Gu Hang deceived Matins.
It wasn't much, just a little bit.
Painting a pie in the sky couldn't be considered deception, if the Starfighters were willing to help him, and Rage Owl Star did indeed develop as he'd planned, then he wouldn't mind supporting a Battle Group.
He had never intended for Phoenix to be entirely, utterly at his service.
The difference was too significant.
Within the Imperial system, a planetary governor and a Starfighter Battle Group commander were completely separate entities; there was no subordination to speak of. However, when it came to status, the latter held much greater esteem than the former.