This thing, Gu Hang simply placed it on the rooftop terrace of the governor’s building that had been remodeled from the Old Alliance Council Building.
After connecting a communication line, his office could now directly conduct interstellar communications.
The Star Speaker had a lounge in the building, and when Gu Hang needed him, he would go to the rooftop to work.
This first ‘interstellar phone call,’ he really made to his mother.
About a minute later, the communication was connected.
However, contrary to his expectation that his old lady would appear in their family estate on Flying Wing Star, Miss Wang Qi was currently dressed in formal attire, apparently on a starship.
“…Mother,” Gu Hang called out.
He thought that calling a ‘stranger’ mother would be difficult for him.
But the word came out smoothly.
Possibly, the lingering influence of his predecessor was still there.
Dressed in an outfit akin to a dark blue military uniform, yet different, with her long hair coiled up at the back into a bun, Miss Wang Qi looked stern, just as Gu Hang remembered her to be.
She said, “Xiao Hang, what’s the matter?”
Gu Hang resisted the urge to roll his eyes and said indifferently, “Nothing much, just wanted to say thanks. Uncle Shicheng and his people have all arrived, and the Star Speech Communication Tower has been erected. Just wanted to let you know.”
“Alright, I got it.”
“Okay.”
The two then fell into an awkward silence.
Gu Hang’s thoughts inadvertently drifted away.
According to the memories of his predecessor, after he grew up, his interactions with his mother seemed to always be like this.
Either they had nothing to say to each other, or they were arguing.
Gathering his thoughts, Gu Hang chuckled lightly.
Miss Wang Qi on the other end, seeing her son’s relieved, calm, and carefree smile, was somewhat stunned.
She hadn’t seen her son smile in front of her for a long time.
It felt as if her heart had been struck by some kind of specialized weapon.
But she quickly gathered her composure.
However, Gu Hang started a new topic: “Where are you now?”
“On my way to Heijian Star.”
“To Heijian Star?” Gu Hang frowned, quickly recalling something, “The family meeting that happens every six years is due again, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” Wang Qi nodded, then added as if remembering something, “I decided not to invite you. Don’t mind it, you’re not suitable to participate right now.”
“I know.” Gu Hang nodded, then asked, “Will Uncle Ming continue to be elected this time?”
The ‘Uncle Ming’ he referred to was his father’s cousin, the current Gu Clan Head.
Hearing this question, Wang Qi showed a strange smile, looking somewhat disdainful, somewhat nervous, but in the end, it turned into indifference: “You’ll know in a few months.”
Gu Hang was not as naive as his predecessor, and he keenly sensed something.
“Mother? Are you planning something?”
“You don’t need to know, we’ll talk about it when the time comes.” At this point, Wang Qi once again showed her typical assertiveness towards her son.
But Gu Hang would not back down, nor would he indulge his old mother.
“I need to tell you,” Gu Hang said, “if you are planning to take any action, please make sure to inform me. No matter the actual situation, in the eyes of the outside world, especially within the family, we are one and the same.”
“Hm…” Wang Qi laughed scornfully out of habit, but before she could speak, Gu Hang interrupted her.
She only saw her son on the screen slowly stand up, speaking to her with a serious and earnest expression: “Everything on Rage Owl Star is steadily improving, the potential here is infinite, and in my view, it’s worth more than the entire Gu Clan. I do not wish for changes within the Gu Clan to interfere with my development plans for Rage Owl Star.”
“`
“What are you talking about? Your pathetic planet with an annual tax of only five million Tax Currency, compared to the entire Gu Clan? Gu Hang, have you become so deluded by a little success that you have forgotten your own surname? Gu Commercial Firm, with its fourteen major convoys, one single convoy is worth far more than your planet could ever be!”
Gu Hang didn’t want to steer the conversation into an argument.
