Starting from the Planetary Governor
Chapter 8: True Salvation

Although Gu Hang’s arrival was sudden and left no time for a grand welcoming ceremony, the people of the Wasteland Society still did their utmost to create some semblance of a reception, hoping to show their respect to the Governor.

As Gu Hang entered the somewhat cleaned-up mine entrance, he saw that all the lights in the mine were lit.

The people of the Wasteland Society lined up on both sides, standing along the mine’s passageway, awaiting the arrival of the person who would decide their future fate.

Gu Hang wasn’t the first to enter; his current military chief, Captain Yan Fangxu, had already led over a hundred men inside.

Along the way, the servant soldiers formed a human wall, separating the passage from the residents of the Wasteland Society.

The soldiers stood straight with their guns, while the surrounding civilians knelt as Gu Hang passed by.

Wherever Gu Hang went, people knelt to greet him.

Besides their people, the Wasteland Society had nothing else to offer for a grand reception.

As Gu Hang walked through the crowd, he observed the conditions of the Wasteland Society.

The people looked malnourished and unhealthy; the mine contained some mining tools like pickaxes and carts, all manual labor, with no equipment to speak of.

As he walked, he reached a cavern area within the mine.

This space was used by the Wasteland Society as a plaza and a significant residential area.

Many makeshift wooden structures were built haphazardly, serving as homes for many people.

More residents of the Wasteland Society were gathered here.

When Gu Hang’s footsteps echoed in the area, hundreds of people, led by their leader Patel, knelt down in unison.

The respect was abundantly clear.

A temporary stage had been set up here.

Gu Hang stepped onto it, where a microphone was already placed.

His voice would not only be heard by the people in this small plaza within the mine but also broadcasted through speakers placed in various parts of the mine, reaching those not present.

After all, this mine plaza wasn’t large enough to accommodate all nine hundred people.

Standing on the stage, Gu Hang gazed at the faces illuminated by the dim lights. He could see the relief of having survived a disaster, the gratitude towards him as their savior.

But he also saw confusion about the future, doubt about him as the person deciding their fate, and the numbness left by a life without hope in the wasteland.

The road ahead was long and arduous.

But he began to speak slowly, “People of the Wasteland Society, I am your Governor, Gu Hang.”

“Today, I saw everyone kneeling before me, expressing your submission. This is good; it proves that you have made the right choice.”

“Your leader, Patel, asked me for salvation, and I agreed.”

“I led the army to the Wasteland Society and eliminated the bandits threatening you. One hundred and forty-six bodies are neatly arranged outside, and eleven captives will soon face trial in front of all of you.”

“The salvation you sought has been granted; but the salvation I wish to bestow upon you is just beginning.”

“In the harsh and unforgiving wasteland, whether due to natural disasters or human calamities, our survival is constantly threatened. Today, the ‘Captors’ came; tomorrow, something else might come. You need the ability to protect yourselves, and I will arm you. This is the first salvation I will grant you.”

“You toil day and night in the mines, only to live a life deprived of sunlight, insufficient food, and inadequate clothing. Every winter, people die. You have the right to a better life, and I will ensure that all who are willing to work hard will live better. This is the second salvation I will grant you.”

“A safe environment, adequate food, and clothing may be your greatest wishes now. But once you are well-fed, you will have more desires—better living conditions, spiritual enjoyment, self-fulfillment, honor, and faith… I will provide you with a platform to pursue higher aspirations. This is the third salvation I will grant you.”

“In my plan, only after I grant you these three salvations and enable you to live safe and prosperous lives, can we truly talk about saving you!”

Gu Hang finished his speech.

At this moment, whether in the plaza, fortunate enough to see Gu Hang’s face, or crowded elsewhere, only hearing his voice through speakers, all the residents of the Wasteland Society were already rejoicing!

When Gu Hang mentioned that the bandits outside had been killed, the people were already cheering.

The bandits had killed and captured their comrades, trapping them in the cave for many days as their food supplies ran out.

They lived in constant fear until now, finally rescued, and their gratitude was genuine.

When Gu Hang spoke of arming them, some residents, especially the young and passionate ones, were even more exhilarated.

The people of the Wasteland Society always knew the importance of having guns and cannons in the wasteland.

In this place where the strong prey on the weak, without the ability to protect oneself, one was merely a piece of meat, no matter how lean or fat, and there would always be someone wanting a bite, as everyone was starving.

But guns and cannons weren’t free; the most valuable trade in the wasteland was arms.

The people of the Wasteland Society, struggling to feed and clothe themselves, couldn’t afford them.

With weapons, they would have a sense of security.

Facing a situation like this again, even if they couldn’t win, they at least had a fighting chance, not just sitting ducks relying on others for rescue.

The second point, ensuring food and clothing, sparked even greater passion! Gu Hang’s words struck at their core!

“We work so hard, we toil so diligently, why can’t we have a full meal?”

They didn’t understand external market exploitation or the value difference between raw and processed products, but… the Governor promised them food and warmth!

Just this point alone was enough to garner their full support for whatever the Governor planned to do!

As for the third point, the so-called ‘higher aspirations’… the people didn’t have a strong reaction, even feeling confused.

Surviving was already so hard; they rarely thought about anything beyond that, not understanding what ‘self-fulfillment’ or ‘honor’ meant.

They cheered along, continuing the enthusiasm from the previous points, believing that whatever the Governor said was right!

However, there were always a few who, despite their painful lives, still maintained their ability to think. When they heard the Governor speak of this, their eyes lit up.

The vast majority of the Wasteland Society’s residents were invigorated by Gu Hang’s speech!

They could already see a path of light and hope opening before them.