Chapter 12
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The Five Hundred Worlds controlled by the Astartes can be described as the brightest pearl in the Imperium.
It has good public security, and the living standards of its inhabitants are generally among the top in the galaxy.
During the Horus Heresy, when the loyalist forces were scattered throughout the galaxy,
Guilliman even considered turning the Five Hundred Worlds into a second stronghold for humanity against Chaos. Along with the other two Primarchs, the Dark Angels' Primarch and the Blood Angels' Primarch Sanguinius, they planned to establish a Second Imperium.
Of course, this idea was dismissed when they discovered that the Emperor was still alive.
The three Primarchs dissolved the idea of a Second Imperium, led their forces to support Terra, and sealed all records related to this matter.
Even if it was not realized, the potential of the Five Hundred Worlds is evident.
The Five Hundred Worlds are Guilliman's source of confidence and cannot be lost.
Upon hearing of his resurrection, some of the less-impacted planetary governors and agile wandering merchants had already rushed over.
Others are either trapped in the current bad situation or unwilling to respect the orders of a resurrected Primarch, to come to Macragge.
The Emperor and the Primarchs have long become legends in mythology. Ten thousand years is enough time to change many things.
The past truth of the Imperium has been swept into the dust of history, and the despised Ecclesiarchy has become a member of the High Council of Terra.
The Cult Mechanicus is becoming increasingly conservative, while the Council of Terra is increasingly muddled.
Following the Cadia incident, the massive Imperium bled profusely, much like a hemorrhaging zombie, with the rate of blood loss outpacing the response time.
A millenium's worth of cultivation had entangled various factions deeply into the marrow of the Imperium. These parasitic forces relentlessly drained the Imperium, seeking to wholly consume it.
Those reluctant to join were waiting, unwilling to relinquish their rights to a primarch who had just awakened.
Decades, even centuries of rule had made them believe that their power was intrinsic, a symbol of their superiority.
Anyone who dared to challenge this became their enemy.
Guilliman didn't have the energy to deal with them for the time being. He needed to manage the worlds that were still willing to offer him support.
He had to reform and invigorate the existing system, turning the Five Hundred Worlds into a steadfast shield. Only then could his future plans be sustained.
Optimizing population structure, providing conscription, re-establishing wealth distribution, and stimulating the production of more food and weapons were his key tasks.
The bloated administrative department and aristocratic system needed to be streamlined to reduce the financial burden and increase efficiency.
Moreover, he wanted to improve nationwide education, establish a research structure independent from the Mechanicum, and supply more military forces and technical personnel for his impending expedition.
The Mechanicum and the Imperium were merely allies, occupying a significant position on the Terra Council.
Guilliman was not the Emperor. He could not ensure that the Mechanicum wouldn't suddenly break away from his control.
He also had to consider the possibility that if the Emperor revived and declared Guilliman a traitor to the Imperium, which side would the Mechanicum choose?
Would they choose the God of all Machines, Omnissiah, or the resurrected Thirteenth Son of the Emperor?
The answer seemed obvious. Perhaps some members of the Mechanicum would choose him, but they would definitely be in the minority.
He needed to have his own research institute with a complete research system to digest the various knowledge in the database.
To achieve all of this, he needed the help of these planetary governors.
Those born under the red light, the common people, should not permit the existence of these families that towered above them.
However, the complexity of this world far exceeded that of his original world.
Even though he was a transmigrator and a primarch, possessing unimaginable abilities with the help of the ruling template, he still couldn't fully control every world.
The Imperium was just too vast, and the means of communication and navigation were too inefficient.
Moreover, there weren't any sufficiently powerful AIs to use.
The Chaos gods could not only corrupt flesh-and-blood creatures but could also invade networks.
This world couldn't manage with the intelligent systems of the super-god world.
And one couldn't let an intelligent system control too many combat units.
In the aftermath of embracing the path of artificial intelligence, once invaded by demons, even the AI-controlled units could be corrupted by flesh and start firing at humans.
Under the banner of the Chaos Gods, there's a plethora of viruses and demons capable of exploiting intelligence and networks.
In this universe, developing large-scale artificial intelligence and entrusting the whole world to it is tantamount to seeking death.
