Starting from the Planetary Governor

Chapter 1259: Chapter 711: Too Expensive

“Prime Minister Xu, what are you saying? Do you understand what you’re talking about?”

Luo Fei questioned sharply.

But his previous series of words seemed somewhat pretentious under Xu Fuzhen’s previous remarks.

“Of course I know what I’m talking about.” Xu Fuzhen’s tone was unapologetic, “I’m discussing a financial issue of 20 trillion over ten years, which will affect the stability of the entire Empire.”

“According to your scheme, our open losses might not just be this 20 trillion. If the Tribunal fails to handle the corruption of a Nest Capital World, could it lead to a world’s destruction? Without a substantial expenditure, Solaria cannot suppress the region. After ten years of turmoil, won’t there be more worlds shrouded in darkness again, withdrawing from Central Empire’s rule? Such situations aren’t rare.”

“All these losses, when summed up, how much are they? I can’t assess. But surely, when I tell the Grand Judge that central funding over ten years will reduce by 3 trillion, he’ll tell me a number; the turmoil in Solaria, the administration, navy, and Star Realm Army will surely give me an answer.”

“How can you calculate it like this?” Luo Fei’s voice became even more strained.

Xu Fuzhen mocked: “Why not? Didn’t you say the same when you asked me for funding? Easily demanding hundreds of billions, saying if not granted now, we’ll need another trillion in future funding; saying if granted now, the Department of Taxation will be able to increase revenue by how much in the future…”

Luo Fei was embarrassed: “Haven’t most of those been realized? Uh… the majority can be achieved…”

“Many haven’t been realized.” Xu Fuzhen said, “Now, when reducing funding, why do you say it can’t be calculated this way?”

Not having an argument here, Luo Fei shifted the topic: “Thinking financially, consider this Iron Armor War? We have cumulatively invested over fifty trillion, and it’s Holy Terra’s direct expenditure, not including the debts to supplement local forces, fleets, and battle groups after deployment… If the Alliance revolts again, or raises a larger scale rebellion than the Iron Armor War? Don’t risk a loss of two hundred trillion in warfare because of a mere twenty trillion over ten years!”

It seemed somewhat sensible.

But Xu Fuzhen was undaunted.

She continued, “What makes you think Gu Hang will surely rebel? What has Holy Terra done poorly to him, forcing him to rebel? Or has the Alliance’s past performance made you think he will rebel?”

“He pays taxes, and he pays them fully, directly to Holy Terra. I see, not only won’t he rebel, but he’s the Empire’s most loyal local governor. If every local governor in the Empire were like Gu Hang, the Empire will become incredibly strong!”

Pausing, Xu Fuzhen presented her scheme: “According to my plan, the Alliance is to be left to him; the seat of the Spiderweb Domain Chair is also to be given to him. But in exchange, the Imperial Tax of the entire Spiderweb Domain is to be paid according to his previous commitments.”

“Next year, the Alliance’s payment will no longer be 300 billion, but 500 billion; after ten years, it won’t be a stable 1.3 trillion, but 2.1 trillion.”

“Over ten years, he is to pay a total of 13 trillion.”

“As long as he provides this amount, we can permit the existence of the Alliance; we can even allow the Alliance to expand in the Spiderweb Domain.”

“What’s wrong with that? Moving forward, while he pays 2.1 trillion yearly, what will he have left?”

“Ordinary Cosmic Domains have a total annual tax of about 1 trillion; 2 trillion is in regions with better development and less chaos.”

“Furthermore, all other local governments, including Star Domain and Cosmic Domain levels, keep 60% of taxes for their construction, incurring significant tax losses. We might only receive one or two hundred billion.”

“Now, we can net 2 trillion per year; the Alliance cannot keep 60% of its tax revenue for its own construction like other local government.”

“In this situation, does he have any capital to rebel?”

“Conversely, with such a substantial revenue increase for the central government each year, how many corps can we build, how much can we develop loyal battle groups for the central authority?”

“Additionally, pairing with Gu Hang’s personally drafted ’Alliance Plan’, supervising the Alliance’s military scale, and regularly checking Alliance development status, raising taxes as development rises.”

“With these measures combined, can the Alliance possess sufficient strength to rebel?”

“As long as the Alliance is drained dry, leaving them powerless for rebellion; as long as Gu Hang is given enough respect, leaving him unwilling to rebel; then the Alliance’s future will be the Empire’s most vital single tax source! The foundation of the Empire!”

“Whether the Alliance becomes an unstable factor or the engine of the Empire relies solely on a single thought.”

Facing Prime Minister Qi Bodu after the final word, Xu Fuzhen added: “Please reconsider, Prime Minister!”

…

“…That’s how the situation was at the time!”

In the call, Galaraldo was vividly describing the content of the meeting then.

According to reason, the content of the Supreme Council should be confidential externally.

But in reality, seconds after the meeting ended, the content was everywhere, which was normal.

No one would pursue responsibility anymore.

After listening, Gu Hang also found it quite amusing.

He asked:

“From what you say, did it pass in the end? Letting me serve as Spiderweb Domain Chair and maintain the existence of the Alliance?”

“Not at all.” Galaraldo smacked his lips a bit, saying regretfully, “Towards the end, Qi Bodu called it off. He didn’t even let it enter the voting stage, saying it will be discussed next time.”

“In other words, do I have a good chance?”

“No, are you serious?” Galaraldo said earnestly, “Didn’t I just tell you? Don’t just focus on getting the Spiderweb Domain! You need to see how much you’ll have to pay!”

“Do you think that woman Xu Fuzhen is doing you a favor? 2.1 trillion a year, only her mother could come up with such an idea!”

“Ten years down the line, you’ll have to pay so much money!”