Chapter 022: The Governor

These resisters had lived in the underworld for a long time and knew its streets, buildings, population, and even monsters like the back of their hand, which indeed caused Wang Bo no small amount of trouble.

After all, Wang Bo's goal was to transform the place, not to destroy it.

If it were destruction, the Empire's forces could easily slaughter these people cleanly.

But Wang Bo certainly wouldn't do that.

Thus things became troublesome. Because of these people's desperate resistance, Wang Bo's transformation progressed very slowly.

Yet even so, the transformation continued. After all, the trouble they caused Wang Bo was merely trouble. The Empire's stormtroopers were well-equipped and of astonishing quality; within half a year, they could finish transforming the underworld.

But in Wang Bo's view, it was taking far too long.

So he simply snapped his fingers.

The criminals who had been resisting fiercely all dropped their weapons, voluntarily came out, surrendered to the Empire, and threw themselves into the transformation cause, contributing to Wang Bo's project.

But even so, Wang Bo still had no intention of letting them off.

After all, every single one of these people was no good.

If taken out for trial, they'd be enough to shoot for five minutes.

Thus Wang Bo's idea was to first let these people contribute to his underworld transformation cause, since they were very familiar with the place and could be put to good use.

Once the transformation was complete, Wang Bo would have them taken out and shot for five minutes—no, ten minutes.

This outcome was undoubtedly the best for everyone.

Not only would it eliminate some combustible garbage, but it could also comfort the spirits of those they had harmed.

Killing multiple birds with one stone—why not do it?

After resolving the underworld troubles, Wang Bo issued several decrees to ease the pressure on Coruscant's people.

Palpatine, though a cunning schemer, was not a good ruler.

He had enacted many harsh laws that plunged most of the galaxy's people into misery. For example, workers building the Imperial Palace would be imprisoned if they failed to finish on time.

Also, anyone suspected of being a spy could be arbitrarily detained even without evidence.

As long as I suspect you're a spy, I can arrest you.

It was far too subjective, completely disregarding hard evidence.

Under such circumstances, officials on Coruscant and throughout the galaxy—even a mere captain of the guard—could wrongfully accuse people at will.

Their power was unchecked and terrifying.

As a qualified ruler, Wang Bo certainly didn't want to see the Empire under his command filled with complaints and seething resentment. So he quickly issued some decrees to restrict the power of Imperial officials.

Unchecked power was truly terrifying.

Wang Bo believed that once these decrees were issued, many officials would express dissatisfaction.

Since the beast called power had been let out of its cage, getting it back in was no easy task.

Wang Bo had even anticipated the various tactics these officials would employ.

For instance, the higher-ups have policies while the lower levels have countermeasures, or paying lip service while acting otherwise, or 'the mountains are high and the emperor far away,' or even 'the general on the frontier may refuse the emperor's order.'

Wang Bo already had a countermeasure for this situation.

He reorganized a team to assess internal officials—the Internal Guard.

This team was specifically tasked with purging corrupt elements within. Their authority came directly from Wang Bo; once they found any official abusing power, they could dismiss and prosecute them. If there was resistance, they could even execute first and report later.

This team wielded astonishing power.

Wang Bo believed that once he deployed this team, they would become the thorn in the side of countless people.

They might even face numerous assassination attempts.

After all, this team was utterly detestable.

So when selecting personnel, Wang Bo placed the leadership of this team under Darth Vader.

With this Sith Lord in charge, few would dare to act against the team.

Moreover, to ensure the team's safety, Wang Bo even handed over the Death Star to Darth Vader.

As for the Death Star's original commander, Governor Tarkin, he was promoted by Wang Bo to become Chancellor Tarkin, second only to the emperor, assisting Wang Bo in governing the vast Galactic Empire.

Just as Wang Bo's various reforms were in full swing,

one day, Chancellor Tarkin suddenly requested an audience with Wang Bo.

"Is there something?" Wang Bo received Chancellor Tarkin in the palace hall.

The chancellor stood to one side and said to Wang Bo, "Your Majesty, Sector Governor Jerjerrod wishes to see you."

Jerjerrod?

Wang Bo recalled the documents he had read a few days ago and immediately remembered who this was. He was a sector governor of the Empire, a very high position.

Tarkin had also been a sector governor back then, though a senior sector governor.

It seemed slightly higher than Sector Governor Jerjerrod, but in reality, their status was similar—both were important ministers of the Empire. More importantly, this Jerjerrod was no ordinary man.

Before Palpatine stepped down, he had received Palpatine's orders to build a second Death Star.

Like Tarkin, he was a die-hard loyalist of Palpatine.

After Wang Bo replaced Palpatine and announced the news of the audience, he hadn't expected this man to be the first to arrive.

So he nodded with interest and said, "Alright, let him in."

Chancellor Tarkin then conveyed the order.

Before long, a middle-aged man with a straight military bearing strode in. When he saw that the man on the throne was not the Palpatine he had served, he couldn't help but freeze.

Then he involuntarily looked at Chancellor Tarkin.

He hoped the other could give him an explanation—who exactly was sitting up there.

Chancellor Tarkin smiled slightly. "Jerjerrod, since you have seen the Emperor, why do you not bow?"

Jerjerrod was taken aback and looked at Wang Bo tentatively. "Emperor Palpatine?"

"No, my name is Wang Bo. From now on, I am the Emperor of the Galactic Empire."

Wang Bo's words made Jerjerrod's heart sink. He asked, "And the former Emperor?"

"He has been imprisoned by me and will face trial soon." Wang Bo smiled at Jerjerrod and said slowly, "All of Coruscant has fallen into my hands. The Galactic Empire is mine to rule. Jerjerrod, tell me your answer: will you pledge allegiance to me, or go keep Palpatine company?"

Jerjerrod looked around and couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.