He calmed down and took a different approach, “Perhaps you’re not aware, but I project that this year my planet will generate thirty-four million Tax Currency. Subtracting taxes, local consumption, and other expenses, my planet can still earn at least ten million Tax Currency. By next year, I’m confident I can double that number.”
“Do you grasp the concept, Mother? That would match the income of a family convoy.”
“And how much does it cost to establish a family convoy? The Beautiful Lady Convoy with its five armed commercial ships costs at least one billion Tax Currency to build, while their annual profit is at most twenty to thirty million Tax Currency. Does a convoy have room to grow? My planet does.
With population growth, the restoration of productivity, and the resumption of interstellar trade, the profits from here will only increase substantially.”
“Why does the Fatches Family scorn the Star Sector authorities and ignore the naval families in the Tianma Star Sector? Because they own three well-developed planets, they are the biggest sponsors of the Star Realm Armed Forces there; that’s their confidence.”
“And I, could possibly make Rage Owl Star a place that rivals the three planets owned by the Fatches. Do you want to stand in my way?”
Miss Wang Qi fell silent.
After a while, she said, “My son, of course I wouldn’t obstruct your path. On the contrary, if I succeed in what I’m planning, your journey will be all the more smooth.”
“And if you fail?”
“I won’t fail.”
Gu Hang laughed, “Is there really such a thing in this world as a plan that cannot fail? Not even the Divine Emperor can claim that.”
“Mind your words!”
“Just the truth,” Gu Hang replied, “So, can you now tell me what you’re actually planning to do?”
Miss Wang Qi hesitated for a moment, but ultimately her son’s performance made her sigh.
It was time to stop treating him like a child.
“It’s time you knew…”
Then, she outlined her idea.
It didn’t involve specific strategies or implementation plans, just a concept: Miss Wang Qi wanted to vie for the position of Gu Clan Head.
And it wasn’t a position Miss Wang Qi could sit in herself; if she succeeded, Gu Hang would be the one to take that seat.
She had been planning for many years, vowing to personally reclaim everything her husband had lost.
And without a doubt, the ‘lost possession’ referred to the position of Family Head, which should have fallen into her husband’s hands, but due to an accident, became owned by Gu Ming.
Although the Gu Family had an air of a federation with the Family Head’s words not being absolutely final, especially in recent years, after Gu Hang’s grandfather’s death and power being taken by his cousin Gu Ming, this decentralized situation had worsened. Gu Ming’s prestige within the clan was far from as profound as the old Family Head’s.
However, after taking over the business, Miss Wang Qi, with her exceptional skills, came to directly control four of the fourteen great Gu convoys. Four more were her ‘allies’, more than half. The remaining six convoys were also under her certain influence.
The family convention, held every six years to elect a new Family Head, was approaching. With such a situation at hand, she, of course, had all the rights to strive for the position of Family Head.
Her original plan was for Gu Hang to become the Family Head. But the Gu Hang of the past, in her opinion, was worthless, and she had intended to oversee everything herself, like an empress dowager, for a few years.
She planned to hand over all the business to Gu Hang once he matured.
Of course, if Gu Hang failed to mature, it wouldn’t matter.
She would have Gu Hang sire many children, train a new successor among his sons, and find a true heir later.
However, Gu Hang’s taking up the position of Planetary Governor before getting married and having children had caused a significant disruption to her plan.
Her allies began to doubt whether the plan would succeed.
In this sense, Gu Hang’s predecessor needn’t have worried too much about his safety.
His mother wouldn’t let him die, after all.
But Miss Wang Qi’s intention was to use her funds to fill the gap for the first round of Imperial Tax and then find a way to move Gu Hang away from the position of Planetary Governor, getting her plan back on track.
Unexpectedly, Gu Hang had settled into his role as Planetary Governor over the year, and it looked like paying the Imperial Tax wouldn’t be an issue anymore. Moreover, Rage Owl Star seemed to be prospering more and more.
This was an unexpected and pleasant surprise.
“`