Compared to the Seven Horse Treaty, the collection of Imperial Tax is a far more sensitive matter!
Indeed, the very authority of governnts at all levels of the Empire finds its roots in the Imperial Tax.
Why do they say that the Planetary Governor is a 'king of the soil,' the absolute ruler of the planet?
It's because as long as the Imperial Tax is sufficiently paid, the Planetary Governor theoretically has unlimited power within the planet to do as they please.
Naturally, in reality, due to differences in planetary strength and importance, Planetary Governors are always subject to various forms of supervision and appointnts, but that's another story.
Among the various levels of governnt, the Star Sector Governnt actually holds the least power. Their authority primarily centers on setting the Imperial Tax, assessing population numbers, and developnt levels of planets. They don't collect taxes themselves, and their operational revenue is theoretically supposed to co from higher-level allocations, but in reality it is shouldered by the local planets through tax offsets.
This also ans that if the head of a Star Sector possesses inadequate skills or fails to garner the support of most Planetary Governors, their authority can diminish exponentially.
However, the Star Domain Governnt is an entirely different beast, being a formidable local governnt. The reason is that the Star Domain Governnt has established a complete Imperial administrative system. Beneath the Star Domain Governnt, the Departnt of Political Affairs, Departnt of Taxation, Legal Departnt, and Military Affairs Departnt are all present across the Star Domain. Typically, a unified command center for the Star Realm Army and naval forces is also established in the Star Domain.
Although those four major governnt institutions still take orders from their higher counterparts, such as the corresponding institutions of the Space Domain Governnt, and the Star Realm Army and navy theoretically do not fall under local governnt jurisdiction but have their own chain of command, this complete structure, combined with the responsibility for tax collection throughout the entire Star Domain, endows them with power.
Often, the Star Domain Governnt can retain 30% of the taxes they collect, with the remainder needed to be forwarded to the Space Domain Governnt; of which, another 20% will be retained by the Space Domain Governnt.
This also ans that the Space Domain Governnt, possessing a complete set of governnt institutions as well and retaining taxes with the direct power of personnel over its subordinate institutions, the Star Domain Governnts, forms an even larger powerhouse.
Of course, all these cannot compare to the Central Empire that takes 50% of the tax revenue.
Now, Gu Hang is looking for more than just the military command of the Seven Horse Territory, he is even further requesting the right to collect Imperial Tax.
Although currently, with the isolation between the east and west in the Star Domain, the Yunluo authorities couldn't collect taxes from the east anyway, this is a precedent that absolutely cannot be set!
Once set, what will be done in the future?
If this Iron-Tooth Clan war ended quickly, then it's still manageable, and the Star Domain Governnt could find a way to terminate the temporary strategies of the 'Seven Horse Treaty' and 'collection of Imperial Tax.'
But if the war dragged on for ten or even twenty years, then, the whole Eastern Star Domain might only recognize the alliance, not the Dragonhawk.
The first to jump out in opposition, unexpectedly but also not unexpectedly, was Nell Lavis, the Chief Administrator who 'promoted' Gu Hang and has been a supporter of Gu Hang all along.
Her voice trembled slightly as she coldly said, "Gu Hang, you are dreaming! How could the Star Domain Governnt possibly agree to your collection of Imperial Tax? You are challenging the entire Empire's legal system and order!"
Gu Hang's smile remained on his face, but the sharpness in his eyes was like a blade pointing straight at Lois's heart.
"Chief Administrator Lois, I don't understand what you an by 'challenging the Empire's laws and order.' However, please consider our current situation. The Green Skin Orcs of the Iron-Tooth Clan have been ravaging the entire Star Domain. If I don't collect these taxes, who will? Should we leave it for those Green Skin Aliens to collect? Would you rather those bullets that should be shot at Aliens, after being seized by the Green Skins, be turned to hit the Empire's soldiers? My proposal is to concentrate resources to the utmost to win this war."
Lois started to speak, but at this mont Xu Dechen, the head of the Legal Departnt, suddenly spoke up: "I support Gu Hang's proposal. In these extraordinary tis, we need extraordinary ans. The alliance's influence and capability in the Eastern Star Domain is currently the only choice. Everything he's said makes sense, and I also believe in Mr. Gu's loyalty."
Xu Dechen's support left Lois incredibly incredulous.
Her gaze almost imdiately shot toward Xu Dechen.
What is this Chief of the Legal Departnt trying to do?
In the past, the 'Parliantary Faction' Xu Dechen represented was not on good terms with Gu Hang.
On the contrary, she was Gu Hang's supporter.
If she is opposing him, then why is Xu Dechen showing such support?
After a mont's thought, she imdiately said, "Currently, the Eastern Star Domain and Yunluo Star have not completely lost contact. Gu Hang, the alliance should operate under the unified leadership of the Star Domain Governnt to support this war. This isn't the ti to..."
"Enough, Chief Administrator Lois, you know full well the reasons Mr. Gu has cited," Xu Dechen interrupted, "If we could act under the unified leadership of the Star Domain Governnt, that would naturally be the best. Aren't we talking about a 'what if' scenario here? We have to prepare for the worst. In the event we lose contact between the two sides of the Star Domain, isn't allowing Mr. Gu to act independently the best option?"
"Above all, our pri objective is to win the war. Survival is our first concern, everything else can be deferred, isn't that the principle?"
Lois fell silent.
Tan Jiuyi let out a sigh. He did not concern himself with the words exchanged between his two subordinates, but instead spoke seriously to Gu Hang, "I cannot accept your terms. Regardless of my wishes, I don't have the authority to agree to such a significant request."
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