After dealing with Nes Luman’s affairs and securing a Puppet Sovereign, Gu Hang didn’t stay much longer on Heijian Star.
About a week later, he left the place and returned to Rage Owl Star.
Of course, he was very busy during the week before his departure.
He and Nes Luman met with many people nonstop, most of whom were mid-to-high-level rulers of the Luman Kingdom.
Many had died in the previous wars, but there were also survivors.
And among the most important were the two remaining marquesses with real power in the Luman Kingdom.
The marquesses from the south, Yassago and Janviers, couldn’t believe the reports from the envoys upon their return.
In their conventional thinking, such a scenario was almost impossible. If it had been them, how could they possibly accept leaving Nes Luman in charge of the kingdom?
A puppet?
Could a real monarch be used as a puppet?
They didn’t know whether to call it arrogance or confidence.
As for the marquesses themselves, their minds were rather complicated.
They inevitably harbored thoughts of using the great change to further their own ambitions. Previously, they had considered making a risky move against the Rage Owl Star People’s defenses – it was this thought that influenced them.
Of course, looking at the current situation, they could only say that it was fortunate they hadn’t really lost their heads then.
Having abandoned the idea of opposing the Gu Family, they considered changing their approach. After all, even if the Gu Clan had seized the Luman Kingdom, someone would still need to manage it, wouldn’t they? Wouldn’t the two marquesses be the obvious choices?
But the recent developments had also cut off this path.
The Luman family would continue in power.
Although, this Luman family was no longer the same as the one before, whose Royal Knights had been so oppressive they couldn’t breathe.
But… even with the Royal Knights gone, there were still the troops from Rage Owl Star.
The Gu Family would certainly leave military forces to safeguard the Luman Kingdom, and they still wouldn’t dare to cause trouble.
As for Nes Luman’s capabilities, they had experienced them thoroughly over the past twenty years.
No matter if this fellow was planning some small moves or truly serving the Gu Family, they might still target the two marquesses.
The marquesses realized that after going full circle, the situation for both of them didn’t seem to have changed at all!
What a pointless excitement!
Then, an invitation arrived, requesting their presence in Pincer City to meet His Majesty the King and the King’s master.
The two marquesses hesitated, felt reluctant, even harbored resentment and anger. But in the end, they had no choice but to go.
…
After meeting with the Luman Kingdom’s high officials and having made contact with those who would administer his ‘colony” in the future, Gu Hang spent a long time in discussions with Perbov.
Gu Hang would leave behind three divisions for Perbov—the 2nd Division, the 13th Brigade, and the 36th Brigade would all be stationed on Heijian Star for the long term.
The Expeditionary Force was officially renamed the ‘Black Arrow Corps.’ Even the 34th, 37th, and 38th Divisions, which had been battered in the battles, might return with replenished personnel and equipment to join the ranks of this Corps with honor on Heijian Star.
Perbov was the one Gu Hang intended to continue as the commander of this colonial corps.
He would, as a brigadier general, command this army to suppress the Luman Kingdom.
At the same time, Gu Hang also stated that Perbov need not concern himself with political affairs and let Nes Luman handle it himself. He would only need to cooperate with the military when necessary or provide support to quell crises when there were internal instabilities.
In addition, he arranged for Jordan Leroy, the chief political commissar of the corps, to be involved in rebuilding the Luman Kingdom’s native military forces.
Nes Luman had already been authorized to reestablish the so-called ‘Royal Knights.’
Of course, they would not bear that name in the future and would be renamed the ‘Loyal Guard Corps.’
The Luman Kingdom’s government would undertake all the work, but Leroy should deeply involve himself in it.
And the reconstituted ‘Loyal Guard Corps,’ as a colonial military force, would be under the command of the Black Arrow Corps.
In less flattering terms, they would be a vassal army.
Perbov accepted this assignment.
While it was somewhat disheartening to be stationed in a foreign land, as a soldier, it was his duty and responsibility.
However, there was one point in the governor’s instructions that puzzled him.
He thought his main purpose for staying was to oversee Nes Luman and ensure his loyalty.
What he didn’t expect was that the governor seemed to primarily want him to assist the king.
This puzzled him, and he even thought the governor might be placing too much trust in the king, prompting him to consider advising the governor to prevent being deceived and to consider the risk of betrayal.
But after a deep conversation with his political commissar Leroy, he dismissed these thoughts.
How could the governor be so easily deceived?
There must be some things they were not meant to know.
They, as military men, should not engage in admonishment and should simply obey orders.
…
Having met with the high-ranking officials of the Luman Kingdom and having made arrangements for Perbov and his Black Arrow Corps, the colonial affairs of the Luman region were largely settled.
Of course, there were still some diplomatic issues involving other countries on Heijian Star.
However, these were not matters Gu Hang intended to resolve personally.