These restrictions imply that every human colonized planet has a certain degree of autonomy. The role of planetary governor is unavoidable.
In addition to this, another key role is that of the Rogue Trader.
The history of the Rogue Traders is equally ancient, starting from the Great Crusade ten thousand years ago. From the moment the Emperor issued the first Rogue Trader Warrant, they began to play a crucial role on the imperial stage.
Responsible for trade between star systems and even entitled to trade with xenos, they hold unimaginable wealth.
Some Rogue Trader families can extend their influence over dozens, or even hundreds of star systems, showing their formidable power.
Where the Imperial Navy goes, the Rogue Traders go. Where the Imperial Navy doesn't venture, the Rogue Traders venture even more.
They salvage sunken warships, explore places where the Astronomican's light doesn't reach, and search for lost relics and civilizations from humanity's golden age.
Far from the Emperor's light, they engage in trade with xenos.
This group enlivens the Imperial economy, providing vast amounts of tax revenue that sustain the vast armies and bureaucracy.
Without this group's assistance, Guilliman might have had to raise funds himself.
After all, his Ultramarines barely have the time to make money.
Just dealing with xenos and chaos consumes all their attention.
In the grand hall, Planetary Governors and Rogue Traders alike, led by Quiller in his resplendent attire, express their loyalty to Guilliman.
Yet Guilliman, seated at the head of the round table, doesn't show any excitement at their words.
He taps the table before him and slowly starts to speak.
"I need a council. This council will help ensure my policies are implemented and my will is carried out. I wonder who among you is willing to serve me."
Guilliman gazes at those before him, expressing his needs.
He needs a council to help him formulate policies, to propagate his will and beliefs.
As he sets out on his campaign, and subdues each world, all worlds must be reformed according to his desires.
No longer can he afford to let things run their course.
Such actions will undoubtedly attract the hostility of many opposition forces within the Imperium.
The High Lords of Terra, the Adeptus Mechanicus, the nobility and traders of various sectors will all resent him for impinging upon their interests.
Yet Guilliman has no choice. In this age where the Four Chaos Gods have already awakened and the Emperor still slumbers, it's absolutely impossible to continue to let the planets govern themselves.
Many worlds are mired in chaos, overrun with gangs, with their underprivileged population used as fodder. The elites reign unchecked, fleeing when crisis hits.
In some worlds, the average lifespan is a paltry thirty years!
Imagine the dire state of affairs.
With such rampant injustice and brutality, why wouldn't people turn to the power of Chaos?
Having already hit rock bottom, how much worse could Chaos be?
Each world must be controlled, reshaped, with the establishment of a system where equality is relative, and advancement is possible for all. Only then can I assure a stable future.
Only the worlds I liberate will continuously provide talent and soldiers to salvage the Human Imperium.
Governor Ziller and others exchanged uneasy glances. This speech was crossing a line.
Was the Primarch, Guilliman, intending to follow in his brothers' footsteps and rebel against the Emperor's rule?
They were uncertain whether his words were sincere, or if this was a fishing expedition.
Guilliman perceived their hesitation. "This is not an act of betrayal. I may have just awoken, but I've seen the ignorance and foolishness that's engulfing the Imperium. The glory and rationality of the past have vanished, leaving only a zombie-like existence. Patchwork fixes could prolong the life of the Imperium, but it would increasingly diverge from my father's vision. Necessary reforms can strengthen us, the only way to combat Chaos and rampant xenos."
After his words, Guilliman turned to the planetary governors and rogue traders, asking solemnly, "Are you willing to serve me? You can decide according to your conscience, and I won't harm you for it. But I must tell you something.
The power of Chaos has become incredibly strong. On our side, the Great Rift has torn the Imperium apart. Nearly half of our human territories have lost the guidance and protection of the Astronomican, suffering the ravages of xenos and demons. You've all seen the bloated and corrupt Terran Senate, and the Mechanicum's closed-minded and rigid ways. If we don't change, the Emperor's dream will shatter in our hands, leading humanity towards extinction. As the Lord Regent of the Imperium, Lord of Ultramar, and Primarch of the Ultramarines, I sincerely hope you can support me."
At Guilliman's words, the planetary governors and rogue traders exchanged looks.