2081.Operation Zero (4)
One year?
When everyone present heard this number, their first reaction was that they had heard it wrong.
"Grand Duke, please... did you just say... one year?" Francis-Underwood asked tentatively.
"That's right! One year!" Tang Xiao's expression turned ferocious, "Is there any problem?"
"It is impossible to defeat Galactic Empire in one year." Francis-Underwood shook his head, "The power gap between us and Galactic Empire is too huge, and advanced technology can only barely allow us to stand opposite Galactic Empire as an opponent. We should..."
"Stupid!!!" Tang Xiao interrupted Francis with an angry shout. He looked at the people around him, opened his hands and said loudly, "Defeat the Galactic Empire! Kill Palpatine! Now! Why wait? Our Dawn Principality is unprecedentedly powerful! Material decompressor! Dyson Ring! We have endless resources! Under the banner of the Scourge, our army is invincible! If we are at our weakest, the Galactic Republic will be crushed by us!"
His eyes glowed with a terrifying golden light, and his emotions gradually rose, "I will not give Galactic Empire time to regroup! Now they are facing countless difficulties, Geth, Rebel Alliance, The remnants of Confederacy of Independent Systems! They are surrounded by internal and external troubles! I will not give them a chance to solve their internal problems! Before Palpatine stabilizes the political situation, I will tell him where the real fatal blow comes from!"
Matt-Hona also frowned, and he said, "But Galactic Empire still has more than ten times the strength advantage over us. The more reliable way is to gradually expand the internal conflicts of the Empire..."
"The safer way is for Palpatine to die tomorrow!!" Tang Xiao once again interrupted Matt-Hona, "Just kill him! The galaxy will naturally return to stability! The only person who can bring prosperity and unity to the galaxy can only be me!!"
Tang Xiao gave a passionate speech there. He kept emphasizing that Galactic Empire must be defeated now, and went on to explain how powerful Duchy of Dawn was.
This made the initiator of the plan, Sector Governor Sethvenna Ling Liang, a little difficult to adapt to. She frowned, lightly touched Hari Seldon next to her with her elbow, and whispered, "Grand Duke... He is obviously not like this. When we talked about this plan yesterday, he clearly..."
However, at this moment, Hari Seldon's eyes were full of solemnity, and he whispered expressionlessly, "Because this is the only way."
"What did you say?" Ling Liang was a little surprised.
Because in her opinion, although he is young, Hari Seldon, who has always been wise and steady, should logically be honest with Tang Xiao who is almost going crazy now.
Hari Seldon shook his head and said, "He is indeed a Tyrant, Dictator now. Therefore, he chose to use his authority and even terror to forcefully implement this plan. There is no room for maneuver. Once he starts, he will never look back. He uses his absolute power to suppress all opposition voices, and then attributes all the negative impacts of this plan to himself."
Ling Liang then remembered that when Tang Xiao asked them to keep their predictions secret yesterday, she said that the prediction results would strengthen everyone's belief. However, Tang Xiao asked her directly, what belief should she strengthen?
"That's right. If our prediction results are revealed, at least half of the people present will raise objections." Hari Seldon said, "Then the plan will progress slowly amid many doubts. It is better to directly add a major premise to the plan - this is Grand Duke's personal wishes. Then things will be completely different."
"I understand." Ling Liang nodded, and she set her sights on Helmut-Zemo on the other side.
And over there, Zemo also looked at her with a half-smile.
On the throne, Tang Xiao's speech became more and more exciting, "... you all think that defeating Galactic Empire within one year is a miracle? No! In my opinion, the development of our Fourth Civilization is the real miracle! No, it should be a miracle!! Which of you would have thought that?, we were still a colony of more than 100 people!? How could you have imagined that when we just started building, we would have a war that swept the entire galaxy!?
"The victory over Galactic Empire is just a matter of taking advantage of the situation! Galactic Empire is on the verge of collapse, both internally and externally! What we have to do is to kick Palpatine, who is already on the edge of the cliff, hard and kick Abyss down!"
He looked at everyone with a fanatical expression, "Today, I am not asking you whether this plan is feasible! Today, I am telling you that this is the future direction of Duchy of Dawn! Take a good look at the plan in your hands! Perfect it! Execute it! Then under the guidance of this plan, defeat Galactic Empire..."
He slowed down, used all his strength, and roared loudly, "One year!!!!!!"
He even used the Force for this sound, which was so deafening that even the earth was trembling!
Bang bang bang bang! When everyone was stunned, applause broke out.
But I saw Ling Liang and Hari Seldon had stood up and started applauding.
"Hahahaha! That's right! One year! One year! Defeat Galactic Empire!!" Helmut-Zemo is worthy of being Tang Xiao's number one loser. He immediately stood up and echoed loudly, applauding vigorously. He also cast approving glances at Ling Liang who took the lead.
Others also started to applaud, but it was obvious that there were differences between different people.
Those who applauded the most include Sefrans-Tann, secret Intelligence Department Minister Solomon Lane, Chief of Staff Qi Jian, Army General Xian Hui, Finance Minister Semir-Don, First Lady Adele-Ulan, Fourth Group Director Glosse-Shelbia, Vasari High Priest Shadi Li.
Those who clearly held objections, applauding but reluctantly and with somewhat unsightly expressions, included Commander of the Navy Matt-Hona, Prime Minister Francis-Underwood, and National Security Department Minister Peggy Carter.
Several others seemed indifferent to the outcome and held a neutral attitude. Now that Grand Duke Tang Xiao has decided, so be it.
After determining the general direction, everyone focused on this plan - Operation Zero!