Building an interstellar empire starting from a planetary governor

"In this world, just staying alive is already very difficult." We have lived in abandoned mines from before the war, using the most primitive tools, even our bare hands, to extract minerals, and we exchange them for leftovers from other survivors' camps. We haven't harmed anyone; we just want to survive. But even so, there are people who cast greedy eyes on us. Kneeling before Gu Hang, the black and thin man named Patell recounted their hardships. He wasn't tall or strong, and under his dirty and thin clothes was rough skin. From his appearance, indeed, as he said, he was just a person scraping by in the abandoned mines. Patell continued, "Eight days ago, a group of wasteland bandits calling themselves the 'Prisoners of the Lost' killed seventeen of us and kidnapped forty-two. By the Emperor, the youngest among them was only four years old! They demanded ransom from us, and we complied. But they didn't stop there; they demanded even more, and instead of releasing our people, they threatened to attack our mine in three days, kill everyone, and take everything we had. I went to the City of Revival and found an official from the Alliance, requesting their assistance. They sent someone to deliver a warning to the 'Prisoners of the Lost,' admonishing them not to cause trouble... Heh, a warning... Two days ago, those bandits were right at our doorstep, cutting the throats of two children and tearing that useless piece of paper into shreds with blood. They proclaimed that we had to pay double the ransom within three days, or they would attack our mine, kill everyone, and take everything we had. We are in dire straits. Some say we should flee, while others say even if we have to fight those bandits with hoes and fists, we should. But I know, we are not without hope. Now that there is a new governor in this world, I must come to you for help. Your Excellency Governor, I implore you to assist us. I implore you to save us." Patell lowered his head, his attitude sincere. From his perspective, he could only see Gu Hang's boots. They were soft leather boots, with silk-like ribbons attached to golden buckles, appearing elegant and intricate. These boots, it's hard to imagine how many people in the Waste Pit Community have to work without eating or drinking for how long before they can obtain them. The boots moved before his eyes, as Gu Hang crossed his legs, asking him in a more comfortable posture, "Why didn't you come to me before seeking help from the Alliance?" Patell hesitated for a moment, and could only come up with an excuse, stuttering, "We are members of the Alliance, and the Alliance should handle this matter..." Gu Hang shook his head and said, "You think you are members of the Alliance, and that the Alliance will protect you, while I am just a parachuted governor, perhaps unable to sit in this position for more than two years, just like the previous governors who were executed for failing to pay taxes to the Empire on time. You think I am irrelevant, and only when even the Alliance ignores your plight do you come to me." "I absolutely didn't think that!" Patell denied anxiously, gritting his teeth and making a major decision, "If you can save us, we are willing to give everything! In two years, we will pay the Empire tax at a higher level!" Gu Hang became even more disappointed. Let me put it this way, Patell, you clearly know that I arrived at this planet a month ago, and my camp is here, not far from you. But you have never come to see me. It's only when something happens that you kneel in front of me and say 'Your Excellency Governor, please save us,' but deep down, you don't truly see me as a real governor. You won't even believe my declaration on the first day I arrived here. I said I wanted to rebuild the entire wasteland world, to ensure that everyone who submits to me can live a good life. But you don't believe it, and many of you never believed it, just seeing me as an annoying tax collector. You want to exchange the people I save for taxes, so how do you intend to pay taxes? According to the Empire tax standard, even if everyone in the Waste Pit Community works to death in the mines, you still won't be able to pay. Patell's somewhat dark and very lean face looked extremely nervous. "Your Excellency Governor, I believe your words, please save us." With that, he was about to bow his head heavily to the ground. "But Gu Hang stopped him. A pair of hands gripped his shoulders, lifting him up without resistance. Gu Hang embraced Patell's shoulders, not minding the oil stains and dust on him. "No need to bow, no need to kneel. You hardworking folks, I will surely help. Those non-producing plunderers are our common enemies. But they are just a minor issue; rebuilding the world is the real deal. This is not an empty promise. Since you've pleaded with me, then I will completely save you. Not just by eliminating the 'Prisoners of the Lost,' but I will also help you build territories, provide clothing and food. Now, I ask you, do you believe in me? Patell's tears fell, a mixture of gratitude, relief, and perhaps a bit of theatrics. "I believe! I completely believe it! From now on, the Waste Pit Community will fight for your ideals!" "This should be our shared ideal." Gu Hang patted Patell's shoulder. "Rest for a while. Soon, I will personally lead my troops to rescue your compatriots. Praise be to the Emperor! My fellow citizens and I are infinitely grateful for your assistance!" Watching Patell leave the barracks with profuse thanks, Gu Hang turned his gaze to the tall, straight-standing military officer beside him. "Captain Yan, your eyes tell me you have some questions." Captain Yan Fangxu saluted him, then hesitantly spoke, Are we... really going to help the Waste Pit Community? Similar incidents happen almost every day on this wasteland planet, and we can't handle them all. Gu Hang lamented, "It seems, Captain Yan, you also don't believe in my declaration." "I dare not." Captain Yan Fangxu said, but indeed he hesitated in his heart. But... forgive my frankness, Your Excellency Governor, you only have two years. Within two years, we must at least pay a quarter of the 'Imperial Tax' for the entire Vulture Star, according to the minimum standard, otherwise... Gu Hang continued his words, Otherwise, I will be removed from office and executed. I am well aware. But, Captain Yan, we've been on this planet for a month now, and you've seen what it's like. This is a place that has experienced an apocalypse, where most of the land is uninhabitable, where energy storms still rage, and where mutated monsters and desperate plunderers roam. The remaining survivors hide in various settlements, struggling to survive. "It's already extremely difficult for them to stay alive; they simply cannot afford such high taxes. Tax collection is tantamount to taking their lives. The contradiction between the Imperial tax and the development of Vulture Star is the main contradiction. Previous governors were all focused on tax collection, and the biennial Imperial tax was like a death knell, ultimately taking their lives. But I am different; I want to change the approach. Development is the only way. If Vulture Star is built more prosperously, taxes will be a minor burden, and we will succeed." Captain Yan Fangxu sighed, "You're right, development is the right path. But development takes time, and time is exactly what we lack the most. Your first term is only two years, and we need to pay at least a quarter of the Imperial standard tax within two years. But Vulture Star has always only been able to pay half of the standard, leaving a shortfall of half. Two years to double the planet's output... This..." "That will depend on my skills." Gu Hang smiled wider. "Fortunately, I have some confidence in this aspect." As he said that, a holographic message popped up in front of him, visible only to him: 【1st Mechanical Footman Battalion (300 soldiers), training completed, unit level upgraded to T5.】 【Due to equipment level and personnel quality limitations, this unit cannot continue training and upgrading.】 Gu Hang's smile widened even more. He patted the still worried Captain Yan Fangxu on the shoulder and said, "Gather our troops; it's time to go and reclaim justice for our neighbors."