Zebert had no doubt about whether Gu Hang’s words were true or false.
Even though these remarks were just Gu Hang’s idle talk and the results of his interrogation, Zebert believed them.
It wasn’t that he trusted Gu Hang; he simply thought Gu Hang wasn’t stupid enough to make up lies like this.
All the content could be verified, and he would soon turn to the Imperial Guard to ask for the situation.
No matter how arrogant the Imperial Guard was, such intelligence closely related to the Pri Minister could not be concealed.
Given that the information was true, Zebert indeed needed to consider who should take this position.
The acting pri minister of the Legal Departnt had qualifications that were a bit too shallow, and in terms of ability and loyalty, they did not find favor with Zebert.
He was more inclined to select soone similar to Yasida from those Cosmic Domain Chairs who obeyed him.
There were many candidates in his mind; for a mont, he hesitated, unsure whom to choose.
But regardless, it would never be Gu Hang.
What did Gu Hang have to do with it?
Of course, he wanted Gu Hang to wholeheartedly beco his follower. However, achieving such a state was still a long way off. Currently, Gu Hang was far from being trusted by him.
As for the exchange of interests?
In Zebert’s view, the Alliance’s future annual total tax revenue of 2.1 trillion tax currency had already squeezed them dry. What else could be extracted from them beyond this?
Oh, the Alliance’s rather impressive military strength was quite valuable, and several Battle Groups were actually controlled by them.
The sea and land forces, along with those several Starfighter Battle Groups, were indeed quite formidable. If, in tis of need, he could freely deploy this force, its value would be significant.
But the right to deploy this force rested with Gu Hang, and its value, besides personnel and equipnt, included logistics support provided by the entire Alliance.
In warfare, logistics is crucial.
If deploying this force required the pri minister to pay, the army’s value would be halved.
Then it cos back to whether the Alliance is willing to hand over all powers regarding their army, including supply and logistics, to the pri minister?
Certainly not.
Even if they did agree, Zebert wouldn’t trust it.
They might say they’ve handed it over, but when it cos to actually using it, what if the Alliance starts making excuses?
This matter requires trust.
But clearly, there was a lack of trust between the two parties.
And setting aside the Alliance, what else could Gu Hang offer in exchange?
The sixth rejuvenation surgery was sothing Zebert cared about a lot. However, it had already been traded for the approval of the "Alliance Plan."
Was Gu Hang going to use the rejuvenation surgery to pressure Zebert into relinquishing a High Lord position?
Zebert wouldn’t fall for it.
Currently, he just needed to undergo the fifth surgery; he had at least a lifespan of sixty to a hundred years left, so he wasn’t in such a hurry.
In sixty years, he might be compelled to compromise.
But as for now, don’t even think about it.
However, Gu Hang proposed sothing that sowhat brought Zebert’s thoughts back.
"If I, as the Spiderweb Domain Chair and the chief grand ntor of the Psychic Cultivator’s Association, were elected High Lord, could the pri minister recomnd a talent to serve as my representative permanently stationed at Holy Terra?"
Upon hearing this, Zebert was moved.
The representative position for the High Lord wasn’t actually crucial. Essentially, it fulfills the will of the High Lord themself. All power of this representative stems from the High Lord, and they cannot act beyond the High Lord’s will. The High Lord would never tolerate such behavior, so dispatching representatives, regular reporting, inspections, and periodic personnel changes were standard operations.
Under normal circumstances, it was impossible to steal High Lord’s power by bribing a representative.
But what if the High Lord personally collaborated?
Gu Hang’s words implied this, and Zebert understood.
He found it quite interesting.
In the past, the High Lords cultivated by him, whether soone like Yasida acting as Cosmic Domain Chair or leaders of certain departnts, upon reaching the High Lord position, despite how subservient they were, they had their own dignity, their own limits, and even... so hidden ambition.
They were willing and indeed did align with Zebert in the vast majority, if not all, circumstances. Internal factional struggles were one thing, but when Zebert made a decision, no matter how displeased, they would suppress their thoughts and comply with his managent.
However, these were decisions they personally made.
Zebert didn’t just cast the vote directly.
That would be too much of a compromise.
But Gu Hang seed unconcerned about it.
His representative was chosen by Zebert, which essentially ant this representative only needed to follow Zebert’s commands. When necessary, they could send a report to Gu Hang, which would suffice.
Such an attitude, even Zebert’s most well-trained dogs in the past never displayed.
He couldn’t help but view Gu Hang differently.
After so pondering, he said: "Then let’s discuss the Alliance Army. Can we...?"
...
The conditions were not agreed upon; Zebert wanted the command of the Alliance Army and wanted to insert a large number of leaders and officers into it. Gu Hang surely couldn’t let him succeed.
He would rather forfeit the High Lord position.
When pushed to the limit, he could even refuse to sign the "Alliance Plan."
Military power and political power, these were Gu Hang’s bottom lines.
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