The old Tuhane didn't answer Yu Lian's question right away. Instead, he added, "There's also more than a million tons of various aviation-grade metals, along with all kinds of maintenance robots. They're essential supplies for long-distance space travel. We'll also have two mobile shipyards and at least eight large, multipurpose repair ships standing by there. I'm not boasting when I say this: when it comes to emergency repairs, we Tuhane are every bit as capable as the Pallaians. Your warships aren't badly damaged. They'll need no more than twenty hours to be restored."
Yu Lian exchanged a glance with Rhodes. The latter immediately nodded with confidence.
Yu Lian understood what the other man meant: if repairs were needed, Rhodes would keep an eye on things himself. The Tuhane wouldn't be able to pull any tricks.
"You've prepared these supplies for the victors, haven't you?" Yu Lian asked with a smile.
"You're right." The old man forced a bitter smile. "But we've also prepared a plan specifically for you... Tomorrow, we'll put those seven battlecruisers, along with all medium and large ships of heavy cruiser class or above, on the free arms market. Then the Cherk Kingdom and the Iron Army Confederation should buy them all at a low price before long."
This time, Yu Lian was genuinely surprised. Of course, Rhodes was even more astonished.
"Your Excellency, you're really prepared to abandon your national defense!"
"Marshal, what the hell do you mean, national defense? The Empire's fleet has already reached Tubota! What's the point of going on about national defense now?" The usually refined Marshal Tanbo swore viciously for once. "That's why I said it's all those damn marauders' fault! Tell me, how did the Empire dare take dreadnoughts through the Abyss Nebula? The only explanation is that the Empire