in your mind."

Hearing this, Gu Hang roughly understood that this was indeed the limit of what Galaraldo could do.

He thought for a moment and then replied, "Let's do it this way, I would rather not have those who may not come, or if they do come, I'm not sure if they're there to help or to cause trouble. I must ensure I have full control."

"Alright, then we'll do as you say." After agreeing, Galaraldo began to sigh and complain, "At most, at most, I can give orders as the head of the Military Affairs Department to have the Star Realm Army and Navy within the Eastern Cosmos Domain assemble to the best of their abilities and follow your command."

"But even so, this still has to go through the Star Realm Army and Navy Headquarters, and also the Legion Commanders and Fleet Commanders; the local governments, whether it is the Space Domain Government or the Star Domain Government, will not let go so easily... There are endless difficulties! I can only promise to do my best in allocating resources to you and ensuring their logistic support."

Gu Hang said, "Getting to this point is already quite good; I don't expect more reinforcements."

"You understand my difficulties, which is good." After sighing, Galaraldo began to talk about the third aspect of Gu Hang's requests:

"As for the administrative authority over local governments, you asking for the entire administrative power of the Eastern Cosmos Domain, that's impossible. Even if the war really requires the whole Cosmos Domain to provide logistics support to you, handing over administrative management to you would be too excessive."

"This matter is not just difficult; it's also met with great resistance. Forcibly pushing forward not only has little chance of success, but it also creates enemies easily. It's impossible for the head of the Administrative Department to agree to this separation from the government's administrative hierarchy; the Prime Minister will not agree either. In addition, it's not only in Holy Terra that work will become difficult, but even our own people, Zuo Zhaofeng, Chairman Zuo himself, will not agree because that would be infringing upon his rights."