Chapter 1001: This Governor Is Different

Ke'erwa, the capital city "Huguang City," former Governor's mansion banquet hall.

The gorgeously dressed Ke'erwa nobles wore smiles on their faces, holding crystal glasses and chatting merrily.

These ruling-class members of Ke'erwa possessed an appearance similar to Humans, only their ear auricles were more pointed and slender.

The Feng Qi Xing Alliance had been replaced by a master named the "Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance."

At this moment, the protagonist of the banquet was the newly appointed planetary Governor, Sheng Wolun.

Sheng Wolun wore the dark gray uniform of a Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance Administrator, his shoulder insignia simple.

Sheng Wolun's figure was not particularly tall, but he stood straight, calmly scanning everything around him.

Several of the most powerful nobles of Ke'erwa surrounded Sheng Wolun, their faces piled with smiles.

Grand Duke Aldridge, an old man with white hair and beard, was the first to speak.

"Respected Governor, welcome to Ke'erwa! Please allow me, on behalf of all the nobles and citizens of Ke'erwa, to express our warmest welcome and highest respects to you and the great Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance! May your governance bring our planet new prosperity and stability!"

Grand Duke Aldridge raised his wine glass, and the surrounding nobles also raised their glasses one after another.

Sheng Wolun only nodded slightly, not raising the glass of clear water before him.

"Grand Duke, you are too kind. Governing a planet is my duty.

Prosperity and stability stem from the obedience to and practice of the Emperor's laws, not from empty words."

The smile on Aldridge's face stiffened, but he quickly returned to normal.

"Of course, of course! The law is naturally the cornerstone. We Ke'erwa have always been a model of law-abiding citizens."

The Mining Tycoon Sike immediately took up the conversation.

"The Governor is busy with a thousand tasks, and being new here, you must not yet understand the local customs of Ke'erwa. We have prepared some small... local specialties for you, hoping to help you adapt better."

As he spoke, Sike clapped his hands, and several attendants brought up a few exquisite boxes.

"A small token of our sincerity, please do not refuse."

Sike rubbed his hands together and said fawningly.

"These ores are unique to our planet and have excellent energy conductivity; these artworks also have some collection value; as for these properties, the environment is quiet and suitable for you to rest and relax in your spare time.

We Ke'erwa may not dare to claim much, but we can certainly ensure our friends live comfortably and contentedly."

The surrounding nobles all waited for Sheng Wolun's reaction.

This was their usual trick; in the era of the Feng Qi Xing Alliance, no matter how difficult an official was, they would become "reasonable" in the face of such heavy "sincerity."

Sheng Wolun's gaze swept over those priceless "specialties," and he raised his hand to signal the attendants to close the boxes, saying to Sike.

"Mr. Sike, the salary of a Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance official is sufficient to satisfy the needs of a decent life.

All additional gifts are violations of the rules. Please take these items back as they are.

As for the properties... followers of the Emperor have no need for private estates."

Sheng Wolun paused and looked at Sike.

"What I am more concerned about is that in the Number Three Mining Area under your name, according to preliminary statistics, there are still over five thousand workers living in shanty towns that do not meet basic survival standards, lacking clean drinking water and medical security.

Regarding this matter, I hope to see a detailed rectification report and practical improvement measures within three Standard Days."

Sike's expression froze; he opened his mouth to argue something, but under Sheng Wolun's gaze, he could not utter a single word.

The surrounding nobles also looked at each other, the atmosphere dropping to freezing point.

Lady Lina, a still-charming noblewoman, approached Sheng Wolun and said in a soft, alluring voice.

"The Governor is truly incorruptible, which is admirable. However, governing a planet requires not only laws but also human sentiment.

You have come here all alone, so you must need someone to take care of your daily life and relieve your worries."

Lady Lina signaled with her eyes, and a young, beautiful Ke'erwa noble girl walked over carrying a tray of snacks.

"This is my daughter Aili, who is most understanding and also knows a thing or two about music, chess, calligraphy, and painting..."

Sheng Wolun did not look at the girl, his gaze passing over Lady Lina to look at the distant slums outside the banquet hall window.

"Lady Lina, my life has long been dedicated to the Emperor's great cause. Personal emotions and pleasures are like passing clouds to me.

As for you, Madam, I have noticed that in the civilian district in the east of the city, many children lack the opportunity to receive an education.

Instead of putting your energy into these meaningless things, you should think about how to contribute some real strength to the future of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, for example... by donating to build a few primary schools that meet the standards."

The smile on Lady Lina's face stiffened, and the hand of the girl Aili holding the tray trembled slightly.

The successive rebuffs made the nobles realize that this new Governor was completely different from any official they had encountered before.

He did not love wealth, was not lustful, and did not covet pleasure.

What he cared about was actually the lives of those "mud-legged ones" they regarded as grass!

Grand Duke Aldridge waved away Sike and Lady Lina, leaned close to Sheng Wolun, and lowered his voice.

"Governor, you are kind-hearted and care for the lower-class people; we understand and admire that.

But... please forgive my bluntness, governing a planet, especially one like Ke'erwa with a long history and unique culture, cannot be too... radical.

Those slaves and lower-class civilians are accustomed to the old order; sudden changes might trigger turmoil, which is not conducive to stability.

We noble classes have managed this land for generations and understand the local conditions better; perhaps... we could assist you in implementing your new policies in a more... gentle way?"

Sheng Wolun withdrew his gaze from outside the window and looked at Aldridge.

"Grand Duke, your so-called 'stability' is a false prosperity built upon the blood and tears of countless people. Your so-called 'experience' is a tool to maintain the interests of your privileged class."

Sheng Wolun's eyes became sharp.

"I was once enslaved by the Beast Race! In the dark cages, I saw with my own eyes my compatriots treated like livestock and felt the taste of despair.

It was the Emperor's Angels, the Space Marines of the Salamanders Legion, who saved us from hell!

What they gave us was not charity, not pity, but the dignity and hope that Humans should possess!

The Emperor's will is to liberate all of humanity, so that every Human, and every intelligent life form willing to follow Human laws and integrate into Human Civilization, can enjoy equal opportunities and basic rights!

This is not a request, not a negotiation; this is an unshakable law!"

Sheng Wolun looked around at the nobles and continued speaking.

"You may not be able to understand, because you have never experienced true oppression, nor have you ever witnessed true light.

But I tell you, the old era has ended.

From this moment on, Keerwa will operate according to the laws of the Holy Shura.

Any attempt to corrupt officials of the Holy Shura will be met with the severest punishment."

Sheng Wolun picked up the glass of water that had remained untouched and raised it.

"This glass of water is clear to the bottom, just like the laws of the Emperor, which brook no defilement. Gentlemen, conduct yourselves accordingly."

Having finished, Sheng Wolun set down the water glass, ignored the nobles behind him with their varied expressions, and walked straight out of this nauseating banquet hall.

Inside the banquet hall, only the Ke'erwa nobles remained, looking at each other in dismay.