Operation Zero (III)
Hari Seldon said, "If we include outdated warships like the Victory I-class and Hunter Class that have yet to be retired, the Galactic Empire now has more than ten thousand capital ships. By comparison, our active-duty capital ship fleet numbers 1,200 vessels—a force disparity of nearly ten to one. So even if we can gain the upper hand in a Defense Battle, it will still take us a very long time to wear down the Galactic Empire's enormous military strength."
Tang Xiao said coldly, "According to the results of our repeated simulations, we will need to fight a defensive war for at least three years. During that time, we must destroy 17,000 Galactic Empire warships. Only then can we force the Galactic Empire onto the defensive, while building up a force capable of launching a direct offensive. Although the process will be unimaginably difficult, it can be considered a guaranteed victory."
"And during those unimaginably difficult three years, the worst-case scenario will occur," Hari Seldon said. "Unable to bear the crushing pressure of war, those citizens who never truly identified with the Duchy of Dawn will rise in revolt. Their rebellion will bring production to a halt; halted production will create gaps in frontline forces; and gaps in frontline forces... will bring about a crushing defeat."
His tone gradually grew heavy. "And once the front collapses, it will confirm the legitimacy of the Galactic Republic and the Galactic Empire's rule over the Milky Way Galaxy. That will directly ignite a nationwide wave of rebellion. By then, we will not even have the chance to trade space for time and use strategic depth to strike at Galactic Empire fleets that have pushed too deeply into our territory..."
Hari Seldon sighed. "My lord, our people will indeed fight to