Starting from the Planetary Governor

Chapter 1024: Chapter 555, Alliance Version of ’Blood Tax’ and ’Ash Tax

Gu Hang set his sights on the Blood Shark.

Even though he knew, turning the Blood Shark into something like the Phoenix was quite unrealistic.

The situation with the Phoenix back then was no different from a complete annihilation, so that was easy enough.

Now, while the Blood Shark may be poor, their long-term operations in the dark outer domain have yielded them a wealth of precious relic technology, making them quite affluent in that regard. They just can’t bear to sell those treasures.

Moreover, they are fully staffed, with six to seven hundred members, and their individual combat capabilities are exceptionally strong, almost ranking as the best among conventional legions.

It was impossible to make them an integral part of the Alliance like the Phoenix.

However, just like many Starfighter Battle Groups with various forces supporting them, the Alliance could also become a supporter of the Blood Shark.

There are hierarchies within this type of relationship.

At a basic level, it’s merely a trading relationship; a bit closer and it could elevate to an employment relationship; even closer could lead to stable partnerships…

Regardless of which level they reach, Gu Hang was willing to accept it.

Even just a trading relationship would be fine, as the valuable items Blood Shark secured from aliens and lost worlds in the dark outer domain could be bought.

There were two primary concerns in this matter.

The first was the relationship between Blood Shark and Phoenix.

But after a moment’s thought, Gu Hang decided not to worry too much.

Firstly, the past grievances between these two groups were not as significant as imagined. Certainly, some from Phoenix had died at the hands of Blood Shark. Yet, Blood Shark’s role was simply that of a mercenary, a sword— the real enemy was still the Ironclad.

The sword would naturally still bear some hatred, but it wasn’t so severe.

Besides, the Phoenix of today is not the same as it was, right?

Not only have all current members been entirely replaced, but the present group has integrated deeply with the Alliance. Even if there are displeasures, Gu Hang has the confidence to soothe them.

As for any future disagreements, that would be normal; less interaction and cooperation would be the solution.

In contrast, the second concern was more troublesome.

Blood Shark’s traditions of ’blood tax’ and ’grey tax.’

If they insisted on maintaining their past traditions, it might stir trouble even for current collaborations, let alone future ones.

However, communication between Gu Hang and Yeerma Youyin was considered normal.

The person was just a bit taciturn, that’s all.

Later, upon investigation, it turned out they had changed their Battle Group Leader. A hundred years ago, during the Great Rebellion of the Purple Hibiscus, their leader was named ’Salinas.’

Changing the Battle Group Leader usually means the previous one died in battle.

Given Blood Shark’s activities in the outer domain’s perilous conditions, it’s not strange for them to change their leader within a century.

They probably didn’t just change one either.

With changes in leadership, while keeping the overall style and culture of the group intact, slight differences in details are normal.

A hundred thirty years ago, they suffered due to this aspect. Initially allies fighting side by side, but ended up becoming enemies with Ironclad because of the ’blood tax’ and ’grey tax.’ While the animosity might remain unchanged, they might have reconsidered their past actions over these hundred years, realizing some decisions were hasty and resolving to avoid similar mistakes in the future.

In any case, for whatever reason, the current Blood Shark is open to negotiation regarding ’blood tax’ and ’grey tax.’

That’s excellent.

Gu Hang believes both sides had excellent conditions for cooperation.

Regarding the so-called grey tax, that is, regular supplies, there is no doubt for the Alliance. Controlling two star domains, with over a thousand worlds and strong domestic industrial capabilities, the Alliance can provide all the resources Blood Shark needs.

Be it various armors, weapons, regular supplies, or different vehicles, the Alliance has them all and can manufacture them.

There are plenty available.

Even if it’s starships needed, while the Alliance might not be able to produce combat barges, manufacturing Strike Cruisers poses no problem. Although expensive, it depends on whether Blood Shark can achieve enough merits to exchange for these things.

As for the blood tax, that’s even simpler.

Don’t they just need people? The Alliance can directly provide manpower, even trained Mortal Troops, to enter Blood Shark and become the Blood Shark’s Mortal Auxiliary Army.

If Blood Shark wants them, Gu Hang would happily provide them.

Even political commissars would be assigned to them.

On the other hand, the larger meaning of blood tax lies in recruiting new soldiers for the Battle Group.

This is right where Gu Hang is skilled!

The Phoenix inherits the bloodline from the Phoenix Legion, which requires a high compatibility Genetic Seed, and the Phoenix’s sub-group has always been small in number, unlike Infinite Corps, Punisher Legion, or Golden Knight Legion, which have flourishing numbers.

But even so, Gu Hang could significantly increase implantation success rates through almost cheat-like selection of the best candidates via the Army Badge System.

The Blood Shark Battle Group’s bloodline was unclear, said to originate from a sub-group of the Bat Legion, which also has a small population. But precisely because of this, choosing candidates had to be more careful, or a single failure would waste a seed.

For Gu Hang, Genetic Seeds were no longer considered valuable. Instead, Interstellar Warrior ’slots’ were more concerning for him.

Yet for any regular battle group, Genetic Seeds are still precious materials crucial to their survival.

If Gu Hang could consistently provide the best candidates, with the high success rate of implantation surgeries, despite Blood Shark’s other considerations, it would be hard for them to resist the temptation of rapidly increasing their group’s numbers.

As for these candidates who grew up under the Alliance’s system, having received the Alliance’s education, even attending places like the Loyal Heir Academy… what of it? It’s merely about one’s early life; for Interstellar Warriors, with their infinite lifespan, the memories of their mortal phase become compressed and ultimately replaced by the group’s culture.

Regarding Gu Hang’s evaluation of this, he would say:

“Exactly like this!”

By this calculation, Gu Hang indeed had a series of methods, whether long-term or quickly effective, to eventually lure Blood Shark aboard.

However, plotting against the Blood Shark was a gradual endeavor. There was no need to rush for the moment, as they had already accepted Gu Hang’s role as ’Southern Theater Command General,’ acknowledging that military operations in this area would require them to follow Gu Hang’s orders to a certain degree.

From this perspective, Blood Shark still showed loyalty to the Empire, willing to comply with its system.

Now, they were also pursuing the Fury Fleet as per Gu Hang’s instructions, continuously driving them toward He Yang VIII.

Meanwhile, the main fleet led by Gu Hang awaited them there.

In anticipation of the Alfonso Sect’s reaction.

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